The famous saying goes, "There's no place like home."

Before coming to Elon this fall, I had aspirations that the town and university would become like a home to me, but I had no way of knowing for sure if it would have as profound an impact on me as my hometown and high school did.

Through nearly a semester at Elon, I could not be happier with the way I have adapted to the community and the impact it has had on me. Much of this has come through my involvement with Elon Catholic Campus Ministry. Joining CCM and participating in its activities has played an immensely positive role on my experience at Elon. Not only have I met numerous friends and formed some great memories, but I have gotten closer to God as well.

Besides going to weekly Mass, I have played for CCM's intramural teams, the Roman Cathletes, as well as attending Sunday Suppers and other events. Through all of this, I have met many people who share my faith and are enthusiastic about that faith. Coming into the semester, I had doubts about how I could stay true to my faith, yet alone improve it. Meeting people who enjoy sharing their faith has improved my relationship with God and given me the confidence to share it, despite being new to a campus with more than 6,000 students.

CCM intramurals have been extremely fun for me. I met many of the friends that I hang out with each day through playing flag football and leading the Cathletes to a 4-2 overall record. Playing in the wiffleball championship game was quite fun as well. Our faith is present at each and every game, where we pray before, during, and after games.

One of things that I benefitted most from this semester was speaking at Blessed Sacrament Parish over Fall Break. Going there, speaking at Mass, and most importantly, interacting with the parishioners, spoke volumes to me about how powerful faith can be when it is shared. Simply speaking with the parishioners there that day gave me a different perspective on the impact of Christ.

All in all, I could not be more thankful for CCM and the benefits it has brought me thus far here at Elon. This community truly is becoming like home to me.