As the 2009 – 2010 Academic Year Draws to a Close

To say that this first year of being Campus Minister for the Catholic Newman Center of MST was SUPER  B U S Y, is truly an understatement.  With just a month of this academic year remaining, I am beginning to realize all that got shelved during this time.  One of these items I deem most important – that of ongoing communication with those who matter the most to our Newman Center - but I have been negligent in keeping up with the website as well as the written word to parents, friends, and our faithful alums.  Although it is a little late for New Year’s Resolutions, I guess the Easter Season is as good a time as any to express my desire and hope to begin anew, and this updated message is a first attempt.  Thank you for your understanding.

It has been great to meet a number of you along the way this past year, since I do better when I have actual faces to put with the names which I hear so often from Yuli, Board Members, local alums, parishioners, or students.   Yuli and I often talk about ways to interact more personally with those of you at a distance.  If you have suggestions which would meet your needs and desires, please let us know as we plan for the next academic year – for example, having gatherings of alums in various cities (i.e. St. Louis area, Kansas City, Springfield etc.), or are there activities you would enjoy more than those we offer annually.  We are totally open to suggestions.  Just e-mail us back or call us to talk about your ideas.

Still to come this semester:

Mass on the Grass – May 9th at 5:00 PM

Weather permitting, we will again hold our end-of-the-year Mass on the Grass on Sunday, May 9th, at 5:00 PM.  Our very own ReignMakers will, of course, lead us in songs of praise.  This liturgy marks the culmination of our Sunday Masses and ushers in the week of final exams for the students.  At the end of the liturgy, the outgoing Student Council will be blessed by all present.

Thanks to the assistance and generosity of the Knights of Columbus, all are invited, immediately after the Mass, to a barbecue to celebrate and socialize together.  Please join us for these closing events.

Senior Farewell, Roasts and Toasts

At the Wednesday evening Mass on May 5th the traditional sending off and blessing of those graduating, and those who will not be returning to Newman for the Fall 2010 semester because of coop or for other reasons, will take place.  This Mass will be followed by a pizza celebration.  Then, on Saturday, May 8th, students gather at Alex’s Pizza for their unique version of “roasts and toasts”.

We are proud of our seniors and wish them God’s blessings as they journey from Rolla to begin a new path in their lives, living and using their great potential and all they learned in their faith development here and academically.  Thank you for your part in making this possible.

We Want to Keep in Touch with You

As stated earlier, please feel free to contact us at campusminister@rollanewman.org or to call 573-364-2133 to share your ideas, concerns, or to update your information.  You can update also through the web (www.rollanewman.org).

May each of you have a very blessed summer filled with God’s daily miracles of life and beauty. 

Sister Laura Jean Spaeth, SSND

Campus Minister