Christa Super: From parish to college

Medical student and St. Agnes parishioner stayed active in campus ministry

For many young Catholics, the transition to college can have a detrimental effect on their faith life. Not so with Christa Super, a cradle Catholic from Cove (Polk County) and member of St. Agnes Church in Mena.

“I knew I could make a choice; I can either stay in today or not. It just seemed like the right thing to do to go to church,” she said. “I was a biology major and I started organic chemistry my freshman year, so I was really stressed. I needed something to help me with that stress, so I turned to God a lot like, ‘please help me get through this.’”

Super credited the rock-solid foundation of faith she received from her family for sustaining her while attending the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.

“The example of making sure you go to church every Sunday was very much instilled,” she said. “(My mom) is head of parish life, so I help her with all the events and the really big parties. My earliest memory is singing; I’ve been a cantor for 12 years now, maybe 13.”

She also helped others to holiness by participating in Catholic Campus Ministry, serving as chapter president her senior year. She said environment is key to young people staying engaged.

The 22-year-old graduated with a degree in biology in May and is a medical student at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Smith.

“Fort Smith has a great Catholic community,” she said. “There’s three Catholic churches and you can go anytime you want. Timing isn’t an issue; there’s like seven Masses in one day. That was definitely one excuse I couldn’t use.”

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