FAYETTEVILLE — Laurie Schuler had never been to Arkansas before last summer, but these days she’s right at home as a campus minister at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Fayetteville.
“It’s a great place to be,” Schuler said about her job and location. “You’re only bounded by your own creativity.”
She quickly developed several programs that are popular with University of Arkansas students and hopes to build on the momentum with an outreach program for faculty members, too.
Although Schuler settled into her new surroundings easily — students had her “calling the Hawgs,” the legendary Razorback cheer — within weeks, Fayetteville is further in more than distance from her last home.
“I was working on Capitol Hill,” Schuler explained.
She had completed her master of divinity degree at Washington Theological University and then worked for two years at a Capital Hill parish made up mostly of young adults, many of them well connected in Washington.
Even before her Washington experience, Schuler had made another big move in her life, a career change. She said it was a gradual change that led her to church ministry, one that was stirred, in part, by her first career as a physical therapist.
“I was working with people who were ill and disabled,” Schuler explained.
Being so close to people with physical injuries and brain damage sparked thoughts about the meaning of human life and suffering, perhaps at an earlier age than many people, she continued.
It also helped lead her to a renewed interest in her Catholic faith.
“Very gradually, I discerned a call to theology,” Schuler said.
She began taking philosophy classes at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass., and volunteered to work as dormitory chaplain for freshmen girls.
“I loved it,” she recalled of her work with students. It was “a really good experience.” Eventually, Schuler began working on another master’s degree (her first was in physical therapy from Texas Woman’s University in Houston) at Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C. The program, affiliated with the Franciscans, is offered to lay people as well as clergy and includes studies of Church history, canon law, Scripture, among other topics.
“You pick up a lot of pastoral skills as well to be able to apply what you’re learning,” Schuler continued.
She graduated in 2004 and then spent the next couple of years working at an area parish.
But the job description at St. Thomas Aquinas seemed ideal. “It was the blueprint of my perfect job,” Schuler recalled.
She flew in from Washington to interview and mused on the plane about what kind of dog she’d adopt if Arkansas became her new home. Her choice was a chocolate Labrador. Shortly after landing in northwest Arkansas, Schuler received divine confirmation, well, perhaps canine confirmation, that this is where she was supposed to be when she visited Father Andy Smith, who is the parish’s pastor. Turns out Father Smith’s own dog is a chocolate Lab.
“It was confirmation,” Schuler smiled.
Late August in Fayetteville is a whirlwind as university students return for the fall term, but the St. Thomas staff helped Schuler find an apartment and within two days, she was at work, organizing programs for new and returning students. In fact, it worked out so well that Schuler is convinced “the Holy Spirit had to be involved.”
Schuler is one of two campus ministers on staff — Vera Zawislak is the other. The church is a block away from the university campus and is specifically intended for students, faculty and staff members from the university.
As a result, most church activities are designed to appeal to students.
“Break with the Bible” is a weekly program Schuler created for students. The idea is to give students a chance to review readings for the next weekend’s Mass.
“It’s been great fun and really rewarding,” Schuler said of the program. “It gives students a way to know Jesus Christ on a personal level.”
Seekers Thursday is another program Schuler began. Each week, the group discusses about a religious topic or social event. Occasionally, the night’s schedule is a just-for-fun event. There’s even a “stump the priest” night when participants can pose vexing questions about the Church to “Father Andy,” as he’s affectionately known around the parish.
Schuler said she’s been drawn to a young adult ministry like that on the campus and believes her own experiences are valuable in working with young adults. She’s a cradle Catholic but, like many young adults, for a time felt her faith wasn’t that important.
While the UA spring term has ended and the campus is somewhat quiet, it’s preparation time for the St. Thomas staff, who are readying for the fall term already.
As for Schuler, she’s also looking for a new apartment where she can settle in a little more permanently.
“I’m going to stay for awhile,” she said.
