Lucas Nocera is the new Interim Director of University Ministry here at Saint Leo University. Before joining the team in 2018, he received BA's in both Theology and Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville, and in 2021 he received his MA in Theology from Saint Leo University. He coordinantes music ministry, retreats, Men's and Women's Groups, spiritual coaching, and RCIA. He also teaches as an adjunct professor for the Theology department.


Q&A with Lucas Nocera

Q: Where are you from? What is your background?
A: I am just Lucas from Long Island, New York. I was raised on the Beatles and Frank Sinatra, and I''ve had a love for music from a young age.

Q: What is your job like in campus ministry?
A: My job in campus ministry looks a lot like conversations, event planning, and sacraments. My job is pretty diverse in the fact that I do a lot interpersonally with people, but at the same time I get to do management and organization and event planning. I came in as Music Minister, but in my time at Saint Leo I've grown a lot in my responsibilities and in my love for the culture of community here. That community makes becoming the Interim Director of University Ministry a great honor, and it gives me an opportunity to interact and invest in the University in a new way.

Q: What is your favorite part of campus ministry?
A: My favorite part of campus ministry is getting to have relationships with new students all the time and to share in their spiritual journey and their Saint Leo journey. The free pizza and Chik-fil-A is not bad either.

Q: What is your favorite kind of music?
A: I am a big singer/songwriter kind of guy. Anyone from John Mayer, Ben Rector, or Chris Renzema, but I really like all kinds of music.

Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Besides playing music, I like to read, to play hockey, play board games with my wife and friends, and take my new puppy out on walks. On campus, I love ultimate frisbee with our students!

Q: What is your favorite sports team?
A: Hockey is my favorite sport and I'm a big New York Rangers fan. I'm a Yankees fans, and I like the Auburn Tigers football team.

Q: What are your goals here with campus ministry?
A: My goal is the same as it's always been at Saint Leo: to help people, to help students understand their identity as a beloved child of God through prayer and community. Our job is just to find ways to express that and do that well, whether it's through a deep talk or having brats at Oktoberfest, the goal is the same.