Support the Newman Centre

Your help won't be forgotten!

When Molly Penny came to St. Thomas More College (STM) from Radville, SK, she was looking for more than an education.

She was searching for connection, meaning, and a place where she could truly belong.

As a student studying Toxicology and Sociology, Molly was drawn to STM’s smaller class sizes, faith-based environment, and the genuine care she felt from the moment she arrived. Before the semester even began, she met with Campus Ministry, and from that point on she knew STM was different.

Professors know her by name. When she missed class, they noticed. That kind of care, Molly says, means everything.

Molly’s involvement with the Newman Centre quickly became central to her College experience.

Since 1926, the Newman Centre has been a club at STM where students could fulfill their social and spiritual needs through community building activities, retreats, coffeehouses, and other events.

As part of the Newman Executive, she helped organize the 2026 Newman Retreat at St. Peter’s Abbey in Muenster.

“The best way to learn is to be involved,” she explains. “You don’t just show up – you help build it.”

That sense of belonging deepened during the Newman Retreat. What began as a simple road trip turned into something transformative.

Surrounded by nature, wildlife, and stillness, Molly found space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with God.

She describes the retreat as a chance to step away from stress and pressure – to breathe, pray, and reflect on how God has carried her through life’s challenges.

“It was such a beautiful place,” she recalls.“We connected with nature, with each other, and with ourselves.”

For Molly, the Newman community is about acceptance, joy, and authenticity. It’s a place where students are welcomed for who they are – not what they are. A place where curiosity is encouraged, friendships are formed, and faith is lived out in everyday moments. Whether through retreats, coffeehouses, service projects, or conversations, Newman creates space for real community to grow.

Experiences like the Newman Retreat do not happen by accident. They are made possible through the generosity of donors who believe that faith formation, community, and personal growth are essential parts of a Catholic education.

Your support ensures that students like Molly can step away from pressure, encounter Christ in community, and discover the courage to become who they are called to be.

As the Newman Centre celebrates its 100th anniversary, Molly’s story is a powerful reminder of why this ministry at STM matters. For students like her, Newman isn’t just a club or retreat – it’s a place where heart speaks to heart, surrounding, supporting, and uplifting students as they discover who they are and who they are called to become.

***

Thank you for being a part of STM’s mission to provide a Catholic liberal arts education to our students,
in the spirit of St. John Henry Newman’s vision. Please consider making a gift to support our Newman Centre!