About San Jose State University Newman Center · San Jose, California
The San Jose State University Newman Center (SJSU Newman Center) is the Catholic campus ministry serving students, alumni, and faculty at San Jose State University in San Jose, California. Founded in 2011 and operated under the auspices of the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph within the Diocese of San Jose, the center offers daily and Sunday Mass, Eucharistic adoration, confession, Bible studies, retreats, and weekly student dinners from its chapel at 300 S. 10th Street, on the corner of 10th and East San Carlos. Since 2023, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) has worked alongside the chaplaincy, helping Bible study participation more than double and drawing 50–70 students to Sunday Mass and dinner.
- Established
- 2011
- Rector
- Fr. Ernesto Orci (Pastor / Chaplain of SJSU Newman Center)
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Jose in California (operated under the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph)
Why belong here
The Newman Center exists to be an open, welcoming home for Catholics and non-Catholics alike on SJSU's commuter campus. Students can drop in Sunday through Thursday during the academic year for daily Mass, weekday adoration, men's and women's Bible studies, a monthly Revival, and the Sunday Mass followed by a free student dinner. With FOCUS missionaries on site since 2023, the ministry has rapidly grown — Bible studies and Sunday Mass together now regularly draw 50–70 students — making it a vibrant place to build friendships, grow in faith, and encounter Christ in the Eucharist.
Mass times at San Jose State University Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm (also listed as 6:00 pm – 6:15 pm)
Adoration times
- Monday 9:00 am – 10:00 am
- Tuesday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Thursday 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Sunday 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm
About the Newman Center
The SJSU Newman Center is the Catholic campus ministry serving San Jose State University. Founded in 2011 and operated under the Diocese of San Jose via the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, it functions as a student-run Catholic Student Association supported by chaplain priests and a FOCUS missionary team. The Center exists to be an open, welcoming home for Catholics and non-Catholics on SJSU's commuter campus.
- Student-run Catholic Student Association
- Operated under the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, Diocese of San Jose
- Founded 2011
- Chaplaincy shared among Cathedral priests
History and Growth
After founding in 2011, the ministry spent its first decade building a Catholic presence on a predominantly commuter campus. The arrival of FOCUS missionaries in 2023 marked a turning point: weekly Bible studies grew from about 20–25 participants in spring 2023 to 40–45, and Sunday Mass with dinner began to fill the chapel with 50–70 students. Reporting from the SJSU Spartan Daily documents the Center's early community life, including events like 'Lock-Ins' and retreats that draw students into deeper friendship and faith.
- Founded 2011 — affiliated with the Diocese of San Jose Catholic Schools
- FOCUS missionaries arrived 2023
- Bible study attendance roughly doubled after FOCUS began
- Sunday Mass and dinner now attracts 50–70 students
- Sponsored student delegation to the FOCUS national SEEK Conference
Chapel Schedule
The chapel is open Sunday through Thursday during the academic year and follows the schedule below. Mass is celebrated daily Monday–Friday, with adoration and confession offered in addition to Sunday worship.
- Daily Mass — Monday through Thursday at 5:15 pm
- Friday Mass — 9:00 am
- Sunday — Adoration 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm; Confession 5:45 pm – 6:15 pm; Mass 6:30 pm; Student Dinner after Mass (~7:30 pm)
- Chapel open Sunday through Friday during the academic school year
Sacramental Preparation
Adults (18 and older) seeking Baptism, Confirmation, or First Holy Communion are referred to the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, the mother church of the Diocese of San Jose that oversees the campus ministry.
- Refer to St. Joseph's Cathedral Parish Office — (408) 283-8100
Clergy and Staff
Pastoral care is provided by priests assigned from the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph, working alongside a student Leadership Council and a team of FOCUS missionaries for the 2025–2026 academic year.
- Fr. Ernesto Orci — Pastor (chaplain of the Newman Center)
- Fr. W. Eric Piczon — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Miguel Lombardi — Parochial Vicar
- Mary Gandeza — diocesan contact ([email protected])
Student Leadership Council (2025–2026)
The student Leadership Council directs the ministry, organizes events, and represents the community to the wider campus.
- Riley Adao — President (Senior)
- Lily Cabello — Vice President (Senior)
- Aliyah Manansala — Treasurer (Senior)
- Denis Flores — Secretary (Senior)
- Brisea Solis — Public Relations (Junior)
- Kairy Villalobos — Event Coordinator (Sophomore)
- Izzy Baysa — Event Coordinator (Sophomore)
- Josh Milstead — Liturgist (Senior)
FOCUS Missionaries (2025–2026)
Since 2023, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) has placed missionaries at SJSU to lead Bible studies, plan outreach, and walk alongside students in their faith journey.
- Valerie Abrego — Team Director
- Nolan Meyer — FOCUS Missionary
- Kayla Ann Stephens — FOCUS Missionary
- JP Jansen — FOCUS Missionary
Weekly Events, Talks, and Socials
The Newman Center offers a full weekly rhythm of formation, prayer, and community. Talks and events typically take place Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, with weekend socials rounding out each week.
- Student Dinner — every Sunday after the 6:30 pm Mass
- Talks & Events — Tuesday or Wednesday at 6:30 pm
- Men's & Women's Bible Studies — throughout the week
- Revival — monthly (Eucharist, talk and Mass)
- Rosary — Tuesday at 6:30 pm
- Catholic Talks — Tuesday at 7:00 pm
- Weekend Socials & Parties — Thursday, Friday, or Saturday
Retreats and Conferences
Retreats are a hallmark of the ministry, giving students a chance to step away from campus life for deeper prayer, catechesis, and fraternity.
- Spring Semester Retreat — a weekend away with friends and Jesus
- Overnight Lenten Retreat — 20–25 students in recent years
- Daytime Retreat
- Annual Lock-In — overnight gathering at the Center
- National FOCUS SEEK Conference — student delegation attends each year
Location and Contact
The Newman Center sits at the corner of East San Carlos Street and 10th Street, just on the edge of the SJSU campus in downtown San Jose. The building is older and is currently undergoing plans for renovation after recent water damage.
- Address: 300 S. 10th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
- Cathedral Parish Office (for sacramental prep): (408) 283-8100
- Contact email: [email protected]
- Open Sunday through Thursday during the academic school year
- Under renovation planning to be a 'home away from home' for students
Connect
Students can keep up with events and reach the Center through its online channels, run under the handle @spartancatholic.
- Instagram — @spartancatholic
- Discord — @sjsunewmancenter
- Email — [email protected]
- Listed on Newman Connection (Newman Ministry)