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Attending a secular college doesn't mean that Catholic students can't continue practicing their faith. 

In fact, Newman Associations (named for Cardinal John Henry Newman) at many colleges and universities in the Albany Diocese give students the chance to meet fellow Catholics and take part in activities to boost their faith lives.

At Union College in Schenectady, for example, Catholic chaplain Thomas Boland has revved up the Catholic Student Association and welcomes Catholic students interested in participating. 

"When I first arrived, it was small and quiet," Mr. Boland explained. "We had Sunday night Mass at St. John [the Evangelist Church] and a social hour after Mass on campus; that was about it."

Making change
Since Mr. Boland came to Union five years ago, he has worked to make the club more active. The group now offers a liturgy every Thursday in the chapel on campus, along with a chance to pray the Rosary.

A Sunday Mass at St. John the Evangelist, which is located across the street from Union's main entrance, has been moved up to 5 p.m. in order to have a Catholic community dinner afterward.

Junior Bridget Jameson has been involved with Union's Catholic Student Association since her freshman year. After attending a Catholic high school in Minnesota, she said, "I wanted to stay involved."

Mr. Boland acknowledged the importance of making religious practice available for all students.

"There's been a growing interest among this generation of college students," he said. "There's an interest in faith and belief that's more personal than institutional."
Other members have also felt a positive effect from the CSA.

"There's just a sense of community with other Catholics," said senior Lucia Reed. "There's not a lot [else for Catholics] on campus."

Like Bridget, Maria-Claire Pietak came to Union hoping that the college offered a sense of continuing involvement in the Catholic community.

"It was something that before I came here I knew I wanted to be a part of," she said.

Trio of goals
At Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, the Newman Catholic Fellowship offers similar opportunities.

"The Newman Catholic Fellowship at RPI centers around three things: faith, fellowship and service," said Marianne Monastero, president of the NCF. "We try to create a place where people can come together to praise God, serve others, and grow closer to one another and Jesus."

Like the CSA at Union, the Newman Catholic Fellowship offers a community dinner after 5 p.m. Mass on Sundays at the on-campus parish, Christ Sun of Justice. Group members also take part in many activities on campus, including RPI's Relay for Life.

The programs can also help the students establish a comfort level with college life in general.

"It's important to have self-time to talk to God and know what you want to do," said Maria-Claire.

Lucia added: "It's good to be reminded of your faith."

All the students' comments reflected the message of Newman clubs as explained by Marianne Monastero, who concluded: "Over all, we are a community tied together by faith and belief in God." [[In-content Ad]]

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