About CA Polytechnic Institute Newman Center · San Luis Obispo, California
The SLO Newman Catholic Center is the Catholic campus ministry serving the students of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) and Cuesta College. Located at 1472 Foothill Boulevard in San Luis Obispo, California — tucked behind the Cal Poly Health Center and across from Front Porch — the Center is a sanctuary and gathering place in the heart of the university community. Its mission is to proclaim the Kingdom and build community through the ministries of Word, Sacrament, and Service. The Center falls under the Diocese of Monterey and continues the legacy of the Society of Mary (Marianists) in Catholic campus ministry on the Central Coast.
- Patron
- St. John Henry Newman
- Rector
- Fr. Martin Cain (Interim Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Monterey in California
Why belong here
Whether you're a current or prospective Cal Poly or Cuesta student, a faculty or staff member, or simply seeking a welcoming Catholic community in San Luis Obispo, the SLO Newman Center offers daily and Sunday Mass, weekly Adoration, Friday Confessions, Bible Study, Men's and Women's Groups, Trinity Talks, and a vibrant Music Ministry. The Center is also deeply committed to serving the wider SLO community through its monthly People's Kitchen outreach preparing meals for the homeless neighbors of the city. It's a place where students can grow in faith, build lifelong friendships, and find a true home away from home on the Central Coast.
Mass times at CA Polytechnic Institute Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Fridays 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (before Mass)
- And by appointment
Adoration times
- Friday 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (before Mass)
About the SLO Newman Catholic Center
Located in the heart of San Luis Obispo at 1472 Foothill Boulevard — tucked behind the Cal Poly Health Center and across from Front Porch — the SLO Newman Catholic Center is the Catholic campus ministry serving the communities of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and Cuesta College. Its stated mission is 'to serve the communities of Cal Poly and Cuesta College as they proclaim the kingdom and build community through the ministries of Word, Sacrament and Service.' The Center operates under the Diocese of Monterey and continues the legacy of the Society of Mary (Marianists) in Catholic higher education on the Central Coast. The Center welcomes students, faculty, staff, and visitors seeking a moment of reflection or a sense of community — described on its website as 'a sanctuary amidst the bustle of the university.'
Mass & Worship Schedule
The Center offers a robust weekly Mass schedule designed around the academic calendar, including both daytime daily Masses and two Sunday Masses to accommodate student schedules. The Center also publishes special Masses, such as the annual Alumni Mass on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. John Henry Newman.
- Sunday Mass: 11:00 AM & 8:00 PM
- Tuesday Mass: 11:10 AM
- Wednesday Mass: 5:15 PM
- Thursday Mass: 11:10 AM
- Friday Mass: 5:15 PM
Staff & Ministry Team
The Center is staffed by a chaplain, deacon, and lay ministers who together oversee spiritual life, liturgy, formation, administration, and advancement. The Diocese of Monterey directory also lists Marianist priests (S.M.) as Director and Associate Director, reflecting the Society of Mary's ongoing pastoral care for the Center.
- Fr. Martin Cain — Interim Chaplain ([email protected])
- Deacon Jim Burrows ([email protected])
- Marian Perales — Administrator ([email protected])
- Cate Kerpsack — Advancement Director ([email protected])
- Terry Burrows — RCIA & Liturgy Coordinator ([email protected])
- Rev. John Ulrich, S.M. — Director (per Diocese of Monterey listing)
- Rev. Kevin Duggan, S.M. — Associate Director (per Diocese of Monterey listing)
Faith Formation & Small Groups
The Center fosters spiritual growth through a range of small-group ministries, Bible studies, and larger teaching events. These groups are open to all Cal Poly and Cuesta students looking to deepen their faith in community with peers.
- Bible Study — Wednesdays 6:30 PM (explore Sunday readings and special passages)
- Men's Group — Mondays 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (fellowship, prayer, and honest conversation)
- Women's Group — Tuesdays 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM (authentic Catholic femininity and friendships)
- Trinity Talks — 2nd Sunday of the month, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (monthly teaching event)
RCIA & Sacraments of Initiation
Coordinated by Terry Burrows, the Center's RCIA program welcomes students who have never been baptized, those baptized in another Christian tradition, or baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation and Eucharist. Prospective students are encouraged to fill out the Center's online Registration Form so the team can plan appropriately for the formation journey.
- RCIA & Liturgy Coordinator: Terry Burrows ([email protected])
- Registration form available on slonewman.org
- Sacraments offered: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist
Liturgical & Music Ministries
Students serve at the altar and lead the worshipping assembly through a vibrant set of liturgical and musical ministries. Whether reading at Mass, serving the Eucharist, or singing in the worship team, students play a hands-on role in the Center's liturgical life.
- Liturgical Ministries: lector, altar server, Eucharistic minister, Mass preparation
- Music Ministry: student musicians and singers leading Sunday Mass
- Contact the Center to get involved
Service & Outreach — People's Kitchen
The Center partners with People's Kitchen of San Luis Obispo to prepare and serve meals to homeless neighbors in the community on a monthly basis — described on the Center's website as 'living the Gospel in action.'
- Monthly meal preparation and service to homeless neighbors in SLO
- Open to all student members
Signature Annual Events
Each year the Center hosts signature community-building events, including a Welcome BBQ at the start of fall quarter, an Alumni Mass and reception honoring the feast of St. John Henry Newman, a Fall Retreat (often held at a Central Coast mission such as Mission San Antonio de Padua), and a fall fundraiser. WOW Club Showcase appearances and weekly Pizza & Prayer gatherings round out the rhythm of student life at the Center.
- Welcome BBQ (start of fall quarter)
- WOW Club Showcase (campus involvement fair)
- Pizza & Prayer (weekly community gathering)
- Alumni Mass — Sunday closest to Oct. 9 (feast of St. John Henry Newman)
- Fall Retreat at Mission San Antonio de Padua
- Speakeasy Jazz Lounge fall fundraiser with auction and casino games
Newman Student Community & Townhouses
Beyond Sunday Mass and small groups, the Center sustains a residential community through townhouses near the Cal Poly campus where student members live together. This intentional-living dimension is one of the most distinctive features of the Center's witness on the Central Coast.
- Student townhouses located near campus
- Approximately 300 students attend Sunday Mass each week
Contact, Visit & Connect
The Center welcomes visitors in person and online. In addition to its website and office email, the Center maintains a presence on Instagram and a private Slack workspace for student members. Prospective and current students are encouraged to fill out the online Registration Form, especially those preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation.
- Address: 1472 Foothill Boulevard, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
- Phone: (805) 543-4105
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://slonewman.org
- Instagram: @slo.newman
- Newman Slack workspace (linked from website)