Greetings, fellow Newmanites! The following are the announcements from the Newman Centre and the Newman Catholic Students’ Society for the upcoming week.
Please note the following new announcements: this week’s social activity is a trip to Espace 1001, our first Council meeting is this Thursday, and Freshman 15 has been cancelled due to poor attendance.
— Michael
Thanksgiving Clothing Drive
September 13th-October 13th
It’s the start of another school year, moving, unpacking from summer, finding space for all your things… maybe it’s time you sorted through your clothes and gave some of that old stuff away. But where to?
Well, we might be able to help you in that department! From September 13th until October 13th, the Newman Catholic Students’ Society will be hosting a Thanksgiving clothing drive. Please drop off any clothing you wish to donate in the Bagelounge, next to the downstairs entrance to the Newman Centre. Everything collected will be donated to Benedict Labre House, a day center for the homeless in Montreal.
Faith Studies
Starting the week of September 20th (times vary)
Do you have questions about your faith? Are you looking to make God more relevant in your life? Would it be helpful to have useful tools with which to present the Gospel message clearly and simply in any situation? Faith studies are small groups of students, led by a trained student guide, that meet once a week over the course of six weeks during the semester to learn about the Catholic faith using specially prepared study guides from Catholic Christian Outreach.
The first study in the series is called Discovery. Discovery is an exploration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and covers questions like (1) Why did God create us? (2) Who is Jesus? (3) Why did Jesus die the way he did? (4) How can Jesus be more relevant to our lives? For those who are not Catholic, Discovery is a great introduction to what Catholics believe and why. For those who are Catholic, Discovery helps participants to make sense of all the different puzzle pieces of faith knowledge that we have learned over the years and understand more clearly how they all fit together.
Faith studies will be starting this week! If you are interested in participating, please sign up using one of the sign-up sheets at the Newman Centre or by emailing our VP Spiritual, Katerina Leung, at .
New Bible Study on Mercy
Wednesday, September 23rd (7:00pm)
Join us for a brand-new Newman Bible Study, exploring God’s mercy throughout the Bible. Come to our first session on Wednesday, September 23rd at 7:00pm—led by Samuel Farrugia and Julian Paparella, and continuing biweekly. See you there!
Council Meetings
Thursday, September 24th (7:00pm)
Make your voice heard! Did you know that every member of the NCSS is also a member of Council, the Society’s legislative body? Tell the executive about your new event idea at our next Council meeting on Thursday, September 24th at 7:00pm, continuing biweekly.
Weekly Social Activity: Espace 1001
Saturday, September 26th (4:00pm)
Have you been dying to see Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel? Here’s your chance to see it in the comfort of our own city, Montreal! This week’s social activity will be a trip down to Espace 1001 to see Michelangelo’s frescoes reproduced in high digital quality.
The activity will be on Saturday, September 26th at 4:00pm, and we will be meeting at the Newman Centre before walking down together. The entrance fee is $12, but you can contact our VP Social Activities, Charlotte Vester, at if you’d like to come, but are unable to pay the fee. It will be a fun time with friends, a way to meet others in the Newman community, and an opportunity to see a beautiful work of art! Hope to see you there!
Saturday Night Supper
Saturday, September 26th (6:00pm)
The Newman Catholic Students’ Society has a longstanding tradition of hosting a supper every Saturday night, prepared by members of the Newman community. For only $5, you get a full meal, including dessert. This week’s Saturday Night Supper is on September 26th at 6:00pm. Please come join us and share a great meal and great conversation!
If you’re interested in signing up to help prepare a meal, please contact our VP Saturday Night Suppers, Josephina Lee, at .
Soup and Bagel Lunch Program
Weekdays (12:30-2:00pm)
Every weekday, from 12:30-2:00pm, enjoy all-you-can-eat hot soup and Montreal bagels in the Newman Centre’s “Bagelounge” for the low price of $3.50, courtesy of our administrative coordinator, Linda Diez.
Freshman 15
Unfortunately, Freshman 15 has been cancelled due to poor attendance.
Newman Centre Choir Looking for Members
The Newman Centre Choir is recruiting new members. In particular, we are looking for new pianists to accompany the choir on a rotating basis. The Newman Centre Choir leads music for Sunday Masses and Solemnities, such as the Academic Mass, the Easter Triduum, as well as for Eucharistic Adoration, Taizé, and other special occasions.
We practice at 4:00pm each Sunday before Mass. You are welcome to simply show up to try a rehearsal and see if you are interested in joining. For more information, please contact the Choir Director, Genevieve Mays, at .
Choose Life Looking for Leadership Team
Choose Life is McGill University’s pro-life club and the only student pro-life club in Quebec. Unfortunately, although it remains a registered SSMU club, it has been inactive for the last couple of years due to a lack of leadership after the departure of its previous president.
If you are interested in helping to rejuvenate Choose Life by becoming part of its leadership team this year, please contact William Manning at .
New Team Members at the Newman Centre
The Newman Association of Montreal are proud to welcome aboard three new members of staff in 2015-16:
- an Associate Chaplain, Fr. Paul Anyidoho, who is also chaplain at Concordia University and Parochial Administrator of St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish;
- an Associate Campus Minister, Julian Paparella (McGill ’15), who will head up this year’s Bible Study in addition to ecumenical relations and faith-based programs, among other things; and
- a Spiritual Director, Mrs. Gayle Girard, who is available to mentor students upon request at . (Fr. Gregory is also available for spiritual direction.)
New Course in Catholic Studies This Semester
This fall, the Catholic Studies Program is offering a brand new special topics course (CATH 370) on “Catholicism and Quebec“. It includes local trips, is taught by our Director, and has no prerequisite! Dr. Di Pede is happy to respond to inquiries at .
A New Roof, Finally!
The badly needed refurbishment of our century-old slate roof is nearly complete and it is looking fantastic. We raised over $130,000 before the summer break, thanks to Pillars Trust ($50,000), the St. Patrick’s Foundation ($75,000), students, alumni and their families. Our goal over the next three years, with your help, is to raise an additional $270,000 to pay down the debt.
Become a Newman Catholic Students’ Society Member
Membership in the Society is open to everyone and comes with the following benefits:
- one free Saturday Night Supper (normally $5),
- right to attend Council meetings,
- right to vote in Society elections (if you are a SSMU or PGSS member), and
- a snazzy red membership card!
Memberships cost $2 and can be purchased from our VP Finance, Tim Vuksic, at .
Parking at Newman
Parking spaces are reserved for staff, all others by permission only. Fees apply. See a member of staff before parking. Unidentified vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Mass Schedule
The Newman Centre has Mass every Sunday at 5:00pm. Weekday Masses are held from Tuesday to Friday at 4:00pm, with Eucharistic Adoration from 4:30-5:30pm. Confessions are heard before all Masses.
Centre Hours
The Newman Centre is open weekdays from 10:00am-5:00pm (extended hours on some days) and on weekends during scheduled events such as Mass.
