Catholic Newman Center & Prince of Peace Chapel at UW

Welcome & Mission

The Catholic Newman Center at UW welcomes students, faculty, staff and University District Catholics to a community rooted in the Dominican tradition. Its stated mission: 'We are a Catholic ministry whose primary mission is to serve the University of Washington community. We are called by Christ to build a faith community. Empowered by the Holy Spirit to be truly compassionate disciples, we are committed to the truth of the Gospel and promotion of social justice. Rooted in the Dominican tradition of prayer and the pursuit of knowledge, we are preparing our members to be future leaders in the Church and the world.' The center is open Sunday-Friday, 8am-10pm when school is in session.

Our Newman History

Founded in 1908 as a small Catholic student club at the University of Washington, the Newman Center is the fifth-oldest in the United States and the first Dominican-run Newman Center in the country. The first Mass in the University area was celebrated on December 6, 1908, the Second Sunday of Advent, in the Masonic Hall on University Way & 42nd Street — a poetic coincidence now that the Prince of Peace Chapel (dedicated 2001) stands on the former site of Acacia, the national Masonic fraternity. In 2008 the center celebrated 100 years of ministry and published the centennial volume 'To Praise, To Bless, To Preach.'

• Founded 1908
• 5th oldest Newman Center in the U.S.
• First Dominican-run Newman Center in the country
• Prince of Peace Chapel dedicated 2001
• Centennial celebrated 2008

Staff & Clergy

The center is led by Dominican friars of the Western Province, supported by a lay staff and student leadership team. Fr. Marcin Szymanski, O.P., serves as Director; Fr. Nathaniel Maria Mayne, O.P., is Assistant Director. Fr. Marcin was first professed on 08/17/2004 and ordained on 05/21/2011 (Province of Poland).

• Fr. Marcin Szymanski, O.P. — Director ([email protected])
• Fr. Nathaniel Maria Mayne, O.P. — Assistant Director ([email protected]; 206-527-5072 ext. 1005)
• Bayli Hochstein — Communications Coordinator
• Tisa Escobar, O.P. — OCIA Coordinator
• Gizelle Gando, O.P. — Frassati Coordinator
• Ellie Lande — Campus Minister (Undergraduate)
• Morena Orellana — Administrator
• Haerin Choi — Music Coordinator
• Dayn Warren — Development Director
• Shannon Crowley — Development & Communications Assistant

Times & Location

The Newman Center is located at 4502 20th Avenue NE in Seattle's University District. Mass is offered every day of the week, with four Sunday Masses and daily weekday Masses. Confession is offered before each evening Sunday Mass, on Wednesday evenings, and daily before the noon Masses (or by appointment). Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is offered each weekday before the noon Mass and on Wednesday evenings.

Liturgical Ministries

Liturgical ministry at Newman is shared by a rotating team of trained lay ministers. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion distribute the Body and Blood of Christ at weekend Masses; Lectors proclaim the Word of the Lord; and a vibrant Music Ministry welcomes singers and instrumentalists into its choirs. Training in the specifics of each ministry is provided throughout the year.

• Eucharistic Ministers — contact [email protected]
• Lectors — rotating schedule, contact [email protected]
• Music Ministry — contact Haerin Choi at [email protected]

Student Ministry Team (Undergraduate)

The Student Ministry Team (SMT) has existed since the first day of Newman's existence in 1908 and remains the engine of undergraduate programming. Made up of multiple teams (Peer Ministers, Executive/President, event-planning teams), the SMT meets roughly weekly to plan events, activities and services, working with staff and peer ministers to engage students' faith. Major annual events include the Newman Winter Formal, Diving Deeper, the Christmas party, testimony nights, Cafe Newman bake sale and talent show, and more. Applications for the 2026-2027 SMT are open; campus minister Ellie Lande coordinates undergraduate ministry.

• Peer Ministers — [email protected]
• SMT Executive (President) — [email protected]
• Freshman Group leadership team
• Volunteer projects, retreats, small groups

Frassati Young Adults (21–35)

Frassati is the center's young-adult ministry for Catholics aged 21-35, based out of both Blessed Sacrament Church and UW Newman in Seattle's U-District, drawing members from across Seattle. It offers over 15 small groups, weekly events, and young-adult leaders and volunteer teams. The full program — including Lumen speaker & pub series, Hike & Mass, Young Adult Adoration (2nd Saturday of the month, 7pm Praise & Worship, 8:30pm Social), monthly Young Adult Mass & Dinner (1st Sunday at Blessed Sacrament), the annual Lenten Retreat, and the Frassati Men's Group Bible study with Fr. Nathaniel Maria (bi-weekly Wednesdays at 6pm) — is detailed at frassatiseattle.org.

• Young Adult Adoration — 2nd Saturday of the month
• Young Adult Mass & Dinner — 1st Sunday of the month at Blessed Sacrament
• Lumen Speaker & Pub Series — monthly, with chanted Compline
• Hike & Mass — usually one Saturday per month
• Frassati Men's Group — bi-weekly Wednesdays at 6pm with Fr. Nathaniel Maria
• Lenten Retreat — annual

Small Groups & Retreats

Small groups are at the heart of Newman's ministry. The full list of small groups is maintained on a separate website linked from the Small Groups page; an interest form is available for newcomers. Retreats — including the annual Frassati Lenten Retreat — are a regular rhythm of the community.

• Small Group Interest Form
• Letters of the Pope Small Group (Monday nights)
• Frassati Men's Group
• Freshman Group
• Annual Lenten Retreat

OCIA — Becoming Catholic

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA) at Newman welcomes adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or full communion with the Catholic Church. Classes begin in October each year. Tisa Escobar, O.P., serves as OCIA Coordinator; contact [email protected] or call 206-527-5072.

• OCIA classes begin October 2025
• Contact: [email protected]

Sacraments

The Sacraments page on the website outlines preparation for Baptism (for infants/children of Newman community members, students, family, alumni, faculty and staff — scheduled at least one month ahead, with a baptismal preparation meeting with the Director), Confirmation (via OCIA), and First Eucharist. The page also details requirements for receiving Communion worthily (state of grace, sacramental Confession, Eucharistic fast, belief in transubstantiation). Couples seeking marriage are encouraged to contact a priest directly.

• Baptism — schedule with Director at least 1 month ahead
• Confirmation — through OCIA
• Eucharist — catechetical preparation available
• Marriage — contact a priest

New to Newman

The 'New to Newman' page is the on-ramp for newcomers, linking directly to OCIA (Becoming Catholic), Frassati Young Adult events, small groups, retreats, the Student Ministry Team, and the events calendar.

• OCIA
• Frassati Events
• Small Groups
• Retreats
• Student Ministry Team
• Events Calendar

Get Involved & Contact

Ways to engage include joining the Student Ministry Team, becoming an Extraordinary Minister, Lector or Music Minister, joining Frassati or a small group, supporting the center through giving, or following along on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. For general questions, email [email protected] or call (206) 527-5072.

• Join the Student Ministry Team (applications due June 30)
• Liturgical ministry sign-ups (Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Music)
• Giving / Development — contact Dayn Warren
• Facebook: facebook.com/uwnewman
• Instagram: @uwnewman
• YouTube: Newman Center YouTube channel