Catholics on campus: Lindenwood University will dedicate Newman Center Nov. 18

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Lindewnood University in St. Charles will dedicate its Newman Center-Catholic Student Center at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18. Auxiliary Bishop Edward Rice will preside over the event on the feast day of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne.

Named in honor of Cardinal John Henry Newman, Newman centers are Catholic ministry centers at secular universities throughout the world. Lindenwood's center is sponsored by the school's Catholic Student Union (CSU). Currently, 45 percent of the student body at Lindenwood identify themselves as Catholic.

"The CSU on Lindenwood's campus has been experiencing strong growth for the past several years, and we hoped to become a Newman Center as soon as possible," said Carol Wilmes, campus minister at the university. "All the pieces have come together in a beautiful way to make it a reality."

The center will serve as a quiet study space for all students, regardless of faith, and also will include a Catholic library and video collection. Priests from local parishes will be present for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and offer eucharistic adoration monthly, while Bible study and catechism classes will also take place in the space.

"We'll be able to do much more for the students spiritually but also in terms of planning service projects and community outreach, because we will have a consistent place to host meetings and hold counsel," Wilmes said. "It will be a place where students can express their thoughts and explore them in-depth without any other distractions."

The Annual Catholic Appeal has played a role in putting a Catholic presence on college campuses in the archdiocese, including the new outreach at Lindenwood.

Around 2007 some Lindenwood students approached Father John Ghio, then pastor of St. Peter Parish in St. Charles, to tell him of their desire for a larger Catholic presence on the campus. That led to a meeting with Steve House, Lindenwood's director of the Center for Christian Ministry Studies.

Father Ghio received help from Father Gary Braun, director of Catholic campus ministries for the archdiocese, and then-Archbishop Raymond L. Burke to begin plans.

House told the Review in 2008 that Lindenwood University was excited about hosting a Newman Center. "Lindenwood is a growing university that wants to serve the community. Having a Judeo-Christian foundation makes for a desire to lift up Jesus Christ, and we see this as part of the mission of Lindenwood University," he said.

The Lindenwood Newman Center-Catholic Student Center is at 1923 First Capitol Drive, suite F, on the Lindenwood campus in St. Charles. Hours will be from 2-10 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Registration is not required to attend the dedication, but RSVPs are requested. To reserve a seat, email NewmanCenter@lindenwood.edu by Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Lindenwood University, founded in 1827, is an independent liberal arts university offering 84 undergraduate degree programs and 37 graduate programs in diverse areas of study in traditional and accelerated formats.

Lindenwood operates a residential campus in historic St. Charles, as well as 11 extension centers throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.