About Missouri S&T Newman Center · Rolla, Missouri
The Rolla Newman Center — formally the Cardinal Newman Catholic Campus Ministry Center — is the Catholic campus ministry at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) in Rolla, Missouri. Founded in 1953 by Monsignor Kaiser as a weekly discussion group, it now serves more than 1,000 Catholic students, faculty, and staff at Missouri S&T and other post-secondary schools in the Rolla area, and operates as a special ministry of St. Patrick Parish in the Diocese of Jefferson City. The center offers daily and weekly Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, Bible studies, retreats, service trips, and a robust student-leadership council, partnered with a team of FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries.
- Established
- 1953
- Patron
- Blessed (now Saint) John Henry Newman
- Rector
- Fr. Doke (Pastor/Chaplain of the Newman Center; also Pastor of sponsoring parish St. Patrick)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Jefferson City
Why belong here
The Rolla Newman Center is a welcoming hub for Catholic students at Missouri S&T, offering a deep sacramental life — including a dedicated College Student Mass on Wednesday nights at St. Patrick Church, daily Reconciliation windows, and abundant Eucharistic Adoration (Mon–Wed in the Newman Chapel, plus extended First Friday adoration at St. Patrick). Students grow in faith through small-group Bible studies, retreats, conferences, and a full calendar of service projects including a spring-break service trip, while also enjoying a vibrant social community with the free 'Lonely Monk' coffee and bagel mornings, pancake breakfasts, intramurals, and O-week events. A team of FOCUS missionaries walks alongside students in discipleship, making the Newman Center an easy place to plug in regardless of where a student is on their faith journey.
Mass times at Missouri S&T Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 3:30–4:30 p.m. at St. Patrick
- Sundays 7:15–7:45 a.m. at St. Patrick
- Tuesdays 4:30–5:15 p.m. at St. Patrick
- Wednesdays 7:30–8:00 p.m. at St. Patrick (when Missouri S&T is in session)
- By appointment — call St. Patrick parish office (573-364-1435)
Adoration times
- Newman Center Chapel — Mondays 1:00–9:00 p.m.
- Newman Center Chapel — Tuesdays 11:00 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
- Newman Center Chapel — Wednesdays 2:00–8:00 p.m.
- St. Patrick Chapel — Wednesdays 2:00–7:45 p.m. (Benediction at 7:45 p.m.)
- First Friday of each month — 9:00 a.m.–7:45 p.m. in St. Patrick Church (Benediction at 7:45 p.m.)
History of the Rolla Newman Center
Catholic campus ministry at what is now Missouri University of Science and Technology began in 1953, founded by Monsignor Kaiser as a weekly discussion group for Catholic students. From 1953 to 1976 the group met at St. Patrick Church. A dedicated house was purchased for a Newman Center in 1967, and at that point it was decided that the Associate Pastor of St. Patrick Parish would also serve as Newman Director. In 1986 the Newman Center moved onto Vichy Road, closer to St. Patrick Parish, where it remains today in a modern facility across the street from St. Patrick School.
- 1953 — Newman Program founded by Monsignor Kaiser as a weekly discussion group.
- 1953–1976 — meetings held at St. Patrick Church.
- 1967 — first dedicated Newman Center house purchased; Associate Pastor of St. Patrick doubles as Newman Director.
- 1986 — moved to Vichy Road location, closer to St. Patrick Parish.
Patron: Blessed John Henry Newman
The center is named after Blessed John Henry Newman (1801–1890), the Anglican scholar and clergyman who later converted to Catholicism, was ordained a Catholic priest, and ultimately made a cardinal. Newman lectured and wrote extensively on the purpose of a university, arguing that learning is a catalyst for the spiritual journey. Catholic campus ministry centers at public universities across the United States are commonly named in his honor.
- Patron: Blessed (now Saint) John Henry Newman (1801–1890).
- Feast day: October 9.
- Inspiration: Newman's writings on the role and purpose of a university.
Sponsorship & Diocesan Affiliation
The Cardinal Newman Catholic Campus Ministry Center is a special ministry of St. Patrick Parish in Rolla, which was founded in 1862 and serves as the anchoring Catholic parish of the Phelps County Catholic Community. St. Patrick Parish also sponsors the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionaries on the Missouri S&T campus and operates St. Patrick Catholic School. The Newman Center belongs to the Diocese of Jefferson City.
- Diocese: Jefferson City.
- Sponsoring parish: St. Patrick Catholic Church, 17 St. Patrick Lane, Rolla, MO 65401.
- Parish office: (573) 364-1435.
- School office: (573) 364-1162.
- Partner parishes in the Phelps County Catholic Community: Immaculate Conception (St. James) and St. Anthony of Padua (Rosati).
Staff & Student Leadership
The Newman Center is led by a Pastor/Chaplain and a Campus Minister, supported by an Executive Council of student officers and standing committees that organize spiritual, social, liturgical, outreach, and intramural life.
- Pastor/Chaplain — Fr. Doke ([email protected]).
- Campus Minister / Deacon — Deacon Matt McLaughlin ([email protected]).
- Development Coordinator / Administrative Assistant — Garren Gray ([email protected]).
- Executive Council President — Luke Dennison.
- Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, StuCo Rep, Historian, Social, IM Representative, Music Ministry, Liturgy Chair, Outreach, Spiritual Life chairs also serve.
- Core Council members support the standing committees.
FOCUS Missionaries
A team of six FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries shares the hope and joy of the gospel with Missouri S&T students through Bible studies, discipleship, conferences, and one-on-one mentoring. Students are encouraged to reach out to any missionary by email or text.
- Brennan Connelly — Team Leader ([email protected], 402-601-3133).
- Ryker Hoy ([email protected], 402-245-1199).
- Levi Frisbie ([email protected], 573-821-9600).
- Lizzy Connelly ([email protected]).
- Liv Wright ([email protected], 260-615-6855).
- Allison Koller ([email protected], 573-476-5483).
Devotions & Prayer Life
Beyond Mass and Adoration, the Newman Center maintains a daily rhythm of prayer including Chanted Vespers, the Mother of Perpetual Help novena, the Litany of Loreto, Morning Prayer, and a daily Rosary at 3:00 p.m. — an easy way for students to step away from classes and pray together.
- Sundays — Chanted Vespers at 5:00 p.m. in the Newman Chapel.
- Tuesdays — Mother of Perpetual Help at 9:30 a.m. in the Newman Chapel.
- Wednesdays — Litany of Loreto after the 8:15 p.m. Mass, in front of the Mary statue at St. Patrick.
- Thursdays — Morning Prayer at 9:00 a.m.
- Monday–Friday — Daily Rosary at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel (or outside when weather permits).
Spiritual Life & Retreats
The Spiritual Life committee plans retreats, conferences (such as SEEK), Bible studies, and Adoration events throughout the academic year. Students can join small-group Bible studies for fellowship and faith formation, and the center also organizes trips to larger conferences.
- Annual retreats on campus.
- Trips to conferences such as SEEK.
- Small-group Bible studies.
- March for Life pilgrimage.
- Worship and Adoration nights.
Service & Outreach
Service is a core part of life at the Newman Center, with regular service events in Rolla, a signature spring-break service trip, and ongoing partnerships with local ministries such as Simple House. The Outreach committee coordinates these opportunities for students.
- Spring Break Service Trip.
- Regular service events (Simple House, woodcutting / chain-saw service days).
- Outreach committee of the Executive Council.
- Local mission partnerships coordinated through St. Patrick Parish.
Social Life & Community
The Newman Center building is open every day from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for students to study, play games, or simply hang out. Recurring social offerings include the free 'Lonely Monk' Coffee House on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, pancake breakfasts, intramural sports, O-week brunches, and an end-of-year 'Roast-n-Toast' for graduating seniors.
- Lonely Monk Coffee House — free coffee and bagels/donuts, Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9:00–11:00 a.m.
- O-week Sunday brunches at the start of the semester.
- Intramural sports (IM Representative on Executive Council).
- Pancake breakfasts and game nights.
- Roast-n-Toast for graduates.
Location & Visiting the Newman Center
The Newman Center sits just north of the Missouri S&T campus, on the pedestrian walkway between the Electrical Engineering building (Emerson Hall) and Thomas Jefferson Hall — an easy walk from anywhere on campus. It is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and the parish encourages new and returning students alike to stop in.
- Address: 1607 N. Rolla Street, Rolla, MO 65401.
- Mailing: P.O. Box 838, Rolla, MO 65402.
- Phone: (573) 364-2133.
- Email: [email protected].
- On the walkway between Emerson Hall and Thomas Jefferson Hall.
- Open daily 8:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Monsignor Kaiser1953–
Founded the Newman Program at Missouri S&T as a weekly discussion group for Catholic students in 1953.