About Millersville University Newman Center · Millersville, Pennsylvania
The Millersville University Newman Center (commonly known as Millersville Catholic) is the Catholic campus ministry serving students at Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania. Sponsored and supported by the Diocese of Harrisburg, the center is housed at the Newman House, 227 N. George Street, on the edge of campus. Its mission is to create a Catholic environment where MU students can encounter Christ through prayer, the sacraments, and community, growing into engaged adult Catholics and future saints. The center is led by a chaplain and a lay campus minister, and is animated by the student-run John Newman Association (JNA).
- Patron
- St. Josephine Bakhita (patron of the in-house oratory)
- Rector
- Fr. Thomas Meinert (Chaplain / Campus Minister)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Harrisburg
Why belong here
Millersville Catholic welcomes every Millersville University student — Catholic or not — into a warm, family-like community at the Newman House. The week revolves around Sunday noon Mass and the Wednesday Night Dinner (Mass at 5:30 pm followed by a free, student-cooked meal at 6 pm), with weekly Adoration, regular Confession, retreats like the Diocesan Cor ad Cor, and a calendar of socials, service opportunities, and trips. Whether you're looking to grow in your faith, find authentic friendships, serve the Millersville community, or simply share a free meal, the John Newman Association is an easy door to walk through.
Mass times at Millersville University Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 11:00–11:30 am in the Newman House Oratory
- Wednesday: 4:00–5:00 pm in the Newman House Oratory
- Also by request before or after any daily Mass — students are encouraged to ask anytime, anywhere
Adoration times
- Wednesday: 4:30–5:30 pm (per Discover Mass listing)
About Millersville Catholic
Millersville Catholic is the Catholic Campus Ministry at Millersville University, sponsored and supported by the Diocese of Harrisburg. Its published mission is to create a Catholic environment where Millersville University students can encounter Christ through prayer, sacraments, and community, so that they can become engaged adult Catholics and future saints. The ministry is based at the Newman House, 227 N. George Street, on the edge of the MU campus, and is open to all students regardless of religious background.
- Sponsored by the Diocese of Harrisburg
- Housed at the Newman House, 227 N. George Street
- Mission: encounter Christ through prayer, sacraments, and community
History of the Newman Center
For many years Catholic Campus Ministry at Millersville shared a building with the university HUB for Sunday and Holy Day Masses. When the HUB was sold in the spring of 2022, students improvised with a conference room during the 2022–2023 school year. The following summer the ministry renovated part of the Newman House into a chapel/oratory seating about 30, and on April 24, 2024 Bishop Timothy Senior blessed the new oratory and consecrated it under the patronage of St. Josephine Bakhita. The renovation also prompted the students to diversify the images of saints throughout the house.
- 2022: HUB sold; ministry relocated
- 2022–2023: Masses held in a conference room
- Summer 2023: Newman House oratory renovated
- April 24, 2024: Bishop Senior blesses new oratory
Staff and Leadership
The ministry is currently led by Chaplain Fr. Thomas Meinert and Associate Campus Minister Alicia Spelfogel. The student-run John Newman Association has its own elected board, currently including President Elizabeth Wicht, Vice President Catherine Samer, Treasurer Gabriel Wolford, and Secretary Annie Sahd. In April 2024, Fr. Stephen Logue was serving as Campus Minister.
- Chaplain: Fr. Thomas Meinert ([email protected])
- Associate Campus Minister: Alicia Spelfogel ([email protected], 717-497-5675)
- JNA President: Elizabeth Wicht
- JNA Vice President: Catherine Samer
- JNA Treasurer: Gabriel Wolford
- JNA Secretary: Annie Sahd
St. Josephine Bakhita Oratory
The in-house chapel at the Newman House is named for St. Josephine Bakhita, the Sudanese-born Canossian sister who was kidnapped as a child, eventually came to Italy, received the Sacraments of Initiation in 1890, took final vows on December 8, 1896, died February 8, 1947, and was canonized by Pope St. John Paul II on October 1, 2000. The students chose her as patron when they realized, during the 2023 renovation, that the images of saints in the house lacked diversity; a painting of Bakhita was placed in the new oratory.
- Oratory dedicated to St. Josephine Bakhita
- Blessed by Bishop Timothy Senior on April 24, 2024
- Seats up to about 30
The John Newman Association (JNA)
The John Newman Association is the student club that animates the Newman Center. The JNA describes itself as a Catholic Christian organization whose students come from all faiths and walks of life, and the university lists it as 'ideal for finding a place to learn about God, meet people, have fun, serve others, and find a good, FREE meal.' The group organizes weekly social, prayer, and service events throughout the school year.
- President: Elizabeth Wicht
- Vice President: Catherine Samer
- Treasurer: Gabriel Wolford
- Secretary: Annie Sahd
- Open to students of all faiths
Social Events and Activities
Beyond liturgy, the JNA schedules regular social outings including rock climbing, kayaking, camping, laser tag, and trips to NYC and Philadelphia. Weekly on-campus life centers on the Wednesday Night Dinner — a free, student-cooked meal shared after 5:30 pm Mass — and Sunday Mass is followed by a Women's Group.
- Rock climbing, kayaking, camping, laser tag
- Trips to NYC and Philadelphia
- Wednesday Night Dinner at 6:00 pm
- Sunday Women's Group after noon Mass
Retreats
The center promotes retreats as a key part of student spiritual life, including the Diocesan Cor ad Cor Retreat. Students are encouraged to check the online calendar for upcoming dates and details.
- Diocesan Cor ad Cor Retreat
Alumni
Millersville Catholic keeps an active alumni community. The center invites Newman alumni and former chaplains to gather annually for the Millersville Homecoming Parade at the Newman House — typically from morning until early afternoon — with food and drink, a chance to tour the house, and a special showing off of the new in-house chapel and recent renovations.
- Homecoming Parade gathering at the Newman House
- Contact: [email protected]
Contact and Visit
Visitors and students are welcome at the Newman House, 227 N. George Street, Millersville, PA 17551. The campus minister can be reached at 717-497-5675 or [email protected], and the chaplain at [email protected]. A general inbox, [email protected], is also published for inquiries, including alumni outreach.
- Address: 227 N. George Street, Millersville, PA 17551
- Phone: (717) 497-5675
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
- [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Stephen Loguethrough at least April 2024
Campus Minister during the 2022–2023 relocation year and the 2023 renovation of the Newman House oratory; presided at the first Masses in the new chapel and hosted Bishop Timothy Senior's blessing visit on April 24, 2024.
- Fr. Thomas Meinertcurrent (per the official site)
Current Chaplain / Campus Minister of Millersville Catholic, listed on the 'What We Do' and Contact pages.