Article and Data Visualization Graphics by: Veronica Umana
Photo grid by: Penny Rodriguez
Video by: Catharina Hoyt
Every Tuesday night, hundreds of college students gather at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic University Parish for City on a Hill, a praise and worship social event that has become a staple of campus life at Texas State University. The night is filled with laughter, music, and camaraderie, offering students a space to connect with each other and deepen their faith.
City on a Hill was launched in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, as a way to bring together different ministries within the Catholic Church under one roof. Our Lady of Wisdom Campus Minister, Jesús Peñaloza, explains that the event was created to break down barriers between the different Catholic organization groups on campus.
“City on a Hill is the one night where we can all come together,” Peñaloza said. “We worship, we hear a talk, and we just have fun connecting with one another.”
Every Tuesday night, Our Lady of Wisdom University Parish hosts City on a Hill. The event is a praise and worship social for TXST students. 
The church’s brightly-lit cross and ornate stained glass windows face the TXST University campus. The site is accessible to all students on campus. 
Students gather and greet each other before the service begins. Many of the students have been building their friendships for years. 
The welcome room is a comfortable space with couches to relax, play games, and catch up from the week. Students often arrive early to socialize. 
City on a Hill offers students the opportunity to find a community of peers and mentors who share their faith. 
Students play games and share stories in the welcome room before the service. Students range from freshmen to seniors. 
Bobcats are welcomed to every service with a high-five and a smile. Volunteers greet each student as they pass through the entry doors. 
The set list sits ready for the evening’s praise and worship music segment. Each week the band features a variety of songs. 
Campus Minister Jesús Peñaloza prepares his guitar and catches up with his bandmate before rehearsal. 
Singer Savanah Rendon leads the music team in rehearsal for the evening. Each service prioritizes music as a part of the ministry. 
Weekly updates and opportunities are shared to provide additional opportunities to get involved with the church. 
Emcee Alejandro Olvera leads students in a game of music trivia. Games are included as part of the evening to encourage participation. 
At the end of the night students say goodbye with plans to meet again week. Many students attend weekly to meet up with their friends. 
Campus Minister Jesús Peñaloza talks about City on Hill’s mission to help students find community and connect with their faith.
Since its inception, the event has steadily grown in attendance and impact. It has slowly grown from 25 students to now nearly 150 students. For many students, City on a Hill offers more than just a place to worship—it’s a welcoming community where they can find support and belonging during their time away from home.
Sophomore Emma Martina is one of many attendees who enjoys coming to the Tuesday night events to build community.
“The best part is being surrounded by like-minded individuals,” states Martina. “It’s comforting to know that everyone here is at a similar stage in life and shares the same goals, and that’s to grow spiritually.”
In addition to City on a Hill, the campus ministry recently hosted its annual Fall Ball, an event where students could relax, enjoy good music, and celebrate the friendships formed throughout the semester.
“Fall Ball is just another way for us to bring everyone together,” said Senior and City on a Hill music leader, Savanah Rendon. “It’s an opportunity to have fun, dance, and strengthen the relationships we’ve built through events like City on a Hill.”
As City on a Hill continues to grow, Peñaloza envisions the values and lessons learned from these events carrying forward into students’ post-graduate lives. “We want to form students well enough that they can go out into the world, preach the gospel, and elevate the communities they enter,” he said.
The weekly gathering remains open to all students and takes place every Tuesday at 7:58 PM at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic University Parish, located at 100 Concho Street, offering an opportunity to experience a community of faith and friendship.
DATA VISUALIZATION
Our Lady of Wisdom is 1 of 7 Campus Ministry organizations on the Texas State University campus.
Our Lady of Wisdom is 1 of 127 Catholic Churches within the diocese. The map below provides a detailed overview of all Catholic churches within the Diocese of Austin, covering 25 counties in Central Texas. The diocese includes over 120 parishes and missions, serving a diverse population. Each location on the map is marked with essential information such as the church’s name, address, and mass times.
INFOGRAPHIC
