About Catholic Campus Ministry Conway · Conway, Arkansas
Catholic Campus Ministry Conway (CCM Conway) is the Diocese of Little Rock's Catholic campus ministry serving the college students of Conway, Arkansas. Rooted joyfully in Catholic identity, it welcomes students from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA), Hendrix College, Central Baptist College, and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. The ministry gathers for Sunday evening Mass, weekly small groups, praise and worship, fellowship, and monthly service — and in September 2023 dedicated a brand-new 7,425-square-foot Catholic Campus Ministry Center at 1919 South Boulevard, directly across from the UCA campus.
- Rector
- Tachia Awbrey (Director)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Little Rock
Why belong here
CCM Conway exists to give college students a Catholic home on campus and a real community to share it with. Through Sunday evening Mass, weekly small groups on both the UCA and Hendrix campuses, Alpha Omega praise and worship, monthly service projects, and frequent socials, students encounter Christ in the Eucharist, build intentional friendships, and put their faith into action. The brand-new CCM Center on South Boulevard is purpose-built for exactly that life — a place to study, pray, eat, and belong, open to every college-aged person in the Conway region, Catholic or not.
Mass times at Catholic Campus Ministry Conway
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- At the CCM Center: a priest is available by request before and after CCM Masses (Sundays during the academic year).
- At St. Joseph Parish (1115 College Ave., Conway): Tuesday 5:00 PM – 5:55 PM
- At St. Joseph Parish: Thursday 5:00 PM – 5:55 PM
- At St. Joseph Parish: Saturday 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Adoration times
- At the CCM Center: Wednesday nights 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM during the academic year
- At St. Joseph Parish: 24-hour adoration chapel (contact CCM staff or St. Joseph for more information)
About Catholic Campus Ministry Conway
Catholic Campus Ministry Conway (CCM Conway) is a student ministry of the Diocese of Little Rock that joyfully serves college-aged Catholics — and those exploring the faith — across the Conway region. It is rooted in Catholic identity and exists to help students encounter God through the Holy Eucharist, intentional relationships, small groups, and acts of charity and justice. The ministry explicitly welcomes all college students from UCA, Hendrix, Central Baptist College, UACCM, and other nearby schools, including graduate, professional, and recent alumni students.
- Founded/led by Deacon Richard Papini from 1998 onward
- New CCM Center dedicated September 6, 2023
- Welcomes students from UCA, Hendrix, CBC, UACCM, and beyond
- About 100 college students take part in scheduled activities each year
History of CCM Conway
Deacon Richard Papini took over CCM Conway in 1998, leaving a career at Arkansas Power & Light (now Entergy) in Russellville. He and successive campus ministers — including Kasey Miller and, from August 2023, Director Tachia Awbrey — grew the ministry from a handful of students into a community of roughly 100. A persistent dream of a purpose-built Catholic center became reality through the 'Sacred Space, Sacred Time' capital campaign, which broke ground on September 24, 2022 and was completed by Nabholz Construction in July 2023. The first Mass in the new building was celebrated September 6, 2023 by Bishop Anthony B. Taylor, with Deacon Papini assisting.
- 1998: Deacon Richard Papini begins as director
- 2019: UCA purchases the original CCM house at 2204 Bruce Street
- Capital campaign 'Sacred Space, Sacred Time' launched under chair John Nabholz
- September 24, 2022: groundbreaking ceremony for new CCM Center
- July 2023: construction completed by Nabholz Construction
- September 6, 2023: Bishop Anthony B. Taylor celebrates first Mass in new building
- August 1, 2023: Tachia Awbrey hired as Director
The CCM Center Building
The new Catholic Campus Ministry Center at 1919 South Boulevard is a 7,425-square-foot facility purpose-built for student life and worship. Its heart is a 160-seat chapel, surrounded by office spaces, study rooms, a kitchen, an open dining hall, and a lobby with snack and coffee bars. The $3.9 million building sits directly across the street from UCA's campus, making it a visible and walkable Catholic home for students.
- Address: 1919 South Blvd., Conway, AR 72034
- Mailing: P.O. Box 358, Conway, AR 72033
- 7,425 square feet
- 160-seat chapel
- Study rooms, offices, kitchen, open dining hall, lobby with snack and coffee bars
- Directly across from UCA campus
Staff and Leadership
CCM Conway is staffed by a small team of lay ministers, a priest, and a deacon, supported by a bookkeeper. The current Director, Tachia Awbrey, was hired in August 2023 after 15 years as an academic advisor at UCA. Fr. John Connell, VG serves as the ministry's priest, while Deacon Richard Papini — the founding director — continues in a pastoral role after 25+ years of leading the ministry. On the UCA campus, Andrew Mason serves as a student officer / faculty-staff advisor; on the Hendrix campus, Hunter Trussell is the student representative and Dr. Gabe Ferrer is the faculty advisor.
- Director: Tachia Awbrey — [email protected]
- Campus Minister: Ethan Harris — [email protected]
- Minister: Fr. John Connell, VG
- Bookkeeper: Linda Cavin
- Deacon Richard Papini (longtime director, 1998–2023)
- UCA student officer / faculty-staff advisor: Andrew Mason
- Hendrix student rep: Hunter Trussell ([email protected])
- Hendrix faculty advisor: Dr. Gabe Ferrer ([email protected])
Ministries and Student Life
CCM Conway describes itself as 'a diverse community of students, faculty, alumni, parents, and ministry staff who are in love with God.' Beyond Sunday Mass, the backbone of student life is weekly small groups — held separately on the UCA and Hendrix campuses and led by fellow students — along with the Alpha Omega praise and worship night, regular socials, monthly service opportunities, and Bible study. Together they form a rhythm of prayer, formation, friendship, and outreach that the ministry sees as the path to deeper discipleship and even to vocations: two CCM alumni, Father William Burmester and seminarian Omar Galván, have entered seminary life.
- Weekly Sunday evening Mass (7 PM, academic year)
- Weekly Small Groups on UCA and Hendrix campuses (student-led)
- Alpha Omega — weekly praise and worship
- Bible study
- Fellowship gatherings and socials
- Monthly service projects (charity and justice)
- Summer drop-in fellowship and UCA Summer Orientation hospitality
Colleges Served
Although the CCM Center is physically adjacent to UCA, the ministry's mission explicitly reaches all college-aged people in the Conway region. It is recognized by Hendrix College as the Catholic campus ministry for its students, and it also welcomes those from Central Baptist College and the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, plus graduate students, professional students, and recent alumni.
- University of Central Arkansas (UCA)
- Hendrix College
- Central Baptist College (CBC)
- University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton (UACCM)
- Graduate, professional, and recent alumni students across the region
Visit, Hours, and Contact
The CCM Center operates on a full academic-year schedule and welcomes walk-in visitors, especially during summer orientation. Summer hours (M–Th 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Friday closed) let incoming and continuing students drop in during the slower months. The main contact is Director Tachia Awbrey, and the best way to stay up to date is to follow CCM Conway on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
- Address: 1919 South Blvd., Conway, AR 72034
- Mailing: P.O. Box 358, Conway, AR 72033
- Phone: (501) 336-9091
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: conwaycatholic.com
- Summer hours: Mon–Thu 10 AM – 3 PM; Fri closed
- Open during UCA Summer Orientation days
- Facebook: facebook.com/CatholicCampusMinisitryUCAHendrix
- Instagram: @conwaycatholics
- YouTube: youtube.com/@ccmconway4503
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Deacon Richard Papini1998–2023 (approximately)
Founding director; left Arkansas Power & Light to answer God's call to campus ministry; led the 'Sacred Space, Sacred Time' capital campaign that built the new CCM Center; served 25+ years.
- Kasey Millerprior to 2023
Former campus minister who co-launched the capital campaign with Deacon Papini; later described as 'new CCM campus minister' in 2022 articles before transitioning on.
- Tachia Awbrey2023–present
Hired August 1, 2023 as Director; UCA alumna (bachelor's and master's degrees); previously UCA academic advisor for 15 years; convert to Catholicism; parishioner at St. Joseph Church, Conway.