By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald
UWS Newman Center brings fun and faith to young adults
SUPERIOR --On Thursday, Sept. 5, the Newman Center for Ministry to Young Adults (NCMYA) at UWS opened its doors to students and young adults in the community to kick off the 2002-2003 school year.
What is NCMYA? According to public relations coordinator Jamie Slack, "It's a place for young people to hang out and relax without worrying about a lot of pressures and just be themselves. It's a great place to meet people."
Nate Lundgren, worship leader, called it "a safe haven for college students." He said, "College years are formulative years of faith, and the Newman Center provides a base and foundation for that."
To this, co-coordinator Nicole Johnson added, "In the overall mission of the church, young people are often forgotten in the grand scheme of things. The Newman Center is an outlet where young adults striving to find their faith can go and feel welcome. I enjoy how open people are; it creates a warm environment to experience faith with people who have similar values and goals."
Though often referred to simply as the Newman Center, it became the Newman Center for Ministry to Young Adults in 1999. Dick Lyons, diocesan director of pastoral services and overseer of NCMYA, said the goal was to minister to a wider range of people beyond UWS students. "We were looking for an organization that would support and minister to students of the university and also broaden it to include WITC students and other young adults in the community," he said.
NCMYA opens its doors every Thursday at 2 p.m. and holds Mass at 5:05 p.m. The Masses are geared toward young adults, with contemporary music and opportunities to participate by doing the Scripture readings during the liturgy. Priests from throughout the diocese participate on a rotating basis. Each week a different priest says the Mass.
After Mass each week, there is also dinner and a variety of activities in which young adults can get involved. These activities include a number of social, educational, community building and outreach programs. NCMYA often brings in guest speakers and does service activities within the community. So far this year, people who showed up on Sept. 5 have already had the opportunity to go mini-golfing, bowling and attend a bonfire at Wisconsin Point.
Another Newman Center at UW-River Falls holds similar activities. Anyone interested in learning more about NCMYA can call 715-394-7710 or e-mail newmancenter@superiorwi.com.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002