History
The Newman Association of Vancouver began as the Newman Alumni of Vancouver in 1940 when Fr. Francis Hill, a Basilian at O.L.P.H., brought together a small group of university graduates.  The gathering provided an opportunity for Catholic graduates to help each other in their faith.  The Alumni presented the first Marriage Preparation Course in the archdiocese and produced a report for the Commission on Catholic Education.  The Newman Debates were established, pitting the Newman Alumni against the Newman Club at UBC.  During the 1950s, the Alumni sponsored these debates in Catholic schools.  Afterward, FISA (Federation of Independent Schools) took over the debates with the Newman-FISA cup as the prize.

In the 1950s, the Alumni were active in the Canadian Federation of Newman Clubs and in Pax Romana.  The 1960s featured a variety of speakers in a series of public meetings.  From 1961 to 1968, the Alumni organized the Newman Christian Culture Series with St. Mark’s College and the UBC Newman Club.  Provocative and challenging public lectures were given in the city.  In the 1970s, many members undertook responsible positions in their parishes and the archdiocese following Vatican II.  In the 1980s, membership increased and the name “Alumni” was replaced with “Association.” The Jack and Leo Leavy Bursary was established.

The 1990s brought significant milestones.  The Association marked its 50^th Jubilee with a lecture series on Cardinal Newman.  A commemorative stained-glass window on Cardinal Newman was installed in St. Mark’s Chapel.  A history of the Association, “Faith and Friendship,” was published.  The Association obtained Charitable Status in 1991 enabling it to issue tax receipts for gifts.  The Carr Lecture Series invited the public to hear talks at Robson Square in downtown Vancouver and at UBC.  In 2001, the Association established the Newman Association of Vancouver Scholarship Honouring John Henry Cardinal Newman.  Association members continued to judge what became known as the FISA Debates.  A video presentation of Newman’s  “Dream of Gerontius” put to music by Elgar attracted a good-sized audience.

The first decade of the millennium saw the departure of the Basilians who had served the Association so well.  Fr. Leo Klosterman and Fr. James Hanrahan departed for Toronto where Fr. Leo subsequently died.  Fr. Brian Burns, OFM, was one of Fr. Leo’s successors as chaplain before his untimely death.