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1/5/2009: Hall Applications Online

<p>Applications for residence at Newman Hall are now available online.

You can complete and submit the entire application online, no paperwork to mail or fax in.  Visit here to sign up today.

12/15/2008: Advent, Week 3: Rejoice!

From Fr. Luke's column, "Hey, Father, Why Do We Do That?", in the SJCNC Sunday bulletin:

What's with the pink outfit, Father?

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete [Latin, "Rejoice"] Sunday, introduces a special note of joy into the liturgy, indicating the assurance of the redemption of mankind by Christ. For us, the day is one of great rejoicing over the closeness of the Redemption. For that reason, we use rose-colored vestments and light the rose-colored candles of our Advent wreaths. Rose is a color of great joy and helps us call to mind the nearness of Christmas. Rose is also used for the fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday, again helping call to mind the nearness of Easter.

Besides using rose vestments on these two special days, the Church uses a variety of colors for various celebrations. According to the General Instruction for the Roman Missal, "The purpose of variety in the color of the sacred vestments is to give effective expression even outwardly to the specific character of the mysteries of faith being celebrated and to a sense of the Christian life's passage through the course of the liturgical year."

12/8/2008: Advent, Week 2: Prepare the Way

From Fr. Luke's column, "Hey, Father, Why Do We Do That?", in the SJCNC Sunday bulletin:

Why do we use the Advent Wreath?

According to the Book of Blessings, the "Advent Wreath is a traditional practice which has found its place in the Church as well as in the home ... [T]hree of the candles are violet and the fourth is rose ... The candles represent the four weeks of Advent and the number of candles lighted each week corresponds to the number of the current week of Advent .  The rose candle is lighted on the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday."  In addition to being a visual reminder of the season of Advent, the candles burn as a symbol of the "Light of Christ" being born into the world.

Advent Wreaths fall into the category of things we use to help us gain a richer understanding of the mysteries we celebrate. Since people are a composite of body and soul, we have a deeper experience if a spiritual reality is accompanied by a physical one. This happens in all the sacraments. For example, in baptism the spiritual cleansing of the soul is accompanied by the physical pouring of water. So, in Advent, seeing that there are "only two more candles left" helps us to better grasp that Christ is coming soon--not only for Christmas, but also for the Second Coming when He will establish the Kingdom in full...quite a bit more than just a nice decoration!

12/1/2008: Advent, Week 1: Watch and Pray

As you can see in the photo above, SJCNC has begun the preparations proper to the season of Advent.  With only a couple of weeks left before the end of the semester, the air is thick with both liturgical and academic expectation.

Students and staff are taking seriously Our Lord's admonition from last Sunday's Gospel reading: "Take ye heed, watch and pray."  As we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth, we join the Church in praying for people everywhere. If you need prayers, email us!

May you and yours find greater hope and joy over the coming weeks.

11/3/2008: Full House for "The Real Exorcist"

Fr. Vince Lampert, a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and officially trained exorcist drew a crowd of over 300 students at his recent talk on October 30, 2008. Fr. Lampert spoke frankly and openly about his role as exorcist for the Church throughout the two and a half hour talk. "I've had an ability to detect evil since childhood," he said, when asked if he had any supernatural powers or gifts.

Fr. Lampert is pastor of a large parish in Greenwood, IN and serves his parishioners as any other pastor would. But being one of only  twelve trained exocists in the US keeps him extra-busy. He said he gets 4-5 calls per week, seeking help from demonic possessions or other matters of evil.

Trained in Rome, Fr. Lampert said he has seen just about every manifestation of evil, including people levitating, speaking in strange voices, foaming at the mouth, etc. He even witnessed a frail woman pick a steel desk chair up and hurl it against the wall with one arm.

Fr. Lampert was invited by SJCNC Director Fr. Greg Ketcham, who offered words of support and encouragement to the large crowd. "Evil is real, even on this campus. We at St. John's are here to offer you an alternative: Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overflow seating was set up in the Hall foyer, while many people chose to stand in the open doorways to hear.

10/20/2008: Catholic Voter Forum this Thursday

With November 4 just around the corner, Catholics are asking important questions: What does it mean to have a "properly formed" conscience? What if both major candidates support policies I morally oppose? What are the 'non-negotiable' issues?

On Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm in the Msgr. Swetland Assembly Room, the St. John Institute of Catholic Thought will present a discussion of the US bishops' statement "Faithful Citizenship". A Q-and-A session will follow.  This event is free and open to the public.

10/8/2008: Student Leadership Gains Momentum

On the evening of October 7, 50 leaders of the various SJCNC student groups gathered for a presentation and discussion aimed at increasing the impact of the ministry. Leading the session were Matt Muller, Team Director for FOCUS at Illinois, and David Hazen, SJCNC Associate Director of Institutional Advancement.

After leading the group in a reflection on the mission and vision of SJCNC, reminding those in attendance that "It's etched in stone on the front of the Chapel: 'Go ye and teach all nations,'" Muller and Hazen emphasized the absolute necessity of the work of the Center.  Vital to that work, they said, is a lived unity among the students involved in different groups.  "Disembodied parts won't really accomplish anything," Hazen said. "It's difficult, but we have to be committed to the mission as a whole more than to our own groups."

Muller also shared his insights into making successful invitations "from the heart". "If we've found some joy, some hope through what we've encountered, charity demands that we share it." He also said that student leaders must bear in mind that their peers--students who may not have much inclination toward involvement in Church-related activities--ultimately want to see how involvement in a group will lead to their happiness. 

During a breakout session, students divided up into their respective groups to discuss 1) how their group's activities align with the overall mission of SJCNC, and 2) how they can live out the call to discipleship within their group.  Reflecting the sentiments of several who attended, one student said, "I'm glad we all got together like this--I think we need to have these conversations and work together more."  A follow-up Student Leadership gathering is scheduled for November.

10/3/2008: Michael Tokarz to speak at SJCNC October 15

UIUC Alum and accomplished businessman MICHAEL TOKARZ will speak at SJCNC on Wed. Oct. 15 at 7:30 pm in the Swetland Assembly Room. Mr. Tokarz is Chairman of his own investment firm and has had a very successful career in the field of corporate mergers/acquisitions, strategy, and buyouts. He will discuss his perspectives on sucess and the role faith plays in one's career. Light freshments will be served before and after the talk.

10/1/2008: Homecoming Tailgate - Oct 11, 2008

Join us for a great Catholic Illini Oktoberfest celebration before the big game against Minnesota. We will have a great spread of German food, cold beer, live music, and fun for the kids. Admission $5 or free if you buy a game ticket from us. Call 217-255-6620 to make your reservation.

9/27/2008: SJCNC Featured in ZENIT

ZENIT, an international Catholic news agency boasting more than 500,000 email subscriptions, recently interviewed SJCNC Chaplain and Director, Fr. Greg Ketcham.  Here is an excerpt:

Q: Cardinal Francis George, archbishop of Chicago, called the Newman Center on the University of Illinois campus "one of the most important apostolates" in Illinois. Do you agree?

Father Ketcham: Wholeheartedly, yes. We at Newman have both the privilege and the grave responsibility to contribute to the renewal of culture from the ground up, by introducing tomorrow's fathers, mothers, priests, sisters and professionals of all varieties to Jesus Christ and his Church.

Click here to read the entire Q&A.

9/11/2008: Grand Opening Weekend Celebration a Success

Last weekend, nearly 2000 Catholic Illini and friends descended upon Champaign to celebrate the recent expansion and renovation of SJCNC.  Students, staff, faculty, and alumni helped kick off the 80th year of Newman ministry at Illinois through a Caribbean-themed tailgate party (complete with live steel drum music), guided tours of the Center, a Gala dinner, a solemn Mass of Dedication (celebrated by Bishop Jenky), and a formal ribbon cutting.

Pictured above: SJCNC trustees Bill and Jo Ellen Zerrusen, UI President B. Joseph White, SJCNC Director and Chaplain Rev. Gregory Ketcham, Bishop of Peoria Daniel Jenky, Chaplain Emeritus Msgr. Edward Duncan, SJCNC Advisory Council member Joseph Kaiser, and student Sara Maletta.  More pictures of the weekend's various activities and the friends who visited will be posted soon.

8/25/2008: Grand Opening Weekend Celebration Planned

6/18/2008: Expanded Residence Hall at 92% Capacity

Doubling the number of rooms within Newman Hall has proved to be the right move: 92% of the rooms are contracted for this Fall.

Only about 40 rooms are available, mostly in the South wing (the current building). Newman Hall Director of Operations, Tristan Pisarczyk is confident all rooms will be filled. Several hundred incoming UIUC freshman still do not have housing assignments according to the admissions office. Additionally, SJCNC is still receiving new housing requests from students. Capacity doubled from 300 to 600 beds for this coming term.

6/18/2008: Grand Opening Weekend Celebration Plans Almost Complete

As SJCNC enters its 80th year of ministry to the Catholic community at Illinois, a grand kick-off celebration will take place September 6-7, 2008.

In addition to dedicating the new building and expanded facilities, a number of other events will be held that weekend, including a football tailgate on Saturday, a gala dinner at the Illini Union, tours of the new facilities, and several lectures. Persons now receiving literature from SJCNC will receive details in the mail soon and this website will also have information. All events are open to the public, but pre-registration is required for some.

6/18/2008: Monthly Email News the Latest Way to Stay In Touch

A monthly electronic newsletter is now available from SJCNC. Called the “E-pistle”, the brief email includes updates on ministry events, student accomplishments, and photos of interest for all alumni and friends of the Center.

A separate newsletter called “Project Peeks” offers a glimpse of the current construction progress in the Opening New Doors expansion. No staff or public are currently in the complex due to construction hazards, so these photos are a great way to see what’s going on behind the fence! To receive either email, simply enter your name on the homepage where directed.

6/9/2008: Move In Guide Available

Information for residents regarding move in at Newman Hall is now available online under Resident Resources or by clicking here.

4/1/2008: 31 Complete RCIA Program

Bishop Daniel R. Jenky received 27 candidates fromSJCNC during the Easter Vigil held at the cathedral in Peoria. 

This year, because Holy Week and Spring Break for the U of I fell during the same week, Bishop Jenky invited candidates (those already baptized but preparing for confirmation) and catechumens (those preparing for baptism) to celebrate the Easter Vigil at the cathedral in Peoria, Illinois. 

• 27 received the Sacrament of Confirmation

• 8 were baptized at the Vigil

• 11 received into full communion at the Vigil

• Also, 4 candidates were confirmed elsewhere

One of our students who came into full communion and was confirmed last year served as a sponsor this year and was invited to lector one of the readings at the cathedral Vigil.

2/5/2008: Alumni Choir CDs Arrive

Mid last summer nearly 100 alums gathered in Champaign to record the first ever Alumni Choir CD.

This CD was created by musicians that represent four different decades of sung prayer at St. John's.  You will hear selections by the Traditional Choir such as Salve Regina, the Folk Choir singing He Will Carry You, and the Contemporary Choir performing On That Holy Mountain.

CDs are now available for purchase at a cost of $10.00 each plus $2.00 for shipping.  Visit the Illini Market [link to google cart] online store to purchase!