About O'Heron Newman Hall · Cortland, New York
O'Heron Newman Hall Catholic Chapel is the Catholic campus ministry serving the students, faculty, and staff of SUNY Cortland in Cortland, New York. Operated as a ministry of the Diocese of Syracuse and supported by the independent, nonprofit Newman Foundation of Cortland, Inc., it has provided Sunday Mass, faith formation, and community life on the Cortland campus since 1967. The chapel sits at 8 Calvert Street — number eight on the SUNY Cortland campus map, a half block down Calvert from the Dowd Fine Arts Center and up the hill from Corey Union. Daily Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, Bible studies, the Newman Catholic Student Club, RCIA, and joint retreats with other SUNY Catholic ministries fill the life of this tight-knit college chapel.
- Established
- 1967
- Patron
- Blessed John Henry Newman (the Newman movement is named for St. John Henry Newman; the chapel also bears the O'Heron name in honor of its founding chaplain, Rev. Edward J. O'Heron)
- Rector
- Rev. Msgr. James P. Lang (assisting priest / presider at Sunday Mass; Diocesan Director of Campus Ministry)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
O'Heron Newman Hall is the home of Catholic life at SUNY Cortland — a small, welcoming campus chapel where every student is known by name. Whether you come for Sunday Mass, weekly Adoration, Bible study, the Newman Club, or simply to hang out and pray the Rosary with friends, you will find a community rooted in the Diocese of Syracuse and eager to share faith, fellowship, and service with the wider Cortland community. It is a place to grow closer to God during your college years, regardless of where you are on your faith journey.
Mass times at O'Heron Newman Hall
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sundays after the 4 p.m. Mass (at O'Heron Newman Hall)
- Saturdays 3:00–3:45 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 59 N. Main Street, Cortland
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is offered during the academic year (specific days published weekly on the campus ministry calendar and Instagram)
About O'Heron Newman Hall Catholic Chapel
O'Heron Newman Hall Catholic Chapel is the Catholic campus ministry of SUNY Cortland, located at 8 Calvert Street in Cortland, New York. It is a ministry of the Diocese of Syracuse, supported by the independent 501(c)(3) Newman Foundation of Cortland, Inc. The chapel has been providing Catholic campus ministry to SUNY Cortland since 1967 and continues to grow in Sunday Mass attendance and student involvement. Its mission, in its own words, is to 'spread the beautiful and loving word of God to the SUNY Cortland community and outwards.'
- Part of the Diocese of Syracuse
- Supported by the Newman Foundation of Cortland, Inc. (501(c)(3))
- Located at 8 Calvert Street, Cortland, NY 13045
- Building #8 on the SUNY Cortland campus map
History and Founding
The Catholic presence on the Cortland campus is rooted in 1961, when the Newman Foundation of Cortland, Inc. was incorporated in New York State on October 22, 1961. Formal Catholic campus ministry followed in 1967, when O'Heron Newman Hall began its work at SUNY Cortland. The chapel is named for its founding chaplain, Rev. Edward J. O'Heron, who led the Newman Center for 38 years until his death in November 1999. Father O'Heron also held a master's degree in English from SUNY Cortland, and a scholarship in his name is awarded each year to a deserving SUNY Cortland English major, supported in part by the Foundation's annual O'Heron Invitational Basketball Tournament.
- Newman Foundation of Cortland, Inc. incorporated October 22, 1961
- Catholic campus ministry at SUNY Cortland since 1967
- Rev. Edward J. O'Heron — founding chaplain for 38 years, until November 1999
- Rev. Edward J. O'Heron Scholarship awarded annually to a SUNY Cortland English major
Clergy and Staff
Day-to-day leadership of the ministry is provided by Tricia Wilder, Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at SUNY Cortland. She oversees Sunday liturgy, the Newman Club, retreats, RCIA, and the student confirmation retreat team. Sunday Mass is currently presided over by Rev. Msgr. James P. Lang, who serves as the Diocesan Director of Campus Ministry and Episcopal Vicar for Parishes in the Diocese of Syracuse, and as assisting priest at O'Heron Newman Hall.
- Tricia Wilder — Director of Catholic Campus Ministry ([email protected])
- Rev. Msgr. James P. Lang — Assisting priest; Diocesan Director of Campus Ministry, Diocese of Syracuse
Newman Catholic Student Club
The Newman Catholic Student Club is the heart of student life at O'Heron Newman Hall. The club gathers after Sunday Mass about twice a month for fellowship, prayer, and fun. Regular activities include movie nights, praying the Rosary together, game nights, group dinners, retreats with other SUNY Catholic ministries once each semester, and trips and outings. Follow the chapel on Instagram (@newmanhallcortland) for the latest schedule of events.
- Meets after Sunday Mass approximately twice a month
- Movie nights, game nights, group dinners
- Rosary prayed together
- Once-per-semester retreat with other SUNY Catholic ministries
- Instagram: @newmanhallcortland
Faith Formation and Sacraments
The chapel supports students at every stage of Catholic life, from inquiry to full sacramental participation. The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) program welcomes students who wish to enter the Catholic Church or be received into full communion. A student-led confirmation retreat team partners with local parishes to lead retreats for high school freshmen and sophomores. Catholics of all ages are encouraged to serve in the liturgy as music ministers, lectors, ushers, or Eucharistic ministers, and confession is regularly available both on campus and at St. Mary's Church downtown.
- RCIA — for students entering the Catholic Church
- Student confirmation retreat team — leading high school retreats at local parishes
- Liturgical ministries: music ministers, lectors, ushers, Eucharistic ministers
Fellowship and Outreach
O'Heron Newman Hall places a strong emphasis on community service and Catholic fellowship both on and off the Cortland campus. Students regularly complete service projects with the local YWCA, collaborate with other college Catholic ministries on retreats and activities, and participate in Theology on Tap evenings — gatherings of young adults for food, faith, and conversation. Power Hours bring students together for scripture reading alongside fun trips and casual fellowship. These programs are designed to make the chapel a place where faith meets real life during the college years.
- Community service with the local YWCA
- Collaboration with other college Catholic ministries
- Theology on Tap — young-adult faith, food, and conversation
- Power Hours — scripture reading, fellowship, and outings
Alumni and Parents
The Newman Hall community considers its former students family. Alumni, parents, and friends of the Catholic community are invited to stay connected and remain part of campus ministry life even after their years at SUNY Cortland. The chapel's director, Tricia Wilder, maintains an email list for alumni and parents; the chapel is also active on Instagram (@newmanhallcortland) and Facebook (@cortlandoheronnewmanhall).
- Email [email protected] to be added to the alumni/parents email list
- Instagram: @newmanhallcortland
- Facebook: @cortlandoheronnewmanhall
Support O'Heron Newman Hall
Ministry at O'Heron Newman Catholic Chapel is partially funded by the Hope Appeal of the Diocese of Syracuse, but the chapel relies on additional support to heat and maintain the building, purchase supplies, and send students on retreats with other colleges. Students run fundraisers throughout the school year, and the Foundation welcomes tax-deductible donations. Supporters can also contribute through Amazon Smile by selecting the Newman Foundation of Cortland, Inc. as their charity.
- Newman Foundation of Cortland, Inc. — 501(c)(3); donations tax-deductible
- Donations: Newman Foundation of Cortland, Inc., 8 Calvert St., Cortland, NY 13045
- Amazon Smile — choose Newman Foundation of Cortland, Inc. as your charity
- Annual O'Heron Invitational Basketball Tournament benefits the Rev. Edward J. O'Heron Scholarship
Visit and Contact
O'Heron Newman Hall is open to SUNY Cortland students, faculty, and staff, as well as Cortland-area residents who wish to join in worship. It is located up the hill from Corey Union, one half block down Calvert Street from the Dowd Fine Arts Center, and is listed as building number eight on the SUNY Cortland campus map. Appointments with the director can be made by emailing [email protected]; the chapel phone is (607) 753-6737.
- Address: 8 Calvert Street, Cortland, NY 13045
- Phone: (607) 753-6737
- Email: [email protected]
- Up the hill from Corey Union; half block from Dowd Fine Arts Center
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Edward J. O'Heronc. 1961–November 1999 (38 years)
Founder and chaplain of the SUNY Cortland Newman Center for 38 years until his death in November 1999. Held a master's degree in English from SUNY Cortland. The chapel and the Rev. Edward J. O'Heron Scholarship are named in his honor.