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One might think that a campus ministry at an HBCU would be culturally
monolithic, but that is not the case. Our students are African-American,
Caribbean, and African-we have a few persons of European descent as well!
This enables a vibrant exchange among our students. Each group has unique
cultural and social histories that often challenge the common assumptions of
the other groups. Yes, there is tension at times, but there can never be
genuine growth without honest struggle. Readily identified as a Catholic
group, we have a number of faithful members of the Newman Club who are not
Catholic. Though not in full communion with the Church, they enhance our
community with their own special gifts. Howard U. Newmanites have chosen as
the group motto: Diverse in Culture, United in Faith!
We look forward to meeting new challenges. Our goal is to one day have the
Blessed Sacrament reserved on campus so that we might have a complete
liturgical and sacramental presence of the Lord in our ministry. We also
know that there are far more Catholics on campus who are not active than the
ones who are. We want to reach out more and more to these and other members
of our university family. This year we plan to develop a comprehensive
pro-life ministry as well as a weekly prayer meeting in addition to our
regular group meeting. By fostering student leadership, it is our prayer
that Newmanites will continue to take responsibility for their own faith and
their faith communities. Please God, some of them may even discern a
vocation to priesthood or religious life! Two years ago, I didn't know what
I was getting into, but two years later I am very grateful to the Lord and
His Mother that it has gotten into me!
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