Newman offers Wed. gathering

The Newman House is the Catholic Ministry to the Chadron State College Campus. It provides an active Christian fellowship to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. The group meets at 5 p.m., most Wednesdays at the Newman House on 907 Main Street. A meal is provided and a spiritual program with guest speakers is offered.  Mass is on the first Wednesday of each month.

The history of the Newman House is “somewhat shrouded in mystery,” Colby Thomazin, director, campus minister, and facilitator of the house, said.

“The Newman House has been at the current location since 1969, but the house itself was probably started in 1949 or 1950 at St. Patrick’s when it was part of the parish ministry.  It still is in some respects.”

According to Thomazin, the Newman House is a part of and receives money from the diocese of Grand Island.

“We’re really a very small one (Newman House)…we really just try to do community building,” Thomazin said. Students involved with the Newman House feel they have found a family in other members.

“I can go to them and talk about things I usually don’t talk to my regular friends about and know that they won’t judge me,” said Justin Hartman, 19, sophomore of Valentine, said.

“Newman is like being part of a big, happy family,” Annie Johnson, 20, junior of Martin, South Dakota, said.

“One of my favorite experiences about Newman has been getting an Easter basket or a Christmas stocking full of goodies from a family in the Catholic Church.”

For more information, contact Thomazin at (308) 432-4286.