What's in a Name? Why We Are Called Newman Club

"Liberal Education makes not the Christian, not the Catholic, but the gentleman. It is well to be a gentlemen [sic], it is well to have a cultivated intellect, a delicate taste, a candid, equitable, dispassionate mind, a noble and courteous bearing in the conduct of life...."
—Cardinal John Henry Newman, The Idea of a University, Discourse V, pt. 9

One surprising misconception I have encountered about Newman Club is the notion that its name is specific to Adelphi's Catholic campus ministry. In fact, there are Newman Centers at non-Catholic universities throughout the world. The first American Newman Club was established at the University of Pennsylvania way back in 1893.

The first Newman Club was not formed in the United States, however. In 1888, Oxford University's Catholic Club (founded in 1878) was renamed the Oxford University Newman Society, after Cardinal John Henry Newman.

Newman was born in England in 1801. He was an Anglican priest who helped to revive the Catholic tradition within the Church of England during the 19th century, in what became known as the Oxford Movement. He eventually became a Roman Catholic in 1845 and was reordained a priest in the Church the following year. He was elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879.

Newman was a prolific writer and wrote The Idea of a University, in which he put forth the idea that Catholic students attending public universities should have a place to gather where they would be able to support and encourage one another in their faith. At the time, Catholics were discouraged from and on occasion even forbidden to attend secular universities. A former Oxford professor and fellow of Oriel College, Newman did not want young Catholic college students to be deprived of good educational opportunities, but at the same time, he was concerned about their faith and spiritual well being.

Newman's name was in the news a lot last year because last September, Pope Benedict XVI made an apostolic journey to the United Kingdom to celebrate his beatification. The process of Sainthood is not an overnight procedure. Newman died in 1890, but the file on his canonization was not opened until 1958. He was proclaimed "Venerable," the first major step in the canonization process, in 1991. Following the Vatican's investigation and confirmation of a miracle attributed to Newman, he was beatified last year, giving him the title "Blessed." If and when Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman is declared a Saint, following the confirmation of a second miracle, it will be an acknowledgment of his Sainthood; he will not have been "made" a Saint because he always was one.

The Vatican has provided a video of the Holy Father presiding over Newman's beatification, which you can view below (a solid news report is also viewable here):

As we pray for Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman's canonization, perhaps the most appropriate hymn for the moment is "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God." It is an English hymn, written by Lesbia Scott in 1929 and set to the tune "Grand Isle," composed by the Rev. John H. Hopkins, author of the Christmas carol "We Three Kings." Like Newman in his early years, Hopkins was also an Anglican priest:

I sing a song of the saints of God,

Patient and brave and true,

Who toiled and fought and lived and died

For the Lord they loved and knew.

And one was a doctor, and one was a queen,

And one was a shepherdess on the green:

They were all of them saints of God--and I mean,

God helping, to be one too.

They loved their Lord so dear, so dear,

And his love made them strong;

And they followed the right, for Jesus' sake,

The whole of their good lives long.

And one was a soldier, and one was a priest,

And one was slain by a fierce wild beast:

And there's not any reason, no, not the least

Why I shouldn't be one too.

They lived not only in ages past,

There are hundreds of thousands still;

The world is bright with the joyous saints

Who love to do Jesus' will.

You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea,

In church, or in trains, or in shops, or at tea;

For the saints of God are just folk like me,

And I mean to be one too.

In addition, you can view it being performed here. Sing along, and pray as well for the unity of the Church.

Additional resources:

The Cardinal Newman Society

The Diocese of Rockville Centre's Directory of Catholic Campus Ministry

Newman Reader, a collection of the Cardinal's written works and other information

(Photograph courtesy of templeton-cambridge.org.)

Post-Saint Paddy's Post

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..." —Ephesians 6:10-17

It may be Spring Break, but that doesn't mean this blog is going on vacation. You all are familiar with Saint Patrick's Day, and most of you probably know the basics about Saint Patrick. But did any of you know that one of the best hymns of all time was originally composed by Ireland's patron Saint?

That's right! According to tradition, Saint Patrick composed the prayer now known as "Saint Patrick's Breastplate" sometime in the fifth century A.D.

That prayer has since been adapted as a hymn. I was unable to find a good quality video of it being performed on YouTube (if only because I have a grotesquely high standard for such videos), so below is a video of just the organ music, sans lyrics. You can find the lyrics here. (Please note that there is a MIDI recording of the music at the top of the page. Pause it so it does not interfere with listening the YouTube video.)

The best part is at 4:05, when the rather solemn — but stately — tune becomes decidedly more cheerful — but just as stately. It is especially powerful when a choir sings, "Christ in quiet" in hushed tones, then continues in full force with, "Christ in danger." It makes the piece far more stirring. Anyway, enough rambling. Enjoy the video!

(Picture courtesy of American Papist via LOLSaints.)

Interview with Katie Correa: On Youth Leadership in the Church

Today, we sat down with Katie Correa, who has served as President of Adelphi's Newman Club since fall 2009. Katie is a junior English major in STEP and hopes to become a high school English teacher after college.

Newman News: Who or what got you interested in Newman Club?

Katie Correa: "My mom said I should see if there was a Catholic group on campus, and I didn't listen to her. I didn't want to. But I checked it out anyway. I went up to the [Interfaith] Office, and I met [fellow students] Sean Magaldi, Joe Dujmovic, Allen Louissaint and Lilo Onwuzu, and they were really nice to me, and they told me to come back. And I'm so glad that I did."

NN: Why did you run for President of Newman Club?

KC: "I saw a lot of opportunity for Newman Club to grow. We were a small group, and I wanted to repay the kindness and energy shown to me as a freshman. There were a lot of graduating role models, and there was a chance for me to lead the club into new growth."

NN: What are your duties as president?

KC: "My first duty is to make everybody welcome - and that's not a duty. It's a pleasure. And that's my personal touch to the presidency. My major role is to guide the group in prayer and also to see the spiritual needs of the group and try to fulfill them through service and through pilgrimages, events and small groups. I try to see, 'What do people need?' and my role is to challenge everyone's spiritual level, whatever that might be."

NN: What is the most rewarding part of being president?

KC: "Seeing the growth of individuals in their spiritual lives. I get to see people during their struggles, and I get to pray with them to see when God touches their lives. So, that's why I want to be a teacher. I walk with them as they grow and am able to help when I can."

NN: What is the greatest challenge of being president?

KC: "I think the most challenging part of the presidency is being present to the fullest capacity possible, and what I mean by that is, I would like to be at every prayer service that we have and every activity that we have, but because we are so dynamic and exciting, I can't do that. So, it's hard to choose when I'm most needed when trying to balance schoolwork, as well."

NN: What was the best event Newman Club ever held, in your judgment?

KC: "The Senior Prom last year was, in my opinion, the best event we ever held. It was a dance at a nursing home in Long Beach. We entertained about 50 residents and their families with a DJ and dancing. It was rewarding because residents who hadn't walked or stood in months stood up out of their wheelchairs to rock out. One guy, who had Parkinson's, stood for the first time in eight months. Their families were inspired and amazed. Basically, the elderly showed us how to be young."

Newman Club President Katie Correa dances with a nursing home resident at the Senior Prom.

NN: Why should someone consider joining Newman Club?

KC: "If you want your life to be transformed, look no further. All you have to do is set your foot in the door, and the light of Christ is going to excite you and change you forever."

NN: Why should a non-Catholic consider joining Newman Club?

KC: "Everyone in Newman Club has struggled to make sense of the world, in one part of life or another. We support one another through these struggles, but we are also joyful in our faith and bring this joy to the world. We're all looking at different careers, but we're all rooted in the same passion to bring good to the world."

NN: What does it mean to be Catholic at a secular university, like Adelphi?

KC: "Being a Catholic at a secular university means being an example and being a witness. We are an example of the values that people 'think' are old-fashioned - temperance, fortitude, justice, compassion. We are an example of what it means to love and to live with integrity. In a classroom context, this may mean standing up for truth with humility and conviction."

NN: What is your advice to young Catholics, who may be unsure of their faith and uncomfortable professing it openly?

KC: "To a Catholic who is not yet firm in the faith and may be afraid to show it, I would quote from Pope John Paul II's first words as Pope: 'Do not be afraid.' Catholics are not a people of fear. The Cross gives us courage to go forth and spread the Good News of the Gospel. More concretely, I would say that no Catholic is perfectly fearless. Start small by living a Catholic life that is just, humble, gentle, couragous - and you will inspire others to do the same."

NN: If you could give any advice to the Church in how it reaches out to young people, what would it be?

KC: "The youth today are hungry for what I call 'hard-core' Catholicism, because we come from a generation in which it is considered uncool to believe in anything. A common myth is that the only way to attract youth to Catholicism is through upbeat music and inspirational slogans. That is a misconception. If you want the youth to love Christ, show them how Christ brought strength to those who suffered. Expose Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Get dynamic priests and religious sisters to hang out with the youth, and pray with them and for them. Young people are often referred to as 'the future of the Church,' but the truth is, we are the Church and are very involved in it. Young people need examples of strong Catholic role models, and so even when adults share their own faith journeys with young students, it inspires them to grow in their own faith."

(All photographs courtesy of Katie Correa.)

Festival of Bread Celebrates Diversity and Feeds the Hungry

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." —John 6:35

On Tuesday, February 22, members of the Adelphi Interfaith Center came together in University Center Room 201 to break bread - literally - and raise money to help fight hunger on Long Island. The Festival of Bread is an annual event in which interfaith chaplains and club members come together "to focus on our similarities and humanity while joining together to celebrate our diversity."

Inside of UC 201, there was a great spread of bread, including French bread, matzo, naan, challah, crusty bread and fresh rolls, and four kinds of soup: French onion, lentil, matzo ball and split pea.

Outside of the room, the Empty Bowls project had set up shop to raise funds for The INN, in Hempstead. For $5, anyone could purchase a handcrafted bowl, and the proceeds would go to help the soup kitchen, one of a network of institutions on the island now 19 strong, feed local residents, many of whom are homeless.

Jewish chaplain Rabbi Dr. Barry Dov Schwartz opened the program by explaining that the meal was a Jewish tradition, but the only actual Jewish bread there was the homemade challah, although all menu items were kosher. That having been said, the Jewish adage, "If you have no bread, you have no meal," certainly applied, but Schwartz was quick to note that "Dunkin' Donuts [which were served as dessert] have nothing to do with traditional food." He continued, as those in attendance laughed, "But they're good, I guess."

The next speaker was the Rev. Dr. Jerome D. Taylor, a Lutheran pastor and Adelphi's Protestant chaplain. Taylor discussed the belief in bread as the Body of Christ. (Unlike other Protestants, Lutherans do believe that the Eucharist is the actual Body and Blood of Christ and not merely a reminder of Him; although, there are differences in the exact nature of the Sacrament in Lutheranism, as opposed to Roman Catholicism.)

Taylor said that just as the Eucharist is fractured, so too are Christians fractured to go into the world, to be the Bread of the Lord and a reminder of Christ, to recognize the nailprints, the spear in His side and the crown of thorns.

The plenary speaker was Dr. Danté A. Tawfeeq, Assistant Chaplain for the Muslim Student Association and an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at Adelphi. Tawfeeq grew up in a community of Christians and converts to Islam, so he was taught to respect others' differences. He went on to explain that to Muslims, bread has a more social component than a religious one: "We use bread as a way of building bridges." Tawfeeq also noted the sad fact that as others go hungry, the uneaten bread from the night's meal would be thrown away.

February is Black History Month, and Tawfeeq, who is himself black, recalled that in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s final speech before his assassination, he called us not merely to be Good Samaritans but to reform the road to Jericho itself.

Tawfeeq called for "unity, humility, friendship, peace, something that the world absolutely needs" and concluded by stating, "I see no cold hearts [in this room]. We're trying to put together a roaring fire."

The next speaker was Father Brian Barr, one of several Catholic priests who serve Adelphi students and the surrounding community. Barr told a moving story about the death of his father, seven years ago. It was a Sunday, and Barr was there with his mother and siblings, celebrating Mass for his father in his hospital room. There was bread, wine and, of course, prayers. The hospital tray table over the bed served as an altar.

His father was comatose, but even those in comas can retain the ability to hear, Barr noted. His father could not, however, receive Communion, so Barr took a consecrated host and placed it to his father's forehead, then consumed it himself.

"I'd like Jesus to be as close to my father as possible. I want Jesus to touch my dad," Barr explained, his voice filled with emotion. "I wasn't expecting Jesus to heal my father. I just wanted them to be close."

Barr went on to explain the Catholic concept of the Eucharist, that it is literally the Body and Blood of Christ. He then contrasted the story of his father's death with that of a Catholic youth retreat he attended. Barr noted that there, he did not have to worship in a small hospital room but in a beautiful chapel, for Eucharistic adoration. He admitted that to an outsider, the practice of adoration would look odd, as would his pressing the host to his father's forehead, but in both instances, Christ was not necessarily consumed - but He was still close.

Empty Bowls representative Barbara Selva addresses the Festival of Bread.

The final speaker was Barbara Selva, a representative from Empty Bowls. Selva discussed the international effort to fight world hunger by making bowls, which are then sold. Last year, Empty Bowls raised $1,200, Selva said. She went on to reveal that although many of the hungry are homeless, many more live in working families who do not have enough money to afford food. Perhaps most shockingly, Selva said that one in 10 Long Island families has used food pantries.

Selva's address was short but still powerful. She concluded with a final plea, "Please fight hunger in the world, especially on Long Island. We need it."

Adelphi's Newman Club, at the Festival of Bread.

("Festival of Bread" flier courtesy of Wendy Badala. All photographs courtesy of Matthew Rudolph.)