Student Spotlight
January 2017- Dennis Recinos
I am 20 years old and a transfer student at UTEP. I am studying
criminal justice and hope to become an animal cruelty investigator. I was born in Providence, Rhode Island. However, I recently moved to El Paso in August to study at the university. Upon starting at UTEP this fall, I came upon Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) as a source of guidance in faith and a place where I can meet other like-minded students who share similar beliefs and interests. CCM has been a “home away from home” so to speak. The people, the atmosphere, and the services provide a feeling of belogning and home. Living approximately 2100 miles away on your own, finding some sort of support and love is hard, but CCM fulfilled that goal. I am able to grow spiritually surrounded by students who help you along your journey. In November, I was able to complete my Confirmation, thanks to Father Andy for making phone calls and Sandra, my sponsor, for paricipating as my witness to help me finish the sacrament. CCM is my home, a home of kindness, comfortability, and understanding. Meeting people from various majors to degrees to lifestyles, I was able to adapt to El Paso with the aid of my fellow friends. CCM holds a special place in my heart, not only as a ministry, but as a center of faith, love, and hope to which it provides me stability, bravery, and strength to continue my education in El Paso. I thank CCM for molding me into a courageous, young man who seeks the Lord no matter how far he is from his family. Most of all, I thank the people I met through CCM, who have been nothing but generous, hospitable, and caring in making me feel welcomed and at home. Since becoming a member of CCM, I was able to participate in Miner Awakening 4 and become and officer for the ministry. “Psalm 28:7: The LORD is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” |