University of Nebraska - St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center
St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln is strengthening its ability to fulfill its mission every day. In no small part, this is due to a dynamic, committed and engaged group of volunteers from across Nebraska who serve on the Newman Center’s Leadership Council.
Working together with Petrus Development, the Newman Center’s staff and Leadership Council have guided a burgeoning development program to growing success, allowing for increased ministry through the expansion of its FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) Bible study program and an additional staff member.
The Leadership Council at St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center is a group of volunteers who lend their time, talent and treasure to assist in the Center’s mission “to know and love Jesus Christ, to discover His will in our lives, and to serve Him and His Church on our campuses and in the world.”
Combining on-campus leadership from students and staff with volunteer leadership from the council, St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center is helping students grow into a mature understanding of their faith while at the same time engaging the entire university community in a ministry committed to faith formation, spiritual development and Catholic education. The Leadership Council meets on a quarterly basis and is extensively engaged in the mission and future of the ministry. After initial Visioning Days for the Center, council members have helped form strategic initiatives and share their expertise to assist the director and his staff in advancing Catholic campus ministry at UNL.
“I am sincerely grateful that our dedicated members of the Newman Center’s Leadership Council are assisting us,” says Fr. Robert Matya, the Center’s Director. “Through their involvement, our efforts to share Christ’s love with college students are increasingly fruitful and impact a growing number of young Catholics.”
With Petrus’ assistance, the Newman Center’s Leadership Council began in the fall of 2006 and today has 17 men and women. The Council has also created a number of subcommittees to better assist the development efforts of the Center. Every member of the group has made a financial commitment to support the ministry and all serve as public advocates for this important ministry of the state of Nebraska as it works to ignite passion for faith and a desire within students to develop the skills and vision to serve as future leaders of the Church and society.
“It’s a very exciting time to be associated with St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center Leadership Council,” says council member Joe Beveridge. “While much is being accomplished, there is much that needs to be done. The Leadership Council is assisting the staff in locating property for Phi Kappa Theta, updating the current facility, developing catechetical programming, and of course helps create a more universal and comprehensive development program for St. Thomas Aquinas.”
“Through the involvement of our Leadership Council members, the Newman Center has increased it visibility and financial support throughout the state of Nebraska,” adds Jude Werner, Director of Development.” A growing number of our Leadership Council members are soliciting gifts.”
St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center’s Leadership Council has had a tremendous impact on Catholic ministry at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and is poised to continue proactively growing the ministry through prayer, financial support, advocacy and sharing of ideas.
Petrus Development asks all clients who do not have a Board of Directors or Trustees to form a Leadership or Advisory Council to engage lay volunteers in active participation. These efforts increase the number of committed individuals working on behalf of your ministry, leading to ever-expanding relationships and investment in your mission.