Why are we here?
Our mission is to help Catholic students integrate their Catholic faith with their academic life, strengthen their personal commitment to Jesus Christ, and find a sense of belonging and community. We help students build skills that will last a lifetime and allow graduates to better serve society and the Church for the promotion of the kingdom of God.
University students are typically at developmental stage in life that is full of promise and yet open to guidance. Mentoring takes place at Newman among the generations as well as within the generation of the students. We encourage students to dream big and find worthy goals as they contemplate the call of the Gospel.
What is a Newman Center?
Drawing on the Catholic intellectual tradition articulated by the recently beatified Cardinal John Henry Newman, of Oxford, England, in the latter part of the 19th century, we provide pastoral services and ministries to students and faculty. We encourage students to develop a well-rounded education, as Cardinal Newman describes in his book, The Idea of a University.
Why are we also a Parish?
Having a territorial parish allows us to serve a broader range of people and generations, and allows for support from the congregation in maintaining the student ministry. Because we are a full service parish the opportunities for intergenerational mixing and mentoring are great. We offer regular scheduled Eucharist and Reconciliation, as well as preparation for the sacraments of initiation, Baptism and Confirmation. Newman is a busy hub of weddings, anniversary celebrations, baptisms, and funeral masses. Students and “overgrads” keep our many meeting rooms booked with intellectual and spiritual programs.