The Newman Center for Keene State College

The Newman Center for Keene State College ministers to all college students and young adults in the area. The Newman Center is named for Blessed John Henry Newman, who in his writings encouraged the creation of societies for Catholic students at secular universities, in order that they may have a place to gather to encourage and support each other in the faith. Although the Newman Center is a ministry of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester, we minister to all students and young adults, regardless of their religious affiliation or lack thereof. Our primary ministry is to Keene State College students, but we also welcome Antioch University and River Valley Community College students, as well as young adults in their twenties. All are welcome.

The Newman Student Organization

The Newman Student Organization (NSO) is the Keene State College Student Organization which meets at the Newman Center to socialize and explore student life, culture, prayer and community from a Catholic perspective. All students are welcome, regardless of religious affiliation or lack thereof. The NSO depends in the participation and input of the students to plan and organize social events, opportunities for communal prayer, retreats, service projects in the community and beyond, as well as bible studies, and opportunities to learn about our faith.

Newman Center Cooperators

Newman Cooperators are parishioners or Catholic KSC faculty or staff members who would you like get involved with campus ministry at the Newman Center. What we have found over the years is that many of our college students, many of whom worship with us every Sunday for nine months out of the year continue to feel like they are just visitors to our parish who are just passing through. You can make a difference by assisting our college students to find their spiritual home-away-from-home in our parish while they are at College at Keene State. If you are a parishioner or staff/faculty member who would like to assist, go to the COOPERATOR  page for more info.

Tentative Plans for 2011-12

Together with the Newman Student Organization's e-board, we put together some ideas for the next academic year:

Student Mass and a Movie: Once a month, the parish has a student Mass for college and senior high school students on the first Sunday of the Month. After Mass, there will be a get together for college students and young adults at the Newman Center with a simple dinner followed by a movie that explores a theme present in the Mass readings that Sunday. Movies are our modern day parables which we can use to explore meaning of life and be used to start a dialog between our faith and culture.

Student Music Group: There is a group of students who get together to provide music for the monthly student Mass and or our Late Night Worship and Praise Adoration. If you sing or play an instrument, and would like to join the music group, we would love to have you join us.

Sunday Brunch: Come and join fellow students after the 11:15 Sunday Mass for a brunch of eggs, pancakes, toast. There will be times we will cook for ourselves at the Newman Center and other times when we will get together at the Dining Commons or go out for breakfast and a change of scenery. It is a wonderful way to get to know your fellow students over a meal.

Service Projects: There will be various opportunities for service, from helping out at the local community kitchen, collecting/and organizing food for our St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, to making hats and scarves for kids in need (see craft group below), to a possible project for children in Haiti.

Craft, Knitting and other Creative Activities: Do you like to knit or crochet. Are you interested in prayer shawls or making hats and scarves for folks who need them? Or perhaps you like to paint or draw or cross-stitch. Come and get together to share ideas, or learn a new hobby.

Bible Study: this year we are planning to start with a DVD series called A Quick Journey through the Bible which is an eight week series to explore the main themes of how God works throughout history to continually call us to relationship with Him. 

C3 (formerly: Cookies, Cocoa & Catholicism) - a discussion of all things Catholic. Do you have questions about the faith? Bring them. Saints, Sacraments, Sacramentals, Trinity, Prayer, Bible, Crusades, the Meaning of Life, human dignity, abortion, euthanasia, confession, relationships, Mercy, Grace, the Rosary, the Pope, vocations, Priesthood, Religious Life, Morality, Mary, capital punishment, Statues, Icons, Vatican II etc. etc. No topic off-limits or question too silly.

Liturgical Ministries: Are you interested in helping out at Mass? The Parish is always in need to new lectors, extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, altar servers, greeters, and ushers. Contact Marika and we will get you trained.

Confirmation for Adults and other Sacraments: are you a baptized Catholic but have not received the other Sacraments of Initiation (whether first Communion or Confirmation)? If you would like to complete these Sacraments contact Marika and we will set up a meeting to discuss the options.

Contact Information: