About Newman Center Catholic Community at UC San Diego · San Diego, California
The Newman Center Catholic Community at UC San Diego is the Catholic parish serving the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of UC San Diego (the Tritons), as well as anyone who values its welcoming, diverse, Jesuit-led Catholic community in La Jolla. Sharing worship space with the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church at 4321 Eastgate Mall, just two blocks east of the UCSD campus, the parish gathers people around the Eucharist, retreats, faith formation, music, social justice, and small Christian Life Communities. Since the summer of 2017 it has been staffed by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), continuing a half-century ministry that began with the Paulist Fathers at UCSD's founding in 1966.
- Established
- 1966
- Patron
- St. John Henry Newman
- Rector
- Fr. Christopher Nguyen, SJ (Director)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego
Why belong here
The Newman Center is the Catholic parish at UC San Diego and welcomes everyone — undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and neighbors of the Triton community. It offers Sunday and daily Mass, the sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation, weekly Eucharistic Adoration (including XLT and Taizé prayer), choir, retreats, the OCIA process for those becoming Catholic, small Christian Life Communities, social justice ministry, and the legacy Burke Lectures on Religion and Society. Sharing worship space with Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, it is intentionally ecumenical, Jesuit in spirit, and easy to reach by trolley, bus, bike, or car — a place to belong, believe, and become who God created you to be.
Mass times at Newman Center Catholic Community at UC San Diego
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays 6:00pm – 6:45pm at Newman
- Wednesdays 7:00pm – 9:00pm at Newman during Weeks 1-10 of the Quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring)
- By appointment — contact Fr. Christopher Nguyen, SJ or Fr. Lân Ngô, SJ
Adoration times
- 8:00pm XLT Adoration on Odd Wednesdays, Weeks 1-10 of the Quarter, at Newman
- 8:00pm Taizé Adoration on Even Wednesdays, Weeks 1-10 of the Quarter, at Newman
About the Newman Center Catholic Community at UCSD
The Newman Center is the Catholic parish serving all undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University of California, San Diego — the Tritons — as well as anyone who values and supports its welcoming, diverse, loving, and compassionate Catholic community. Self-styled "Triton Catholics," the community seeks to build the reign of God by sharing the Catholic faith in Jesus Christ. Its tagline is simple: a place to Belong, Believe, and Become Who God Created You to Be.
- Slogan: Belong · Believe · Become Who God Created You to Be
- Mission: experience Christ's presence in Word, Eucharist, and one another; build the reign of God by sharing faith, extending welcome, embracing diversity, and responding with compassion.
History
Founded alongside UCSD in 1966, the parish has been served by three Catholic religious institutes across its history: the Paulist Fathers, the Dominican Friars of the Western Province, and now the Jesuits. Read more in the dedicated History subsection below.
- Paulist Fathers (CSP), 1966–1998
- Dominican Friars of the Western Province (OP), 1998–2017
- Society of Jesus (Jesuits, SJ), 2017–present
Paulist Years (1966–1998)
Invited by the Bishop of San Diego, the Paulist Fathers became the first campus ministers at UCSD and served for thirty-two years. They forged enduring connections to the university, built a strong undergraduate student leadership program, and fostered interfaith dialogue among campus ministers. During their tenure the University Lutheran Church generously housed the ministry, and the Paulists inaugurated the Burke Lectures on Religion and Society, which continue today as an endowed UCSD lecture series.
- Founded alongside UC San Diego in 1966
- Created the undergraduate student leadership program
- Cultivated interfaith dialogue among campus ministers
- Established the Burke Lectures on Religion and Society
Dominican Years (1998–2017)
In fall 1998 the Dominican Friars of the Western Province took over the ministry. As the community grew, the parish relocated to its current home at the Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, two blocks from UCSD's east parking lots. The Dominicans grew Mass attendance and retreats, broadened programming, built a strong financial base, and deepened ecumenical ties through Good Samaritan Church, the Center for Ethics and Spirituality, and the Burke Lectureship. They announced their withdrawal at the end of fall quarter 2016 to strengthen community life within the Western Province.
- Moved ministry to Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
- Expanded Sunday Mass attendance, retreats, and programs
- Strengthened ecumenical relationships with Good Samaritan and the Center for Ethics and Spirituality
- Withdrew at the end of the 2016–17 academic year
Jesuit Era (2017–present)
In the summer of 2017 the Society of Jesus accepted Bishop McElroy's invitation to continue the Newman Center's ministry and spirit. The Jesuits brought a long tradition of working with youth and young adults and a commitment to forming "men and women for others, for the greater glory of God."
Burke Lectureship on Religion and Society
Endowed at UC San Diego and supported by the Newman Center community, the Burke Lectureship honors Fr. Eugene M. Burke, CSP (1911–1984), a Paulist priest, theologian, and interfaith advocate who was closely associated with the UCSD Catholic Community. Since 1985 the lectureship has hosted more than 75 public lectures featuring world-renowned scholars addressing the relationship between religion and society and the religious dimensions of being human. Lectures are free and open to all.
- Named for Fr. Eugene M. Burke, CSP, Paulist priest and former UCSD campus minister
- Established 1985; 75+ lectures hosted
- Endowed at UC San Diego; managed by the UC San Diego Foundation
Staff & Clergy
The parish is led by two Jesuit priests and a lay/deacon-led staff who together run faith formation, music, and administration.
- Fr. Christopher Nguyen, SJ — Director
- Fr. Lân Ngô, SJ — Associate Director
- Dcn. David Vacchi — Administration (Deacon)
- Lupe Rios — Administration
- Clitta Chacko — Faith Formation (OCIA / Confirmation)
- Julie Marner — Director, 12:30pm Choir
- Director, 7:00pm Choir
Ministries, Faith Formation & Student Organizations
Faith formation centers on the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) for those becoming Catholic or seeking Confirmation, plus Tuesday-evening Confirmation preparation. Small Christian Life Communities (CLCs) — including a weekly Resident CLC — form students in Ignatian spirituality and friendship. The parish is also the home of three registered UCSD student organizations: Catholic Community – Newman Center Parish, Catholics for Social Justice, and Christian Life Community at UC San Diego.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults)
- Confirmation preparation
- Christian Life Community (CLC) and Resident CLC
- Catholic Community – Newman Center Parish student org
- Catholics for Social Justice student org
- Christian Life Community at UC San Diego student org
Music & Liturgy
Two parish choirs support the Sunday liturgies — the 12:30pm Choir and the 7:00pm Choir — and special prayer events such as XLT and Taizé Adoration punctuate the quarter.
- 12:30pm Choir (Director: Julie Marner)
- 7:00pm Choir
- XLT Adoration (odd Wednesdays)
- Taizé Adoration (even Wednesdays)
What is a Newman Center?
Newman Centers (called Newman Societies outside the U.S.) began appearing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to help Catholics live out their faith on secular campuses. They are named for St. John Henry Newman, an English convert, Catholic priest, cardinal, and saint who encouraged Catholic students to form supportive societies while pursuing higher education. Today, Newman Centers nationwide provide access to the sacraments close to campus and offer programs for students to connect with other Catholics, grow in faith, and serve through social justice and other ministries.
- Patron: St. John Henry Newman
- Feast day: October 9
- Movement originated in the late 19th / early 20th century
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Paulist Fathers (CSP)1966–1998
First campus ministers; invited by the Bishop of San Diego at UCSD's founding; served 32 years; founded the Burke Lectures and the student leadership program.
- Dominican Friars of the Western Province (OP)1998–2017
Moved the Newman Center to Good Samaritan Episcopal Church; expanded Mass attendance, retreats, programs, and ecumenical collaboration; withdrew at end of academic year 2016–17.
- Society of Jesus / Jesuits (SJ)2017–present
Accepted Bishop McElroy's invitation in summer 2017; continue the ministry today.