More than 225 people filled the St. Isidore’s chapel in Manhattan on December 5 for a Christmas Concert by the St. Isidore’s Choir. The 60-member choir recently recorded a CD of Christmas music that will be available in March.

“A Christmas concert during Advent is pretty different for us, but Frank (Schmeidler) had been approached for many years about recording a Christmas CD, and the choir wanted to share these songs with everyone,” said Father Keith Weber, chaplain of St. Isidore’s.

The 15-song concert featured Christmas favorites such as “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night.” The concert also included the title song for the CD “Today Our Savior Is Born,” which was composed by St. Isidore’s liturgical director Frank Schmeidler.

Schmeidler said creating a recording of Christmas music was no easy task.

“I admire and thank the choir members for the many, many hours of time they have given and the dedication they have shown throughout the semester,” Schmeidler said. “Ever since we recorded the first choir CD, many people have asked when we would record a Christmas CD. I had always answered that it would be impossible to do one, because the students are not here for Christmas, and had not sung any of the music. For the choir members to have given all the extra time and effort it took to make the CD possible is truly amazing to me.”

Chris O’Halloran, a junior in mechanical engineering from Hesston and a member of the choir, said he enjoyed working with the other members of the choir and hoped the concert helped spread the love of Christ during the holiday season.

“I really hope that we were able to warm the hearts of everyone in the audience. Hopefully everyone heard a song or two that can help them open their hearts and prepare during this Advent season,” O’Halloran said.

Kari Nap, a permanent community member and 10-year choir member, said being in the choir is her escape from everyday life.

“I love to sing with the choir. The music is amazing, and Frank is amazing, too. We’ve grown so much through the recording process – we’ve gotten so much better. And these are my favorite songs to sing, so it made it easy to practice,” Nap said.

The songs were recorded in November. The new CD, which is the fourth recorded by the choir, is a fundraiser for the choir’s trip to Italy in May 2010. The trip will offer the opportunity for the choir to sing at many sites around Italy including Rome.

After the concert concluded, Father Weber thanked the choir for the beautiful music they shared.

“The choir has spent a lot of time and put a lot of effort into this, not to mention what they do every Sunday – leading us to worship through song,” Father Weber said.

A reception followed the concert in Newman Hall, and attendees were able to place advanced orders for the CD. By the end of the evening, nearly 200 CDs had been ordered. To order a CD, please contact St. Isidore’s at 785-539-7496.

While some students were watching football games or trick-or-treating, thirty K-State students experienced a new understanding of God’s love during the Pathways Retreat October 30-November 1 in Salina.

The retreat is organized by students from St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center in Manhattan. Pathways is directed and planned by students under the guidance of Father Keith Weber, chaplain of St. Isidore’s.

This year’s retreat director, Torie Reilly, a senior in agricultural education from Cherryvale, Kan., said Pathways is unlike any other retreat she has ever attended.

“The staff members willingly pour 10 months of their time into preparation and prayer. Around every corner there are more people using their talents to glorify God,” Reilly said.

Pathways was created to help college students grow in their relationship with God and share His love with others. A team of students share reflections on trust, breaking down walls and masks, suffering, relationships, and faith and service. The weekend offers time for small group discussions, personal reflection, communal prayer, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and Mass.

Zak Kinsey, a sophomore in geography from Shawnee, Kan., said Pathways provided the perfect opportunity to escape his hectic college life to focus on faith.

“Pathways helped me in ways that are indescribable. It gave me a better understanding of God and His love for me. It taught me to really see myself and others the way God sees us and to love the way He does,” Kinsey said.

While the weekend is focused on God’s love, there were plenty of opportunities to laugh and meet new friends. Laura Rose, a freshman in social work from Wichita, Kan., said she enjoyed the laid back and comfortable environment of Pathways.

“We all had the opportunity to build friendships with their foundation on Christ. We had a chance to grow together, cry together, witness love together, and pray together,” Rose said. “It was amazing.”

Reilly went on Pathways two years ago and served on the staff last year. She said Pathways came into her life at the perfect time, and she hopes every student will consider attending in the future.

“To give up a weekend to go on Pathways is to spend a weekend focused on what really matters in life: glorifying God. To attend Pathways is to find a family that will continue to support you as you chase the cross,” Reilly said.

For many students, Pathways is a life-changing experience. Caitlyn Romero, a junior in animal science and pre-veterinary medicine from Tucumcari, New Mexico, said it was amazing to be around other students who are passionate about the Catholic faith.

“Pathways really led to a few revelations for me. I learned how important forgiveness of others and yourself really is. I learned how wonderful we all are – just as God made us. I feel now that I can truly accept God’s will and can work towards following His plans rather than my own,” Romero said.

If you have visited St. Isidore’s lately, there is a good chance you have run into a new face among the staff members. Whether it is helping with an early morning retreat or chatting with students after a daily Mass, he is working hard to help serve St. Isidore’s every way he can.

Brian Ziegler, the new campus minister for St. Isidore’s, joined the team in the summer of 2009. Ziegler, from Hoxie, Kan., is a former K-State student and seminarian who has been heading the social justice activities, classes and events.

“Being a campus minister means being a person of service to others,” Ziegler said. “As a campus minister, I hope to assist and help in the spiritual care and growth of the students and that is both a challenging responsibility and an amazing blessing.”

One of Ziegler’s main duties has been leading students that are ministering to people in the nursing home, hospital and jail. Twenty-nine students are scheduled to participate in these three areas of service, which Ziegler sees as a great accomplishment, especially for just being the first year.

Students at St. Isidore’s are excited about the opportunities these ministries provide. Andrew Mense, a senior in milling science and management from Grinnell, Kan., is participating by ministering to the jail inmates.

“I think it’s a unique opportunity to see what life is like in a jail and to connect with the inmates by showing them Christ’s love,” Mense said.

Allie Dorsey, a sophomore in elementary education from Olathe, Kan., sees the benefits in being a minister, as well. She is in the group that will minister to the nursing home, which involves taking Holy Communion to the elderly and keeping them company.

“I decided to do this particular ministry because I love hearing the stories that the elders of our community have to share,” she said. “My grandpa, whose greatest complaint about the nursing home was how lonely it was, recently passed away. I thought it would be a nice tribute to him to help others with their loneliness.”

Because of students like Mense and Dorsey, Ziegler knows the blessings of St. Isidore’s community.

“The best part of St. Isidore’s is the community. For students to be able to gather with others who have the same values and desire to live out their faith is a great blessing. Our faith is all about community, this is a great place to have that support and love. My greatest joy thus far is without a doubt getting to know the students. We have some amazing students that are involved here,” Ziegler said.

However, these students are not the only ones excited to have Ziegler a part of the staff.

“Being a follower of Christ means we should live lives of service. It is important to reach out to others, especially the poor and the outcast, with the love of God,” Father Keith Weber said. “Most college students want to do service work and having Brian on staff will help organize ways of channeling that desire. Brian will be able to offer classes and workshops that will help people come to know the beauty of the Church’s teachings on social justice.”

Along with the ministries in the Manhattan community, Ziegler is also in charge of organizing mission trips, teaching classes and putting on workshops.

Students have already seen how Ziegler enhances the St. Isidore’s community.

“Brian not only works for St. Isidore’s as a campus minister, but he is also a friend and leader. He is very relatable to all of the students and was in our place not too long ago. Everyone that I have talked to thinks he is great. I think that Brian has brought more students to the St. Isidore’s community,” Dorsey said. “Many students enjoy the service aspect of the Catholic faith and Brian has provided them the opportunity to embrace that. I think that Brian is a great addition to the Isidore’s staff and I am excited to see what ideas he brings in the future.”