Welcome Week 2026: A Review

The beginning of a new school year is upon us! With the beginning of the school year came plenty of opportunities to welcome new and returning students to campus. The many opportunities that were a part of Campus Ministry’s Welcome Week included: the Student Servant Leader Mass, Move-In Days and Masses, Student Leadership Retreat, Mission Orientation for Freshmen, Cornhole Tournament, Welcome Back Mass, First Day of Class Photos and the annual Year-Opening BBQ. 

Kicking off the list of welcome events was the Student Servant Leader Mass on August 23. At the Mass, student leaders from throughout campus ranging from RAs and Orientation Leaders to student-athletes and Peer Advisors gathered in prayerful support of one another. The Mass offered an opportunity for Seton Hall’s student servant leaders to gather asking for God’s blessings upon them ahead of the new school year. Many thanks to Seton Hall’s student servant leaders who truly make this campus a special place for so many students.

August 26-27 were two of the most exciting days of the year – Move-In Day! Staff and students from throughout Campus Ministry lent a helping hand to new students moving into Aquinas and Boland Hall on both days. Each day was capped off with a Move-In Day Mass in the afternoon. New students came by themselves or with their families before saying goodbye to celebrate the beginning of their new journey.

After the rain soaked many student’s belongings on the second move-in day, Father Nick Sertich asked students to consider, “Do I really need all of this stuff I’m bringing in?” Father Nick went on to say that having many things is great, “but one day they’re all going to go,” and “all the stuff you brought in, you’re going to have to lug back out.” Father Nick challenged students to think about what their true treasures are, “Are your treasures all your stuff and everything you moved in? Or are your true treasures who you want to be and who God calls you to be?” He reminded the new students and families that God’s treasure is much more valuable than any treasure or belongings they may bring to school with them and what better treasure than that of a fresh start and a new journey. 

Following the two move-in days was Campus Ministry’s Student Leadership Retreat on August 28. The day offered student leaders from throughout the University and Campus Ministry community a day to come together, learn more about their fellow leaders and explore how to be hospitable to all students across campus. Students were led through introductions, a walk throughout campus, Mass, lunch and a session on how to make a good invitation. Later that day, Father Nick and a group of Campus Ministry students gave a presentation to all incoming students surrounding Seton Hall’s Catholic identity and mission. Father Nick challenged the students to keep their eyes forward and look towards the great opportunities ahead of them at Seton Hall instead of dwelling on the past. Students then watched a video on the legacy of Mother Seton and the many values she embodied. Four Campus Ministry students were then welcomed on stage to share their testimony of how Seton Hall’s Catholic identity and mission have shaped their lives and how they have seen the values embodied by Mother Seton at work throughout their years on campus. The presentation offered a powerful example of how the minds, hearts and spirits of students are nurtured throughout their time at Seton Hall. 

Welcome Week also featured a splash of competition with Campus Ministry’s Cornhole Tournament on August 29. More than 20 teams gathered in a bracket-style competition to see who take the crown as Cornhole Tournament champion in 2026. In addition to cornhole, students had the opportunity to take part in other fun games like spikeball and volleyball throughout the afternoon. 

The following night on August 30, more than 200 students – new and returning – gathered for Seton Hall’s annual Welcome (Back) Mass. Celebrated by Father Nick Sertich and concelebrated by the Brothers of the Community of Saint John, the Mass was a great opportunity for the University community to gather in praise and worship before the dawn of the first day of classes. In his homily, Father Nick called for those gathered to think about taking a new perspective. He explained how today, society often pushes the message that each person deserves more. As a result, people often strive for more – more money, a larger house, the best degree, the best job. Yet, even when people attain such things, they are left constantly striving for more. Instead of always striving for more, Father Nick challenged those in attendance to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus throughout the new year. While the new year is full of exciting opportunities to strive for more, Father Nick’s message reminds us that sometimes more is found when we look beyond ourselves.

Campus Ministry (and the camera) certainly looked beyond itself on the first day of classes during our First Day of Classes Photo event. Students had the opportunity to take a photo with a specially decorated frame at one of four locations across campus throughout the day. Hundreds of students stopped for a quick photo that will serve as a lasting memory from the first day of class. For some students it was their very first day, for others it was their last first day. But for all, the event was a chance to stop and gather for a moment of welcome and celebration!

To cap off Campus Ministry’s Welcome Week events, nearly 300 students gathered on September 3 for Campus Ministry’s annual Year-Opening BBQ. The night featured BBQ staples like hot dogs and hamburgers along with several fun games like cornhole and volleyball. More important than the food and games, students had the opportunity to connect with each other, make new friends and celebrate the end of the first week of classes.

Although Welcome Week has come to a close, the many great relationships which have blossomed and the feeling of community built during the week will surely live on as the fall semester continues. God bless our new and returning Pirates!

Categories: Campus Life, Faith and Service