Calling all University of Florida Gator Alumni: The Catholic Gators (CG) at St. Augustine Church & Student Center in Gainesville has teamed up with the Agrupacion Catolica Universitaria (ACU) to teach and instill the principles of Ignatian Spirituality for the members of the Catholic Gators, which also includes students from Santa Fe Community College. The program consists of monthly visits during the academic year with formation presentations by members of the ACU.

Led by Andres Manrara, Gerry Portela, and Jay Velasco, the ACU kicked off its second year of support for the men's group of Catholic Gators at St. Augustine Catholic Church and Student Center of the University of Florida in Gainesville. Approximately 85 young men gathered last Thursday, August 25th to launch this academic year. The meeting was part of an entire week of activities hosted by the Cathoic Gators, known as Blast Off week, to invite all students into community and ministry at Catholic Gators. The men's group was also the first of eight monthly meetings planned by Gerry Portela on Ignatian Spirituality. In addition to ministry support, the ACU provided 200 T-shirts for the men and women of Catholic Gators. We are extremely grateful to Andres, Gerry, and Jay for their presence last week. Andres and Gerry are leading this effort at UF and have gathered a team of Agrupados to assist them. We are excited to provide support in formation, and in particular, the area of Ignatian Spirituality. As the Spirit continues to open doors for the fulfillment of our Mission, may the Lord also inspire us to carry through.

The ACU Atlanta led the ACU Apostolate with the Catholic Gators at the UF Catholic Center last week. José Acosta and Jesús León traveled from Atlanta to Gainesville Florida on Thursday, April 7, to participate in this apostolate. While there José and Jesús met with Father David Ruchinski and Joseph West; Father Ruchinski is the Pastor of St. Augustine Church and Chaplain of the Catholic Center; Joseph West is one of two campus minister at the Catholic Gators Center. José and Jesús also met several student leaders and a number of students who participate in the Catholic Gators Center regularly.