Faith Opportunities at SUA are Limitless
“I believe we have a strong campus ministry program,” said Ava Disalle ‘26
SUA students Savanna Jones ‘27 and Sienna Sawicki ‘27 bond at their sophomore class retreat. Photo Courtesy of Ms. Maddie Tatum
SUA faculty and staff pose for a photo. Photo Courtesy of Ms. Maddie Tatum
By Paige Kauffman ‘25
February 10, 2025
TOLEDO, OH – Toledo’s Saint Ursula Academy excels in connecting its community to faith life– no matter their religious affiliation.
As a Catholic private school, SUA strives to achieve the education of the whole child. SUA expands on that goal by including its faculty and staff in the equation.
Mrs. Liz Pelz, SUA Director of Campus Ministry, believes that regardless of their role, individuals should have the opportunity to gain something valuable from their faith experiences at SUA.
“I want everyone to be able to apply something from their experience to what they need for themselves,” said Mrs. Pelz.
Mrs. Pelz focuses on using a broad and inclusive way of speech rather than limiting her language to those in the Catholic faith to reach as many people as she can.
SUA student Ava Disalle ‘26 and Mrs. Pelz, Director of Campus Ministry, bond at Camp DeSales. Photo Courtesy of Camp DeSales
An opportunity each faculty and staff member has is to be an adult leader on student retreats.
“I always like to get the faculty and staff involved with the retreats,” said Mrs. Pelz. “Sharing themselves with the students so that the girls can see that they’re real people with real-life stories and real-life experiences with God can be so impactful.”
Each year, students attend a mandatory class retreat, where they are led by Mrs. Pelz alongside other adult and student leaders.
“I appreciate having those connections with a mentor – another adult for me to look up to and talk to,” said Ava Disalle ‘26.
A similar opportunity SUA offers is the yearly faculty and staff retreats, led by Mrs. Pelz.
“The focus of the faculty and staff retreat varies each year based on what we see are the needs of the team,” said Mrs. Pelz.
The 2024 retreat area of focus was “Be the Light.”
The 2025 retreat focus was “We always have reason to stand in awe -St. Angela Merici- Right here. Right now. Focusing on being in awe of ourselves, each other, and God.”
Students at SUA are also provided with many opportunities to expand their faith. These include but are not limited to: yearly class retreats, being a student retreat leader, Arrow Core Team, Serviam Club, Music Ministry Team, and Labre.
Every student at SUA participates in one full-class retreat per school year. Although SUA values its Catholic faith, class retreats are inclusive to every type of student.
“I want every girl to be able to gain something from the retreat,” said Mrs. Pelz.
