Parish name: University Parish Newman Center
Location: Kent, Ohio
Date founded: 1962
Diocese: Youngstown
Pastor: Rev. Steven J. Agostino
Parishioners: 225 families plus 200 registered students and many more. There are currently 27,000+ students on our campus; we estimate about one-third are Catholic.
Website: www.kentnewmancenterparish.org
What makes your parish different from other parishes?
Our parish mission statement reflects our canonical status as a personal parish: “As a university parish entrusted by the Church with a specific mission, we embrace fully our ministry of serving as a strong Catholic presence at Kent State University. By focusing on worship, learning and service to the local and global community, we accompany our students toward lifelong commitment to faith and to our Tradition. Enriched by many persons from within and beyond the university, we commit ourselves to the hospitality, generosity, and prayerfulness that mark those gathered at the table of the Risen Lord.”
We are a small parish community of approximately 225 resident families plus hundreds of Kent State students dedicated to serving the university’s spiritual needs. In addition to traditional sacramental offerings and parish educational programming, our parish life is enhanced by dynamic adult faith formational activities designed for those in college and beyond. Striving to realize our call to be unified as the Body of Christ, we actively work to maintain an integrated and intergenerational community by incorporating our university students in all facets of parish life.
What’s the most distinguishing characteristic of your church building?
The A-frame Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel boasts a large, Western-facing window depicting the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Original to the building, it also features scenes from university life. The eastern wall of the chapel also has a round Holy Spirit window, which was added in the early 2000s. It features seven flames for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit and four attributes of the Spirit: Comforter, Wellspring of Hope, Protector, and Giver of Life.
Who is your most interesting parishioner, and what makes them so interesting?
There are too many to name. We are blessed by a diversity of talents and personalities. None of them ever seek the spotlight.
What’s the most popular event, ministry, or holiday tradition at your parish?
The annual Mass of Light, celebrated the Sunday of finals week in the fall semester, is one of our most popular liturgies. Since many of our students are not here to celebrate Christmas, this liturgy artfully melds Advent and Christmas. At the end of Mass, the community lights candles and sings Night of Silence/Silent Night. Following Mass, we host a reception for all in attendance.
If we asked parishioners what they love most about the parish, what would they say?
Parishioners at the University Parish Newman Center love its diversity. Our students tell us that this is their “home away from home.” Hospitality, welcoming others, and building relationships are integral parts of our ministry. All are truly welcome in this place. Students and non-students alike treasure the times that we gather for Eucharist, both around the altar and through various parish dinners and breakfasts. Our pastor is an excellent homilist, further nourishing the community. In addition to our intergenerational flavor, we also welcome a number of international students from Kent State University who know that no matter where they travel around the globe, the church is their home. Members of the Deaf community worship with us at an ASL-interpreted Mass on Sunday mornings, one of the few churches in our diocese that offers this.
To see a list of all previously featured parishes, click here.
Image: Main image courtesy of Mary Lynn Delfino
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