Whether it is a falling star, a weekly horoscope or a story, everyone has believed in something. For Palo Alto students, spiritual beliefs give them strength.

On campus, some religious groups give students a chance to take part in Bible Study. Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) and Catholic Campus Ministry are two groups that are organized at Palo Alto.

“Each week, we offer a free lunch that feeds the body, as well as a Bible Study that feeds the soul,” said Jeff Bachman, Baptist Student Ministries Director. “It is my role to lead a weekly Bible Study to encourage students in their walk with the Lord.”

BSM is a student organization that meets every Thursday from noon until 12:45 p.m. in GE 228. You get to enjoy free pizza, refreshments, and a chance to meet new people and have a little bit of Bible Study.

Bachman hopes that Christians on the Palo Alto campus will be encouraged to live out their faith in a real way. Students are not pressured to change religions or believe in something different, they are just welcomed.

“There are several students from different religious backgrounds that come to our BSM meetings on Wednesdays,” said Bachman.

Diane Lerma, Lead Instructor of Reading Department, said, “It is more of a support system. I am very proud how consistent BSM is every week.”

Lerma is also sponsoring a Women’s Bible Study that takes place every Wednesday from noon until 12:45 p.m. in AS 106. The 12-week Bible Study began on January 31 and was based on the best seller by Joanna Weaver, “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World.” She said that the group for female students, faculty and staff will continue in the fall. If you are interested in learning more, please e-mail Lerma.

If students are looking for an opportunity to grow in their Christian faith, make new friends, develop their leadership skills, share some God-given talent and make a difference in the world, you should check out Palo Alto’s Campus Ministry. One of the activities CCM puts on is the annual Thanksgiving Appreciation dinner for campus personnel and their families, including maintenance, housekeeping, grounds keeping, security officers and cafeteria employees. For more information on Campus Ministry, please call Linda Beck Johnson at (210) 317-3866.

For many, having faith is like a comfort zone. It allows students the opportunity to have something to fall back on when times get hard.

“When I seem to be having a bad day or am faced with a problem, I look back at my religion and see the old beliefs they had, and by just believing it always gives me another outlook to fixing my problem,” said Misty Kneten, a Kinesiology major. “My family is very religious. I do believe it helps anyone. All they have to do is believe.”

If you are looking for something a little different, here is a group to think about. The PAC Spirituality Club is a nonjudgmental environment in which people interested in learning about or practicing spirituality and philosophy can openly discuss their beliefs, have opportunities to volunteer in the community, learn more about philosophy and religion, and enjoy the company of like-minded and different individuals.

Adrian Delgado and a few others founded the Palo Alto Spirituality Club last year.

“The club provides a venue for people to express their beliefs, and many have. Christians, Agnostics, Wiccans and others have joined our club,” said Delgado. “All religions are welcome, so long as those religions don’t oppress others or ask unreasonable demands of its followers.”

The club discusses topics they have agreed upon. One such discussion was on a speech Pope Benedict made at his old university that caused some indignation in the Muslim world. Another was on the difficulty Sergeant Patrick Stewart’s surviving family had in getting the symbol of his religion, a pentagram, placed in on his memorial. 

The Palo Alto Spirituality Club also has fundraisers and makes donations. Last year, the club donated $100 to SAMMinistries that was raised from various bake sales.

So if you have any spare time, check out these organizations and get involved.