New campus minister looks to learn from students

She has 11 tattoos, two of them Bible quotes, one on each wrist.

Her name is Carmen Schaff, and she is the new campus minister at the Buffalo State Newman Center.

She graduated in May with a B.A. in English literature and a minor in women's studies. Campus Ministry Director the Rev. Patrick Zengierski, who also works at Niagara University, chose her from a group of 30 candidates.

"She was chosen because she had the best interaction with the students," Zengierski said.

Schaff said she wants to learn more from students about their experiences before instigating any major plans.

"Right now I'm trying to get used to everything. I'm trying to understand everything and find out what has worked and what doesn't. I'm here to listen and do what the students want," she said.

She is working with peer minister Nathaniel Rey, a junior philosophy major.

"We want to create a student council that will be the best way to help students get what they want from the Newman Center," Rey said.

Schaff is also working with peer minister Alex Mercedes, a junior political science major, on community service programs.

Schaff became an active Catholic in high school. She attended church with her aunt and was baptized in her junior year.

"I really love everything about being Catholic. I love the sacraments and the traditions," she said.

She chose to major in English at NU because she liked reading.

"My dad said that when I was little I had a book in every room. I love Harry Potter and Shakespeare," she said.

When she is not working, she likes to paint and work with charcoals.

"There is an unfinished painting of Kurt Cobain on my wall," she said.

Most of her tattoos are composed of flowers and can't be seen.

Students can meet Schaff when she is sitting behind the Newman Center table in the Student Union. You can also meet her on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Newman Center, where a "home-cooked" dinner is served.

The Newman Center is part of a national organization that provides Catholic ministry for Non-Catholic universities. Mass is held in the basement 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Sundays. A 6:00 p.m. mass on Thursdays is held before dinner. The Buffalo State Newman Center also organizes retreats every semester. To learn more, visit http://www.buffalostate.edu/orgs/newmanct/index.html.

Kristine Starkey can be reached by email at starkey.record@live.com.