PHOTOS: St. Thomas More Newman Center Mass in the Quad

Aug. 28, 2022, Traditions Plaza, Columbia

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Several hundred young people, mostly students at the University of Missouri, Columbia College and Stephens College in Columbia, attend Mass in Traditions Plaza in the middle of the University of Missouri campus the evening of Sunday, Aug. 28.

It was the first time the beloved tradition, organized by the St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish’s campus ministry department and parishioners, could be observed in three years, due to inclement weather and the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, the Mass was celebrated with clear skies and mild weather, the hymns and prayers carrying on a dialogue with the regular Sunday-night bustle of the campus around it.

Father Paul Clark, who until July was associate pastor of St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish, presided and preached the homily, with priests who live and minister in Columbia concelebrating.

Focusing on on that Sunday’s readings, Fr. Clark pointed out that humility allows people to be truly free to live as beloved sons and daughters of the Father. He acknowledged how it can be easy for college students to believe the lie that their worth or success is based on what they do and how well they do it, “while humility allows us to see ourselves as God sees us, and the revelation of that relationship is a far greater success than anything that we could achieve.”

Congregants were encouraged to submit their contact information, keeping them connected with events and activities at the Newman Center, located at 602 Turner Avenue.

Fr. Clark is currently diocesan vocation director, moderator of youth and young adult ministry and director of seminarians, as well as chaplain of Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City. (25 photos)

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