Why is there a Catholic Newman Student Union?
The answer is obvious. Of the 15,000+ students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, an estimated 3,000+ are Catholic. If young adults are to become full and active members of the Church, then the Church must be present to them during this time of change and decision. The Catholic Newman Student Union (CNSU) exists at the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability at SIUE as a community of caring people - united to serve, teach, challenge, accept and support each other. We do this in an open atmosphere that invites fellowship, friendship, faith and fun!
Why should You be involved in the Catholic Newman Student Union?
The Catholic Newman Student Union (CNSU) exists in order to build the Catholic community on the SIUE campus. CNSU provides opportunities for students to develop relationships with God and others, through Catholic Mass, retreats and prayer services, social justice initiatives and social activities. All are welcome and accepted at CNSU events, regardless of religious affiliation.
We at the Catholic Newman Student Union talk about our "Family", our Community. You might ask, "Just exactly WHO belongs to the Newman Family?"
Students: Of thousands of Catholic students from all over the world attending SIUE, some are active members, participating in the liturgies, in a variety of weekly and monthly programs, retreats, service projects and field trips and some only come to a weekend liturgy.
Morning Community: Local residents in the Edwardsville area, as well as SIUE's faculty and staff members comprise the morning community. These families include infants, adolescents, adults and retirees. The presence of this community creates the "family" feeling here at the Center for Spirituality & Sustainability (the dome). This involvement from the community provides our students with a unique opportunity to work, play and pray with a diverse community that models parish life. Everyone is welcome at the Center for Spirituality & Sustainability!
Sister Claudia Calzetta, S.L. has guided personal spiritual growth and service projects for hundreds of SIUE students in the Catholic Newman Student Union. Bible study, retreats, discussion groups, and many outside speakers have been featured. A long list of volunteer activities has unleashed student energy and generosity to assist such organizations as Habitat for Humanity, St. Vincent DePaul Society in East St. Louis, Glen-Ed Food Pantry, Bread for the World, Plowsharing Crafts, The Heifer Project, and Shoeman Water Projects. Under Sister Claudia’s guidance, The Catholic Newman Student Union was honored as the SIUE Outstanding Student Organization of the Year for 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 and won an “Exemplary Social Justice Award” from the National Catholic Ministry Association for their work with Shoeman Water Projects.
