About St. Francis of Assisi Newman Center at Western Illinois University, Spring 2022 schedule · Macomb, Illinois
The St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Newman Center is the diocesan Catholic campus ministry serving the students of Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, under the Diocese of Peoria. Founded in 1948, the Center cultivates the Catholic faith through Sunday and weekday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, Bible study, liturgical ministry, and community service, with the motto rooted in Acts 2:42 — the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of the bread, and the prayers. Its mission is to support one another in growing and embracing the Catholic faith through hospitality, prayer, educational opportunities, and leadership within the WIU community.
- Established
- 1948
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi
- Rector
- Father Marc Nakulu, SMA
- Diocese
- Diocese of Peoria
Why belong here
At St. Francis of Assisi Newman Center, WIU students find a Catholic home away from home where they can grow in faith and build lasting community. The Center offers Sunday and weekday Mass, Eucharistic Adoration on Tuesdays and Thursdays, regular Confession, a community Bible study, liturgical roles (lectors, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, ushers), and service through the Newman Council — plus free weekly dinners during 'Food For Finals' and a Sunday brunch after Mass. Whether a freshman or a graduating senior, students of any background are welcomed into a community that takes their questions seriously and helps them live out the Catholic faith on campus.
Mass times at St. Francis of Assisi Newman Center at Western Illinois University, Spring 2022 schedule
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 11:30 am
- Tuesday 4:30 pm – 4:50 pm
- Thursday 4:30 pm – 4:50 pm
Adoration times
- Tuesday 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
- Thursday 4:00 pm – 4:45 pm
About the Newman Center
The St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Newman Center is the Catholic campus-ministry presence at Western Illinois University, dedicated to supporting students in growing and embracing the Catholic faith through hospitality, prayer, educational opportunities, and leadership. Its catechetical focus follows the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church — what we believe, our worship, moral life, and prayer — summed up in Acts 2:42.
- Serving WIU students since 1948
- Operates under the Diocese of Peoria
- Center located between student housing and academic buildings on the WIU campus
- Mission rooted in Acts 2:42 — teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers
History
The Center has been a Catholic presence at WIU since 1948. In 2011, Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, invited the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception of West Peoria to direct it, with Sister Janice Keenan, OSF, serving as director. A major renovation completed in early 2020 — funded by the McCamey family's gift — refreshed the entire facility, and Coadjutor Bishop Louis Tylka publicly expressed diocesan gratitude to the family in 2021.
- 1948 — Newman Center begins serving WIU students
- 2011 — Sister Janice Keenan, OSF, and Sister Marion Lemon, OSF, take up residence as directors and assistant
- 2013 — Dr. William 'Bill' McCamey dies; he and wife Jody had been active volunteers
- Early 2020 — Major renovation completed (roof, flooring, kitchen, chapel A/V, HVAC, landscaping, offices)
- September 2021 — Bishop Louis Tylka publicly thanks the McCamey family
Staff & Clergy
The Center is led by Father Marc Nakulu, SMA, as Newman Chaplain, with Father James G. Pallardy serving as Assistant Chaplain. Lay staff and student leaders support community, music, liturgical, and faith formation life on campus.
- Father Marc Nakulu, SMA — Newman Chaplain
- Father James G. Pallardy — Assistant Chaplain
- Beate Wilson — Newman Center Coordinator
- Susan Courter — Newman Faculty Advisor
- Pete Jorgensen — Music Coordinator
- Newman Board (Student President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary)
- Newman Student Workers
Music & Liturgy
The Newman Center Musicians — coordinated by Pete Jorgensen, and assisted by Dietrich Gossmeyer ([email protected]) — provide music for Mass and are transitioning from a choral setting to a contemporary band with singers. Students of all musical backgrounds are encouraged to get involved.
- Newman Musicians (currently transitioning from choir to band with singers)
- Music Coordinator: Pete Jorgensen
- Liturgical student leaders across Mass ministries
Get Involved — Liturgical Ministries
The Center welcomes students into hands-on roles at Sunday and weekday Mass. The Center is actively recruiting Spanish-speaking lectors for its Spanish Mass.
- Lectors (daily and Sunday Mass, including Spanish Mass)
- Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Ministers / Communion Stewards
- Ushers
- Faith-based event organizers
Service & Community Outreach
Through the Newman Council, the Center engages in service projects across the Macomb community and organizes social activities for students. The Council is the hub for students seeking service opportunities.
- Newman Council — service projects and fun activities
- Community Outreach Programs
- Bowling for Kids Sake (annual fundraising event)
- Mary, Mother of Creation Fundraising event
Bible Study & Faith Formation
Bible Study is a regular part of the Center's faith formation program, led by student disciples on the leadership team. Formation is rooted in the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and is open to students investigating the Catholic faith as well as those wanting to go deeper.
- St. Francis of Assisi community Bible Study (led by a Newman student disciple)
- Faith Group for students investigating Catholic Church teaching
- Formation grounded in the Catechism: what we believe, worship, moral life, prayer
Student Life & Food Programs
Beyond the sacraments, the Center punctuates the academic year with warm community gatherings and exam-season support. Students are invited to brunch after Sunday Mass and to free dinners during finals.
- Sunday brunch following the 12:00 pm Mass
- Food For Finals — free dinner, Monday–Thursday 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- International Student Ambassador program
Visit & Contact
The Center is open to WIU students, faculty, staff, and the wider Macomb Catholic community. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Center at any time to meet with staff and ask questions.
- Address — 1401 W. University Drive, Macomb, IL 61455
- Phone — (309) 837-3989
- Email — [email protected]
- Website — http://www.wiucatholic.org/
- Follows WIU fall/spring semester schedule; closes when WIU cancels classes