A Message from Fr. Kevin Kolker

Dear friends of Catholic Campus Ministry at SMU,

In this month of March we’ve experienced the painful start of Daylight Savings Time, the thrill of March Madness, the rest (or mission work!) of Spring Break, and a powerful Eucharistic procession. But most of all, this time has been dominated by the season of Lent. 

On Ash Wednesday, about 900 people packed into three Masses at Perkins Chapel to hear the call to repentance, receive their ashes, and be reminded “you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Drawing inspiration from a priest who helped with my seminary formation, I took the opportunity to remind the students that Lent is a time of conversion, of making sure that we actually live what we believe. When we don't live what we believe, we end up justifying actions we’re not proud of, so that we instead end up believing what we live. 

Truly to live what we believe is difficult, a battle even. But that inner integrity by which we live wholeheartedly is worth the fight, and Christ promises us the grace to become wholly the persons we are created to be. In practice, that looks like one little victory after another through dedication to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. May the remainder of this Lenten season be a time of deeper conversion for all of us!



Keep reading to see the numerous grace-filled moments around our ministry this month. And, as always, please keep us in your prayers!

In Christ,

Fr. Kevin Kolker

A few weeks into my freshman year at SMU, someone asked me, "Do you pray?" and, after a few moments, I said with perfect honesty: "No." However, my world was changed over my 4 years at SMU. By the time graduation came, I'd decided that I wanted to live a life centered around speaking with God and speaking about Him. And so I entered the Order of Preachers (the "Dominicans") to study to be a priest.

The presence of the Catholic Center is no small thing. It is a brick-and-mortar foothold of the Kingdom of God on campus. SMU was the first time I really ever got to know a priest or visited a chapel on my own. I met young men and women who were happy to be Catholic. I was emboldened to make sacrifices to be Catholic. I discovered the joy of faith in Jesus Christ. 

We are so grateful for Br. Titus’s journey with SMU Catholic. Please keep him in your prayers as he prepares for his ordination!

Are you an alumnus with a story about how Catholic Campus Ministry at SMU has shaped your faith journey or vocation? We'd love to hear from you! Share your story with us at catholiccommunications@smu.edu.

Glorifying Jesus Christ on Campus:

Eucharistic Procession

We love hosting events like this because they bring our community together in the best way. College life is busy, and there are so many ways to spend your time—but we want the Catholic Center to be a place where students can have fun, relax, and build friendships in a faith-filled space.

Even more, these gatherings are an amazing way to welcome new faces! Big events like Mardi Gras make it easy to step into the Catholic Center for the first time, meet great people, and experience the joy of our community. This year’s party was full of that—lots of laughter, good food, and new friends celebrating together before the start of Lent.

Lenten Fridays: Stations of The Cross



Lent has begun, and our students are embracing this sacred season through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As they take on their Lenten commitments, we strive to provide even more opportunities for them to grow in faith.

Every Friday after Daily Mass, students remain in the chapel to pray the Stations of the Cross, walking with Christ through His Passion and deepening their understanding of His sacrifice. It is a powerful way to enter into the mystery of His love and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter.

Please keep our students in your prayers this Lent, that they may draw closer to Christ through prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.

Serving in The Dominican Republic:

Spring Break Mission Trip

Every year, our FOCUS Missionaries take a team of students on a mission trip during Spring Break, using their time away from school to give back to those in need. This year, we had the great pleasure of partnering with Blue Missions to serve communities without access to drinkable water in the Dominican Republic.

In addition to installing new water systems, we witnessed significant spiritual growth through the relationships formed during the trip. Our group was warmly welcomed, and it was a beautiful experience to get to know each member of the community. Students played the guitar, enjoyed dance parties, prayed, and participated in many activities with the people of Jagua Clara. The community also typically receives a visit from a priest only once a month; however, Fr. Kolker was able to administer the sacraments daily, allowing many to attend Daily Mass and receive sick visits.

Hear from current student Camila Cortes Pinedo ('28) about her experience on the trip:

Going on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic was such an eye-opening experience that reshaped my perspective on life and gratitude. I had always heard about many countries that lack clean drinking water yet experiencing it first-hand for a week impacted me in a different way than simply hearing about it. Providing the community of Jagua Clara with water filters and seeing the joy on their faces made me realize that I truly don’t understand the importance of something as fundamental as clean water.

This week spent at Jagua Clara also made me realize that providing a service also entails getting to know the community and forming a relationship with them. It was beautiful seeing that a community who didn’t have the cleanest drinking water still radiated an immense amount of joy and light. Every person we met always had a smile on their face and consistently welcomed us with a warm hug. The mission trip didn’t just provide Jagua Clara with clean drinking water; it filled me with a deeper sense of humility, greater appreciation for everything I have, and a stronger desire to serve those around me.

Save The Date:

Annual Celebration

If you have any questions about the Annual Celebration, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Development Officer, Katie Quinn, at katieq@smu.edu.

This year, Lent began on Wednesday, March 5th. It is always beautiful to start this penitential season with Ash Wednesday Mass services. However, this year was particularly special, as we welcomed 898 attendees across our three Mass times—more than double last year's attendance!

We are truly amazed by the work of the Holy Spirit on campus and the way Jesus has been moving hearts. Please pray for our students as they continue their Lenten journeys, that they remain steadfast in their commitments and deepen their relationship with Jesus, especially amid the challenges of this season.

We Need Your Help to Sustain Our Ministry

Holy Week Mass Times

Holy Thursday - April 17th

6:00 PM | Mass at Perkins Chapel | Fr. Kevin Kolker

7:30 PM | Altar of Repose at Perkins Chapel



Good Friday - April 18th

12:00 PM | Stations of The Cross at Perkins Chapel

3:00 PM | Good Friday Liturgy at Perkins Chapel | Fr. Kevin Kolker

Easter Vigil - April 19th

8:30 PM | Easter Vigil Mass at Perkins Chapel | Fr. Kevin Kolker

Easter Sunday - April 20th

9:00 AM | Easter Mass at Perkins Chapel | Msgr. Milam Joseph

11:00 AM | Easter Mass at Perkins Chapel | Fr. Kevin Kolker

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