Welcome to Christ Church
Newman Center
Christ Church Newman Center developed from a campus club for students to a genuine parish community that is unique in our diocese. Our foundational value is intentionally striving to live out the principles of Vatican II.
We believe in:·
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A vision of a loving and caring God who remains faithful to us no matter what we do.
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A consequence of this is that we are a place where “All are Welcome” - people can be authentic without fear of judgment.
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Full, conscious and active participation of the laity in the church community and its mission in the world.
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Liturgical practices “in the spirit of Vatican II” which signify an open and engaged community.
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Challenging parishioners and young people to a lived faith in the larger community.
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Decentralizing the hierarchy and increasing and empowering the role of the laity.
As Newman members, we embrace Vatican II’s vision of the Church as the Body of Christ: a community of the People of God in which every baptized person shares responsibility for the Church’s mission and every person’s gifts are recognized, valued, and supported. We live this vision through leadership, administration, liturgy, adult spiritual growth, and social justice. In worship, we gather as people beloved by God to remember and celebrate our shared faith in Jesus of Nazareth; liturgy is not done to us or merely observed but something we do together through inclusive language, meaningful music, welcoming practices such as making the communion bread we share, and sacramental expressions that deepen our awareness of mutual love through Christ’s Eucharistic meal.
Mission to College Students
Newman was founded to serve college students. Despite setbacks in recent years (such as decline in enrollment at SCSU and shifting diocesan priorities), parishioners believe that Newman continues to have a special mission to college students to help them develop a mature spirituality by listening and learning from them.