In the early centuries, Catholic monasteries were the hubs of cultural transformation, and communities were built around them. Today, Dr. Marcus Peter argues that it’s the faithful Catholic schools, colleges, and graduate programs in The Newman Guide that are the new hubs transforming the culture.
Many Catholic schools and colleges in America have greatly secularized. Catholic school enrollment has declined two-thirds, and many colleges today face closure. But there is good news for faithful Newman Guide institutions, the next era in Catholic education.
At Newman Guide Recommended schools and colleges, the “sacramental life and Catholic intellectual tradition form the heart of the community,” says Dr. Peter. These places are “great forces of cultural change” and the “way forward” for the Catholic Church in America.
Dr. Peter, a Catholic biblical theologian, apologist, and preacher, was recently named host of a new international radio show, “Ave Maria in the Afternoon,” which is produced by Ave Maria Radio and syndicated through the EWTN Radio Network. His show “examines culture, Church, and current events through the lens of faith from the heart of the Church—to show how Jesus Christ is Lord over all facets of life.” Dr. Peter also serves as Director of Theology and Flagship Radio and TV Host for Ave Maria Radio.
Originally from Malaysia, Dr. Peter was an atheist who moved into Pentecostalism and then found his home in the Catholic Church in 2010. Mostly self-taught in theology, Dr. Peter wanted to find an institution where he could deepen his understanding, but he was disappointed overall with what he found.
“I desperately wanted to go somewhere where fidelity to the Magisterium was upheld,” said Dr. Peter. “In Asia, fidelity to the Magisterium is a rare thing, especially institutionally.” Even at a Catholic seminary, he was dismayed with the teaching.
But all that changed when he found Ave Maria University’s graduate program in theology, which is recommended in The Newman Guide.
Ave Maria University “made its hallmark stalwart fidelity to Christ’s teaching office,” said Dr. Peter, who completed his master’s degree in systematic theology in 2018. “It was a life-changing experience, and I’ve been grateful ever since.”
Dr. Peter’s views on education are impacted by his own time as a student and as a high school teacher. “I have seen how institutions of learning that are not devoutly Catholic, even some that claim to be Catholic, systematically work to break down the seeds and the heritage of the faith that the children bring from their homes.”
“There is no way that you could pay me to send my children to a university that will seek to attack or destroy their faith in Christ, no matter how established a name the institution has,” said Dr. Peter. “My bride and I are determined to send our children to Newman Guide universities. We want to give our children a fighting chance for their salvation.”
High Standards, National Recognition
Since 2007, The Newman Guide has recognized faithful Catholic colleges — and last year it expanded to also recognize elementary and secondary schools and graduate programs. To be recognized, an institution must provide substantial information and adopt policies for academics, student life, personnel, and more to give assurance that students will be formed in the Catholic faith and will be educated in fidelity to Catholic teaching.
The Newman Guide’s high standards are critical. It is the guide for Catholic families in a lost and hostile culture.
When Molly Metzgar and her family were planning a move to Virginia, she sought a faithful Catholic school for her children to attend. Molly’s first thought was to check with The Cardinal Newman Society.
It was on our website that she found information about Saint Rita Catholic School in Alexandria, Virginia, which is recommended in The Newman Guide.
“Your Guide has a big influence on Catholic families,” Molly told us, “probably even bigger than most school leaders recognize.” Among Molly’s Catholic friends, The Newman Guide is known as the guide to a faithful Catholic education.
Just recently, The Cardinal Newman Society helped two new colleges, The College of St. Joseph the Worker in Steubenville, Ohio, and the Catholic Institute of Technology in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, earn provisional recommendation in The Newman Guide. Once these institutions have graduated their first students, they will have the opportunity to receive full Newman Guide recognition.
“The Newman Guide has been instrumental in connecting us with like-minded Catholics who share our mission to establish and grow authentically Catholic colleges and universities,” said Alexis Haughey, co-founder of the Catholic Institute of Technology.
Whether at an independent Catholic school, parochial school returning to its roots, hybrid program, new Catholic college, or innovative Catholic graduate program, leaders are invited to work with the Newman Guide staff of The Cardinal Newman Society to confirm the institution’s strong Catholic identity and connect with Catholic families across the country.
“I can’t stress enough that The Cardinal Newman Society should be on the radar screen of every parent,” said Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press, in a recent interview. He said The Newman Guide is “an invaluable tool serving the mission of the Church and serving so many families.”
From K-12 schools to graduate programs and beyond, The Newman Guide offers a path to a seamless, faithful Catholic education. If you’re looking for a bright light—the new era—in Catholic education, look no further than The Newman Guide.
Photos: Newman Guide Schools are Pro-Life
/in Blog Latest, Newman Guide Articles/by Kelly SalomonIt’s natural for faithful Catholic schools to treasure and celebrate life! That’s especially true at the schools recommended in The Newman Guide, which are proudly pro-life.
The Newman Guide recognizes model Catholic schools that provide students a strong Catholic formation and have policies clearly rooted in Catholic teaching. These schools uphold the dignity of human life inside and outside the classroom.
Below are photos that show some of the ways these schools live out their pro-life witness, from organizing diaper drives for moms in need to offering tuition scholarships to large Catholic families.
Holy Rosary Academy in Anchorage, Alaska
Students and families of Holy Rosary Academy in Anchorage, Alaska prayed at the closing Mass of 40 Days for Life outside of a Planned Parenthood facility in the snow.
Gio Moceri (left) is a junior at Holy Rosary Academy and is one of the founders and current vice president of the School’s Students for Life chapter. The club has offered remarks at pro-life events and participated in last year’s first March for Life in Alaska.
The pro-life club at Holy Rosary Academy also hosted a “Rosary Walk and Chalk” event to leave positive pro-life messages on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood.
St. Monica Academy in Montrose, Calif.
St. Monica Academy in Montrose, Calif. collected donations and supplies for a local pregnancy clinic for this year’s Advent service project. The Academy also has an active pro-life club that attends a pro-life summer camp, prays in front of abortion clinics, and attends Walks for Life.
Saint Rita Catholic School in Alexandria, Va.
At Saint Rita Catholic School in Alexandria, Va., new life is celebrated! When Saint Rita families welcome a new child, an announcement is included in the school’s weekly newsletter, and the child is given an adorable Saint Rita School onesie. The school also offers a significant tuition discount to second and third siblings, and siblings from the fourth onwards are provided full tuition.
St. Joseph Catholic School in Greenville, S.C.
Knights for Life also started a project called, “Our Best for the Babies.” Students use their talents and passions to create life-centered items to share with customers. As students “pitch” their items, they also hone their confidence and skills at “pitching” the preciousness of every life. One of the creations was “Paper People,” with which customers create their own unique individuals, just like every baby from the moment of conception.
Regina Pacis Academy in Norwalk, Conn.
Holy Child Catholic School in Tijeras, N.M.
“Our students witness every day the fact that we provide creative ways for our teachers and staff to work at the school with their children close by,” said Janice Martinez, principal of Holy Child Catholic School in Tijeras, N.M. “Holy Child Catholic School is not only committed to being pro-life but also wishes to recognize and affirm the feminine genius. This has led to an unprecedented collaboration whereby volunteers, staff and teachers are united in their commitment to help each mother faithfully live out her primary and secondary vocations without sacrificing the precious bond of closeness with her children. Such a commitment requires joyful creativity and no day looks the same as the next!”
The Lyceum in South Euclid, Ohio
Everest Collegiate High School & Academy in Clarkston, Mich.
Everest Collegiate High School & Academy in Clarkston, Mich., uses the excellent Ruah Woods Theology of the Body/Christian Anthropology program to provide a pro-life education. The Cardinal Newman Society teamed up with Ruah Woods to develop Standards of Christian Anthropology for Catholic schools, which align with the Ruah Woods curriculum.
A Sign of Hope: Newman Guide Colleges March for Life
/in Blog Latest, Newman Guide Articles/by Cardinal Newman Society StaffThe faithful Catholic colleges recommended in The Newman Guide will be well-represented at the annual March for Life on Friday, January 24, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Students, presidents, and faculty and staff members from these institutions will peacefully march and pray for an end to abortion in our country.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Newman Guide Recommended colleges are a great source of hope for a culture in great need of pro-life, Christian witness. At these places, young people are receiving an education that integrates faith and science, teaches critical thinking, and deepens their understanding.
While many Catholic colleges are afraid to stand strong for innocent babies, and some even point students to abortion resources, Newman Guide colleges are proudly and steadfastly pro-life. You’ll find students at these colleges leading local pro-life activities throughout the year and praying outside of abortion clinics.
The Cardinal Newman Society upholds high standards for Catholic education and champions faithful Newman Guide education. Below are some impressive facts about Newman Guide Recommended colleges and the March for Life.
Christendom College has canceled classes every year since its founding in 1977, so that its entire student body can attend the March for Life.
These Newman Guide colleges cancel classes so students can attend the March for Life:
Students from these Newman Guide colleges travel more than 1,000 miles to attend the March for Life:
These Newman Guide colleges bring more than 400 students to the March for Life:
-Dr. Timothy Collins, President
Walsh University, North Canton, Ohio
These Newman Guide colleges have been chosen to lead the March for Life:
These Newman Guide colleges attend and lead the West Coast Walk for Life:
Keep an eye out for Newman Guide colleges at this year’s March for Life and Walk for Life:
Family of Pro-Life Leaders Formed at Newman Guide College
/in Blog Latest, Newman Guide Articles, Profiles in FCE/by Kelly SalomonHow can we build a pro-life culture in America? The faithful Catholic schools and colleges recommended in The Newman Guide are critical to the success of pro-life efforts.
Through Newman Guide education, students are taught about the value of all human life, from conception to natural death. They learn that faith informs science and medicine, and science and medicine must be in service of human dignity. They learn critical thinking and seek understanding.
It’s no surprise that pro-life leaders are being formed through Newman Guide education. One example is the Short family: Bill and Katie Short met at Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, Calif., graduated in 1980, got married, and welcomed nine children. Today, Katie is Vice President Legal Affairs at Life Legal Defense Foundation, and her three daughters—Catherine (Thomas Aquinas Class of 2019), Sr. Gianna Marie (Thomas Aquinas Class of 2015), and Mary Rose (Thomas Aquinas Class of 2011)—are also leaders in the pro-life movement:
We spoke to each of them:
CNS: How did your education and formation prepare you for your work at Life Legal Defense Foundation?
Katie Short is Vice President Legal Affairs at Life Legal Defense Foundation.
Katie Short: It’s a no-brainer to say that four years of arguing with one’s fellow students in the seminar-style classes at TAC [Thomas Aquinas College] is a great preparation for the legal profession. But practicing law in the pro-life field brings its own set of challenges. In most jurisdictions, one has to be prepared to lose not just the losing cases, or the iffy cases, but cases where the court has to contort well-established law to rule against the pro-life side. As for getting fair rulings on evidence, the backdrop of every pro-life free speech case is that “everybody knows” that anti-abortion advocates are dangerous zealots out to terrorize abortion providers and their patients. Needless to say, this sharply tilted playing field can lead to discouragement, for which the surest remedy is the reflection that the justice of this world is not the final word.
CNS: What should Catholic schools and colleges do to help advance the pro-life cause?
Catherine Short is actively involved in volunteer efforts for the pro-life cause.
Catherine Short: No matter how faithfully Catholic a school tries to form young people, without an education directed toward clear-thinking in pursuit of truth, its students will likely fall away from their Faith when confronted with the lies and emotional confusion of the present day. Truly Catholic education teaches one to see beyond feelings and accidents, beyond decaying societal norms, and into the very essence of things… We can build a culture of life that views new life as a good despite hardships, only on a foundation of reason as well as Faith.
…I’ve been fighting abortion through education since I was 14. I’ve worked on three election campaigns, sidewalk counseled for hundreds of hours (the first baby saved when I was 15!), led dozens of classroom presentations on abortion and chastity, protested and shut down Planned Parenthood fundraisers, participated in hundreds of college educational outreaches, etc.
Actively fighting great injustice is, I believe, necessary for a life well-lived. I’m grateful for TAC’s strong emphasis on reason, which has helped me become a more clear-thinking and effective member of the Church.
CNS: Why is faithful Catholic education important to building a pro-life culture?
Sr. Gianna is currently serving at the SOLT mission in Benque Viejo, Belize, where she is the director of the Seed of Life Center, a pro-life pregnancy center.
Sr. Gianna Marie of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity: One reason Puritans left England was so they wouldn’t be around those awful worldly people who celebrate Christmas. They rejected celebrations of life and joy to focus on the hard, cold world of fallen human nature. A Catholic culture is a culture of celebration. Food is good! Family is good! Life is good! Yes, nations wage unjust wars, poverty grinds on in an ugly cycle, and the seeming escape of alcohol and drugs drags down to misery. How can we say life is good? Because that’s not all there is. Authentically Catholic schools exude joy, because they know the secret behind the evil that we see. We have a Savior! In a fully Catholic school, this truth is taught, defined, mulled over, experimented with, enjoyed, and ultimately lived. Before we can hope for a culture that protects life, we must have a culture that loves life. And to build a culture that loves life, we must first recognize that human life has been divinized by God becoming human.
CNS: How do we build a culture of life?
Mary Rose Short is the Director of Outreach for California Right to Life.
Mary Rose Short: Many people are pro-abortion simply because they have never questioned the mainstream pro-abortion narrative. If they honestly consider a few questions about their beliefs and why they hold them, they come to realize the truth. We have a duty to bear witness to the truth. Whether we reveal the brutal truth about abortion through conversations or images of its victims, we persuasively build on our shared principles about human dignity to lead people to a more genuine understanding of the value of all human beings. This is the heart of pro-life activism. This is how to build a culture of life.
Newman Guide Scholarship Contest Invites Applications
/in Blog Latest, Newman Guide Articles/by Cardinal Newman Society StaffLINK TO PRESS RELEASE
The Cardinal Newman Society’s Ninth Annual Scholarship Contest seeks to award one lucky recipient a potential $20,000 off college tuition at a Newman Guide Recommended college and is expanding the contest to include Catholic high school juniors and seniors this year.
Applications are due by February 18, 2025. All of the details about the contest can be found at this link: https://newmansoc.org/Scholarship
One winner will be randomly selected and will receive a $5,000 scholarship toward the cost of attending a Newman Guide Recommended college. While no essay is required, applicants must submit a short statement explaining his or her interest in a faithful Catholic education and formation at a Newman Guide Recommended college.
Most Newman Guide colleges have agreed to supplement CNS’s scholarship with additional $5,000 grants to the winner over three subsequent years, according to criteria established by each college.
Here are three simple steps to be eligible for the Newman Guide College Scholarship Contest:
A video interview will be conducted with the winner. The Newman Guide scholarship is made possible thanks to the generosity of Joe and Ann Guiffre, strong advocates of faithful Catholic education.
Last year’s scholarship winner, Dominic Kalpakgian, received a $5,000 scholarship towards his first year at Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio. The University has agreed to another $15,000 in scholarships over the next three years if he continues to meet the University’s requirements.
“The Newman Guide proved invaluable in my college discernment process,” said Kalpakgian. “With so many Catholic colleges compromising their mission, The Newman Guide served as a trusted resource to identify schools committed to forming students intellectually and spiritually in line with Church teachings. Moreover, the guide’s endorsement carried significant weight with my parents, who trusted the Newman Guide schools to uphold the values and principles they had instilled in me.”
Questions about this year’s Scholarship Contest can be directed to Programs@CardinalNewmanSociety.org.
Episode 35 (Pt. 2): Ave Maria University Introduces The Institute
/in Podcast Blog/by Christopher ByrnePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Rejoin Dan Schreck, director of The Institute at Ave Maria University, as he continues highlighting the university’s approach to integrating faith with academic and professional development. Learn how The Insitute connects students with Legatus mentors and delivers on the claim of forming leaders.
Episode 34: Ave Maria University’s Institute – Shaping Leaders with Faith and Innovation
/in Podcast Blog/by Christopher ByrnePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Join Dan Schreck, chief strategy officer, director of the Institute, and vice president of enrollment at Ave Maria University, as he discusses the vision behind the university’s innovative Institute. Discover how the Institute harmonizes faith, academics, and professional development to equip students with the tools and formation needed to lead and succeed in today’s world. Learn about Ave Maria University’s unique approach to creating well-rounded graduates who excel in their careers, embrace their faith, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Ep. 33: Catholic International University – Pioneering Accessible, Faithful, Online Education
/in Podcast Blog/by Christopher ByrnePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Rejoin Dr. Maria Sophia Aguirre, president of Catholic International University, as she delves into the transformative power of virtual Catholic education. Dr. Aguirre highlights Catholic International’s innovative early college program, affordable degree options, and mission-driven education. Discover how Catholic International combines academic rigor with the teachings of the Church to serve students worldwide.
Rosary College Recommended in The Newman Guide
/in Blog Latest, Newman Guide Articles/by Cardinal Newman Society StaffA growing Catholic community in Greenville, S.C., enjoys vibrant parishes with beautiful liturgies, faithful Catholic schools, and homeschool programs. Now there’s one more reason for Catholic families to love Greenville: Rosary College.
Rosary College opened in the fall of 2024, welcomed its first class of 20 students, and is now provisionally recommended in The Newman Guide. Once the College has graduated a first class, it will have the opportunity to receive full Newman Guide recognition. The College is dedicated to reviving the pursuit of wisdom rooted in Catholic liberal education and intellectual and moral virtues. With its Benedictine inspiration and hospitality, the College’s flexible and affordable model serves a wide variety of Catholic families.
Rosary College offers an Associate of Catholic Studies degree in Integrated Humanities, which is a two-year program composed of sixty credits. Students can take classes in-person or online. Six credits in Catholic theology and six credits in philosophy are required of all students pursuing the associate’s degree. Other courses include sacred art, Latin, Euclidean geometry, and more. Rosary College has articulation agreements with two other Newman Guide Recommended institutions, Ave Maria University and The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, where students can complete their full bachelor’s degree.
All of Rosary College’s faculty members are Catholic, and all make the Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity. The College’s two theologians have the mandatum, and this information is helpfully made available on the College’s website. The faculty members boast impressive Catholic work and include Joseph Pearce, Dr. Elizabeth L’Arrivee, Dr. Jared Staudt, and Dr. Alex Lessard.
Rosary College has strong Catholic policies governing all aspects of its operations and is poised for success. For a recent high school graduate, dual-enrolled homeschool student, or adult learner, Rosary College offers a faithful and affordable option. Catholic families in Greenville and across the country will benefit from the solid Catholic liberal arts foundation that Rosary College provides.
Ep. 32: Catholic International University – Pioneering Faithful Catholic Education Online
/in Podcast Blog/by Christopher ByrnePodcast: Play in new window | Download
Join Dr. Maria Sophia Aguirre as she discusses Catholic International University’s mission to make faithful Catholic education accessible worldwide. Learn about the university’s unique online approach to forming students in faith and intellect.
Newman Guide Ushers in New Era of Catholic Education
/in Blog, Student Formation Commentary, Newman Guide/by Kelly SalomonIn the early centuries, Catholic monasteries were the hubs of cultural transformation, and communities were built around them. Today, Dr. Marcus Peter argues that it’s the faithful Catholic schools, colleges, and graduate programs in The Newman Guide that are the new hubs transforming the culture.
Many Catholic schools and colleges in America have greatly secularized. Catholic school enrollment has declined two-thirds, and many colleges today face closure. But there is good news for faithful Newman Guide institutions, the next era in Catholic education.
At Newman Guide Recommended schools and colleges, the “sacramental life and Catholic intellectual tradition form the heart of the community,” says Dr. Peter. These places are “great forces of cultural change” and the “way forward” for the Catholic Church in America.
Dr. Peter, a Catholic biblical theologian, apologist, and preacher, was recently named host of a new international radio show, “Ave Maria in the Afternoon,” which is produced by Ave Maria Radio and syndicated through the EWTN Radio Network. His show “examines culture, Church, and current events through the lens of faith from the heart of the Church—to show how Jesus Christ is Lord over all facets of life.” Dr. Peter also serves as Director of Theology and Flagship Radio and TV Host for Ave Maria Radio.
Originally from Malaysia, Dr. Peter was an atheist who moved into Pentecostalism and then found his home in the Catholic Church in 2010. Mostly self-taught in theology, Dr. Peter wanted to find an institution where he could deepen his understanding, but he was disappointed overall with what he found.
“I desperately wanted to go somewhere where fidelity to the Magisterium was upheld,” said Dr. Peter. “In Asia, fidelity to the Magisterium is a rare thing, especially institutionally.” Even at a Catholic seminary, he was dismayed with the teaching.
But all that changed when he found Ave Maria University’s graduate program in theology, which is recommended in The Newman Guide.
Ave Maria University “made its hallmark stalwart fidelity to Christ’s teaching office,” said Dr. Peter, who completed his master’s degree in systematic theology in 2018. “It was a life-changing experience, and I’ve been grateful ever since.”
Dr. Peter’s views on education are impacted by his own time as a student and as a high school teacher. “I have seen how institutions of learning that are not devoutly Catholic, even some that claim to be Catholic, systematically work to break down the seeds and the heritage of the faith that the children bring from their homes.”
“There is no way that you could pay me to send my children to a university that will seek to attack or destroy their faith in Christ, no matter how established a name the institution has,” said Dr. Peter. “My bride and I are determined to send our children to Newman Guide universities. We want to give our children a fighting chance for their salvation.”
High Standards, National Recognition
Since 2007, The Newman Guide has recognized faithful Catholic colleges — and last year it expanded to also recognize elementary and secondary schools and graduate programs. To be recognized, an institution must provide substantial information and adopt policies for academics, student life, personnel, and more to give assurance that students will be formed in the Catholic faith and will be educated in fidelity to Catholic teaching.
The Newman Guide’s high standards are critical. It is the guide for Catholic families in a lost and hostile culture.
When Molly Metzgar and her family were planning a move to Virginia, she sought a faithful Catholic school for her children to attend. Molly’s first thought was to check with The Cardinal Newman Society.
It was on our website that she found information about Saint Rita Catholic School in Alexandria, Virginia, which is recommended in The Newman Guide.
“Your Guide has a big influence on Catholic families,” Molly told us, “probably even bigger than most school leaders recognize.” Among Molly’s Catholic friends, The Newman Guide is known as the guide to a faithful Catholic education.
Just recently, The Cardinal Newman Society helped two new colleges, The College of St. Joseph the Worker in Steubenville, Ohio, and the Catholic Institute of Technology in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, earn provisional recommendation in The Newman Guide. Once these institutions have graduated their first students, they will have the opportunity to receive full Newman Guide recognition.
“The Newman Guide has been instrumental in connecting us with like-minded Catholics who share our mission to establish and grow authentically Catholic colleges and universities,” said Alexis Haughey, co-founder of the Catholic Institute of Technology.
Whether at an independent Catholic school, parochial school returning to its roots, hybrid program, new Catholic college, or innovative Catholic graduate program, leaders are invited to work with the Newman Guide staff of The Cardinal Newman Society to confirm the institution’s strong Catholic identity and connect with Catholic families across the country.
“I can’t stress enough that The Cardinal Newman Society should be on the radar screen of every parent,” said Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press, in a recent interview. He said The Newman Guide is “an invaluable tool serving the mission of the Church and serving so many families.”
From K-12 schools to graduate programs and beyond, The Newman Guide offers a path to a seamless, faithful Catholic education. If you’re looking for a bright light—the new era—in Catholic education, look no further than The Newman Guide.