The University Ministry, a Catholic student organization at Oakland University, offers more than a place for Catholic students to come and discuss faith.

The organization is one of nine teams within the Agape community, which caters to young adults between 18-25 who want to participate in faith-related discussions or take part in service work.

Agape meets in smaller, discussion based groups.

One of their groups includes Coffee and Conversation, which meets at the Caribou Coffee across from OU’s campus every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.

At these meetings members bring in controversial current event articles and talk about them while incorporating their faith.

“(The members) usually have a kind of spirited conversation,” Lisa Brown, Oakland University’s Catholic University Minister and adviser to the organization, said. “It’s really a fun discussion of sharing.”

The University Ministry also holds a Scripture Study, which meets in Cafw O’Bear’s every second and fourth Wednesday from September until March.

Agape is based out of St. John Fisher Chapel, a Catholic church across  from OU on E. Walton.

The church holds a Young Adult Area Mass on the second Sunday evening of every month.

Although it is a Catholic organization, Agape welcomes people of all faiths and beliefs.

“Anyone can join. It’s an absolutely open group. We have a Catholic identity, but it’s definitely an open door to all  denominations. They connect and they find it meaningful,” Brown said. “I think a lot of people have this image that with Christians they are going to get slugged over the head with the Bible … we’re kind of like the light touch.”

The organization will be hosting a kick-off picnic during Welcome Week where they will provide free food and T-shirts to welcome students back to OU.

The group also holds graduation masses with a brunch reception for graduates in the spring.

Another component to the organization is building lasting and meaningful friendships.

Tara Finn Stenger, a communications graduate from OU, was able to grow closer to her now husband through her experiences with Agape.

“Agape has helped shaped who I am today,” Stenger said. “I have made life-long friends and connections through the group.”

“I have gained a lot of friends that I would never would have,” Katie Stark, 24, a psychology major at OU said. “Agape is also the first place in college where I felt that I was welcomed and that I belonged.”

According to members of the organization, Agape provides a sense of community that can often be difficult to find at a commuter college.

“I’m really glad I joined because it’s been pretty tough to make friends at OU,” Nick Fabian, 24, an art history major at OU said. “And this is like the most welcoming community that I’ve ever been a part of.  So if anyone’s out there feeling lost, or like they can’t make friends easily, or they just need someone to talk to even, Agape is the place to go.”

The University Ministry is also organizing a summer retreat for all OU students from August 13-14.

The retreat will take place at the Colombiere Center in Clarkston and will include activities that build both faith and friendships.

For more information, visit www.agapecommunity.net