About Catholic Student Center at University of Maryland · College Park, Maryland
The Catholic Student Center (CSC) at the University of Maryland is the campus Catholic community — known affectionately as the 'Catholic Terps' — for students, faculty, and staff in College Park, Maryland. Operated under the Archdiocese of Washington and led by a chaplain and team of FOCUS missionaries, the CSC offers daily and weekend Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacraments, Bible studies, service opportunities, and weekly Wednesday Night Dinners. Its mission is to invite the UMD community to be known, loved, and transformed through an encounter with Jesus Christ, gathering as a purposeful, joyful, and apostolic community.
- Established
- 1965
- Rector
- Fr. Conrad Murphy
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Washington
Why belong here
The Catholic Student Center is the home for Catholic life at the University of Maryland — a place to encounter Jesus Christ in the Sacraments, in Word, and in real community. Students join for daily Mass and Adoration, weekday confession, men's and women's Bible studies, free Wednesday Night Dinners, retreats, service opportunities, and a social life built around faith. You don't have to be Catholic to come through the door; you just need to be willing to be known, loved, and sent out as a disciple.
Mass times at Catholic Student Center at University of Maryland
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday & Sunday: 30 minutes before each Mass
- Monday–Friday: 30 minutes before each daily Mass (including the Wednesday Night Dinner Mass)
- By appointment — call/email the CSC
- Some Sundays, Confessions may be offered during the 10:00 AM Mass (announced at the start of Mass)
Adoration times
- Sunday: 8:00–10:00 AM @ CSC
- Monday: 3:00–7:00 PM @ CSC
- Tuesday: 3:00–7:00 PM @ CSC
- Wednesday: 3:00–5:00 PM @ CSC
- Friday: 3:00–7:00 PM @ CSC
- Thursday: No Adoration at this time
About the Catholic Student Center
The Catholic Student Center at the University of Maryland — the 'Catholic Terps' — is the home of Catholic life on campus, serving students, faculty, and staff in the College Park community. Operated under the Archdiocese of Washington, the Center is staffed by a chaplain, campus ministers, and FOCUS missionaries. Its mission is to invite the University of Maryland community to be known, loved, and transformed through an encounter with Jesus Christ. The Center's stated values are: Centered on Christ, Purposeful Community, Authentic Discipleship, Selfless Generosity, Radiant Joy, and Apostolic Witness — under a vision to 'Become Fully Alive.'
- Mission: inviting UMD to be known, loved, and transformed through an encounter with Jesus Christ
- Operated by the Archdiocese of Washington
- Staffed by chaplain Fr. Conrad Murphy, campus ministers, and FOCUS missionaries
- Values: Centered on Christ, Purposeful Community, Authentic Discipleship, Selfless Generosity, Radiant Joy, Apostolic Witness
History of the CSC
The first Catholic chaplain at UMD was Fr. William Tepe, who arrived in 1955 to lead the Newman Club and built up catechism courses, Pre-Cana conferences, the daily Rosary, and Communion breakfasts. He led the fundraising and construction of the present Catholic Student Center, which was dedicated on April 10, 1965.
- 1955 — Fr. Tepe begins as Newman Club chaplain
- 1965 — CSC building dedicated April 10
- 1986 — permanent chapel built in place of old auditorium under Fr. Kalita
- 1999–2007 — Fr. Bill Byrne launches Wednesday Night Dinners, FOCUS, Grotto, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Daughters, and Vianney/Magnificat dinners
- April 2013 — Chapel of Christ the Divine Teacher dedicated under Fr. Rob Walsh
Mass and Sacrament Times
During the academic semester the CSC and the nearby Memorial Chapel host the full schedule of daily and weekend Masses. Out of semester, only a Saturday 5:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM Mass are offered.
- Saturday vigil — 5:00 PM @ CSC
- Sunday — 10:00 AM @ CSC and 8:00 PM @ Memorial Chapel
- Monday–Friday — 12:00 PM @ Memorial Chapel (finals week: 12:45 PM)
- Wednesday Night Dinner Mass — 5:30 PM @ CSC, with free dinner at 6:00 PM
Holy Week and Holy Days
The CSC celebrates Holy Week, Easter, Ash Wednesday, Christmas, and Holy Days of Obligation on campus — adjusting the Mass schedule around school breaks. Daily Mass can also be moved to the CSC during finals week and special events.
- Holy Thursday — 7:00 PM Mass of the Lord's Supper @ CSC
- Good Friday — 7:00 PM Liturgy of the Lord's Passion @ CSC
- Holy Saturday — 8:00 PM Easter Vigil @ CSC
- Easter Sunday — 10:00 AM @ CSC only
- Ash Wednesday — 12:00 PM & 4:00 PM @ Memorial Chapel; 5:30 PM @ CSC
- Christmas Vigil (12/24) — 5:00 PM @ CSC
Get Involved — Ministries
You don't need to be Catholic to take part in anything the Catholic Terps run. The Center organizes its ministry areas under Service, OCIA, Liturgy, Bible Study, Men's, Women's, Social, and Alumni. Each area has its own email contact through the @catholicterps.org domain.
- Service — email [email protected]
- OCIA (Becoming Catholic) — Monday night classes; contact Fr. Conrad or Lisa Lytwyn
- Liturgy — lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, music ministers, altar servers; email [email protected]
- Bible Studies — men's and women's; email [email protected]
- Men's Ministry — meet with Caleb or Fr. Conrad
- Social — Wednesday Night Dinners, game nights, retreats
- Alumni — [email protected] (reconnect, retreats, Mexico City Alumni Trip)
OCIA and Sacraments of Initiation
For students interested in becoming Catholic or completing their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion), the CSC offers OCIA classes on Monday nights starting in mid-September. Contact Fr. Conrad Murphy or Lisa Lytwyn for a meeting and registration.
Bible Studies
Bible studies are small groups of students who grow in friendship and learn and share the faith together. Groups regularly attend Wednesday Adoration together and join with other groups for service and social events throughout the semester. Run by FOCUS missionaries and campus ministers.
Service and Outreach
A student-led Service Team organizes volunteer opportunities throughout the semester — local service projects, mission trips, and apostolic witness opportunities. Email [email protected] to join.
Alumni Engagement
Catholic Terp alumni stay connected through events, retreats, and an annual Mexico City Alumni Trip. Email [email protected] to reconnect.
Staff and Clergy
The CSC is staffed by a chaplain, campus ministers, an administrator, and a FOCUS missionary team. Fr. Conrad Murphy leads the Center as chaplain and also serves as vocation director for the Archdiocese of Washington.
- Fr. Conrad Murphy — Chaplain ([email protected])
- MJ Acevedo Richard — Campus Minister ([email protected])
- Caleb Gaeng — Campus Minister ([email protected])
- Lisa Lytwyn — Campus Minister ([email protected])
- Paige Rienzo — Development and Administration ([email protected])
- Shane Chilcott — FOCUS Missionary Team Director ([email protected])
- Cheyenna Cook — FOCUS Missionary ([email protected])
- Grant Doyle — FOCUS Missionary ([email protected])
- Amanda Chilcott — FOCUS Missionary ([email protected])
Chaplain Succession (1955–Present)
Eight priests have served as chaplain of the Catholic Student Center at UMD since Fr. William Tepe started the Newman Club chaplaincy in 1955.
- Fr. William Tepe (1955–1967)
- Fr. William Kane (1964–1986)
- Fr. Thomas Kalita (1986–1994)
- Fr. Robert Keffer (1994–1999)
- Fr. Bill Byrne (1999–2007)
- Fr. Kyle Ingels (2007–2010)
- Fr. Rob Walsh (2010–2020)
- Fr. Conrad Murphy (2020–present)
Wednesday Night Dinner
Every Wednesday during the semester, the CSC offers Mass at 5:30 PM followed by a free dinner at 6:00 PM. The evening is open to all — students come for free food, spikeball/volleyball/nine-square, and community.
Location, Hours, and Contact
The Catholic Student Center is located at the end of Knox Road in College Park, across the street from the University of Maryland's South Campus Commons Building 7 and the Mowatt Lane Parking Garage. Center hours run 9:00 AM–9:00 PM, seven days a week, during the semester. Out of semester, only Mass hours are staffed.
- Address: 4141 Guilford Drive, College Park, MD 20740
- Phone: (301) 864-6223
- Email: [email protected]
- Parking: free in Mowatt Lane Garage after 4:00 PM and all day Sat/Sun
- Instagram: @catholicterps
- Center hours (in semester): 9:00 AM–9:00 PM, 7 days/week
- Out of semester: open Saturday 5:00 PM Mass and Sunday 10:00 AM Mass only
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. William Tepe1955–1967
First diocesan chaplain for the campus Newman Club; oversaw planning, fundraising, and the 1965 dedication of the Center.
- Fr. William Kane1964–1986
Took over chaplaincy in 1967; built student leadership committees and counseling ministry during a 22-year tenure.
- Fr. Thomas Kalita1986–1994
Developed liturgical life, created a reservation chapel, opened a popular Sunday evening Mass, and led the 1991 construction of the permanent chapel in place of the old auditorium.
- Fr. Robert Keffer1994–1999
Returned to UMD after serving at GWU and as Director of Campus Ministry for the Archdiocese of Washington.
- Fr. Bill Byrne1999–2007
Started Wednesday Night Dinners, brought FOCUS to campus, built the grotto, started Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters, and instituted Vianney and Magnificat discernment dinners.
- Fr. Kyle Ingels2007–2010
Served as chaplain for the UMD varsity football team under Coach Ralph Friedgen; later Director of Campus Ministry, Diocese of Colorado Springs.
- Fr. Rob Walsh2010–2020
UMD alum ('92); led remodeling of the worship space, dedicated as the Chapel of Christ the Divine Teacher in April 2013.
- Fr. Conrad Murphy2020–present
Current chaplain; also serves as vocation director for the Archdiocese of Washington.