College Residence Life is Preparation for Abundant Life

Dec 16

At Newman Hall, we exist for so much more than providing a place for college students to live. While offering a beautiful, safe, and friendly environment is great, there is a more pertinent opportunity at hand: prepare this generation for their future vocations.

There has been a significant decline in the number of men and women responding to vocations to the priesthood and religious life. In 1970, there were 59,192 priests in the United States; in 2020 there were just 35,513 (CARA study). Additionally, there has been a decline in Sacramental Marriage in the Church. In 1970 there were 426,309 Catholic Marriages; in 2020 there were just 131,827 (CARA study).

Research has shown that today’s young adults are maturing at a later age, delaying marriage and other milestones. It is essential to meet Generation Z where they are and build residence life around their needs, instead of expecting them to be ready for life on their own at 18 years old or marriage in their early 20s like in previous generations.

Understanding the challenges of this generation helps us to build a robust residence life program that is tailor-made. We, therefore, focus on four types of formation: intellectual, spiritual, leadership/missionary, and human.

We address intellectual challenges like relativism through our new Catholic 101 classes through the Newman Leadership Center. In removing human barriers like social anxiety, isolation and a lack of confidence, students are more prepared to develop solid relationships and receive the abundant life God is offering. They can also grow in confidence in sharing their faith with others. They receive teachings on prayer and put them into practice through our traditions of Adoration and daily Mass. Through our Monthly Leadership Summit, our leaders are edified by their peers who are on mission and learn about topics that will help them to become a leader on campus and beyond.

When we serve this generation and address their specific challenges and needs, we experience amazing fruits. Five men from Newman Hall entered seminary this fall. In our six years, over40 couples have entered the Sacrament of Marriage after their time at JPII Newman. These vocations enjoy fruitfulness on all levels.

The impact is great! Let us not grow weary of meeting Generation Z where they are, forming them in the best ways, and watching them mature into well-adjusted adults who are ready to enter their vocations