Students, chaplains, and faculty members from colleges and universities in the Archdiocese of Atlanta will create a research group to answer two questions about the Newman Apostolate.

The questions: How has it failed in the past? What can it do to interest more students?

Father Alvin Matthews, O.F.M., Georgia Tech chaplain and director of the Newman Apostolate in the archdiocese, said the purpose of Monday night’s meeting was “to find answers about the apostolate and ultimately to establish an archdiocesan coordinating board.” He said from 1947 to 1966 the goal of the Newman Apostolate was to be a club, an in- group. “The concept did not meet the approval of a lot of people because the apostolate developed into a poor-man’s fraternity. During the club period, Newman was mainly social.”

“In 1967, the national chaplains began to stress community and liturgy and last year it was decided to let local people develop the idea of Newman.” John Schaeffer, a Tech student and member of the Newman National Committee, said, “My opinion is that we need a diocesan structure to share ideas and discuss mutual and different problems. We will have to decide what to do.”

Some of the comments offered by the students included:

-I want Newman to be a place where I can learn about my religion so I can answer those who ask questions.

-The campus is an ideal place to carry out ecumenism.

-What does Newman do to attract people? It’s a common problem. Where do we go beyond the liturgy?

-We must determine the feelings of the students.