When it comes to the aspect of living out our faith lives, we are very fortune here at Gannon University.
There are several options all over campus to engage in faith communities, whether that be in the classroom, in the chapel for Mass, in one of the many faith-based activities held through Gannon or in faith-sharing groups, like Ichthi.
Ichthi is the Catholic faith-sharing group on campus.
When I first started attending Ichthi, I knew very little about Catholicism.
I didn’t even know anyone there, aside from my roommate who dragged me along with her.
It didn’t take me very long to fall in love with the welcoming, friendly atmosphere, and I was hooked from the start.
At first, Ichthi was a place I could go to learn more about the faith. While I knew next to nothing, I was surrounded by my peers who would soon become my friends.
I was able to listen to speakers who varied from Gannon faculty to students to outside members of the Erie community, as well as ask any questions I might have on the given topic.
I learned a lot this way and made several friends who continue to teach me new things about the faith every day.
Ichthi is also the place where I first discovered Eucharistic adoration, which has become a huge part of my life now.
Currently, I am lucky enough to serve in a leadership role for the Ichthi community.
I hold the position of public relations chair on Ichthi’s executive board.
I find this opportunity to be a blessing, as I am able to directly participate in making Ichthi the amazing and open community I found my freshman year here.
If anyone is interested in attending Ichthi, we meet every Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Upper Lounge of the Student Services Building across from Finegan Hall.
Each week, we have a speaker come in to talk about a topic related to the Catholic faith in some way, and there is always room for questions and discussion.
However, on the first Thursday of every month, we join together for Eucharistic adoration.
Following these things, each week we provide snacks and time for the attendants to engage in fellowship within the community.
Ichthi is a great way to get connected with the Catholic community on campus, discuss the faith in a setting designed specifically for that purpose and learn more about the Catholic faith, all while making new friends and sharing in the joy of Christ.
I encourage anyone who is even slightly interested to come see what it’s all about!

GRACE DENNIS
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