Here at Buckeye Catholic, we are fostering a student-led and student-driven ministry to raise up students to become leaders in their future parishes. We invite students into an encounter with Christ through the Catholic community rooted in sacramental life, and form them to become missionary disciples who give of themselves to the world.
Laurel Kennedy, a student at Ohio State graduating in 2027 says, “Before I found Buckeye Catholic, I didn’t know anything about the Catholic Church. I had never met a priest before, never met a sister. Now I have people to support me through the faith, and people I can support.”
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Because of the Diocese of Columbus and the faithfulness of our Bishop, stories like Laurel’s are made possible. The financial gifts, prayers, and generosity of parishes, alumni, and families allow Buckeye Catholic staff and missionaries to serve the students at Ohio State full-time. Through Bible studies, community nights, liturgies, formational talks, student-leadership opportunities, and service opportunities, the staff and missionaries foster community to lead the students to Christ! Our students are dedicated to pouring into other students and leading them to Christ in friendship.
From the details at St. Thomas More, to the personal encounters, parishioners of Catholic parishes throughout the Diocese care deeply to support the men and women at Ohio State. Early in August, St. Catharine Catholic Church allowed students to share their testimonies after Sunday Masses to ask for financial and spiritual support for our ministry, and the parishioners rose up to support. During last year’s mission appeals at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, two students learned about Buckeye Catholic and ended up coming into the church through OCIA because of hearing a student testimony at the parish mission appeal.
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The parishes and people of the Diocese of Columbus have been a primary support of Buckeye Catholic in helping us reach and serve the college students at OSU and the Columbus metro area. In the 2025-2026 school year at Buckeye Catholic, 73 students were prepared for full initiation into the Church through OCIA, 5,313 confessions were heard, 647 students participated in Bible studies and small groups, and 1,200+ students attended Sunday Masses weekly. Our newly-launched Buckeye Catholic Sponsor Society is growing, and our number of committed donors who financially and spiritually support our students is expanding.
Because of support from people throughout the Diocese, we expect the number of students we are able to reach to grow, building up the Church and the faith within each student. More students are becoming devoted to the teachings of the Church and together enjoying what they have found, and inviting their friends into abundant life. After graduating, students will go forward and be leaders in their parishes, further fighting for the mission of the Church so that more may come to know the love of Jesus! Thank you for your commitment to the mission of the Catholic Church, and know of our prayers for you, that we may upbuild the Church together, all for the glory of God.