The Current

Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Carrie Fasiska Parishioners sing during the Sunday night Mass held by the Catholic Newman Center in the Provincial House Chapel.

What building is visible during the drive onto campus, and perhaps on the shuttle between North and South Campus? It is none other than UM-St. Louis' Catholic Newman Center.

But despite the "Catholic" affixed to the name, the Newman Center is open to anyone on campus, regardless of their faith.

So what is it and what do they do?

Tracy Van de Riet, campus minister at the Newman Center, said that it is a "Catholic parish on the university campus."

She said that students call the Newman Center their "home away from home" or sometimes "the black hole of time- time goes quickly here." Students will come expecting to spend an hour or two and find when they look at the clock, discover that it is four hours later. "It's a cozy place,"says Van de Riet.

Situated on Natural Bridge across from the main entrance to North Campus, it is easy to see how it would become a gathering place or "home" to students. Liz Detwiler, campus minister with the Newman Center said, "There's always food here, and free wi-fi."

Van de Riet said that the basement is a good place to hang out, it is equipped with couches, a TV and a ping pong table. There is a kitchen, dining room and student study room in addition to the office space and chapel.

There are approximately 20 students present during the day, with about 100 members.

They host a number of events including Mass three times a week, retreats, leadership opportunities, service projects, social justice education, prayer services and naturally, social opportunities and fun.

One of the retreats early in the year is the Great Getaway. It's not spiritual in nature, but a "retreat into nature," said Van de Riet. It gives students the opportunity to get away from campus for the weekend and that it is a great team building opportunity.

According to Detwiler, the biggest program is Awakenings. It is held in October and is a weekend long retreat, led by students.

Part of the retreat involves listening to talks from other students. There is also an opportunity for sacraments.

Continued...

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