Campus Ministry and Student Leadership
Catholic Campus Ministry is a training ground for developing strong leaders in our community and our Catholic churches. Students need resources and support during this critical time of faith exploration. Part of the Newman Foundation’s mission is to provide just such opportunities for development at the Newman Center.
Over the years our level of support for Campus Ministry has grown as has the number of Catholic students, faculty and staff. Continued success of Campus Ministry requires ongoing support, coordination, and cooperation. Direct ongoing support to the Newman Center impacts the Catholic community by offering students more opportunities in theological education, spiritual and conscience formation, faculty mentoring, service projects and practical guides for living.
The Newman Foundation Board will continue to work closely with the Newman Center staff to ensure that projects and programs meet the vision and mission of the local church. We anticipate a need to change some programming in response to changing student needs. Currently we plan to address these areas of Campus Ministry:
- Catholic Scholars Program: To develop students in the Catholic Tradition, the Newman Center will offer merit-based scholarships to qualified candidates. The recipients would be required to make a serious commitment to studying the intellectual tradition of the Church. They would take classes at the Newman Center or from a professor of Catholic Thought at UK and serve in a ministry capacity at Newman Center. The program aspires to offer 20 scholarships, five for each academic class.
- Catechetical Institute: The Institute will offer financial help for students who wish to prepare theologically, spiritually, and methodologically to be effective catechists for tomorrow’s parishes.
- Internships in Liturgy/Music, Religious Education and Student Outreach: Paid internships will prepare students for leadership positions in their future parishes.
- Expanded Retreat Programs and Expanded Service/Learning Trips: The Newman Center aspires to offer retreats to undergraduate and graduate students. Funding will also enable students to attend the national Catholic Student Coalition long–range planning meeting, as well as to minister to inner city poor and homeless in New York on Spring Break Service Trips.
- Ongoing Newman Center Campus Ministry Programs: The Newman Center provides fellowship and worship opportunities for more than 6,000 Catholic students at UK. Approximately 2,000 people attend Holy Spirit Parish weekly masses (with five weekend liturgies), and at least half of those are students. Current Campus Ministry Programs include welcome activities at the beginning of the school year, student retreats, meal preparation for the Catholic Action Center to assist the inner city poor of Lexington, and student meals after Sunday Mass to foster community and support among students. More programs will be created in response to student needs.