On October 15, 2008 I officially became the Director of the Newman Catholic Centre of McGill University. Being part of the Newman Centre as a student for several years, it was with extreme joy and happiness that I received the news of my appointment. Several months on, and despite the small (and not so small) stresses that naturally come with a new job, and a job with new, unfamiliar responsibilities, I can honestly say I think I have the best job in the world!
I have the honour of working and helping the amazing McGill students that walk into the Centre on a daily basis. I also have the privilege of working with a team of diverse people, all with the same goal of making the Centre a hub for fully developing Catholic students for their future. Along with many others, we work to try and make the Centre a home away from home for the many students that do not hail from Montreal.
The last few months have been busy ones, but also deeply rewarding. On Wednesday evenings we gather together for a weekly Bible Study, with the focus this year on St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. The epistle has an amazing richness and depth to it that is wonderful to explore! From the famous ch. 13 on love, to stern, fatherly admonition, to proof there was sarcasm even 2000 years ago, to deeply humble glimpses into the character of St. Paul – this epistle has them all and more.
Every Sunday at 5 p.m., we also have the opportunity to explore our Catholic faith in more depth by looking at various basics of Catholicism, as well as some more controversial issues. We have already looked at such topics as God, Jesus Christ, Sin, and Contraception, and will soon be turning our attention to such topics as Woman and the Church, Prayer, the Apocalypse, and others. The aim of these events is to offer more substance to the Catholic faith. As we mention in our brochure, you wouldn’t rely on 3rd grade math, or even 10th grade math to answer questions on your university exams, so why rely on First Communion and Confirmation textbook answers for your faith? You’ve grown into an adult, and it’s about time you were given adult answer to your Catholic questions.
Some of the other and ongoing events at the Centre are: a Fireside Chat every second Thursday of the month, where we get to discuss current issues affecting Catholics in an informal setting; a Faculty Tea every first Thursday of the month, which gives professors a place to unwind and relax; RCIA; Mass; our Annual Monastic Retreat in January; and we just returned from our inaugural (and hopefully annual) Alternative Spring Break to New York helping with the Sisters of Life, Missionaries of Charity, and the Brothers in the Bronx (Franciscan Friars of the Renewal). It has been a busy, but very good time for us.
Hopefully in the coming months the blog will serve to expand and give more info about the events at Newman, as well as also offering an (entirely selfish) opportunity to look at things spiritual.
The first few months here have been great as Director, and I look forward to many more months ahead!
