About SD State University, Pope Pius XII Newman Center · Brookings, South Dakota
Pius XII Newman Center is the Catholic mission to South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, and a parish of the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Founded in 1960 under Bishop Lambert A. Hoch and directed by its first chaplain, Father (now Monsignor) Richard J. Mahowald, the Center serves as a 24-hour refuge, Catholic cultural home, and formation house for the SDSU campus community. Its mission statement describes it as 'an embassy of the Catholic faith to the campus of South Dakota State University, providing refuge, culture, and formation for college students, faculty, and staff.' The building sits at the corner of 14th Avenue and 8th Street, across from Ben Reifel Hall, and the chapel — Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel — is open around the clock for prayer.
- Established
- 1960
- Patron
- Venerable Pope Pius XII
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Thomas Fitzpatrick
- Diocese
- Diocese of Sioux Falls
Why belong here
Pius XII Newman Center is built around a three-fold mission of refuge, culture, and formation for the SDSU campus community. Students, faculty, and staff find a 24/7 chapel for prayer, daily Mass, daily adoration, frequent confession, communal Liturgy of the Hours, FOCUS Bible studies, Newman Ambassadors leadership training, Knights of Columbus involvement, pro-life advocacy, marriage preparation, music ministry, and spring-break mission trips. As an official mission of the Diocese of Sioux Falls, it pairs the freedom of a college student center with the full sacramental and devotional life of a parish — a rare combination that draws students deeper into friendship with Christ and equips them for a lifetime of Catholic missionary discipleship.
Mass times at SD State University, Pope Pius XII Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Thursday: 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Noon)
Adoration times
- Daily adoration (per About page; specific hours in the weekly bulletin/calendar)
About & Mission
Pius XII Newman Center describes itself as 'an embassy of the Catholic faith to the campus of South Dakota State University, providing refuge, culture, and formation for college students, faculty, and staff.' Its three-fold emphasis — refuge, culture, and formation — frames everything from its 24/7 open chapel to its daily Mass schedule, adoration, Liturgy of the Hours, FOCUS Bible studies, and spiritual direction. Founded in 1960 under Bishop Lambert A. Hoch, the Center was entrusted to its first chaplain, Father (now Monsignor) Richard J. Mahowald, who gave the building its name and a corresponding chapel name, Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel.
- Founded 1960 under Bishop Lambert A. Hoch
- Founded by Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Mahowald (1959–1965)
- Mission: refuge, culture, formation for SDSU students, faculty, and staff
- Chapel: Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel, open 24/7
History & Namesake
A letter on the About page written by Msgr. Mahowald explains the choice of name. In 1959, Bishop Hoch appointed him as the first resident, full-time Chaplain to the Catholic students at what was then South Dakota State College, and gave him the privilege of naming the facility. He chose 'Pius XII Student Center' in honor of the reigning Pope Pius XII, calling the work a pioneer in 'the Newman Apostolate.' His prayer was that the building would be 'a special place where faith, and reason illuminated by faith, would provide students with a genuine Catholic imagination.' Pope Pius XII, who died in 1958, was declared Venerable in 2009. The building also preserves a signature of St. John Henry Newman, tying it to the broader Catholic campus ministry tradition that bears his name.
- Building named by its founder after Pope Pius XII in 1959/1960
- Pope Pius XII declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI, December 19, 2009
- Chapel named Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel
- Center holds a signature of St. John Henry Newman
Our Staff
The Center's staff combines priests, an office manager, a Student Life Coordinator, an Alumni Director, two co-Music Directors, a Knights of Columbus officer/web coordinator, and student maintenance residents. Priestly leadership is shared with the All Saints Pastorate (which also includes St. Thomas More Parish in Brookings).
- Fr. Thomas Fitzpatrick — Pastor (All Saints Pastorate)
- Fr. David Stevens — Parochial Vicar
- Fr. Patrick Grode — Parochial Vicar / Priest Director, Newman Center
- Deacon Bradley Wiemann
- Michele Sage — Secretary & Office Manager
- Julie Lambert — Alumni Director
- Beth Nagel — Student Life Coordinator
- Matthew Halberg — Co-Music Director
- Zachary Liebl — Co-Music Director
- Carter Carruthers — Website Coordinator, Knights of Columbus Officer
- Luke Tunge — Maintenance Resident
- Mason Krause — Maintenance Resident
Ministry & Student Involvement
The Ministry & Student Involvement page organizes parish life into three invitations: 'Receive the Sacraments,' 'Help Spread the Faith,' and 'Spend Time with God.' Students are drawn into liturgy, Bible studies, music, mission trips, the Knights of Columbus, pro-life advocacy, daily prayer, adoration, and the Liturgy of the Hours. FOCUS missionaries partner with the priest directors to run Bible studies, retreats, conferences, and outreach.
- Receive the Sacraments (Mass, confession, marriage prep, music ministry)
- Help Spread the Faith (Knights of Columbus, pro-life advocacy, mission trips, Newman Ambassadors, FOCUS)
- Spend Time with God (daily prayer, adoration, Liturgy of the Hours, 24/7 open chapel)
FOCUS — Fellowship of Catholic University Students
FOCUS missionaries are resident at Pius XII Newman Center at the Bishop of Sioux Falls' invitation, to enact the diocesan vision of 'Lifelong Catholic Missionary Discipleship through God's Love.' Through Bible studies, prayer, the sacraments, service opportunities, mission trips, and national conferences, missionaries walk with students and draw them into 'the depth of truth, goodness, and beauty of the Catholic faith.' They partner with chaplains to meet students in the dorms, on the field, at the student union, and across campus, helping them become leaders in evangelization.
- Bible studies (sign up via the website)
- Retreats and conferences
- Mission trips
- One-on-one discipleship and evangelization
Refuge — A 24/7 Campus Home
The Center describes itself as 'a safe place for Catholic students at SDSU' and a refuge from 'the hectic demands of college life.' The chapel is open 24 hours a day, and the building itself is open around the clock for studying, relaxing, and praying. Priest directors, FOCUS missionaries, and student leaders are available for counseling, direction, and discipleship.
- Building open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Chapel (Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel) open 24/7
- Counseling and spiritual direction available on site
Culture & Formation
The Center forms students to see the world through 'a Catholic lens: faithful to Sacraments, Scripture, and the Pope.' Daily adoration, communal Liturgy of the Hours, daily Mass, frequent confession, FOCUS Bible studies, and various educational opportunities are the everyday means by which students develop 'a Catholic vision of life.' A second emphasis is the formation of future leaders for the Church — including outreach to the sick, widowed, fallen-away, and young parishioners — and a particular commitment to helping men and women discern vocations to priesthood, religious life, or holy marriage.
- Daily adoration
- Communal Liturgy of the Hours
- Daily Mass and frequent confession
- FOCUS Bible studies
- Vocation discernment (priesthood, religious life, holy marriage)
Events, Media & Staying Connected
The Center's Events & Media page links to its Instagram, GroupMe, Google Calendar, Facebook, YouTube channel, and Photostream so students can stay updated on retreats, social events, and service opportunities. The latest bulletin and calendar are also available on the website.
- GroupMe
- Google Calendar
- YouTube channel
- Photostream
Contact, Address & Giving
Mailing address is Pius XII Newman Center, PO Box 730, Brookings, SD 57006-0730; the physical building is at 1321 8th Street, Brookings, SD 57006. The office can be reached at (605) 692-9461 (fax 605-692-9462) or by email at [email protected]. Donations are accepted via online giving and Venmo (@PopePiusXII).
- Phone: (605) 692-9461
- Fax: (605) 692-9462
- Email: [email protected]
- Venmo: @PopePiusXII
- Website: https://www.piusxiinewman.com/
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Msgr. Richard J. Mahowald, P.A., S.T.D.1959–1965
First resident, full-time Chaplain to the Catholic students at South Dakota State College; named the building Pius XII Student Center and Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel; honored on the About page as 'Our Founder & Director from 1959–1965.'