Kristel Riffert Is Named Catholic Campus Minister At UE
The more things change, goes the well-known adage, the more they stay the same, writes Steve Dabrowski, diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
“Our newest campus minister in the Diocese of Evansville brings more than six years of experience guiding the students at the University of Evansville in the same post. I am pleased to announce Kristel Riffert as the Catholic Campus minister serving the University of Evansville.”
Dabrowski noted that “during a short stint away from campus ministry, Kristel had a successful track record as an associate director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Diocese of Harrisburg, Pa.
“Her duties in that position enhanced her already-strong knowledge of campus ministry, and she gained valuable insights into other areas of youth and young adult ministry. Her experience at the campus, diocesan and parish levels provide Kristel with a strong knowledge base from which to lead the campus ministry at U.E., and we are excited to have her ‘home’ again.”
Riffert said, “Working with the young adults at UE was by far the most rewarding experience of ministry I have ever experienced.”
During her work in campus ministry, she learned that “college is a time when young adults are looking for meaning and for purpose and fulfillment in their lives. They are looking to better understand who it is God has created them to be. This is the time to ‘empower’ our young adults, to reverently collaborate with them, to guide and assist in training them, in developing them as leaders in Catholic campus ministry, in parish ministry, in service to the Church, in discovering their vocation.”
She earned a bachelor of music degree from the University of Evansville and a master of theological studies degree from St. Meinrad School of Theology.
