Our Catholic Newman Center Burned to the Ground

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EeyoresButerfly

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I would like to ask prayers for the Catholic Newman Center at my university. On May 31, 2007, our center was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. One of the fireman is Catholic and was able to save the Tabernacle. We also saved the Papal Medal given to our director, the gold chalice given in her husband’s memory, and picture of our priest’s father from the 1920’s, plus a few other odds and ends. However, we lost almost everything else.

This has been a tough year for us. Our building was more than just a worship space, it was our home. We had a lounge with a big screen where we would get together to study (sometimes), watch movies, or just hang out. We had a music room, library, chapel for adoration and private prayer, and more. Our worship space was an all purpose room with no permanent seating so it also doubled as a space for any large gathering such as our annual semi-formal. All of our various fellowship and Bible Study groups met there, and the council of students used it for their functions such as our annual fundraising dinner for the local group home for people with disabilities.

I’m sorry for the long post, but it’s kind of necessary to convey the effect this had on our community. Our mass numbers are down this year because we have to hold mass in an auditorium on campus and it is just not conducive to a good mass. We are renting a house, but it is too small for most of our purposes (I don’t know where we are going to have our dance if we have it at all ) forcing many of our groups to meet elsewhere. Without a central building we have lost some of our sense of community. On top of it all, our priest is having heart problems and may have to give up one his other two parishes or the Newman Center, so we are in danger of losing our priest.

We have recently broken ground for the new building, but we have a lot of fundraising to do to replace everything from the furniture to the liturgical supplies. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to recover from the fire! Thanks!
 
That’s terrible! 😦 You and everyone there are in my prayers.
 
EeyoresButerfly said:
I would like to ask prayers for the Catholic Newman Center at my university. On May 31, 2007, our center was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. One of the fireman is Catholic and was able to save the Tabernacle. We also saved the Papal Medal given to our director, the gold chalice given in her husband’s memory, and picture of our priest’s father from the 1920’s, plus a few other odds and ends. However, we lost almost everything else.

This has been a tough year for us. Our building was more than just a worship space, it was our home. We had a lounge with a big screen where we would get together to study (sometimes), watch movies, or just hang out. We had a music room, library, chapel for adoration and private prayer, and more. Our worship space was an all purpose room with no permanent seating so it also doubled as a space for any large gathering such as our annual semi-formal. All of our various fellowship and Bible Study groups met there, and the council of students used it for their functions such as our annual fundraising dinner for the local group home for people with disabilities.

I’m sorry for the long post, but it’s kind of necessary to convey the effect this had on our community. Our mass numbers are down this year because we have to hold mass in an auditorium on campus and it is just not conducive to a good mass. We are renting a house, but it is too small for most of our purposes (I don’t know where we are going to have our dance if we have it at all ) forcing many of our groups to meet elsewhere. Without a central building we have lost some of our sense of community. On top of it all, our priest is having heart problems and may have to give up one his other two parishes or the Newman Center, so we are in danger of losing our priest.

We have recently broken ground for the new building, but we have a lot of fundraising to do to replace everything from the furniture to the liturgical supplies. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to recover from the fire! Thanks!
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Praying for you all in your loss. 😦

I was lucky enough to attend Texas A&M where St. Mary’s church had an exceptionally strong Newman Center. I wonder…would the other university Newman groups around the country chip in to help y’all rebuild? Have someone contact the Aggies in College Station, TX. The people there are very giving.

Fr. Michael Sis used to be the pastor there but he’s since left for Austin. I think there might be a Fr. David now?
 
That’s terrible, sorry for your loss.

When I was an undergrad, my Newman Center was hit by a fire in the chapel in the fall and a flood in the spring which took out the basement. There were really not that many activities after that and mass was in a student union lecture hall while the rebuilding happened. It was not finished until after I graduated.

Your Newman Center community will survive, but without a main meeting place it will be a struggle to keep many regulars but also attract any new members in coming semesters. The loss of the lounge will be almost as bad as the worship space.

Good luck in your rebuilding and you are in my prayers.
 
I’m guessing you’re talking about Truman U in Missouri - or at least it would be horrible to think that two Newman centers burned at the same time.

My daughter is a frosh there and has experienced the
disjointed-ness of the Catholic community which we know is not usual. I know she’s not been as active as I would’ve expected and I’m sure the lack of Newman center is a part of that. I know she really misses the active Life Teen community she left and had already told me that when we take her back to school for 2nd semester that we’re not leaving till after noon Mass so she can go to one more Mass at home.

Our prayers continue for the Catholics at Truman - and all college campuses.

Kris
 
J†M†J
Praying for your intentions:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

God Bless
In Jesus through Mary
Steve
 
Yes, it is the Truman Campus. We are trying- has your daughter tried getting involved in the Women’s Group (Daughers of Light) or our coed group (Salt & Light)? I couldn’t make either meeting last semester, but they’re normally great for fellowship.

One of the biggest problems is not having a true central location. Last year after mass, people would grab something from the kitchen and then park it in front of the tv to hang out. We don’t have just one building any more, so that doesn’t happen. Also, having Mass in an auditorium makes it more impersonal- our priest really hates it, but we do the best with what we have. Our new building should be ready by Freshman Week of next year if all goes well, but that still leaves us trying to cope this year.
 
O Lord, I lift this Catholic community up to you. Draw them together in this adversity. Use this tragedy to strengthen them, O Lord. In Jesus name we pray.
 
Praying very hard for a new Newman Center for your college ASAP.
 
Praying

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
 
How terrible! I shall pray for you and the community. God **will **make good out of this bad as He always does.
 
Saddened to read of your great loss…keeping you all in prayer and that your fundraising will be totally successful and you will be able to quickly rebuild…
 
Right as I read this thread, there was a song on TV, that could apply here.

Here is the song, and extra, extra prayers for your whole community…

Sarah McLachlan - Arms Of An Angel

Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it ok
There’s always some reason to feel “not good enoughâ€?
And it’s hard at the end of the day
I need some distraction, oh beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
They may be empty and weightless, and maybe
I’ll find some peace tonight

In the arms of an Angel, fly away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You’re in the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here

So tired of the straight line, and everywhere you turn
There’s vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies
That you make up for all that you lack
It don’t make no difference, escaping one last time
It’s easier to believe
In this sweet madness, oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees

In the arms of an Angel, far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you fear
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
In the arms of an Angel; may you find some comfort here
 
Eyoresbuterfly:

I’m praying for your center, community and a succesful fundraising.

PRayerfully,

Renato
 
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