About St. Andrew Newman Center · Riverside, California
St. Andrew Newman Center (SANC) is a Roman Catholic Personal Parish in Riverside, California, dedicated to serving the students, faculty, and staff of the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and Riverside City College (RCC). Founded shortly after UCR opened in 1954, it has served as the campus ministry hub for Catholic students on the UCR campus for decades. The parish blends campus ministry with parish life, fostering a dynamic, multi-generational community of faith and service. Since 2017 it has been staffed directly by the Diocese of San Bernardino after 45 years under the Benedictines, Franciscans, and Dominicans. All are welcome to its daily and Sunday Masses, with services held both indoors in the chapel and outdoors on the patio, plus live-streamed via YouTube.
- Established
- 1960
- Patron
- St. Andrew (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Fr. Cyriacus Ogu (Administrator)
- Diocese
- Diocese of San Bernardino
Why belong here
St. Andrew Newman Center is the spiritual home of Catholic life at UC Riverside and Riverside City College, welcoming students, faculty, neighbors, and visitors of every generation, nationality, and faith background. It offers a rare combination: a real parish with full sacramental life (daily Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, weddings, baptisms, and RCIA) alongside an active, student-led campus ministry. Whether you are a college student looking for Christian fellowship, a parent enrolling a child in religious education, or a long-time parishioner seeking a lively, mission-driven community, SANC offers a place to worship, to learn, and to serve.
Mass times at St. Andrew Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursdays — after the 5:30 pm Daily Mass and Adoration
- Saturdays — 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- Before and after Masses
- By appointment (contact the parish office)
Adoration times
- Thursdays — immediately after the 5:30 pm Daily Mass
About St. Andrew Newman Center
St. Andrew Newman Center is a Roman Catholic Personal Parish serving the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and Riverside City College (RCC). Its mission is to strengthen the faith of students, faculty, and staff, and to develop their gifts so they may grow into passionate, faithful disciples of Christ and leaders of the Catholic Church. The parish describes itself as a place of welcome, a worshipping community, a place of generous hospitality, and a resource for those seeking to learn about Scripture, the sacraments, and Catholic tradition — reaching out to others with love and an informed sense of justice.
- Roman Catholic Personal Parish in Riverside, California
- Affiliated with UCR and Riverside City College
- Staffed by the Diocese of San Bernardino since July 1, 2017
- Live-streamed Masses via YouTube
Our History
Founded alongside the Catholic student community at UCR after the university opened in 1954, the Newman Center was first led by Fr. Waldo, O.S.B., and faculty advisor Dr. Paul Desjardins. The community met at Watkins House on Canyon Crest Drive before moving to the University Village Shopping Center. A dedicated building adjacent to that shopping center was dedicated on October 21, 1989. After 45 years under the Benedictines, Franciscans, and Dominicans, diocesan priests took over on July 1, 2017.
- 1954 — Catholic Newman Club meets at Watkins House, 3701 Canyon Crest Drive
- 1967–1971 — Franciscan Fathers O'Connor, Herzberg, and Sprietsma lead the community
- 1972 — Dominican Fathers Gregory Anderson and Bruno Gibson arrive; center moves to University Village Shopping Center
- January 27, 1985 — Plans for a permanent building announced at the 25th anniversary
- October 21, 1989 — New St. Andrew's Newman Center dedicated by Bishop Philip F. Straling
- December 11, 2016 — Dominican Province announces return to diocesan management
- July 1, 2017 — Fr. Cyriacus Ogu and Fr. Alwyn Anfone arrive from the Diocese of San Bernardino
Clergy & Staff
The Center is currently administered by Fr. Cyriacus Ogu, with Fr. Andres Rivera serving as Parochial Vicar. Susan Toledo is the Office Manager, Anayeli Chamu coordinates Religious Education, and Saul Hernandez serves as Custodian. Lay leaders oversee the Pastoral Council, Newman Sponsors, Dominican Laity, Ministry to the Sick, and Social Justice Ministry.
- Fr. Cyriacus Ogu — Administrator
- Fr. Andres Rivera — Parochial Vicar
- Susan Toledo — Office Manager
- Anayeli Chamu — Coordinator of Religious Education
- Saul Hernandez — Custodian
- Agnes Wilbur — Pastoral Council, Facilitators
- Dr. Brian Carroll — Pastoral Council, Facilitators
- Kerry Pianalto — Newman Sponsors, President
- Derek Leimel — Dominican Laity
- Sian Ormsby — Ministry to the Sick
- Michael Kinsman — Social Justice Ministry
Catholic Student Fellowship (CSF)
CSF is the official Catholic student organization of UCR, RCC, and St. Andrew Newman Center. It meets every Monday at 7:00 pm in the Newman Center Library, and tables on Wednesdays at the UCR Bell Tower. CSF also organizes socials, Bible studies, retreats, and service events throughout the academic year.
- Meets every Monday at 7:00 pm in the Newman Center Library
- CSF President: Hilary Rosas
- Vice President: Guillermo Murillo Martinez
- Mission: form faithful, passionate disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders of the Catholic Church
Religious Education & Sacramental Preparation
The parish runs Religious Education for children in Grades 1–8 on Sundays from 10:00 am to 11:30 am, and a High School Confirmation program on Sundays from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. Adult inquirers are welcomed into the RCIA process, which walks them through Inquiry, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, Reception at the Easter Vigil, and Mystagogy.
- Grades 1–8 Religious Education: Sundays 10:00 am–11:30 am
- High School Confirmation: Sundays 11:00 am–1:30 pm
- RCIA stages: Inquiry → Catechumenate → Purification & Enlightenment → Easter Vigil Initiation → Mystagogy
Bible Study, Doctrinal Classes & Graduate Ministry
A weekly Bible / Doctrinal class meets on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm (check the weekly bulletin for schedule changes). Graduate students have their own ongoing Bible study, and liturgical and community participation by students continues to grow under current leadership.
- Tuesday Bible/Doctrinal Class — 6:00 pm
- Graduate Student Bible Study — ongoing
- All programs use the weekly bulletin (under News & Events) for updates
Lay Leadership & Pastoral Councils
Lay faithful play a key role in the parish's mission. The Pastoral Council guides parish life, Newman Sponsors provide financial and prayerful support, the Dominican Laity chapter extends the Dominican charism beyond ordained ministry, and dedicated parishioners lead Ministry to the Sick and Social Justice Ministry.
- Pastoral Council (Facilitators: Agnes Wilbur, Dr. Brian Carroll)
- Newman Sponsors (President: Kerry Pianalto)
- Dominican Laity (Derek Leimel)
- Ministry to the Sick (Sian Ormsby)
- Social Justice Ministry (Michael Kinsman)
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments of the Catholic Church: Baptism, Confirmation, the Eucharist, Penance (Confession), Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony. RCIA is the formal path for adults seeking Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion, with reception typically at the Easter Vigil.
- Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, Matrimony
- RCIA for adult initiation into the Catholic Church
- Marriage preparation — contact the parish office
Visit, Contact & Office Hours
The parish office is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and can be reached by phone or fax. Masses are held both indoors and outdoors, and all Masses are live-streamed via YouTube, making the parish accessible to students and community members who cannot attend in person.
- Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm
- Phone: 951-682-8751
- Fax: 951-682-3513
- Address: 105 W Big Springs Road, Riverside, CA 92507
- Website: sanccatholic.org
- Online giving and email sign-up available via the website
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Waldo, O.S.B.1950s–c.1967
Benedictine; co-founded the Newman Center with faculty advisor Dr. Paul Desjardins after UCR opened in 1954.
- Fr. Patrick O'Connor, O.F.M.1967–1971
Franciscan; one of three Franciscan leaders of the growing community.
- Fr. Theodore Herzberg, O.F.M.1967–1971
Franciscan; served alongside Fr. O'Connor and Fr. Sprietsma.
- Fr. Leo Sprietsma, O.F.M.1967–1971
Franciscan; served alongside Fr. O'Connor and Fr. Herzberg.
- Fr. Gregory Anderson, O.P.from 1972
Dominican (Western Dominican Province); arrived with Fr. Bruno Gibson.
- Fr. Bruno Gibson, O.P.from 1972
Dominican (Western Dominican Province); arrived with Fr. Gregory Anderson.
- Fr. John Flannery, O.P.
Dominican; concelebrated at the 1989 dedication of the new Newman Center building.
- Fr. Jude Eli, O.P.
Dominican; concelebrated at the 1989 dedication.
- Fr. Michael Harnett, O.P.
Dominican; concelebrated at the 1989 dedication.
- Fr. Alwyn Anfonefrom 2017
Diocese of San Bernardino; arrived July 1, 2017 with Fr. Ogu when diocesan staffing resumed.
- Fr. Cyriacus Ogu2017–present
Diocese of San Bernardino; current Administrator.