About Newman Community · Blacksburg, Virginia
The Newman Community (also known as Catholic Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech, or 'Catholic Hokies') is the Catholic campus ministry serving students, faculty, and staff at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. Founded in 1924 as a Newman Club, it has grown into one of the largest Catholic campus ministries at a public university on the East Coast, drawing roughly 700 students to Sunday Masses at War Memorial Chapel and around 350 into FOCUS Bible studies. Its mission is to 'support, challenge, and inspire students, faculty, and staff to grow in faith and live out their call to be true disciples of Christ on campus and in their daily lives,' built on the pillars of Faith, Community, and Service. The ministry is part of the Diocese of Richmond and is currently led by Fr. Tom Yehl, Y.A., a priest of the Youth Apostles.
- Established
- 1924
- Patron
- St. John Henry Newman
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas (Tom) Yehl, Y.A.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Richmond
Why belong here
The Newman Community offers a complete sacramental life — three Sunday Masses at the historic War Memorial Chapel, daily Mass, daily confession, and daily Eucharistic adoration at the Newman House — alongside a robust calendar of Bible studies (about 350 students in FOCUS groups), fellowship through Sunday Suppers and the Newman Coffee Shop, and a defining service pillar in the Newman Outreach Project (sending ~100 students on service immersion trips each year). With a youth-filled Servant Leader team, three different music ensembles for different Masses, a year-long OCIA process, retreats (including a record 165 sign-ups for Fall Retreat), and the friendly welcome of Fr. Tom Yehl and a dozen FOCUS missionaries, it is built to be a 'home away from home' for Catholic Hokies — and a real campus family for anyone looking to grow in faith during their college years.
Mass times at Newman Community
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: before each Mass (before 10 AM, 12 PM, and 8 PM Masses) in War Memorial Chapel
- Tuesday: 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM at the Newman House
- Thursday: 8:00 PM – 8:50 PM at the Newman House
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Catholic Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech — Overview
The Newman Community at Virginia Tech (sometimes styled Catholic Campus Ministry at VT, or 'Catholic Hokies') is the official Catholic campus ministry for Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. Its mission is to 'support, challenge, and inspire students, faculty, and staff to grow in faith and live out their call to be true disciples of Christ on campus and in their daily lives,' preparing 'Catholic leaders for service to the Church and world through the pillars of faith, community, and service.' The community is built around three Sunday Masses at War Memorial Chapel, daily Mass, daily Confession, and daily Adoration at the Newman House on Otey Street.
- Located at 203 Otey Street, Blacksburg, VA 24060
- Diocese of Richmond
- Phone: (540) 951-0032
- Website: vtcatholic.com / catholichokie.org
- Email: [email protected]
History and 100th Anniversary
Founded in 1924 by Mess Steward John Joseph 'Pop' Owens (Class of 1879), the Newman Club began with 11 members and grew to 38 by 1927. Through more than a century of changes — the move from the Diocese of Wheeling to the Diocese of Richmond in 1974, the establishment of the Newman House in 1963, the move of Sunday Masses into War Memorial Chapel in 1966, and a major renovation of the house in 2002 — the community has grown into one of the largest Catholic campus ministries at a public university on the East Coast. In 2024 it marked its 100th anniversary, with Bishop Barry Knestout concelebrating Mass alongside former chaplain Father Richard Mooney and current chaplain Father Tom Yehl.
- 1924 — Newman Club founded by 'Pop' Owens
- 1932 — Associated with the Federation of Catholic Clubs
- 1963 — Father Paul Gallagher establishes the Newman House (home donated by Ella Russell)
- 1966 — First Sunday Mass at War Memorial Chapel
- 1969 — Rev. George Whilcox becomes first full-time priest assigned to Newman
- 1974 — Moved to the Diocese of Richmond; first Sunday Supper held
- 1983 — Newman Board founded under Rev. Richard Mooney
- 2002 — $1.2 million renovation/expansion of the Newman House
- 2013 — First Youth Apostle chaplain (Rev. David Sharland); FOCUS missionaries introduced
- 2023 — Rev. Thomas Yehl, Y.A., appointed chaplain
- 2024 — 100th anniversary celebrated
Clergy and Staff
The ministry is currently led by Fr. Tom Yehl, Y.A., a priest of the Youth Apostles, who was appointed chaplain in 2023. He is supported by an Associate Director (Lindsey McAllister), a Campus Minister (Chris Hitzelberger, a lay minister since 2013), a Finance Manager, and a robust student Servant Leader team. The community also hosts multiple FOCUS missionaries who lead Bible studies and outreach on campus.
- Rev. Thomas (Tom) Yehl, Y.A. — Chaplain (appointed 2023)
- Lindsey McAllister — Associate Director
- Chris Hitzelberger — Campus Minister
- Amy Rusnak — Finance Manager
- FOCUS Missionaries (multiple, including Makayla Puzio, Lourdes Navarro, Madelyn Bauer, Andrew DeCelle, James Lutz, Nick Pluemer, Ben Rubinich)
- Student Servant Leader Team (Christian Formation, Music, Liturgy, Service & Justice, Communications, Community ministers)
Music and Liturgy
Three different choirs serve the three Sunday Masses, all rehearsing in the Great Room of the Newman House. The Traditional Choir (10 AM) uses organ and four-part harmony with traditional hymns such as 'Lift High the Cross,' 'Be Thou My Vision,' and 'Faith of Our Fathers'; English Mass parts are used in Ordinary Time, Christmas, and Easter, with a Latin setting during Advent and Lent. The Contemporary Choir (12 PM) features singers and instruments of all varieties and experience levels, mixing hymns and modern songs. The Praise and Worship Choir (8 PM) plays and sings modern worship with piano, acoustic and electric guitar, bass, and cajon. All three ensembles come together monthly for Praise and Worship Nights — an hour of Adoration with a mix of Latin, hymn, and modern praise music.
- Traditional Choir (10 AM Mass) — Coordinator: Evan Burns; rehearsals Wednesdays 6:30–8:00 PM
- Contemporary Choir (12 PM Mass) — rehearsals Wednesdays 8:00–9:00 PM
- Praise and Worship Choir (8 PM Mass) — Coordinator: Amy Hogan; rehearsals Tuesdays 6:30–7:30 PM
- Music Minister: Michael Albrigo
- Praise and Worship Nights (monthly)
Faith Formation and OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) is the year-long process through which students learn about Catholic faith and life. It is open to non-Catholic students exploring Catholicism as well as Catholics preparing to receive Baptism, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Participants journey with sponsors and members of the Newman Community, are instructed in Catholic teaching, share faith together, and — if completing the full year — are fully initiated at the Easter Vigil alongside the entire Newman Community.
- OCIA runs year-long
- Sacramental initiation celebrated with the wider Newman Community
- Contact: Lindsey (Associate Director)
Bible Studies and Small Groups
In partnership with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), the Newman Community hosts roughly 350 students in FOCUS Bible studies and small groups throughout the year. These groups meet weekly and are the primary on-ramp for students seeking fellowship, formation, and friendship in a smaller setting.
- FOCUS Bible Studies (~350 students participating)
- Small Group Bible Studies
- Weekly meetings in homes and at the Newman House
- Formation Nights
Service and the Newman Outreach Program (NOP)
Service is one of the three pillars of the ministry. The flagship program is the Newman Outreach Program (NOP), founded during Rev. John Grace's chaplaincy. Each year about 100 Hokies participate in service immersion trips during Spring Break (and historically winter break), with past trips to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Kentucky, Mississippi, Michigan, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. The NOP approach emphasizes accompaniment — building relationships with the communities served — over charity projects. Students prepare for months beforehand in weekly meetings that explore Catholic Social Teaching, study the host community, and fundraise with the support of friends, family, and fellow Hokies.
- Spring Break immersion trips (applications open in the fall)
- Weekly preparation meetings on Catholic Social Teaching and the host community
- Student-led fundraising
- Community participation in Virginia Tech's Big Event and Relay for Life
Community Life and Events
Beyond liturgy and study, the Newman Community runs a busy calendar of fellowship events. Sunday Suppers — held since 1974 — are a longtime staple, alongside weekly events like Bible studies, formation nights, and the Newman Coffee Shop. The annual Fall Retreat drew a record 165 sign-ups during the centennial year. Students regularly hang out at the Newman House to catch up with friends, play volleyball, and meet with staff. Parents of students are kept in the loop through a Parent's Circle monthly giving program and a weekly parent bulletin.
- Sunday Suppers (since 1974)
- Newman Coffee Shop
- Fall Retreat (record 165 sign-ups)
- Formation Nights and Bible Studies
- Praise and Worship Nights
- Parent's Circle and weekly parent bulletin
Facilities — Newman House and War Memorial Chapel
The Newman House at 203 Otey Street is the community's home and houses the chapel (where daily Mass is celebrated), the Great Room (used for choir rehearsals, dinners, and social events), the kitchen, staff offices, and gathering space for students. The house was originally donated by Ella Russell in 1963 and was substantially expanded and renovated in 2002 with $1.2 million in fundraising — adding office space, a larger kitchen, a renovated chapel, and the Great Room. Sunday Masses are celebrated at the historic War Memorial Chapel on the Virginia Tech campus, where Mass has been celebrated since 1966.
- Newman House — 203 Otey Street (home of daily Mass, Adoration, Confession, choir rehearsals, and fellowship)
- War Memorial Chapel — site of all Sunday Masses since 1966
- Renovation/expansion completed in 2002
Getting Involved
The community offers many entry points for students seeking to plug in: attending a Sunday Mass, joining a FOCUS Bible study or small group, signing up for a Sunday Supper, volunteering with the NOP service trips, or auditioning for one of the three choirs. The Servant Leader Team — the student leadership board — runs much of the ministry's programming and welcomes new students each year. Parents and alumni can support the work through the Parent's Circle and other giving programs.
- Sunday Mass (10 AM, 12 PM, 8 PM at War Memorial Chapel)
- FOCUS Bible Studies and Small Groups
- Newman Outreach Program (service immersion)
- Traditional, Contemporary, or Praise & Worship Choir
- Servant Leader Team application
- Parent's Circle (parent giving program)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- John Joseph 'Pop' Owens (Class of 1879)1924
Founder of the Newman Club at Virginia Tech.
- Rev. Conrad MarramaWWII era
First campus minister, during the period the university served as a temporary military base.
- Rev. Paul Gallagher1963
Established the Newman House on Otey Street thanks to a home donated by Ms. Ella Russell.
- Monsignor Sadie1966
Celebrated the first Mass at War Memorial Chapel.
- Rev. George Whilcox1969
First priest assigned directly to Newman full-time.
- Rev. Richard Mooney1980s (and a later return)
VT alum; led the founding of the Newman Board in 1983; two separate chaplaincy assignments.
- Rev. Jim Cowleslate 1990s
Began plans to expand the Newman House.
- Rev. Jim Griffinlate 1990s–early 2000s
Succeeded Cowles; oversaw $1.2 million fundraising for the 2002 renovation/expansion.
- Rev. John Grace2000s
Created the Newman Outreach Project (NOP) service immersion trips.
- Rev. David Sharland, Y.A.2013–2023
First Youth Apostle chaplain; introduced FOCUS missionaries; renewed focus on liturgy and sacraments.
- Rev. Thomas Yehl, Y.A.2023–present
Current chaplain; concelebrated 100th anniversary Mass with Bishop Knestout and Fr. Mooney in 2024.