THE NEWMAN CENTER SPRING 2020
St. Agatha - St. James
INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE NEW NEWMAN CENTER / LIFE AT NEWMAN / NEW LEADERSHIP / THE 125TH / ALUMÂ SPOTLIGHT / NEW PARK
Message from our
DIRECTOR When we envisioned this e edition of our magazine, we mainly thought of showcasing our recent 125th Celebration and the inauguration of our new building. So much to be thankful for! As we have adjusted to creative forms of "virtual ministry," it still rings true what was repeated so often throughout our 125th Celebration. What does Newman mean to me? "A home away from home!"
Patrick Travers, SCV Director of The Newman Center ptravers@saintsaj.org
VIRTUAL NEWMAN Our Ministry isn't Canceled! Despite the many difficulties and anxieties felt from the COVID-19 crisis, our ministry continues. As we have adjusted to creative forms of "virtual ministry," it has brought together not only students and parishioners, but also alumni and more. Our daily live-streamed Masses, prayer, spiritual talks, and virtual small groups have brought about opportunities for community amid these challenging times.
Want to join?
Connect with us live on facebook.com/saintsaj or subscribe to our new YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/TheNewmanCenteratStAJs.
THE NEW NEWMAN CENTER Fr. Carlos Keen, SCV
We are so grateful to have opened our new Newman Center building! We had a lot of nostalgia for the old building, but our new space is bigger, more beautiful, and better for serving our students. There are so many people to thank, and we are especially grateful to those who have contributed to our redevelopment fund. On the back page, you'll find more information on the last phase of construction as we look to build our new park this summer and on new giving opportunities. We hope you can come visit us soon!
Front Courtyard
Church Hall
Garden Breezeway
SPRING 2020
THE NEWMAN CENTER
1
The overwhelming response of everyone who comes into our new Newman Center has been, "wow!" We feel such a sense of gratitude to have this new building to serve our students and parishioners. The space feels bigger than we expected and much easier to use. From after-Mass luncheons on Sundays and Newman Night dinners, to larger scale talks and more intimate prayer in the new chapel, it serves all of our needs.
NEW BEGINNINGS
Student Lounge
"The Newman Center is my go-to place on campus. It's a place of comfort, like a shelter. I hope the Newman Center exists forever." Vian Djianto, Class of '22
2
THE NEWMAN CENTER
SPRING 2020
New St. Bede's Chapel
LIFE AT NEWMAN Whether students are hanging out on the fluffy couches in the new lounge, studying in the 2nd floor meeting rooms or finding peace in prayer or at Mass in the chapel, the new building has become a place for joyful community: A home away from home.
THANK YOU to the Colgan Foundation for Sponsoring our Newman Dinners!
"College would have been completely empty if it were not for the community I have found at the Newman Center." Gabbie Ramos, Class of '20
Penn President Amy Gutmann
Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong SPRING 2020
THE NEWMAN CENTER
3
LIFE AT NEWMAN
HOME AWAY
The college experience is greatly influenced by the people who walk alongside us. The Newman Center is a place of community and comfort amidst the stress and pressure of university life. Being greeted with open arms and smiling faces can make a world of difference in a student's life. The lifelong friendships they make and the formation they receive have a lasting impact, allowing them to succeed far beyond their college experience.
International Mass Choir
Large Food Socials
"Newman offered the first real opportunity for me to grow in faith with people my age. this community has quickly grown into a place I find true friendship and inspiration to keep deepening and expanding my spiritual life. I'm so thankful to be a part of something so special." -Daisy Angeles Class of '21
4
THE NEWMAN CENTER
SPRING 2020
LIFE AT NEWMAN
FROMÂ HOME
"Who would have thought "there's nothing more that in my homesickness, homey than walking into God would call me to build newman on a thursday to a home for other people?" have dinner with everyone." Eugene Enclona, Class of '21 International Ministry Leader
Finian Conors, Class of '22 Student Board Member
Socials in Student Lounge
After-Mass Meals
Guest Speakers
SPRING 2020
THE NEWMAN CENTER
5
“He looks on me individually, He calls me
by my name,
He knows what I can do, what I can
best be ."
- St. John Henry Newman
6
THE NEWMAN CENTER
SPRING 2020
MAKINGMISSIONARY DISCIPLES FORMING TOMORROW'S CHURCH LEADERS
We have all heard the narrative and seen the statistics on the challenges facing the Church with respect to young people leaving home for the first time. Over the last several years, under the leadership of the SCV brothers, the Newman Center has placed a big emphasis on reaching out to students. In August 2018, we partnered with FOCUS and doubled the size of our ministry team!
Following Pope Francis’ call to form ‘missionary disciples,’ we have a vision for a ministry that reaches out and helps students to encounter God through community. We provide students with the tools to grow in Christian life, preparing them to serve as future church leaders. We do this in the spirit of John Henry Newman’s motto: “heart speaks to heart.”
FOCUS Teams at Penn & Drexel
SPRING 2020
THE NEWMAN CENTER
7
ENCOUNTER
We can't wait for young people to find the Church -- we have to actively seek them out and welcome them in! Fall outreach is our most critical time of year. During this period, we engage with new students on campus and through 'Novus,' our Freshman Retreat. Our International Ministry has especially grown over the past two years, with Masses being celebrated for our thriving Filipino, Spanish, Korean and International groups every month.
Outreach on Campus
"it has been so important for me to find a faith community to anchor me in my faith and help me grow. Newman has been exactly that. I've made so many friends who have each touched my life in a unique way. Thanks to their love, prayer, and guidance, I know I've become a better version of myself!" - Gaby Utomo, Class of '21 (Int'l Ministry Leader)
Novus Freshman Retreat
8
THE NEWMAN CENTER
SPRING 2020
International Ministry
GROW
The core of our ministry lies in our small groups and Bible studies, where students walk the Christian journey together as friends. In addition to prayer and sacraments, we also offer many ways for students to grow in their faith life, like our retreats and weekly Newman Nights, which include a free dinner and program.
Mass & Prayer
Small Groups
Newman Dinners
"The fall Awakening retreat brought many emotional and spiritual moments that made me realize how important focusing on my relationship with God is in college."
- Claire Hennessey, Class of '23
SPRING 2020
Retreats
THE NEWMAN CENTER
9
SERVE
Our mission is to help young people discover their call to serve God. We believe Christians are called to be a light in society through service to others. Whether through initiatives like our "Christ in the City" homeless outreach, mission trips, or through our Newman Leadership Teams, students are finding themselves through gift of self.
"I have been able to integrate two of my passions: serving others and growing in my faith. this past semester, I was able to grow closer in community with the service committee and gain new lifelong friends." -Jenna DiStefano, Class of '21 Service Team Leader
'Christ in the City' Homeless Ministry
Peru Mission Trip
2020 Leadership Team 10
THE NEWMAN CENTER
SPRING 2020
SERVE: NEW LEADERSHIP
Daniel Rodriguez Penn Newman President "Being able to serve as the President of the Penn Newman Center this year has been an amazing experience and an honor. I'm amazed by the genuine commitment which all of my fellow student leaders have to living out the gospel and serving others in Christ. Whether it be through fostering community at our weekly Newman Nights, serving our greater community through Christ in the City street walks, or hosting international Masses that showcase the true beauty of our international faith: my fellow student leaders never fail to amaze me in both their creativity and passion for our shared faith. Being part of this large faith community that unites Penn, Drexel, and the St. Agatha-St. James Parish has been a true highlight of my college experience which I'm grateful for everyday."
Therese Mathew Drexel Newman President "As a commuter student I was disconnected from most of the campus activities. I felt alone at times because I was a commuter. One day I decided to find friends who follow the same faith just like me on Drexel's campus but through Drexel Newman, I found a family instead. Since freshman year Newman has been pulling me in bit by bit. Starting with a conversation, which led to joining a small group to attending a retreat and making friends, with Newman I have only grown in my faith as a college student. I have so much to be thankful for and being on the Service Team this year is my opportunity to give back to the community. I intend to help other students feel welcome, find fellowship and grow closer to Christ as I did." SPRING 2020
THE NEWMAN CENTER
11
125 YEARS OF 'NEWMAN' What a blessing to celebrate our 125th Anniversary! And to do so whilst inaugurating our new building, thus entering into the next chapter of our history. The four-day 125th celebration coincided with the inauguration of the new building, helping us to appreciate our vibrant history while looking forward to the promising future ahead. Newmanites from all walks of life joined the festivities.
12
THE NEWMAN CENTER
SPRING 2020
Former chaplains, alumni, and current students came together to share their Newman experiences. A collection of renowned panelists and keynote speakers discussed the mission of the Church and the important role of campus ministry. The shared passion for our mission was evident throughout the weekend, inspiring and motivating every attendee.
125th
Keynote Speaker : Dr. Jonathan Reyes "Is Newman Relevant Today?"
The Executive Director of the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development at the USCCB, and founder of 'Christ in the City' homeless ministry, broke down some of the key teachings and characteristics of Cardinal Newman in order to argue why he is still relevant to the Church and the world in the present day.
THE CELEBRATION Students, alumni, parishioners, faculty, and friends alike all gathered to celebrate our vibrant community and rich history.
Friday Happy Hour & Dinner
SPRING 2020
THE NEWMAN CENTER
13
A PLACE CALLED "NEWMAN"
The 125th offered the opportunity to dig into the history of the country's first Newman club in order to discover what inspired its origin and what has sustained its spirit throughout the years. By John Ortega, Class of '20 “Community.” “Home.” “Blessing.” “Miracle.” ‘Newman’ means a multitude of different things to so many people who have experienced the ministry provided by the over 2,000 Newman Centers that have been established throughout the United States over the past 125 years. These Catholic campus ministries owe their origins to the first Newman club in the country, which was founded at the University of Pennsylvania in 1893 by a medical student named Timothy Harrington. He and some colleagues took inspiration from now St. John Henry Newman, who was convinced that students cultivate their faith together with their university education. A pivotal player in this movement was himself nicknamed “Mr. Newman,” Rev. John W. Keogh. Born in “Fishertown” where he was dubbed the “Iron Duke”, he reawoke the defunct Newman Club at Penn in 1913 and grew it into a “model for the nation” by establishing Newman Hall on Spruce St. with its famed St. Bede’s Chapel. He became chaplain general for the Federation of Catholic College Clubs and served for nearly two decades, proving himself to be “the staunchest friend and bravest promoter of the Newman Movement.” He toured the country addressing national conventions, founding clubs, encouraging chaplains and pleading for bishops to help. He was considered a ‘radical’ for seeking Church approval of nonsectarian education.
14
THE NEWMAN CENTER
SPRING 2020
St. John Henry Newman
Timothy Harrington
Rev. John Keogh
Many stories could be told of Penn Newman and its different stages, as it evolved from a club to a ministry throughout its 125 years. No matter the location and regardless of the chaplain or student leaders, Newman has, is, and will always be a place where Christcentered "heart-to-heart" relationships are formed. Harrington ensured, through the founding of Penn Newman, that there would always be a home and community for Catholics at secular universities across the United States. Many decades after the Penn Newman Club’s founding, Harrington would go on to say the following words, which echo for eternity: “That this organization has lived and grown and that its influence has come down to the students of today is added proof that there was a place in the University of Pennsylvania as there is in all great universities, for a Catholic club.”
125th
THE PANELISTS "Campus Ministry Today"
"The Church Moving Forward"
Barbara McCrabb of the USCCB, Fr. Mike Martin, OFM, Chaplain of Duke Campus Ministry, and Fr. Shaun Mahoney, Director of Temple Newman, discussed the current state of campus ministry in the U.S. as what role plays in the Church's mission.
Matt Manion (W'92, right), Director of Villanova University's Center for Church Management, Richara Krajewski (left), Pastoral Associate and Pro-Life Union speaker, and famed convert and author Leah Libresco spoke about the challenges facing the Church today and how we can respond.
Former Chaplains Panel
Fr. Tom Hagan
Alumni Panel
Fr. Charlie Zlock (left, 2005-09), Jeff Klein (right, 2007-15), and Fr. Georges Thiers (1969) of the Philadelphia Oratory spoke about what the Newman Center was like in their time and the influence it has had on their lives and those they served.
Presented by the Collegium Institute, Rev. Tom Hagan, a former staff member of the Penn Newman Center, spoke at the Arch Building about his experiences working in ministry during the 1980's and his current work in Haiti with his nonprofit 'Hands Together'.
Maria Bellantoni (C'12), Joe DiStefano (C'85), and Fr. Tom Whittingham (W'06) shared their reflections and experiences of the Newman ministry and how it inspired them to serve in their current vocations.
SPRING 2020
THE NEWMAN CENTER
15
125th
THE GALA We were so thrilled to welcome nearly 300 people to the gala! We celebrated the past and present of the Newman Center, and we honored two distinguished guests for their lifelong service to the university and the Catholic community.
Craig Carnaroli, Honoree
John J. DiIulio, Honoree
Honored for more than 25 years of service to the community and as the Executive Vice President of Penn and for his continued support of the Newman Center.
Honored for Director of Penn’s Robert A. Fox Leadership Program (1999-2018),Presented by Dan Cheeley of the Collegium Institute,
Vince Dragone & Gabbie Ramos
Dr. John Garvey, Keynote
Rev. Chaz Howard
Presidents of Drexel & Penn Newman, respectively, spoke on behalf of their respective student bodies.
President of The Catholic University of America gave the gala keynote address about Newman's influence in higher education.
Chaplain of the University of Pennsylvania, thanked the Newman Center and read a congratulatory letter from Penn President Amy Gutmann.
16
THE NEWMAN CENTER
SPRING 2020
125th
ALUMNI AT THE 125TH Young Adults & Married Couples of St. AJ's Once a Newmanite, always a Newmanite! What a blessing to have so many alumni reengage with the community through the 125th. From the planning committee, to countless interviews, an "Alumni Panel," and those present throughout the weekend, it was a great opportunity to connect past and present.
Penn Graduates of '08
Penn Graduates of '06 & '07
SPRING 2020
THE NEWMAN CENTER
17
125th
THE INAUGURATION The 125th Celebration culminated in a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony as the new Newman Center building was officially inaugurated! Members representing each of the Parish and Newman ministries helped cut the ribbon. Afterwards, Fr. Carlos Keen concelebrated Mass with priests formerly affiliated with Newman: Fr. Tom Hagan, Fr. David Skoblow and Fr. Jim McGuinn. A celebratory lunch finished off the festivities, where old and new Newmanites met and shared stories.
18
THE NEWMAN CENTER
SPRING 2020
ALUM SPOTLIGHT
Joe Killackey W’85
Joe marching with classmate Dean Cho on the left in his 1985 graduation procession.
Written by Joe Distefano (C'85) Joe Killackey came to Penn eager to build community and improve the world. He became a resident adviser in the Quad, and put much of his energy into the Newman Center, including the Community Outreach program inspired by Father Tom Hagan OSFS. Among other projects, Joe organized volunteers to teach literacy to inmates at the Youth Study Center, then Philadelphia's juvenile prison. Staff told him it wouldn't work but eventually became Joe's advocates as his infectious enthusiasm drew in others.
Joe with family, including his mom, Betty, at far right at his 1985 graduation celebration.
Joe's friends and family came to the 125th to honor him and carry on his memory in a private ceremony as they dedicated the new conference room in his honor.
After volunteering with the Franciscans in Philadelphia's Kensington section, Joe helped organize a soup kitchen meal program for homeless around Penn's campus and advocated boarding-home improvements after visiting shut-ins. He coled the Penn for Goode campaign that organized to help elect the city's first African American mayor. Later in his life, a progressive illness estranged Joe from colleagues and family members, leading to his early death in 2012. After his funeral Mass, a memorial was held at Sister Mary Scullion's Project HOME, a project Joe had long supported, where classmate Craig Carnaroli, Penn's Executive Vice President, and others paid tribute to Joe's spirit of generosity and lamented the disease that took him from us too soon.
SPRING 2020
THE NEWMAN CENTER
19
"heart-to-heart" giving SOCIETY Sign up to make a recurring donation that will have a lasting impact on the Newman Center!
$10 - Sponsor a student for a retreat $25 - Provide one student to attend a bible study for one year $50 - Cover cost to bring a speaker to a Newman Night $100 - Cover expenses for one large food socials
Penn: newman.upenn.edu/give Drexel: drexelnewman.com/give
Growth
is the only evidence of
Life - John Henry Newman Regular Attendance at Ministry Events Sunday Masses
735 20
THE NEWMAN CENTER
Weekly Newman Nights
100 SPRING 2020
Weekly Small Groups
Semesterly Retreats
250
100
HELP US BUILD OUR PARK We are embarking on the last phase of our redevelopment. This summer, we will are breaking ground on our private park which will be located at the former parish parking lot. This beautiful green space will be available for prayer and relaxation, community building, and quiet moments amidst the busy city.
We need to raise an additional $150K to complete the construction of the park.
Special thanks to our Donors! We have raised $247KÂ from Naming Rights Gifts Connelly Foundation Kwon Lee Tina & Stephen Pedrotty Roman Ventura KhunyingPatama Leeswadtrakul
We hope you will consider supporting this project. There are various Naming Gift Opportunities found here on the parish website (saintsaj.org) as well as the opportunity to purchase a brick ($250)!
Naming Rights Opportunities
Front Courtyard $100,000
Friends of Joe Killackey Jeffery & Cathy Gokie Rebecca-Rose Metzger Chris & Anne Walsh Koch Foundation
For more information, contact our Development Manager, Maryrose Richards, at mrichards@saintsaj.org.
Garden Breezeway $50,000
Meeting Rooms $10,000 - $20,000 SPRING 2020
Park Benches $5,000 THE NEWMAN CENTER
21
THE NEWMAN CENTER AT ST. AGATHA - ST. JAMES 111 S. 38th St Philadelphia, PA 19104
Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Philadelphia, PA Permit No. 175
newman.upenn.edu
Design Credits Lillian Fallon (lfallon@saintsaj.org)
Photography Credits John Ortega (@jortegaphoto) Sean Legg (@seanjlegg)