UND graduate shares life-giving effects of Newman Center

My December 2020 graduation from the University of North Dakota (UND) has led me to reflect on my college years. Many things have changed since my freshman year—my hair grew longer, my classes got harder—but through all the growing, changing, and renovations, one thing has been steadfast in my university life: the Newman Center. 

The Newman Center has been a comfort and refuge amidst this wild semester. This year especially, both the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) Bible study that I led and the one I attended provided me with the much-needed human interaction lacking in my academic classes. My courses were hybrid this fall, which mean we met once a week and attended the rest of the classes through Zoom. This meant long days in my apartment staring at a screen with little more than my houseplants to keep me company. Bible studies provided me with a community that strives to follow Christ—a source of hope and solidarity in these bizarre times. 

Since freshman year, Newman has become my second home. Whether it be for Mass, Bible studies, discipleship, student board meetings, or praying in the chapel, I found myself inside its brick façade nearly every day of the week. I deepened my relationship with Christ, and I desired to share the love of God with others. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have looked like if I had not encountered the Newman Center back in 7th grade.

I have three older siblings who also attended UND, which means I’ve witnessed ten welcome weekends at UND. As the youngest sibling, I earned the title of “move-in crew.” Along with arguing about who had to move the bed, my family also had a tradition of going to Mass at the Newman Center after moving one of my siblings in. As the years went by and I started to grow in my faith, I found it inspiring that college students would desire to pursue their faith in a culture that seems so contrary to it. When I decided that I wanted to go to UND, I also decided I wanted to make my faith a priority.

As an eleven-year-old, I could never have imagined the impact the Newman Center would have on my life. I am incredibly grateful for Newman because it not only provides opportunities for spiritual formation, but it has also graced me with life-long authentic friends who challenge me in my faith. I’m thankful that Newman offers easy access to the sacraments on campus. Daily Mass, adoration, and confession have been safe harbors from the sometimes-overwhelming sea of college life. Having a church so close to where I live has kindled within me the fire of faith and the love of Christ. 

Being able to attend adoration almost daily on campus is extremely special to me. No matter what kind of day I am having, entering the quiet and tranquil chapel to meet Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament always puts my life into focus. Adoration at Newman has given me a place to go when the rigors of university life are too much. It became the haven where I surrendered the deepest longings of my heart to the one who knows me better than I know myself. 

I am but one person, and countless others no doubt share the same life-giving effects of Newman. The Newman Center is so much more than a place that provides fun social activities. It is a place to cultivate friendships and a lasting faith. I can safely say that my life at the Newman has given me the best gift anyone could receive—a love for Christ and his children and a desire to share this with others.