As we gear up for an exciting new milestone in St. Paul’s Newman Center history—opening up the faith-based housing, Newman Living, I’ve been asking myself this: what is the biggest benefit of Catholic college students living in community?
While living in a beautiful, new, secure apartment just across from campus gives an abundance of benefits in itself, the greatest gift Newman Living gives to the students is realized in this: saints often come in groups.
I’m reminded of course of saints who became great friends while studying together at university, like Sts. Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, and Peter Faber, but there are so many more. Think of Theresa of Avila and John of the Cross; or Monica, Augustine, and Ambrose; Francis and Clare; not even to mention the 1st and 2nd Century early Church saints/friends. The list goes on.
Asking graduating seniors or recent alumni what their biggest Newman Center grace was typically reveals a short list. Our students are blessed with a place to receive the Sacraments while at college, to listen and discuss God’s inspired word in Bible studies, to step up into various leadership roles, and to be a witness to others on campus, etc. However, nearly everyone says this: one of the biggest graces I received through the Newman Center was Christ-centered friendships.
The Catholic housing idea first started with the Bosco and Clare houses. Right away, the men living in the Bosco house that first year all became priests or Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionaries. The women living in the Clare house their first year all became either religious sisters or FOCUS missionaries. As the years went on, more students came together to rent other houses on the Newman block, so we couldn’t just describe them as the “men’s house” or “women’s house” anymore. At the Newman Center, we’re all excited to extend this blessing to 80 students with the new faith-based housing.
Some quick trivia: The Bison football programs’ head coach with the most wins is Craig Bohl. The bible verse that his players heard him constantly quote was none other than Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This is what we’re embodying with Newman Living: young Catholics helping to form others into saints. How much more important is sanctity than football championships (but we appreciate those too)!
Here’s the call to action for you, reading this right now: please pray for us. If you know current or potential NDSU students, let them know about Newman Living, and let us know, too. We would love to extend an invitation and give them a tour of the new housing. Pray for saints to rise up during these times, and pray for the St. Paul’s Newman Center students to, in the words of St. Paul, “fight the good fight, keep the faith, and finish the race.”
If you or a student you know is interested in living at Newman Living this fall, visit our website bisoncatholic.org/housing or give our leasing agent William a call at (701) 235-0142.