Pastor's Pen: K Week 2024

My Dear Parishioners:

As we prepare for the start of a new academic year at the University of Kentucky, I want to emphasize the significance of K Week—a critical time not only for the students arriving on campus but also for us as a parish community. K Week marks the beginning of a transformative journey for these young men and women, many of whom are away from home for the first time. It is during this time that they will begin to make decisions that will shape their future, including their spiritual lives.

Here at the Newman Center, K Week presents a unique and vital opportunity to connect these students with their faith at a crucial moment in their lives. Many students arrive on campus searching for a sense of belonging, guidance, and a deeper relationship with God. By welcoming them into our parish community during K Week, we can offer them more than just a place to attend Mass—we can provide them with a spiritual home where they can grow in faith, build meaningful relationships, and find the support they need to navigate the challenges of college life.

One of the great strengths of our Newman Center is our commitment to campus ministry, demonstrated by the fact that we have nine dedicated staff members involved in this important work. With a well-developed program that includes faith formation, community service, social events, and spiritual guidance, we are well-equipped to support students in their journey. Our campus ministry team is here to walk alongside them, helping them to integrate their faith into every aspect of their lives.

Scripture reminds us of the importance of community and faith, especially during times of transition. In Hebrews 10:24-25, we are encouraged to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” By connecting students to our faith community, we are fulfilling this call to support and encourage one another, helping them to grow in love and good works.

The Church has always recognized the importance of nurturing the faith of young people. As Pope Francis reminds us in Christus Vivit, “Faith and the discernment of your vocation are both gifts of the Holy Spirit, and you should always turn to him in the Church to keep them alive.” Connecting students to their faith during their college years is crucial; it can be the difference between a faith that flourishes and one that fades. By reaching out to them now, we can help them develop a strong foundation in their faith that will sustain them throughout their lives.

I encourage all of you to get involved during K Week. Whether it’s through prayer, volunteering at events, greeting students with a warm smile, or sharing information about the programs and services we offer, your presence is essential. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:35, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Each act of welcome can make a profound impact on a student’s life, helping them feel seen, valued, and connected to their faith.

It’s important to remember that the impact we make during K Week can have lasting effects. A strong connection to the faith community now can lead to a lifelong commitment to the Church, a deepened relationship with Christ, and an active participation in the life of the Church. By opening our doors and our hearts, we are helping to ensure that these students remain connected to their faith throughout their college years and beyond.

Let us seize this opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ, welcoming every student who enters our doors and showing them that they have a spiritual home here at the Newman Center. Together, we can be a beacon of faith, hope, and love, guiding these young people as they grow in their relationship with God and our community.

Please see the campus ministry section in our bulletin for a breakdown of K Week activities at the Newman Center.

May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us in this important mission as we prepare to welcome our new students.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Anthony McLaughlin, JCD