Newman Catholic Student Center

About the Newman Catholic Student Center

The Newman Catholic Student Center is a Roman Catholic ministry at The University of Iowa in Iowa City, dedicated to promoting development within a faith community and preparing students to be disciples for the Church and for the world. The Center's staff, Fellows, board of directors, FOCUS missionaries, and volunteers serve the students, faculty, and staff of the University, each bringing unique gifts, experiences, and a willingness to share their faith. Mission statement: 'As a Newman Catholic Student Center we provide Roman Catholic ministry to those associated with The University of Iowa to promote their development within a faith community and to prepare them as disciples for the Church and for the world.'

History

Catholic student life at Iowa began in 1901 when Msgr. AJ Schulte called the first Catholic Newman Society of three students to order in Iowa City. The Newman Club was formally named in 1906, in honor of Cardinal John Henry Newman, after meeting in Old St. Patrick's school auditorium and holding Masses at Harmon Mortuary and St. Mary's Church. The Diocese of Davenport purchased a fraternity house on the west side of the Iowa River in 1943, opening it as the Catholic Student Center on February 21, 1944; Bishop Henry P. Rohlman dedicated its chapel to St. Thomas More on May 7, 1944, with Rev. Leonard Brugman as first pastor.

• 1901 — First Newman Society in Iowa City (3 students)
• 1906 — Newman Club formally named
• 1943 — Diocese of Davenport buys fraternity house
• 1944 — Catholic Student Center opens (Feb 21); chapel dedicated to St. Thomas More (May 7); Rev. Leonard Brugman first pastor
• 1947-1967 — Quonset hut used as chapel
• 1967 — Move to current corner of Clinton & Jefferson Streets
• 1970 — Becomes independent entity
• 1987 — Excavation begins for new building
• 1989 — Current facility dedicated by Bishop Gerald O'Keefe (Jan 15)
• 1994 — New baptistry installed
• 2019 — St. John Henry Newman canonized (Oct 13)

Staff & Clergy

Fr. Jeff Belger has served as Priest Director since 2017. He discerned the priesthood while a student at Notre Dame High School in Burlington, worked professionally as a YMCA Program Director in St. Louis, Fort Wayne, Atlanta, and Nashville, and earned MA and MDiv degrees from St. Meinrad School of Theology. He previously served at Prince of Peace Parish in Clinton (2003-2005), the Newman Center and St. Mary of the Visitation in Iowa City (2005-2010 and 2015-2017), and St. Mary Parishes in Pella and Oskaloosa (2010-2015). Deacon Joe Welter is a deacon of the Diocese of Davenport assigned to the Newman Center, St. Mary of the Visitation, and the Diocesan Office of Social Action. Retired priests Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick, Fr. Ken Kuntz, Fr. Timothy J. Regan, and Fr. Louis Hammond also serve at the Center.

• Fr. Jeff Belger — Priest Director (2017-present)
• Christine Wissink — Director of Outreach & Faith Formation (since 2016; CCMA Fr. Robert Beloin Award 2023)
• Anna Kelly — Director of Liturgical Music (2023; previously Liturgical Music Fellow)
• Ann Thomas — Outreach and Administrative Associate
• Grace Ahlers — Faith Formation Associate (since July 2025)
• Kristie Wert — Director of Operations (formerly Director of Development)
• Madelyn Hellwig — Development Associate (since July 2025)
• Mary Rae Meyer — Development Assistant
• Mike Leuck — Greeter
• Deacon Joe Welter — Deacon

Music Ministry

Music Ministry at the Newman Center offers ways for students to use their talents to enhance the liturgies and help the assembly participate fully, consciously, and actively. Options include the Newman Singers (a select vocal group) and Weekend Mass Groups. Anna Kelly leads the ministry as Director of Liturgical Music, having previously served as the Liturgical Music Fellow for two and a half years and as a member of the Newman Singers.

FOCUS Missionaries

Each year the Center partners with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries who lead Bible studies, mission trips, campus outreach, and intentional discipleship. The collaboration between Newman staff, FOCUS missionaries, and student leaders helps form and send students out as intentional missionary disciples on campus and increases participation in ministry activities. Spring mission trips have recently included service in Ecuador.

Bible Studies, Fellowships & Lead Teams

Student-led Bible studies meet weekly throughout the semester to foster prayer, Scripture awareness, and community. Gospel Studies (Monday and Tuesday evenings in the Fireside Lounge) pray with and discuss the upcoming Sunday scripture readings; FOCUS Bible Studies include a Men's study on Wednesdays in O'Keefe Chapel and a Women's study on Thursdays in the Fireside Lounge. Eight Ministry Development Fellowships and Lead Teams offer students hands-on leadership and ministry experience.

Graduate Students & Young Professionals

The Graduate Student and Young Professional Group meets weekly on Wednesday evenings from 8:15-9:15pm in the Fireside Lounge during the academic year, and hosts a Sunday-evening Book Club in O'Keefe Chapel. The group also organizes Holy Hour / Happy Hour events — typically gathering for the 5:15pm daily Mass before walking to a local restaurant for supper.

Service, Social Justice & Advocacy

Service and outreach are central to the Center's mission. Ann Thomas supports the ministries of Service and Social Justice, the Graduate Student and Young Professional Group, and the Catholic Relief Services University of Iowa Chapter. The Center sponsors spring-break mission trips (recently to Ecuador), the Encounter Fall Retreat at Camp Wapsie, and a student welcome retreat each fall. Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick's 2015 retirement established the Fitzpatrick Endowment Fund, which makes $500 gifts to the parish or non-profit of alumni whose lives carry on the Center's mission of discipleship.

Sacraments

The Newman Center offers preparation for and celebration of the sacraments. Adult Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Eucharist) is coordinated through OCIA/RCIA. Couples preparing for marriage work with Deacon Joe and Katie Welter, the Center's Marriage Coordinators. Reconciliation is offered multiple times weekly, and baptisms can be arranged by contacting the office.