Designated Gift Opportunities
While unrestricted gifts provide the greatest flexibility to allow the ministry to continue to adapt to changing and unforeseen needs, there are areas of specific need if you would like to designate your gift.
We seek to fund the following programs in order to assure our ability to form students for service in the Church in this new millennium. Gifts to these programs provide an opportunity for our benefactors to perpetuate those values and interests they hold dear.
- Liturgical Music Education: The Newman Center continues to nurture Catholic musicians who are educated in the liturgy and encourages young music ministers to develop their gifts. This Newman Center has nurtured leaders of contemporary liturgical music for decades and upon graduation has exported these well-trained leaders to parishes throughout the country. Donations to the music ministry will fund workshops in cantoring, music education and liturgical studies for student music ministers. Donations are also accepted for upgrading musical instruments, hymnals, and the music library.
- Teaching Resources: During the school year we have a children’s catechism class that requires books and materials, as well as RIT students preparing for confirmation, and our alumni parents preparing for their child’s Baptism. Donations would allow us to get needed books and materials to create a worthwhile program.
- RCIA Program: Our RCIA program has grown tremendously as students throughout the year enter the process to become Catholic and come to enjoy a fuller, richer, understanding of God and one’s relationship with God and the community. Donations will assist us in the training the RCIA team members to conduct classes and retreats; provide for retreat and program expenses; and help us to continue an excellent program of exploring the teachings, practices and history of the Catholic Church for no charge to interested students.
- Catholic Bible Study: There is a student interest in learning more about Christ through Bible study. This study will not only increase their knowledge of their Christian faith, but bring them in contact with the living Word that can transform their lives. Donations will assist us in purchasing needed Bibles, videos, CDs and books to create an exciting program.
- Resources for Marriage Preparation: Every year we have students that become engaged and need to go through marriage preparation. We have to provide them with the FOCCUS test to help them get in touch with issues they need to examine, as well as booklets on planning the wedding ceremony. Donations would make it possible for us to have the resources needed to provide our students with what they need to take this important step.
- Funding for Speakers on Important Moral Issues on Campus, Classes and Workshops: There is a great need to discuss issues that are important to Catholics but are not appropriate for Sunday homilies. Living in a very secular campus environment students are challenged concerning the moral choices they make and the effect those choices will have on their adult lives. Donations would allow us to pay a stipend for speakers invited to campus and allow us to develop our workshops and classes on spirituality and meditation.
- In Loving Memory… The Newman Center community welcomes gifts honoring yourself or someone you love. With a gift of $10,000 or more, a permanent named fund can be established. Only the income will be used, while the principal is kept intact to assure an enduring legacy.
