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Anna Matenaer
Steven Blaha - Assistant Director of Campus Ministry
Transcription Notations:
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--interruption or overlapping talk
( ) commentary by transcriber appears within parentheses
missing dialogue because tape is inaudible or difficult to understand
// words enclosed by slashes are difficult to understand on the tape
quotation marks bracket text that is read aloud from a text (handout, paper, or book) reference
italics to a word as a word (ex. The second and is not needed.)
Transcription Context:
Blaha and I met in his office in Campus Ministry. The interview lasted about 40 minutes, mainly
with him responding with long answers. The interview was somewhat structured, but some
questions were asked as they were relevant.
The interview begins at 0:20
Anna: So, umm, can you just tell me about the relationship between Campus Ministry and the
Medical Clinic?
Steve: Um sure, so um, Medical Clinic is part of the division of Student Affairs, um Campus
Ministry is part of /admission ministry/ but we partner with all our colleague offices in the division
of student affairs.
Anna: Cool, and umm, what is Campus Ministrys official stance on contraceptives?
Steve: It would be the same as the Catholic Churchs, same as the Universitys.
Anna: Ok, um, can you explain those?
laughter
Steve: Sure, sure, so um, so Catholic teaching on contraception is that um the fullest, the most
ideal um the best, most loving, um way for a couple to express their sexuality is to be both open
to one another and being unified in sexual reproduction with one another. So, physically, um,

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really being drawn to one another, and also, uh doing nothing to frustrate or nothing that inhibits
their own the natural course of their bodies the healthy function of their bodies, I would say.
Um so that um sexual activity is inherently related to sexual reproduction and so a couple ideally
does nothing to to counteract their bodies healthy functions. So, open to procreation. And so,
um so, so when it comes to contraception, largely contraception would be anything that would
impede the normal healthy functioning um of a persons sexual capabilities. So um barrier
methods or chemical methods that would stop you know, um sperm and egg or even jus the
normal function of someones reproductive capabilities. So, - - Catholic Church would say you
know, thats the body healthy doing what it does we don't limit the healthy function of a body.
Um, so we say to try to stop something from being healthy is unhealthy. (muffled) Um so then
we promote the opposite which is how our bodies function healthy, how do we live as weve
been created, so.
Anna: Ok, umm, are there any other service that Campus Ministry is involved with health-wise?
Steve: Oh! Well I mean so, can we back up a little bit, Anna just when you uh when you say are
there any other services like health wise Were not really involved with um obviously
distribution of contraceptives or anything (laughter) Or I mean like we really we take care of our
students spiritual needs and their health needs are all under the same umbrella that through the
Medical Clinic that we would view as a university as a Catholic /value/.So um so, uh they take
care of physical health and we take care of spiritual, so um.
Anna: Ok, umm, do you ever receive any sort of, uhh, backlash or anything about this policy of
not distributing contraceptives?
Steve: Umm, you know, so students will ask depending on their background, and where they're
coming from, just sort of, sometimes if they haven't run across it online or haven't raised that
question to medical personnel, you know theyll ask that question like whats the universitys
policy? or um what is it? and then you know, well explain it and um, its rare that we have
students actually take the time to sit down and actually dialogue about it um, really uncover
why. Um a lot of times well se, you know, it comes up occasionally in the paper or students will
raise in different forums and have done this throughout the years. Not just the question why but
not really in an invitation dialogue, just sort of like a why is this? I think its wrong. Its like well
lets talk about it! Like, no. (Laughter) So, so, thats what we run into sometimes.
Anna: Oh, so you've never considered taking the stance out of the policies?
Steve: Well so campus ministry, One doesnt have that purview, thats not our job. Sort of thats
not how we fall structurally in the university.
Anna: Oh

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Steve: That would be mission ministry, the president, the board. Um, and to my knowledge
thats never been a conversation up for or a topic up for conversation, just simply because um,
two things, um One: teachings in the Catholic Church is very clear on this. Um and two:
because it comes down to like, you know, as an institution, its out of our freedom to say, you
know, this is what we believe as far as what is leads to human flourishing. We want our students
to flourish, we want our students to be fully healthy and so were only going to contribute to
those things that we believe, you know, lead to their happiness and best flourishing, so.
Anna: Ok, um, like, how would you define how Catholic values play a role in this community?
Steve: Yeah! So I would point to the, the mission statement of the university is a good resource,
but its pretty much all encompassing. Um, why were here, what were here to do, um not only
educate student but through uh research continue to pursue the truth. Its meant to be integrated
into every single thing we do and how we do it.
Anna: Is it ever, like, hard to continue to uphold some of these values in the world?
Steve: Um, it, I, you know, I would say that um, no. Um, but I think one thing that we always
need to, um strive to do as a university, which isn't unusual for any institution, its also not
unusual for people, just is the role of communication. Um to really sit and talk. Or to even, how
do we express, um, what it is that we believe or where we come from, uh, as far as our beliefs or
our values or our commitments and why. And to do that in a way that realy, uh, really does, um,
effectively communicate to people that were in dialogue with. So, um, one way of
communicating, that might work 10 years ago might be different depending of the population is,
or the audience is, so its important for us to uh really be effective communicators, not to
endanger our values, but to say uh these are our these are how and why we look at our
values. //
Anna: Um, do you get a lot of student coming in here talking about their sexuality?
Steve: Mmhmm.
Anna: And those topics?
Steve: Yeah, yeah and its a, um, human sexuality cause its so part and parcel to who we are as
human beings. It is an essential, beautiful part of us that we really try through all of our
programs to make space for conversations on human sexuality because its (very quietly) its just
part of being human. So on our retreats, or some of our weekly programs or small groups, you
know all these are dif- in different ways we try to touch on intentionally like well lets talk about
what it means to be sexual beings in this world what it means to be- uh to live as sexual
human beings and hwo to best express that um how to best live into our commitments and our
values and how we see sexuality lived and practiced in a religious way Whats the role of the
virtue of chastity? The virtue of um, you know, all the virtues in living a fully - full life.

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Anna: Um, and then how - how are LGBT+ student cared for by campus ministry?
Steve: Yeah! So I actually have worked very closely with out LGBTQ+ students for a long time.
So we have a specific staff member assigned to accompany an LGBTQ+ students. So, how we
do and how we support students. Well first, you know, its really about how will a particular
student really reach their maximum potential here at marquette? How will they grow in all of their
gifts that they were given by God and how do we grow closer to God? Thats our specific
mission from Campus Ministry. Other offices support students in a complimentary way, but our
specific task and why we exist is to teach students about faith and service to others and um,
thats what we do. Um, so depending on you know,so just fundamentally, um, every year I try to
meet with student leaders and try to, um, identify you know, what can we do together, what
would be what would be some programs and activities that would really help students - that
students are really hungry for. Um, in learning more about faith and relationship with God that
would make them feel more and more connected. An also what are some conversations that just
fundamentally, like, you know, have - open up the windows, open up the doors, what are some,
what are some conversations that fundamentally let the air in into conversations that allow us to
explore, um, realities of life, realities of their lived experiences in faith and God, their values. So,
just to, um, have that purview of a relationship with God interacting with everything. So thats sort
of just the framework that we follow and year to year how expressed in programs and different
events changes based on student interest and what would be the best support to students.
Anna: Um, like how do you - how do you determine like how you accept LGBT+ students env
though its sort of stigmatized in the Catholic Church and how does that work here?
Steve: Yeah.
Anna: Like how are you supporting these kids?
Steve: Oh yeah, I mean I guess you know, in everything that we do, you know, were all
professionals here and and in everything - so we got a lot of education, a lot of experience, um
and background in serving the Catholic Church. And I say that because what we try to do here
and everything that we do is how do we - how do we share and express and administer serve
our students in absolutely the best and the fullest gifts of the Catholic Church? Um, we all come
from rich backgrounds where, its like, we know the church the teachings and traditions and the
heart of that we share that with students in everything that we do. So, um, fundamentally the
Catholic Church is so loving and supportive of all persons, so if a student identifies as gay,
lesbian, bisexual, it um - identifies as transgender, um, you know, heres somebody, a beloved
child of God, how do we accompany them on their walk through life, not only here at Marquette,
but equipping them to grow in faith and in service with others, so uh, fundamentally thats what
were about. And when we look at like, questions of sexual orientation how do we help student
navigate their vocation, their invitation, not whether they're gay, lesbian, bisexual, um,
transgender perspective, if they're heterosexual, you know, what is your fundamental vocation

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that God is calling you to do and to be in the world. You know, whats going to help you love the
most, whats going to help you be fully and tr- truly alive, how do you live a life that is really you
know, a healthy balance um a healthy balance throughout. You know, so chastity often is a
word that is, um, sometimes maligned that is really a virtue talking about, you know, sexual
wholeness and balance and how do we live, um, in who we are with other in allowing our lives to
flourish. So thats really what we , uh, help the students with. And each persons different, has
different interests and gifts and um, time, and um, uh try to be in a scriptural sense, loving and
try to sort of, offer a place where - how do we help the doe rise (???). You know, how do we
help, you know, bridge somebodys life?
Anna: Um, yeah can you just discuss how you talk about chastity more?
Steve: Yeah, so , uh often times life so it depends on the group of students, as far as like, you
know so, theres a lot of different communities a lot of places were in conversation with. So for
example, students I might be working with who are preparing for the sacraments, um, you know
one week we might be exploring the virtues, habits of living that help us reach our full potential
as humans. That that make us our best selves and so well be talking about all the virtues and
so one of them is chastity and so well be talking and well say ok so these are the virtues and
this is where we see them lived out. For other people, you know other groups that may have a
different context, we maybe like you know, how do you live- how do you live with integrity? How
do you live in commitment to your deepest values and in your invitation to grow to your fullest
potential and to live that way with integrity and openness to your future and who you can be and
become? So are you being called to marriage? Or are you being called to be generous in a
different way? So that is sort of our different ways that we talk about that virtue.
Anna: Um, do you believe this connects to mental health?
Steve: Yeah! You know to be honest, I mean pretty much everything connects to mental health
(laughter), I mean were really holistic and everything but I really think that - that you know, and
this is where Im so grateful and its so great to work at a university where we have these real
terrific resources and colleagues that we can work with together with. So we have a campus
ministry, we have a great set up counseling center and medical clinic, you know, all sorts of
resrouces that we can - on our best days - work really closely with to help students. And all of
those, our physical health, our mental health, our spiritual health are all so interwoven. You
know I cant say for one individual person well you know, its important that - lets just focus on
the physical health. Because they're spiritual health and their psychological health are so
interwoven in that they all affect, uh if theres health in one sense it can build up health in
another sense. And I really feel strongly that when our students are really in touch with - in
touch with their world as its going on in their lives and their days and they're really listening to
their hearts as to what they're falling in love with and what they're feeling called to, how they're
feeling most free, how they're following their vocation to God, how they're feeling more and
more generaously, the more that we can support students in that to have greater mental health

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and physical health. And vice versa, students that have stronger mental health will have the
capacity to engage deeper in religious sort of, conversation and developing into students that
are physically healthy. You know, they're all interwoven and thats one thing thats a real gift here
at the university. Um, campus, especially a Catholic university says that yep (snaps) thats all
important because they're said to make up you and so those things are really interwoven
together.
Anna: Um, does campus ministry provide any education on sexual health?
Steve: Well, I mean, can you be more specific because I mean we do just all of our programs we
talk about sexual health.
Anna: Yeah I mean like, what are you talking about with sexual health? Just chastity? Or, um,
are there any other topics about sexual healthcare and those things, um either access or
preventative measures?
Steve: So, in like contraceptive area?
Anna: Sort of, yeah.
Steve: So no we don't do that but you know what we do, and Ill say that chastity is an important
virtue and we talk about the virtues like prudence and temperance and fortitude, you know, the
whole list of virtues, uh, so its important to contextualize it and not just pull it our of campus
ministry and they talk about chastity all the time like you walk in and you're like yeah I was just
there to hang out and suddenly they were like you chaste? You know so (laughter) why keep it
in the context. And so its really always about like the goal - encouragement and the goal to
strive in life as students. You know, just like we really strive to meet students, every single
student where they're at - and really like part of the beauty of the ignation tradition is to - is that
of accompaniment, um, important part of the Catholic tradition to really walk with people here
like, you know, where are you being called in life and to really, um, thats - thats something that
we really want to like, empower students to speak from their deepest selves, to reflect to be able
to say.. name for themselves, you know, this is where Im feeling called. And to have someone,
you know, share and help them test that out to say oh, have you thought about this or that?
And then, you know, so its always the individual and their sacredness as a person is always,
you know, encouraged in everything we do. Its one of accompaniment. Its not - we don't follow
a model of imposition, um, where somebody comes in and were like you gotta do this, end of
story. No, its like someone may have to do XYZ in order to be healthy in themselves based on
what they've shared and whats clear to, um, but I think its important in that this is what we do,
and how we do Campus Ministry, its not forced or coercion, I think thats an important bracket to
put in. So, as far as when we talk about So we meet with uh. So students that are sexually
active, students that are in short or long term committed relationships, that are gay, lesbian,
bisexual, you know, uh, regardless of sexual orientation in the sense of like ok, so wheres God

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calling you in all of this. And sometimes that is to a deeper sense of the relationship that theyre
in, sometimes its not, sometimes its, um, realizing like um ok how does - is this making me
totally happy, you know, just giving students a space to reflect in their own life and they're
values. You know, we dont do any, you know contraceptives, you know, advocacy cause thats
not what were about, were actually against that. One thing though that we do, like if, just to be
really specific, like um, so you know we try to really integrate healthy human sexuality, um, from
our perspective and our programs but if I were to narrow with one particular program we do - so
um, I work with out engaged couples who are preparing for marriage and we help them and
encourage them to really learn more about natural family planning which is run through the
college of nursing and the institute for family planning. It looks at natural fertility signs in a
womans body and to be able to identify when, like, peak times of fertility or peak times of
infertility, um, that a couple then can use in their married life to either achieve or hold back from
pregnancy. We talk quite a bit about that and everything. Um, so thats some of the things that
we do, as long as it fits the person and their interests.
Anna: Um, how would you support a student if she came in and she was experiencing an
unplanned pregnancy?
Steve: Yeah, yeah, great question. We do have lots of pregnancy resources here. And so, um,
so, we have a person on staff here thats specifically geared towards and um, equipped with, um
pastoral counseling and accompanying student who are experiencing a pregnancy, but all of us
with our backgrounds can certainly and can, there are many times that we have, um, walked
with students who are pregnant and everything. And so, part of that is just the initial assessment
of, you know, what is this student in need of and in, often times its sort of the hierarchy - with
your basic hierarchy of needs that, um, this often times concerns just the physical level about,
um, healthcare, um, about, you know, there might be lodging issues, um, if that persons been
living with a boyfriend, um, or someone else you know? And will that continue with the
pregnancy? You know, how does that, if they have roommates, or if theyre in the residence hall,
like, do their roommates know and/or are they supportive and is that appropriate given the
timeframe. Um, you know, so we look at questions of housing, food, nutrition, just to make sure
that the student is healthy and has access to resources. And also like, tuition. Like is this, you
know, is there some sort of strains on the student that could, um, affect their tuition status, you
know. Thankfully does not happen too often, but you know, would a family be concerned or
upset about the pregnancy and would that affect access to funds from the family or whatever.
So, we really, uh, do the best we can to meet students real basic, like, physical needs. But then
also emotionally, like, whats going on as far as, like, with this pregnancy, and the news, and
connectivity, and being connected to the rest of the Marquette community. Sometimes folks will,
uh, withdraw into themselves and then not really connect with friends or the rest of the
community. Thats something that, uh we just we need people. Thats really important. So,
uh, so well look at that, and then um as, uh, birth approaches sort of, whats - whats the goal?
You know, is the student interested in parenting or are the interested in adoption. Whats sort of

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their needs, and we have lots of access for the. As well, we have a program that, if students
have aborted, that we have abortion counseling, if students need that. And so, were, uh, a
center around Milwaukee for that. We certainly, um, are very pro-life here, um, so we do not
counsel or promote abortion services because, um, thats a- thats a human life thats present.
We take that sacredness of the mother, of the father, of this, you know, newly conceived child
and say, you know, hey, these are all people and so how do we help them each flourish?
Anna: Uh, what advice would you give to students who want to be sexually active but also want
to stay involved with religion?
Steve: Yeah, yeah, well first, you know, definitely stay involved with religion, stay involved with
your faith. Um, stay involved- stay close to God, thats really important, first -first thing. You
know, if a, uh, students - students come at this from a lot of different spaces. And so I dont
know, es- not each situation is generalizable, they're all each unique. So, so part of it is that just
acknowledging that, you know, just saying to students like you know, is this something that
you're actively reflecting on and thinking about. What is - what is being sexually active - what
does that mean for you, what is it for that person that youre sexually active with, what does that
person mean to you? What are your long term hopes? Um, you know, how does - how does this
expression of your relationship - hopefully, it is a relationship in the sense that the person
(laughter), you know, how does that trust, you know, love at its deepest sense, most fulfilled
sense, you know its a real strong sign, um, historically of commitment: sexual love and sexual
expression is a really strong sign of commitment. You know, in the long term. Sometimes, you
know, folks, its tough its tough some moments in our lives to see the forest and the trees
together, you know. We may fall in love with somebody and see them as the end all be all, um,
and given- given time and given our own growth, that may change. And so, so its really
important you know, to ask, to really keep that all in balance and sometimes - I think, any,
anytime that were not free in our decision making - its a really important ignation // - anytime
that were not free we need to take a pause. And so any sort of internal stubbornness or, you
know, doesn't matter or like long term or I just want this, you know, its - thats language that
indicates a lack of freedom. We need to be looking out for ones self and ones long term
interests. So, um, and - and from speaking for others and people of service, how do we live
generously? And so, um, so thats sort of an important like sit down and sort of think about that
and talk to somebody. I mean I think sexual decision making is - it is never an individual reality,
like as much as sometimes we may think it doesnt matter whats happening with my boyfriend
or my girlfriend or my significant other behind closed doors it doesnt affect everybody. Now, you
know, our entire lives affect other people // Were meant to be for others, you know, our
decision making, no matter how small, has an impact on other peoples lives. And especially
sexually, that has an impact on anothers life and other webs of relationships. And so how - how
do we, you know, how do we interact with others in a positive sense. You know there is, um,
theres student sometimes that sometimes will say // who use sex for recreation, to let off
steam, um, is that really what its fully meant to do? You know, and where theres maybe not

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even a shot term relationship - where the other person is just an object for us. You know, and is
that really keeping with our own dignity and the other persons dignity? And then, horrendous
situations, um, mis-use of our sexuality can lead to abuse. You know like where we abuse
another person; theres rape. And thats just its really important for us to - have our - our
house in order as far as: What are my goals? What are my hopes? Um, to be reflective to just
go and do stuff is not really - thats not us reaching our full human potential. Um, and thats
where I think that a Catholic Jesuit education makes a big difference This is where its like
pause, reflect think, you know like what meaning does this have? Talk to other people. This is
something worth doing, its also something that can - that is worth doing in reflection, in thought,
in long term. Like you know there are counter voices here, why are there counter voices? You
know, to being sexually active. What else is out there for it? Its part of the university education,
too. To see broader horizons out there and not to, um, and not to just be consumed by ones
world. Theres hope.
Anna: Um, how do you support - er is there a support system for a specific person who is a
victim of rape or sexual assault?
Steve: Yeah, good question. So um, so all- all of us, you know, we get a lot of students and so
students will come in and share with us an incident of sexual assault that happened recently in
their lives. Then we work with folks, Title IX, um, folks at the university, and folks at the
counseling center. So we all, try to partner up in a way where the student is really in charge.
Um, identifying what the needs are at a given point in time. So, I know, on all matters we really
work closely with the counseling center, um, medical clinic, themselves, and other colleagues,
just to really help support that student. You know, I mean its really important, um, for me for a
student who has experience abuse to have really good counseling support. Were all trained in
pastoral counseling to help, like connect life and the spiritual life. But psychological counseling is
of a different nature and sort of a central part of a human. So we all work closely in tandem
based on the students direction. If the student is like Yep, I wanna meet with Steve or I wanna
meet with so and so campus ministry says great, awesome well do that. So theres support so
theres no, you know, so we have to do. XYZ. Especially like, at all times, with students that
have experienced abuse to really, um, to really feel empowered to name, and to be active
agents in their growing.
Anna: Great, um, is there other religious counseling for other religions on campus?
Steve: Yeah! So, were - so were here to serve the spiritual needs of all students on campus.
Part of that becomes a resourcing issue, like how do we, based on just backgrounds of
students. How do we - how do we support and encourage, you know, our colleagues on a
variety of faith traditions to be present to students on campus? Students can, one, come here:
any tradition, anything we offer is open to students of all all faith traditions. Um, uh, on staff we
have what we call affiliated ministers. So we have, um, a number of evangelical pastors, a
lutheran pastor, um, Jewish spiritual outreach, we partner with student organizations and folks in

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the local community like, um, um, Muslim students and then we have links to the local Muslim
community. And so, um, we have Hindu students, which thats an area that we need to continue
to grow in and find how do we support our Hindu students. We have Sikh students and so we
partner with Sikh community at times, when we can. So, um, you know, we really try to, when a
student comes in, um, we try to make precedent visible and heres resources and so we try to
offer sacred spaces for our Muslim students, for our Jewish students, for our students maybe
from no tradition at all and say like heres just a prayerful mediation space, you know, come and
find your center. And we offer all that for our students.
Anna: Great, um, I think thats all Ive got
Steve: Yeah!
Anna: If theres anything else youve got?
Steve: No, no I dont think so.
Anna: Great, thank you so much.