Faith, immigration and encountering others with compassion was the topic of a recent discussion between Bishop Joseph Williams, college students and others at Rowan University in Glassboro.
Hosted Oct. 8 by Rowan’s Catholic Campus Ministry, the event took place in “The Pit” — the open-air heart of the Chamberlain Student Center.
In his talk, Bishop Williams unpacked Scripture — including Exodus 22, Leviticus 19 and Matthew 25 — to demonstrate the Church’s call to welcome the stranger.
He also reflected on recent insights from Pope Francis’ “culture of encounter” and Pope Leo XIV’s reminder that immigration is, at its core, a pro-life issue.
Just last month, during the joint celebration of the Jubilee of Migrants and the Jubilee of the Missions in Rome, the Holy Father spoke of the migrants’ plight, reminding Catholics that “those eyes filled with anguish and hope seeking to reach the shore, cannot and must not find the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination.”
Bishop Williams also shared from his own pastoral experience, noting how his perspective on immigration deepened through his ministry among immigrant communities, and stressed the importance of personal encounter, encouraging students to “step out of the self-curated information bubble,” as he put it, to meet people face-to-face and listen to their stories — even if that means putting the phone away.
“When I’m out mountain biking,” he said with a smile, “I make a point to stop and talk with people along the trail. You’d be amazed what you learn when you listen.”
Students from the Catholic Campus Ministry said they were grateful for their shepherd’s visit.
“Bishop Williams encouraged me to think about the kind of dialogue we should have [on immigration], asking not so much ‘what are we doing’ but, instead, ‘why is this happening, and how can we help people?’” said Gloria Schulz, a senior history major from Hamilton Township (Mercer County).
At the same time, she learned more about the Catholic Church’s stance on the topic, and how “we need to lead with love and perspective, and be focused more on individuals than on policies,” said Schulz, who serves as special events coordinator for Rowan’s Catholic Campus Ministry.
When people focus on individuals, she said, “We learn their stories, and we find their dignity. … I’m going to take the time to understand others and to find Christ in everyone.”
Mark Anthony Williams, a junior mechanical engineering major from Lumberton, admitted that immigration wasn’t a topic he gave much thought to before the evening with Bishop Williams. Now, he realizes that “it can’t be separated from our faith.”
Specifically, the Bishop’s message on escaping the information bubble “got me thinking how I can detach, go out and seek those in-person connections,” he said.
“There’s so many opportunities to hear people’s stories and backgrounds here, while at the same time, spread the Good News,” he said of the university’s campus. “The encounter doesn’t have to be extraordinary; it could be as simple as talking to people who pass by.”
Mentioning his gratitude for Bishop Williams taking the time to meet with, educate and encourage his young flock, Mark Anthony Williams noted that he’s going to make “culture of encounter” a regular part of his role — which also includes music ministry and pro-life ministry — as a Catholic leader on campus.
“We need to go out, seek others and share Christ,” he said.
After his presentation, Bishop Williams answered questions from both attendees and students who just happened to be nearby and overhead the talk, and the junior was able to ask his own question.
“I asked him one way I can help affect change, and he said, ‘Pray,’” Mark Anthony Williams said.
“Prayer can be very powerful, for our country and world. His visit opened my mind, and it’s something I’ll carry with me.”
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