University of Nebraska at Kearney Newman Center:
Nurturing the Faith Through Community
C
ollege can be a difficult time for some young people to practice and live out their faith. Of course, the college years are also an important time that sets the groundwork for the future. Addressing this essential spiritual need, the University of Nebraska at Kearney has an organization called the Newman Center, a Catholic youth ministry program that is popular across the United States. The Newman Center’s activities are rooted in four pillars — prayer, hospitality, formation, and service. Miranda Ketteler serves as Program Director and Kendall Grossnicklaus is the Director of Community Formation. Both are thankful for the opportunity to lead others to Jesus. “Our main goal of everything we do is to help students form a personal relationship with Jesus Christ — all else is secondary,” says Miranda. “The Newman Center serves as the Catholic parish for college students in Kearney,” Kendall says. “Our mission is to share Christ with all who enter.” The Newman Center provides events, community formation, friendship, and access to the sacraments. The Center includes a chapel, men’s house, women’s house, and office area. Up to ten women and ten men live in their respective houses. The doors are open for students to come to visit, play a game, or study. The mission of the Newman Center is “to follow the mission of Jesus Christ to draw all into union with God. We do this through our community gathered in celebration of the sacraments, study, prayer, social events, and service. The Gospel informs our daily actions and moves us to reach out to all those in need. We are missionary disciples, joyfully spreading the love of God in truth and charity to all we encounter.” “In today’s society, it can be really hard to connect with people,” Kendall says. “Social media and all the other technology makes it easy to hide
Students share a meal during a retreat.
Students gather at the community retreat called Koinonia.
behind a screen and only show the good things that are happening in your life. We weren’t created to live like that. We need other people. We need connection. We need community.” Part of the Newman Center mission is to have continued on back cover
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