St. Thomas More Newman Center is served by the Paulist Fathers, Missionaries to North America since 1858.

I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.Cardinal Newman

Spring 2018

St. Thomas More Newman CenterThe Roman Catholic Campus Ministryfor The Ohio State University

64 West Lane AvenueColumbus, Ohio 43201-1098phone: (614) 291-4674 • fax: (614) 291-2065mailbox@buckeyecatholic.comwww.BuckeyeCatholic.com

B U C K E Y ECATHOLIC

A publication for our members and for friends of the Newman Center at The Ohio State University

“YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A TOWN BUILT ON A HILL CANNOT BE HIDDEN… LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.”

— M A T T H E W 5 : 1 4 - 1 6

Many of us have heard the call to be the “light of the world” but few can say their faith has inspired others to have a true conversion of heart—unless, of course, you have been a part of the Newman Center community, which has prayerfully supported nearly two dozen adults each year in the popular RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program.Rosy Bellamy, a chemical engineering major from Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of those blessed individuals who found the Newman Center at just the right time in her faith journey. “I grew up Episcopalian, but just felt like something was missing in my spiritual life,” explains Rosy. “During my sophomore year at OSU, I was looking for a strong faith community and had tried other churches around campus. One of my friends invited me to come to Mass at the Newman Center, so I thought I’d give it a try. I was blown away—it was like nothing I had experienced before! The people I met were so friendly and welcoming, and my heart felt moved by the Mass and homily. I immediately knew this would be my spiritual home.” Rosy is one of 20 adults in the 2017-18 RCIA program, which prepares adults to be accepted into full communion with the Catholic church during the Easter Vigil. For Rosy, it was the call of the Holy Spirit coupled with the support of her Newman

Center family that really cemented her desire to become Catholic. “I am so blessed to have had so much love and help from my sponsor and friend, Emily Baur, who challenged me to grow in my faith. Emily beams the love of God and continuously inspires me to do the same,” shares Rosy. Rosy and Emily—both chemical engineering majors—met in a Newman Center Bible study and grew close as they shared their academic, personal and spiritual victories and challenges. “Chemical engineering is a pretty demanding major, and RCIA was a big time commitment,” admits Emily.

“Sometimes both of us were tempted to see RCIA as another thing that stood in the way of a good night’s sleep, but the RCIA community was a huge help in encouraging us to stick to our commitment. And God certainly made it worthwhile. The Easter Vigil was beyond beautiful, and the joy was palpable. The look of serenity on Rosy’s face when she received Jesus in the Eucharist made tears flow down my cheeks. Our God is such a good, good Father, bringing all His children home!” Now that Rosy has received the flame of faith through the sacraments of initiation, she is determined to let her light shine for others as well. Next fall, she’ll be joining the Newman Center’s Catholic Relief Services core team to put her passion for social justice into action and will also be involved as a greeter and Eucharistic minister. After graduating in December 2018, she hopes to work for an overseas non-profit organization helping

immigrants and refugees before pursuing a Ph.D. in chemical engineering. As she grows closer in her relationship with God and continues to develop her faith, she is grateful to the entire Newman Center community. “To everyone that has supported me throughout my faith journey—from the tireless RCIA volunteers to my family and even the prayers of strangers—thank you,” she says. “I would not be here without you. “

Rosy Bellamy (right) and Emily Bauer (left) share a special bond of faith through RCIA.

Buckeye Catholic 2

CONGRATULATIONSGraduating Buckeye Catholics!

Zachary Conti » CommunityAKRON, OH | B.A., PUBLIC POLICY & MANAGEMENT

PLANS AFTER GRADUATION: Pursue a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at American University in Washington, D.C.

NEWMAN CENTER EXPERIENCE: Although I was involved in my church during high school, the Newman Center has given me an opportunity to mature in my faith with a focus on a spirituality of service and simplicity. I first got involved at the Newman Center as a volunteer in the RCIA ministry, which later transitioned to the co-founding of Ohio State’s Catholic Relief Services (CRS) chapter. My experience with CRS has changed my heart and made me fervently committed to putting my faith in action by taking the Church to the margins and advocating for the oppressed.

Haley Orwig » CommunityGENEVA, IL | B.S., FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PLANS AFTER GRADUATION: Stay in Ohio and begin a career in the food industry while serving my local Catholic parish

NEWMAN CENTER EXPERIENCE: I was first introduced to the Newman Center through the Involvement Fair and my participation grew from there. The Newman Center has given me a place to grow in intimacy with the Father through the sacraments and a community of men and women who continually challenge me to strive for greater holiness. The ways that the Lord has worked over these four years have brought me greater joy, peace, and confidence than I ever thought possible and the Newman Center played a large part in facilitating that growth and maturity.

Emily Aman » A GiftDELAWARE, OH | B.S., NURSING

PLANS AFTER GRADUATION: Attend Ohio State’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program this fall while working full-time as a nurse in Columbus

NEWMAN CENTER EXPERIENCE: I first got involved at the Newman Center by coming to Mass, which introduced me to Bible study, the spaghetti dinner team, service trips, retreats and service on the Finance Committee. Here I met other students authentically alive in their faith, and their joy and love was contagious! If not for the Newman Center, my life would look drastically different. Here I have learned to serve, to have joy and to love, but most importantly, have seen the beauty of our faith and been set aflame with the desire to change the world!

We’ve asked a few of our graduating seniors to reflect on their faith journeys and to describe the Newman Center in just one word.

Tyler Treese » BeginningsDELAWARE, OH | B.S., SOCIAL WORK, MINOR IN SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND ADDICTION

PLANS AFTER GRADUATION: Pursue a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Florida State University

NEWMAN CENTER EXPERIENCE: I first got involved with the Newman Center through the RCIA program in my sophomore year, when I converted to Catholicism and went on to serve as a peer minister for mission trips in my senior year. The Newman Center has been the place where I first entered into His family, but it continued to be the place where I met and grew with His family.

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Top: This year’s RCIA class and sponsors celebrate with joy after the Easter Vigil.Clockwise from top right: Just one of the many Buckeye Catholics who volunteered time and talents on the Newman Center’s two spring service trips; friendship and faith bloom through Newman Center formation events; Christ’s Passion came to life this Lent with a live youth performance of Good Friday Stations of the Cross; our CRS ambassadors advocate for refugees and immigrants at the Ohio Union; and just a handful of the many graduating seniors celebrating their academic achievement at this year’s Baccalaureate Mass.

buckeye catholicSpring 2018

S T . T H O M A S M O R E

N E W M A N C E N T E Rfor The Ohio State University

64 West Lane AvenueColumbus, OH 43201

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCOLUMBUS, OHIO

PERMIT NO. 382

“ T I M E A N D C H A N G E W I L L S U R E L Y S H O W — H O W F I R M T H Y F R I E N D S H I P O . H I . O . ”

— C A R M E N O H I O

These words from the Ohio State alma mater have never meant more to me than they do now, as I write my last newsletter message as director of the Newman Center. As a Paulist missionary, I know that my assignments

will change over time, but knowing this fact never makes leaving any easier. I am so grateful for my ministry here in Columbus over the past eight years, which has allowed me to witness God’s incredible love and mercy in so many ways. As I pass the reins to my good friend and Paulist classmate, Fr. Ed Nowak, I am confident that the great work I’ve been so privileged to oversee will continue to bear great fruit. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes as I transition to my next assignment, as pastor of the Paulist mother church, Church of St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City. Of course, late spring is always a time of transition in the university setting as we wish our new graduates well in future endeavors. This issue features stories of powerful transformations and new beginnings—including a journey of conversion through RCIA

and testimonials of four incredible graduating Buckeye Catholics—made possible in large part to generous supporters who invest in our mission. As we witness seeds of faith come to fruition—be it a student converting to Catholicism, choosing a year of service, serving in his home parish or simply deepening her faith during college—I pray that you will continue to support this important work. Thank you for your friendship, love and support during my tenure.

Forever a Buckeye... Fr. Joe

P.S. Please join me on June 22 for a farewell Mass and celebration. And the next time you’re visiting New York City, stop in and say hello!

FROM OUR DIRECTORFr. Joe Ciccone, C.S.P.

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