A Lit Review

         Catholic communities are normally found on college campuses everywhere, and the majority of them are specifically referred to as Newman Communities. The Newman Community at Virginia Tech is one in which the Catholic religion thrives through faith, good works, and the commitment of students.

            As read in a 2000 Roanoke Times &World News article, The Newman Community was named for Cardinal John Henry Newman. It was established in 1924 at Virginia Tech. Also, a 1999 Collegiate Times article points out the Mass attendance rose significantly around 1999. Even though 1999 was almost ten years ago, this still shows that college kids are willing to proclaim and live out their faith. It is one of the many choices that they make at college. John Whitney Evans’ book, The Newman Movement, presents the reader with a history of the different stages and struggles of this movement from 1883 to 1971, and shows how it was possible for Catholics to prosper and remain true to their faith, even in college. The Catholic Ethic and the Spirit of Community by John E. Tropman really stresses how Catholics are very much a people of community and moral code.

            These literary works, whether in brief or in detail, in some way all bring attention to the spirit of community and commitment that the Newman community shares.

Bruton , Mary Lou. "Newman Community Celebrates 75th Anniversary Virginia Tech's Catholic Ministry." Roanoke Times & World News 12 Feb 2000.

Evans, John Whitney. The Newman Movement: Roman Catholics in American Higher Education, 1883-1971. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 1980.

McNeill, Brian. "Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech Religious Activity Soars." Collegiate Times 15 Sep 1999.

Tropman, John E. The Catholic Ethic and the Spirit of Community. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press, 2002.

An Awakening

I went on an overnight retreat last weekend with the Newman Community, and I was amazed at the willingness and true participation of the kids who came and also that of the older kids who helped out and gave talks. This observation will help me answer my question having to do with the students vigor and willingness  to be a part of this community. They honestly seemed overjoyed to be there, and to discuss their faith and other related topics. So, maybe the students are just as gung-ho about the community as the campus minister is, and maybe it's not strictly an avenue for fraternization for these kids. While fraternization is a big part of this community, as with many communities, it is not the driving force; there is definitely something more that all of these members value and share.

Q&A

My interviewee had on a cozy-looking gray sweatshirt pullover, capri, and brown flip-flop number. She looked very comfortable, and sat in a chair with one leg up under her. This made me at ease, too. She's not that much older than I am either. I posed my questions, and as she answered them, I hastily scribbled notes and quotes into my notebook. Whenever I looked up from note-taking, I would occasionally see her look at my notebook, as if to see what exactly I was writing. I must say that generally she answered my questions with responses that were similar to what I expected. So now I question if the answers would differ if I were to interview students who are members of the Newman Community. Are students just as gung-ho as the head of campus ministry? I would think probably, because they have chosen to be a part of the community (as my interviewee pointed out). Do members of this community have varying opinions about how things are done (e.g. how the Mass is said)? Do they care only about the social aspect of the community?  It would be interesting to find out what members think is the most important and fundamental aspect of this community.

Go For The Goald(s)

1. I really do need to stop littering my writing with superfluous commas.

2. I need to overcome my libraryphobia. In fact, we must become D.E.A.R. friends.

3. I must try not to put off my homework [major writing assignments] until the last minute, and I need to start backing up my work, should any technical troubles arise.

An Inquiry

The interview questions I asked are as follows:

May I quote you?

Are there any questions you have for me before we start?

How did you come to take this job? Did you and why did you see a need to work here? 

What is a typical work day like for you?

Is there anything you have looked forward to the most? 

What do you like best and least about your job?

Would you want to change anything in your work environment?

What would a perfect relationship with your boss be like?

What type of volunteer work do you feel needs to be addressed first? What volunteer work do you especially want to carry out now?

I also asked about her experience with the Newman Community while she was at Virginia Tech, and if there were any people from the community who had an impact on her.

I asked if there were any specific objects or things in and about her office that were significant or special to her.

I asked about certain details of the Mass here that I had taken note of myself at Mass on Sundays.

I also asked if and how she felt about attending all the Masses on Sundays.

I asked if she went to a Catholic school and if she ever was involved in any Catholic youth groups before college.

I asked if she had a close knit community/family at home.

I asked if I could interview her again in the future after further research.

Section 509

I am in section 509, row cc, behind these fellow Virginia Techians. There is a little brunette and a more filled out brunette that I observe throughout the game. They're friends I assume, and the bigger of the two seems pretty outgoing, and pretty in to this VT game. She is wearing many Hokie accessories: hat, bracelets, lanyard, etc. She is repeatedly yelling things like "kick his ass!" towards the field. The tiny girl seems a bit more tame, but every once in a while, inspired by the other girl, busts a move or a cheer or something at a point of excitement. She has her "white out" shirt on, but with a nice pair of skinny jeans and a leather belt, with no Hokie accessories to be seen. During the second half of the game, this guy with straight but shaggy brown hair, a hat, a lip ring, and sunglasses swiftly navigates around and ends up in between the two brunettes. His subject of interest seemed to be more focused on the little brunette. They exchanged words and jokes, and hugs in which he rapidly moves his arms up and down her back (as if he's warming her). He turns and does this at least once to the other, more festive brunette, too, but I think she initiates at least one of these hugs. He remained here for about the rest of the game and seems rather hyper, cheering and dancing with the louder, fuller brunette, and trying to get the little one into it a bit more. Then at one point, this little blonde girls comes over, clearly trying to get this guy to cheer with her and give her a high-five. He didn't really respond, so she exchanged high-fives and cheering with the bigger outgoing brunette. Later on, this same blonde girl comes over to hang around this boy, seeming as if she also wants to hang out and cheer with the brunettes. The blonde one says something to the guy, and while she turns toward the game, the guy turns toward the little brunette and with a little smile says something to her. The blonde girl whips around and questions what he just said, but he denies saying anything. She eventually initiates a clingy hug. When it is time for the "Hokie Pokie," the blonde girl manages to back herself right in between the little brunette and the guy.

This observation of some kids watching a football game has made me question how old these kids are, if the little brunette is dating this guy, and if the blonde girl likes this guy. It seems almost clear to me the answers from my observations, but then again, one can never be too sure.

A Little Discussion: Page 9

I discussed these abstract questions with Brittany and Will. We talked about how we believe something is true because it is factual and/or because we have faith that it is true. If something is factual, there is clearly some form of witnessed, relevant evidence to back it up. We said that "opinionated truths" are subject to debate. Sometimes "truths" are biased, but a fact is a fact. Normally, we know something is true if there is legitimate evidence, we experience it, and if it is universally accepted.