This article was written to shine a spotlight on an amazing team and highlight the huge impact they have since students and staff consider them to be the best Campus Ministry team there is.
Everywhere you go you’ll find people who do their jobs well and then you’ll find a rare few who treat their work as a calling like Mrs. Blaszak, Mr. Hart, and Mr. Sullivan. Together they have helped shape the community by providing a safe space, not just an office where our Campus Ministry team works. A room where our Central Catholic family can be together, enjoy each other’s company, go to for advice, a quick hello, or have faithful chats.
The Campus Ministry office has been described as “a place where students can come with questions about faith and I’ve learned I can go there to lean on people who truly care,” stated by sophomore Kailyn Khalil. She mentioned that she “went to confession there not knowing what to expect and all were very welcoming and kind which really stuck with me and gave me a good first impression of them.”
Something very noticeable about them is how naturally all their special gifts fit together. Even if they don’t see it themselves, the Central Catholic community does. They all bring skills and talents that align with the same values and the mission of Central Catholic: which aims “to make Jesus known and loved, educating the “whole person”
(mind, body, spirit) for college and life, with a special focus on serving the least favored.” Our mission is rooted in Marist values like humility, compassion, and service which are all qualities our Campus Ministry team has.
Mr. Hart
Mr. Hart is a wise and stable figure. He always seems calm and is a great listener. He creates space for students to share honestly without fear of judgment. Many students have said that he has often notices when a student is in need, asks questions, and offers support. Sophomore Lucia Cataldo stated “Mr. Hart is very kind, supportive, and welcoming in the lit band, he opens doors, gives answers to questions patiently, and is an amazing guitar player.” He truly models how to live faithfully and “tries so hard to remember everyone’s names which shows his lovable personality” said Kailyn Khalil. Junior Charlaine Nyarko described Mr. Hart as a person who is “kind, compassionate, and truly cares about and looks out for his students.”
She shared a very touching tribute about him and said, “when I was a scared freshman entering high school, Mr. Hart helped me feel welcome and supported as I adjusted to a completely new environment, and because of people like him, Central has become a place I proudly call home. I’ve been lucky to know him as a friend, and his support has meant more than he knows. I thank Mr. Hart for everything he’s done for me and many others. Central is more than just a school, it’s a home because of people like Mr. Hart.” He always makes time for students, offers encouragement when it’s needed most, and creates spaces where everyone feels seen and valued. He is one of the best mentors anyone could ask for.
Mrs. Blaszak
Mrs. Blaszak is an amazingly organized person, and if Campus Ministry is offering an opportunity for a retreat, a service project, help with Liturgy, or a Marist Youth meeting, she is the one reaching out. If there is a trip and she knows a student who would benefit from it, she often contacts students individually and thoughtfully, always keeping their best interests in mind. However, her impact goes far beyond planning and logistics. She was described as “someone you see in the hallway that you will always enjoy seeing.”
One student shared that during her sophomore year, when they felt completely alone and had no one to sit with at lunch, Mrs. Blaszak was told about the situation. She took it upon herself and personally invited the student into the Campus Ministry office to eat and talk. As the student opened up about everything going on in their life, Mrs. Blaszak listened with compassion and this was an act that made the student feel truly seen and reassured that their feelings were valid. The student said that they will “forever thank her for making me feel normal.”
Freshmen Elise Marggraf said Mrs. Blaszak is “someone that I can really trust, who I have gone for advice, and just a listening ear.” Mrs. Blaszak’s attention to detail, combined with her deep empathy and having emotional presence, helps events run smoothly but also creates a space where students feel safe and understood. She is a logical planner with a huge heart, and that balance is what allows Campus Ministry to continue growing in meaningful and lasting ways.
Mr. Sullivan
Mr Sullivan is a person who connects the community and many describe him like a “coach.” A junior said that he is a “really great mentor of faith.” Freshman Elise Marggraf added
Mr. Sullivan is “the nicest person ever, he always makes sure everyone is included during faith chats, mentions relatable points, and his faith is very inspiring for me.”
Whether he’s mentoring students without knowing it he truly is great at helping others, he steps into responsibility and gives inspiration. He was described as very energetic, positive, and encouraging. Mr. Flaherty said that “I can tell he sees potential in people and gives people confidence to act whether he realizes he truly does always brings such a supportive and positive light to Central.”
Mrs. Shanahan
Mrs. Shanahan is a part of Concert Choir Central, Harmony Director, and Marist Service Program Coordinator. She is “a kind human being who really leads with patience and love, she’s also very understanding which is something that I love about her.”
She is dedicated to making sure our students have plenty of opportunities to volunteer and serve our community. She often sends out emails with details, letting students know how they are able to help. This is such a vital position because without her coordination, students would “be kind of lost without her reminders to complete my goal and she helps validate my service hours.”
Too often, Campus Ministry might be thought of as just another “program” at Central that’s reduced to a calendar of events. In reality, it is much more than that. The office also hosts Marist Youth, a club coordinated by the Campus Ministry team, which further shows how deeply Campus Ministry is rooted in relationships that are formed, strengthened, and sustained over time through faith.
It is a place where four dedicated people alongside others invest their time, engage in thoughtful conversations, and celebrate milestones both big and small. I have especially witnessed this in moments big or small like congratulating a student on a college acceptance or taking time to celebrate others. Students involved in the club have shared that they do not view retreats or events organized by Campus Ministry as obligations, but rather as gatherings of a second family that is made up of people who genuinely care.
Small groups on retreats are a great example. Under planning and leadership training, small groups that are led by seniors aren’t just discussion circles; they are places where friendships form. The Campus Ministry team has a role in this regardless if they are physically at the retreat they are the backbone that gives something like those groups depth.
The amazing emphasis placed on Campus Ministry also shows up in their accessibility. The team always has their door wide open, hosts faith chats during lunches, and makes themselves available. Students agree the Campus ministry feels “approachable” which shows how the team leaders remove any barriers, will always stop what they are doing to listen, making it easy for people to feel like they belong.
Their openness draws in students who might otherwise avoid religious spaces. Many students have said that the Campus Ministry and the people in it were the first place they felt at home. Their kind, intellectual, and spiritual honesty builds trust and is one of the many reasons students gravitate towards the amazing Campus Ministry team.
They organize a variety of events, rosary after school Friday, liturgy, prayer service, mission trips, retreats. Every single thing they do for the school matters and has a clear purpose, showing how vital they are to our community. Take community service for example, the Campus Ministry has students complete just 24 hours of service, though many go beyond that. Mrs. Shanahan helps sustain ongoing relationships with local non-profits. That continuity benefits the community and helps students see service as a commitment, not a line on a resume.
It’s very clear how hard they have worked to create an inclusive space. Their practices in Central are designed with intention so that students from various backgrounds and religions feel like they belong. Their care extends beyond spiritual talk, their approach is practical, compassionate, and nonjudgmental. They show up day after day and don’t treat their job as an add on to their schedules. That reputation attracts students who need a stable presence.
Mr. Hart, Mrs. Blaszak, Mr. Sullivan, and Mrs. Shanahan all contribute to making Central Catholic a place where students find belonging, learn to lead, and are encouraged to live compassionately through the way of Mary. So many call them the best Campus Ministry team there is. In the often chaotic busy high school life, their work is steady and continues shaping shaping us all.
