About Susquehanna University Catholic Campus Ministry · Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania
Susquehanna University Catholic Campus Ministry (SU CCM) is the student Catholic organization at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, devoted to helping students learn about and grow in their Catholic faith. Because Susquehanna is a historically Lutheran-affiliated liberal arts university without a Catholic chapel on campus, CCM students gather for Sunday Mass and other sacraments at neighboring St. Pius X Catholic Church (112 Fairview Drive). The campus ministry is pastored by Fr. Josh Cavender of the Diocese of Harrisburg and offers weekly Bible study, social events, retreats, and trips such as the SEEK conference, all coordinated alongside St. Pius X Parish.
- Rector
- Rev. Joshua R. Cavender
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Susquehanna Catholic Campus Ministry welcomes every student who wants to explore or deepen the Catholic faith while at college. Students gather for Sunday Mass with the parish of St. Pius X, meet weekly for Bible study and fellowship, take trips like the national SEEK conference, and find a supportive community in a university whose own spiritual-life office describes Catholic students as part of a broader culture of belonging. It is a small, growing ministry that intentionally makes room for newcomers, inquirers, and lifelong Catholics alike.
Mass times at Susquehanna University Catholic Campus Ministry
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 5:00-6:00 PM (St. Pius X Adoration Chapel)
- Saturday 3:30-4:30 PM (St. Pius X)
Adoration times
- Perpetual Adoration Monday-Friday (St. Pius X Adoration Chapel)
Welcome from Catholic Campus Ministry
The official SU CCM website greets visitors with the message 'All Are Welcome In This Place!' and frames itself as the central online hub for everything related to Catholic life at Susquehanna University. Visitors are invited to look around the site, learn about their parish church, weekly activities, and reach out for any further information they might need.
- Tagline: 'All Are Welcome In This Place!'
- Website functions as the web destination for all things Catholic at Susquehanna University
- Contact encouraged via Instagram @susqu_ccm or GroupMe
Mass and Worship Schedule
For the 2026-2027 academic year, the campus ministry lists its two regular Sunday Masses at 9 AM and 5 PM, with additional regular events added as scheduled. Because the ministry gathers at neighboring St. Pius X Catholic Church (Diocese of Harrisburg), students also have access to the parish's full schedule: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday daily Mass at 8:00 AM, Wednesday Mass at 6:00 PM, Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM, and Sunday at 9:00 AM. The Sunday noon Mass celebrated by SU CCM takes place in the St. Pius X Adoration Chapel when Susquehanna University is in session.
- Sunday Mass (SU CCM 2026-2027 school year): 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM
- Sunday Noon Mass in St. Pius X Adoration Chapel during SU academic sessions
- Daily Masses at St. Pius X: Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat 8:00 AM; Wed 6:00 PM
- Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:00 PM
- Holy Day Mass: contact the parish for times
Our Chaplain and Clergy
Catholic Campus Ministry at Susquehanna is pastored by Rev. Joshua R. Cavender (Fr. Josh Cavender), a priest ordained in 2017 for the Diocese of Harrisburg. Fr. Josh also appears in diocesan media as a presenter for Breadbox Media's 'Why Do Catholics…' catechetical series. He is supported at St. Pius X Parish by Deacon Chris J. Darrup and Coordinator of Religious Education MaLu Bautista de Medina.
- Chaplain: Rev. Joshua R. Cavender (ordained 2017, Diocese of Harrisburg)
- Contact email: [email protected]
- Deacon: Deacon Chris J. Darrup (St. Pius X)
- Coordinator of Religious Education: MaLu Bautista de Medina (St. Pius X)
Weekly Activities and Fellowship
Beyond Sunday Mass, SU CCM offers weekly opportunities to grow in faith and friendship. The ministry holds Bible study and social events weekly on the Susquehanna campus, and partners with the Diocese of Harrisburg and other Catholic university ministries to organize larger gatherings. Students stay connected through a dedicated GroupMe group and the Instagram account @susqu_ccm, where Mass times, event announcements, and last-minute updates are posted.
- Weekly Bible Study on campus
- Weekly social events on campus
- GroupMe group for real-time updates
- Instagram: @susqu_ccm
SEEK Conference and Retreats
Catholic Campus Ministry has organized trips to the national SEEK conference, a large Catholic student conference hosted by FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students). Participation in SEEK gives Susquehanna students a chance to encounter thousands of other young Catholics, hear national Catholic speakers, and deepen their sense of vocational calling. The campus ministry also benefits from Susquehanna University's broader spiritual-life programming, including the recently established Rev. Dr. Lois D. Martin '90 and Dr. Thomas J. Martin, MD Retreat Center in Cooper Township, Montour County — a 50-acre property used by religious and spiritual life student groups, including pre-ministry clubs.
- Annual trip to SEEK conference (FOCUS)
- Access to the Martin Retreat Center (50 acres, Montour County)
- Coordinated through Susquehanna's Center for Spirituality & Meaning
Diocese and Parish Relationship
SU Catholic Campus Ministry operates within the Diocese of Harrisburg and is closely tied to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Selinsgrove. St. Pius X is a Roman Catholic parish of about 650 families whose own mission statement explicitly names Susquehanna University among those it serves. Because Susquehanna University does not maintain a Catholic chapel on campus, the partnership with St. Pius X — just a short shuttle ride away — is the backbone of Catholic sacramental life for students.
- Diocese: Harrisburg
- Host parish: St. Pius X Catholic Church
- St. Pius X parish size: approximately 650 families
- St. Pius X explicitly serves Susquehanna University students
St. Pius X Catholic Church (Host Parish)
Located at 112 Fairview Drive in Selinsgrove, St. Pius X Catholic Church is the canonical home of Catholic Campus Ministry. The parish is staffed by Rev. Joshua R. Cavender as pastor, Deacon Chris J. Darrup, and Coordinator of Religious Education MaLu Bautista de Medina. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and Friday 8:30 AM to 12 Noon. The parish grounds include the church, parking, restrooms, and a social hall, and it serves as the gathering point for SU students attending Mass, confession, and adoration.
- Address: 112 Fairview Drive, Selinsgrove, PA 17870
- Parish phone: (570) 374-4113 / (570) 374-0156
- Parish email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon-Thu 8:30 AM-4:30 PM; Fri 8:30 AM-12 Noon
- On-site amenities: church, parking, restrooms, social hall
Spiritual Life at Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University, founded in 1858 as the Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, has long embraced a culture of religious and spiritual belonging. The university's Center for Spirituality & Meaning coordinates weekly Shabbat dinners (Hillel), a Sunday 11:00 AM chapel service in Weber Chapel (also broadcast on 88.9 FM WQSU The Pulse), and a free shuttle to the St. Pius X Catholic student Mass. Annual interfaith gatherings include the Christmas Candlelight Service (over 1,600 attendees), Diwali, a Passover Seder, Eid al-Fitr, and Sukkot. Catholic Campus Ministry is one of several recognized religious and spiritual clubs on campus.
- Susquehanna founded 1858 (historically Lutheran)
- Center for Spirituality & Meaning: 570-372-4303
- Sunday Christian worship: 11:00 AM, Weber Chapel (also on 88.9 FM WQSU)
- Free shuttle to St. Pius X Catholic student Mass
- Annual Christmas Candlelight Service (1,600+ attendees)
Get Connected
Students interested in Catholic Campus Ministry at Susquehanna are encouraged to reach out through multiple channels: email Chaplain Fr. Josh Cavender at [email protected], follow the @susqu_ccm Instagram account, join the ministry's GroupMe group, or stop by the Center for Spirituality & Meaning at 514 University Avenue. St. Pius X Parish office can also be reached at (570) 374-4113 or [email protected] for sacramental or administrative needs.
- Email Chaplain: [email protected]
- Instagram: @susqu_ccm
- GroupMe group for updates
- Center for Spirituality & Meaning: 570-372-4303
- St. Pius X Parish office: (570) 374-4113 / [email protected]