About Humboldt State University, Newman Center · Arcata, California
The Humboldt State University Newman Center is a Catholic campus ministry located at 700 Union Street in Arcata, California, serving the students, faculty, and broader community of Cal Poly Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University). As a Newman Center, it exists specifically to serve the spiritual needs of college students, providing Mass, Adoration, Confession, Bible studies, discipleship meetings, and faith formation. It has been part of the HSU community since 1958 and is one of the churches of the Diocese of Santa Rosa in California's Humboldt/Del Norte Deanery.
- Established
- 1958
- Rector
- Fr. Gnanaprakash Thumma
- Diocese
- Diocese of Santa Rosa in California
Why belong here
The HSU Newman Center is a welcoming Catholic community for any student, faculty member, or local resident of the Cal Poly Humboldt area looking to grow in faith. It offers a Student Mass celebrated with Father Gnanaprakash Thumma, weekly Thursday Adoration and Confession, Bible studies, and discipleship meetings that integrate Catholic identity with academic life. As a long-standing ministry on campus since 1958, it provides a stable home for young Catholics in the North Coast seeking prayer, fellowship, and sacramental life.
Mass times at Humboldt State University, Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (school year, at the Newman Center, 700 Union Street)
Adoration times
- Thursday 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (school year, at the Newman Center, 700 Union Street)
About the HSU Newman Center
The Cal Poly Humboldt Newman Center (formerly Humboldt State University Newman Center) is a Catholic campus ministry at 700 Union Street in Arcata, California. Rooted in the traditions of the Catholic Church, the Center offers opportunities for spiritual growth including the celebration of Mass, Bible studies, Discipleship Meetings, and the sacraments. Its mission is to equip students and members of the university community with the tools to live out their faith in everyday life, offering programs that foster leadership, evangelization, and service.
- Welcomes students, faculty, and the local community
- Provides Mass, Adoration, Confession, Bible studies, and discipleship
- Part of the Diocese of Santa Rosa
History & Heritage
The HSU Newman Center has been part of the Humboldt State University community since 1958, giving it more than six decades of continuous ministry on the North Coast. It is one of a network of Newman Centers serving Catholic students at universities across the United States, a movement inspired by Blessed John Henry Newman. The Center is affiliated with St. Mary's Catholic Church in Arcata (founded 1883) for its Sunday Mass and is listed among the Diocese of Santa Rosa's parishes and missions in the Humboldt/Del Norte Deanery.
- Founded 1958
- Affiliated with St. Mary's Catholic Church (Arcata, est. 1883)
- Listed in Diocese of Santa Rosa's Humboldt/Del Norte Deanery
Clergy & Staff
The Newman Center is served by its chaplain, Fr. Gnanaprakash Thumma, who celebrates the Sunday Student Mass. The lay leadership team includes Regina Fosnaugh as Chief Director. Student leadership is provided by the Catholic student club officers, including the President (Justice Borchard), Vice President (Quinlan House), Treasurer (Jake LaBarre), Secretary (Angel Palomera), Historian (Kieran Stack), and Music Director (Conlan House).
- Fr. Gnanaprakash Thumma — Chaplain
- Regina Fosnaugh — Chief Director
- Justice Borchard — Student Club President
- Quinlan House — Student Club Vice President
- Jake LaBarre — Student Club Treasurer
- Angel Palomera — Student Club Secretary
- Kieran Stack — Student Club Historian
- Conlan House — Music Director
Mass & Liturgical Life
The Center's primary weekly liturgical celebration is the Sunday Student Mass, celebrated at 5:30 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1690 Janes Road, Arcata. The Mass is led by Father Gnanaprakash Thumma and uses the Source & Summit Missal, with traditional prayers and responses. The service is described as a meaningful blend of tradition and reflection, intended to deepen the connection of students and community members with God and one another.
- Sunday Mass — 5:30 PM at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1690 Janes Road, Arcata
- Celebrant: Fr. Gnanaprakash Thumma
- Uses the Source & Summit Missal
Catholic College Night
Catholic College Night is the Center's signature weekly gathering of the academic year, held on Thursday evenings at the Newman Center (700 Union Street, Arcata). It combines fellowship, faith formation, and community building and is a primary entry point for students interested in connecting with the Catholic community at Cal Poly Humboldt. The next scheduled Catholic College Night is Thursday, August 27, 2026.
- Weekly Thursday evenings at the Newman Center
- Fellowship, formation, and student community
- Next session: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Faith Formation & Student Programs
Beyond its Sunday Mass and Thursday devotions, the Newman Center offers ongoing faith formation for students, including Bible studies and Discipleship Meetings. These small-group opportunities are designed to help students integrate their Catholic identity into their academic and personal lives and to grow as disciples of Christ during their time at Cal Poly Humboldt.
- Bible studies
- Discipleship meetings
- Student club leadership and formation
Visit, Contact & Location
The Newman Center is located at 700 Union Street in Arcata, California, on or near the Cal Poly Humboldt campus. Sunday Mass is held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1690 Janes Road, Arcata. Inquiries, prayer intentions, and visit requests can be directed to the Center by phone or email.
- Address: 700 Union Street, Arcata, CA 95521
- Phone: (707) 822-6057
- Email: [email protected]
- Sunday Mass location: St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1690 Janes Road, Arcata, CA 95521