A POSITIVE experience at a college mass!

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Jabronie

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I work on campus and today decided to check out our local Newman Center. I know we sometimes hear some pretty bad stories about the college Catholic centers, but I’ve got to give props to what I saw today.

First off, there were about 35 kids there. For a Tuesday afternoon, that is impressive. The missalette had red print in between parts explaining what’s going on, in case a non-Catholic wanted to try a mass. For example, before the gospel readings there is a paragraph in red explaining why we stand at this point. It also gave the full text for the daily readings, which is something I haven’t seen in any other Catholic churches in the area. The priest gave a nice homily about how we have pointless “ego contests” that drive us to commit a lot of the sins you’ll see in a college environment.

The best part was that once the priest sat down after communion, everyone remained kneeling in silence. For six minutes. With no music or anything, we just remained kneeling in prayer. I had to look around a bit, and no one even looked agitated, so I’m guessing that that is normal there. After mass everyone left without a peep and some of the students gathered outside. I’m only 29, but what I saw today REALLY made me feel positive about the future of the Church.
 
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Jabronie:
I work on campus and today decided to check out our local Newman Center. I know we sometimes hear some pretty bad stories about the college Catholic centers, but I’ve got to give props to what I saw today.

First off, there were about 35 kids there. For a Tuesday afternoon, that is impressive. The missalette had red print in between parts explaining what’s going on, in case a non-Catholic wanted to try a mass. For example, before the gospel readings there is a paragraph in red explaining why we stand at this point. It also gave the full text for the daily readings, which is something I haven’t seen in any other Catholic churches in the area. The priest gave a nice homily about how we have pointless “ego contests” that drive us to commit a lot of the sins you’ll see in a college environment.

The best part was that once the priest sat down after communion, everyone remained kneeling in silence. For six minutes. With no music or anything, we just remained kneeling in prayer. I had to look around a bit, and no one even looked agitated, so I’m guessing that that is normal there. After mass everyone left without a peep and some of the students gathered outside. I’m only 29, but what I saw today REALLY made me feel positive about the future of the Church.
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Let me guess, Lincoln Diocese?
 
The newman center at the university of washington is pretty good as well, though the music is a bit too contemporary.
 
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Jabronie:
I work on campus and today decided to check out our local Newman Center. I know we sometimes hear some pretty bad stories about the college Catholic centers, but I’ve got to give props to what I saw today.

First off, there were about 35 kids there. For a Tuesday afternoon, that is impressive. The missalette had red print in between parts explaining what’s going on, in case a non-Catholic wanted to try a mass. For example, before the gospel readings there is a paragraph in red explaining why we stand at this point. It also gave the full text for the daily readings, which is something I haven’t seen in any other Catholic churches in the area. The priest gave a nice homily about how we have pointless “ego contests” that drive us to commit a lot of the sins you’ll see in a college environment.

The best part was that once the priest sat down after communion, everyone remained kneeling in silence. For six minutes. With no music or anything, we just remained kneeling in prayer. I had to look around a bit, and no one even looked agitated, so I’m guessing that that is normal there. After mass everyone left without a peep and some of the students gathered outside. I’m only 29, but what I saw today REALLY made me feel positive about the future of the Church.
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Do you know if I can buy one of those Missals?
My hubby, God willing, will start RCIA on Monday.
 
There are good things happening at my alma mater, too. I worked there last year, trying to hold things together during a very turbulent period, but was basically forced (not asked, they just made it too miserable) to resign:(. We (they) now have a new priest who has re-instituted rosary, actually attends student events, has the crucifix in the procession, holds daily Mass… Too bad I couldn’t have worked for him!
 
netmil(name removed by moderator):
Do you know if I can buy one of those Missals?
My hubby, God willing, will start RCIA on Monday.
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Thanks be to God.
 
Jabronie, you experiencing, what I hope, is a turn back to orthodoxy in The Church.The Newman Center I attended a couple years ago in AZ was a hot bed of liberalism and is the reason why I left it for a conservative parish.From what I’ve observed in the past 2 years, more and more young people want less and less of the clappy, feel good Mass and want to be in the presence of Christ through Adoration and the Rosary.
This warms my heart!
 
catsrus said:
Jabronie, you experiencing, what I hope, is a turn back to orthodoxy in The Church.The Newman Center I attended a couple years ago in AZ was a hot bed of liberalism and is the reason why I left it for a conservative parish.From what I’ve observed in the past 2 years, more and more young people want less and less of the clappy, feel good Mass and want to be in the presence of Christ through Adoration and the Rosary.
This warms my heart!
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I think that’s exactly what makes the Catholic Chruch so special. We don’t need any of the “clappy, feel good” community that comes with a lot of other churches. We know that Christ is present at the mass and He’s all we need. I’m so happy that the next generation of Catholics seems to realize this. And just to be clear, I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with religious social events; I’m just saying that all of the potlucks, dances, bible studys, etc. will alway come second to the Mass and never replace it.
 
on that note, we are having our annual school kickoff mass this sunday, a bishop is coming down and everything. we are having a reception/ice cream event afterwards, but that is there as a thanks for his excellency’s time, and secondarilly as a party.
 
I am assuming you’re referring to the Newman Center on the UNL campus? What a wonderful experience you had. That’s good to hear you had a positive experience.
 
Has anyone been to a service at the University Catholic Center at UT-Austin? I’m curious what it’d be like.
 
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seeker63:
Has anyone been to a service at the University Catholic Center at UT-Austin? I’m curious what it’d be like.
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Yup, many times. When I was there they’d use the big hall for mass, w/ folding chairs…I don’t remember kneeling. It’s run by the Paulists. They did have the guitars/keyboard/drums/etc; I seem to remember the preaching was ok (no fire-and-brimstone, but nothing heritical either).

Are you going to or considering college at UT? I spent five great years there!
 
*Yup, many times. When I was there they’d use the big hall for mass, w/ folding chairs…I don’t remember kneeling. It’s run by the Paulists. They did have the guitars/keyboard/drums/etc; I seem to remember the preaching was ok (no fire-and-brimstone, but nothing heritical either).

Are you going to or considering college at UT? I spent five great years there!
*
Actually, JWC, my college years are long past. I just noticed the UCC has the last and latest Sunday Mass in town, and since I keep unusual hours, I may have to try to attend there a few times. I am, however, leery of modern worship services and music, but we’ll see.

Have you been there since they built the new UCC? Same location, but three stories (inc. basement) and fancy. And apparently St. Austin’s a few blocks away will soon get a major overhaul too. They’re gonna tear down Newman Hall, build the new church there, and turn the old church into some sort of events hall. The school will be moved to where the gym is now, and the Paulists will be moved a block away.Their residence will be atop a parking garage/shopping building.
 
I am assuming you’re referring to the Newman Center on the UNL campus? What a wonderful experience you had. That’s good to hear you had a positive experience.
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It is a great place to be! I thank God for bringing me to Lincoln, not that the Omaha Archdiocese (where I originally from) is too bad either. 👍

Nebraska is truly blessed when it comes to the practice of orthodox Catholicism.
 
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ComradeAndrei:
It is a great place to be! I thank God for bringing me to Lincoln, not that the Omaha Archdiocese (where I originally from) is too bad either. 👍

Nebraska is truly blessed when it comes to the practice of orthodox Catholicism.
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ComradeAndrei - Every now and then I spend the weekend in Omaha. What is a good church to attend?
 
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seeker63:
Actually, JWC, my college years are long past. I just noticed the UCC has the last and latest Sunday Mass in town, and since I keep unusual hours, I may have to try to attend there a few times. I am, however, leery of modern worship services and music, but we’ll see.

Have you been there since they built the new UCC? Same location, but three stories (inc. basement) and fancy. And apparently St. Austin’s a few blocks away will soon get a major overhaul too. They’re gonna tear down Newman Hall, build the new church there, and turn the old church into some sort of events hall. The school will be moved to where the gym is now, and the Paulists will be moved a block away.Their residence will be atop a parking garage/shopping building.
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Gotcha! No, I haven’t been back since they did the renovations–I graduated in 1998, I remember them planning for it when I was there.

Sounds like all the churches in Austin are getting a makeover–I know St. Mary’s Cathedral just finished theirs a few months ago too–from what I heard they did a really nice job.
 
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