About Newman Catholic Center · Chico, California
The Newman Catholic Center in Chico, California (also known as St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center) is a college-campus Catholic ministry serving students of California State University, Chico and Butte College. Located just steps from campus at 346 Cherry Street, it is one of three Newman Centers in the Diocese of Sacramento and offers Sunday Mass, the sacraments, Bible studies, prayer groups, social events, and a student-led Newman Council. The Center is named after St. John Henry Newman, the 19th-century theologian recently declared a Doctor of the Church, and exists to help college students encounter Jesus Christ, grow in faith, and build up the Church on campus and beyond.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- St. John Henry Newman (the Center's namesake); also historically known as St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sacramento
Why belong here
The Chico Newman Center exists so that college students can encounter Jesus Christ and grow in faith while earning their degree. Just steps from the Chico State campus, the Center offers a 7 pm Sunday Mass with a free dinner afterward, weekly Bible study, men's and women's groups (Ad Patrem and Gratia Plena), a music ministry, Eucharistic Adoration on First Fridays, Liturgy of the Hours during the week, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation every Sunday. Students lead much of this themselves through the Newman Council, making it an easy place to plug in, find friends, and grow as a disciple.
Mass times at Newman Catholic Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays at 6:00 pm (Sacrament of Reconciliation before Mass)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration every First Friday of the month (see calendar for details)
About the Newman Catholic Center
Named after St. John Henry Newman, the 19th-century theologian whose writings earned him the title 'Doctor of the Church,' Newman Centers are Catholic ministries for college students at a public or non-Catholic university. The Chico Newman Center, just a few steps from the Chico State campus, exists to help students connect with their faith through prayer, access to the sacraments, Bible studies, and social events, and welcomes all students interested in learning more about the Catholic faith. The building offers space to meet as a group, a quiet place to study, or a place to socialize with friends — and on Sunday evenings, great food after Mass.
- Named after St. John Henry Newman
- Serves students of Chico State and Butte College
- Located just steps from campus at 346 Cherry Street
Location and Hours
The Center is at 346 Cherry Street, Chico, CA 95928, a short walk from the California State University, Chico campus. Doors are open Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm, plus as needed for scheduled ministries — see the calendar of events for details.
- Address: 346 Cherry Street, Chico, CA 95928
- Sunday: 1:00–9:00 pm
- Tuesday: 1:00–9:00 pm
- Wednesday: 1:00–9:00 pm
- Thursday: 1:00–9:00 pm
Ministries and Fellowship
Student life at the Newman Center revolves around a weekly rhythm of Bible study, small-group fellowship, music, and shared meals. Groups meet on alternating Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the Music Ministry rehearses Fridays.
- Newman Night — every other Wednesday at 7 pm
- Bible Study — every other Thursday at 7 pm
- Ad Patrem Men's Group — every other Wednesday at 7 pm
- Gratia Plena Ladies Group — every other Wednesday at 7 pm
- Music Ministry — Fridays at 5 pm
- Freshman Foundations — first-year community and support (every other Wednesday at 7 pm)
- Sunday Night Dinners — after Sunday evening Mass
- Club Night — see schedule for events
Newman Council — Student Leadership
The Newman Council is the student leadership team that organizes life at the Center. Composed of current Chico State and Butte College student volunteers, members join with a desire to grow in their life of faith and to be witnesses of the Gospel through service to fellow students. Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to speak with one of the student leaders.
- Neal Fontamillas — President
- Sydney Marich — Vice President & Gratia Plena Prefect
- Riley Glenn — Music Ministry & Gratia Plena
- Roberto Partida — Outreach Coordinator
- Gregory Methvin — Bible Study Coordinator
- Liliana Gutierrez — Freshman / Transfer Foundations
- Michael Ladcani — Ad Patrem Prefect
- Rodrigo Espinoza — Newman Night Prefect
- Gizell Martinez — Gratia Plena Social Media Coordinator
- Ramon Corona — Music Ministry Coordinator
- JuanPablo Perez — Ad Patrem Coordinator
- Maggie Beatty — Sacristan
Staff
The Center is staffed by a Director and a Chaplain appointed through the Diocese of Sacramento.
- Marie Antunes — Director ([email protected])
- Fr. Francisco Hernandez — Chaplain
Diocese and Mission
The Chico Newman Center is one of three Newman Catholic Centers in the Diocese of Sacramento (alongside Davis and Sacramento). The diocesan mission statement reads: 'At the Newman Catholic Center we share and celebrate our faith in the Lord Jesus. Our mission is to welcome, develop, and walk with college students.' The Center organizes this mission around three pillars — Belonging (a Catholic community on campus), Believing (learning and living our Catholic faith), and Becoming (building up the Body of Christ).
- Diocese: Sacramento
- Pillars: Belonging, Believing, Becoming
- Coordinates with diocesan Department of Evangelization and Catechesis
Contact and Visiting
The best way to learn more is to stop by. Visitors are welcome during open hours on Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday, 1:00–9:00 pm.
- Phone: (530) 342-5180
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 346 Cherry Street, Chico, CA 95928
- Website: chico.newmancatholiccenter.org / chiconewman.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/newmanchico/
Local Parishes
For sacraments such as marriage that are typically celebrated in a territorial parish, the Center's website points students to two local parishes: Our Divine Savior Church and St. John the Baptist Church.
- Our Divine Savior Church (parish link on site)
- St. John the Baptist Church (parish link on site)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Francisco Hernandez
Current chaplain of the Chico Newman Catholic Center.
- Paul Mineras of 2017 directory
Listed as Director of the Newman Catholic Center, Chico, in the 2017 Diocese of Sacramento directory.
- Edgar Lujanoas of 2017 directory
Listed as Campus Minister at the Newman Catholic Center, Chico, in the 2017 Diocese of Sacramento directory.