Fun was the theme of the night at the Quality Inn ballroom in Hammond on Saturday night.  Catholic students from 15 colleges around the state gathered for fun and fellowship. The night kicked off at 7:30 p.m. when over 150 students entered the dimly lit ballroom with energy and excitement. After an opening prayer, a meal and a happy birthday song to a beloved campus minister all 150 students headed to the dance floor.

The Louisiana Catholic College Student (LCCS) Conference has been bringing together college students for over two decades since it was founded in 1982, by students and campus ministers from all over the state.

The conference is designed to bring students of the Catholic faith together to share similar experiences and receive guidance from speakers and campus ministers on being a Catholic college student.  Sponsored by the Louisiana Association of Catholic Campus Ministers, the conference is held annually at hotels and colleges around the state.

 “It’s pretty much a networking system to help you grow in your faith with people of your own age,” said Charlene Pitre, Vice President of Louisiana Catholic College Students and student at McNeese State University in Lake Charles.

The conference, which began on Jan. 28 and ended on Sunday morning, Jan. 30, featured breakout sessions and workshops promoting various topics applicable to a Catholic college student’s life.    

There were special guests including speaker and counselor, Roy Petitfils, the Bishop of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Bishop Robert Muench, and Christian rock group Shawn and Lance.  These guests encouraged attendees and spoke on topics relative to their daily lives as college students.

“You bring them to one central location to meet other students who are in college, Catholic and going through the same things that you are going through,” said Pitre.

On the Saturday of the conference, there were workshops and mass followed by a banquet featuring a buffet and a semi-formal dance.  Students were able to socialize with other college students that shared their same faith and meet new people.  The conference was located between the Student Union Ballroom, Student Union Theatre, the Quality Inn and the St. Albert Catholic Student Center on West Dakota Street behind the university.

“I think the conference went spectacular!” said Rosie Vutera, 2011 student representative of LCCS. “A lot of hard work was put into it by our LCCS board members and representatives from throughout the state and I feel that a lot was taken out of it by everyone in attendance.”

For more information about becoming involved with Louisiana Catholic College Students at Southeastern contact [email protected] or visit the Web site at www.lccsonline.org.