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.”