He's big man on campus -- faith-wise

Out of college, he first went to work for the federal government. Although he enjoyed it, he had a desire to serve others and was particularly interested in campus ministry.

"It goes back to my own positive experience with campus ministry in college," he said. "I had ministry in the back of my mind when I graduated. When I was working for the government, I knew if I did my work well, there could be value to what I was doing. I could still be a disciple. But I wanted the connection between work and faith to be strong. I wanted to be able to talk about faith in my job."

New career

He decided to go to graduate school at Loyola University in Chicago to prepare him for full-time ministry. He then went to work co-directing the Claretian Volunteers, a lay volunteer program.

Four years ago, he returned to the Albany Diocese to become director of religious education for St. John the Baptist Church in Greenville. Three years ago, he took the position at Union.

While he works Sunday through Friday and often two to three evenings away from home, Mr. Frieberg feels his job is worthwhile for many reasons. Besides fulfilling his desire to have his faith life and professional life linked, the job provides flexibility, something the father of two young children -- Joseph, a second grader at St. John the Evangelist School, and Emma, a student in the school's preschool program -- enjoys.

Flexible

Because of his flexibility, Mr. Frieberg has the opportunity to participate in his children's school activities and spend the summer with them at home.

While he is employed by the Diocese and serves Union, he is also on staff at St. John the Evangelist Church where his workday takes him to the parish offices often; there, he is able to see his children. He also volunteers in their classrooms. Last year, for example, he volunteered once a week in his son's classroom as part of the school's mentoring program.

He is not the only one in the family working for the Church. His wife, Sue, is a registered nurse working for the Daughters of Charity.

Work with poor

Another benefit of his job is that it allows him to participate in other service that he is interested in. The Newman Club which he advises is active in the Schenectady Inner City Mission. Through the student's involvement, Mr. Frieberg became involved. This past summer, he filled in for the vacationing director of the program for a week, allowing it to continue rather than close.

"It's nice having the flexibility," he said. "I'm able to keep my hand in other things."

Mr. Frieberg is responsible for advising the Newman Club, which is the Catholic student organization on campus. The club provides social events for the students, organizes volunteer service activities, sponsors retreats and Masses, and brings guest speakers to campus. His main job is promoting Catholic faith and life on campus.

Parish work

He also assists with the planning of the Sunday evening Mass at St. John the Evangelist, which is geared toward the 200 to 300 Catholic students at Union, but which also attracts young adults and other Catholics throughout Schenectady County.

There are also Jewish and Protestant chaplains on campus. Mr. Frieberg works with them on some ecumenical and interfaith activities, such as prayers services and community service opportunities.

He finds the Union students to be very interested in community service. Besides being involved in Schenectady Inner City Mission, students volunteer at St. John the Evangelist parish and in the school, as well as with the elderly, shut-ins and the homeless.

Secular campus

He has found life at Union to be different from his own college days. One of the main differences is that Union is an independent college, while LeMoyne is a Catholic school.

"It's different from LeMoyne," he said. "It's difficult, but the college is hospitable. They give us office space and include us in staff meetings. What is difficult is that the climate of the college is indifferent to religion."

But he has found that faith is important to student on campus, as well as to Catholic faculty and staff, who are willing to help with events.

"It's a challenge," he said, "but the fact that it is a challenge means that it's worthwhile to be here." [[In-content Ad]]