THE RENSSELAER NEWMAN FOUNDATION VOL 58, NO. 1 — SPRING 2023 | |
You are receiving this newsletter through your connection with Rensselaer Newman Foundation, the Chaplain’s Office, or the Chapel + Cultural Center. The Sun and Balance Newsletter is produced thrice annually with news and updates from the RNF. Please enjoy what we have to share. | |
Dear Friends of the Rensselaer Newman Foundation | |
As I'm writing to you, we're in the final preparations for Holy Week and Easter. The winter is has mostly passed, although the weather is still chilly and the first flowers are only now beginning to emerge from their winter rest. Troy has had some significant snows this year, and they have reminded me of a quote from Buddhist teacher Thich Nat Hahn: "If you choose to not find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life, and the same amount of snow."
Fortunately, there have been plenty of joys at RPI this year. The end of pandemic procedures and restrictions have allowed us to reestablish a new sense of normal operations. We've rebuilt our Newman Catholic Fellowship and our Knights of Columbus Council. Our weekly Bible study continues to be a highlight of my week. It's incredibly gratifying to see so many RPI students engaging with their faith and with each other!
The Chapel + Cultural Center continues to be a place of both prayer and arts. We host a variety of spiritual groups: meditation, tai chi, yoga, Eucharistic Adoration, the rosary, and our regular schedule of Daily and Sunday Masses. Rensselaer's many vocal and instrumental ensembles love the amazing acoustics of our space, for both practices and concerts. Our University Parish of Christ Sun of Justice forms the faithful community within which our campus ministry thrives; it's great to see the parish growing again, too.
As the Spring brings us so much renewal and new life, I'm deeply grateful for everyone who has been supporting the Rensselaer Newman Foundation and our mission at RPI. Your gifts enable all the good work that's being done here. As we continue to grow, I'm glad I can count on your support.
Peace. - Fr. Larry Rice, CSP
Chaplain
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Thoughts about working at The Rensselaer Newman Foundation from the Staff | |
Kevin:
“Working at the Rensselaer Newman Foundation gives me much pleasure in being able to serve the students and community in new ways everyday. I love the rich history and traditions, openness to all, and our multipurpose building… As Tom Phelan put it: ‘the Chapel + Cultural Center is quite small and anything but opulent, but in its aesthetic appeal and human purpose, it is probably the best such building erected in our community during the last 50 years.’"
Monica:
“I am grateful for my role within the RNF. My position aligns with my aspiration to work within a space that accommodates my spiritual beliefs and practices. I take great pride in the Foundation's endeavors to foster and sustain the RPI student body and community. The remarkable collaborative partnership amongst the RNF, Chaplain's Office, C+CC, and the CSJ Parish affords me the ability to blend my spiritual and occupational principles. I extend my sincerest gratitude for the opportunity to serve God, further the Foundation's mission, and collaborate alongside such compassionate and exceptional individuals.”
Paula:
“I appreciate the variety of tasks within my position. The ability to interact with students, collaborate with parishioners and being in the service of donors is enjoyable. It is a pleasure to work with my colleagues under the direction of Fr. Larry in carrying out the RNF’s mission for our students and community.”
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C+CC In the News – Artist finds spiritual link in RPI church setting | |
An article written by Michelle Falkenstein on December 29, 2022 covered David Carter’s exhibit at the Chapel + Cultural Center. Here is an excerpt of the article:
“TROY – The Rensselaer Newman Chapel and Cultural Center, perched at the edge of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s campus, calls itself “a center for arts, culture and faith.” Home to Christ Sun of Justice Chapel, its thick, pale-gray walls campus, walls approximate the contours of a church. Designed in a Modernist style that favors basic building materials and utilitarian approximate utilitarian simplicity—there’s n’er a flying buttress or spire in sight—its role as a spiritual sanctuary might not be readily apparent.”
Look up the full article by clicking HERE!
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50 State Quarter Poems Exhibit by RPI Graduate Bill Amirault ‘81 | |
Bill at the C+CC after installing an art exhibit of his book “50 State Quarter Poems” | |
Newman Catholic Fellowship | |
The spring semester has been wonderful for the Newman Catholic Fellowship! Building upon our pillars of fellowship, friendship, and faith, the Newman Club continues to meet every Tuesday night for our community dinners. These dinners are where we enjoy a themed meal and wholesome conversation. We’ve been able to welcome a handful of new members who participate in these evenings. Together we enjoy quality time outside of our usual school settings, the group numbers between 8 and 15!
Dedicating the third Tuesday of the month to an hour-long adoration service has been a consistent way for students to re-center and bring our needs and thoughts to God in prayer. This time of year has seen the introduction of new traditions and revival of some old ones! We hosted a Super-Bowl watch party in the auditorium of the C+CC in February and attended an RPI Men’s Hockey game in January. Toward the end of the fall semester, we launched a website with the Troy Shirt Co. offering students the option of short and long sleeve T-shirts, as well as sweatshirts, promoting the Newman Catholic Club! We’re looking forward to building new traditions and expanding our merchandise in the future!
Collaboration with the Knights of Columbus as well as the CSJ Parish is a unique asset to our club, and it has been amazing to increase our ties with them! RPI Knights hosted two Newman Tuesday dinners and Newman students are invited to the Knight’s Lenten Rosary Nights. We’ve had several students volunteer for Mass ministries. Additionally, the Newman Club has hosted several CSJ post-Mass coffee hours! We’re looking to stay actively engaged with ongoing service events and parish opportunities, such as food drives and collections.
We are grateful to be a part of the CSJ community and work together as brothers and sisters in Christ!
-Megan Adam ‘23
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Knights of Columbus Updates | |
Knights reconnecting with Alumni to grow the RPI council. | |  |
The Knights cooking dinner on Tuesday for Newman dinner. | | |
The Phelan-Wiberley Society | |
The Phelan-Wiberley Society is a community who shares the vision of our early leaders, Fr. Thomas Phelan and Steve & Betty Wiberley. It consists of alumni, parishioners, friends, faculty and staff who support the vision of The Rensselaer Newman Foundation by including the Foundation in their long-term financial and estate plans. Members of the Society belong to a select group of individuals who have chosen to extend their legacies while furthering the work of the Foundation.
If you would like to share your name and intentions with us or learn more about the Phelan-Wiberley Society, please contact the Chaplain’s Office at rnf@rpi.edu
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Please consider giving to the Rensselaer Newman Foundation. | | | | |
