About St. Paul Catholic Center IN University · Bloomington, Indiana
St. Paul Catholic Center, known colloquially as Hoosier Catholic, is the Catholic parish and Newman Center serving Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Founded as a parish in 1969 and staffed since 2005 by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great, it sits at 1413 E. 17th Street in the northeast quadrant of the IU campus — a corridor of sororities, fraternities, and religious houses envisioned by former IU President Herman B Wells. The parish's dual mission is ministry to IU students and service to a permanent-resident community of about 941 families, supporting both with daily and Sunday Masses, Eucharistic Adoration, the sacraments, faith formation, mission trips, music ministry, and extensive campus outreach.
- Established
- 1969
- Patron
- St. Paul the Apostle
- Rector
- Rev. Patrick Hyde, OP
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Paul Catholic Center is both a parish and a Newman Center, so whether you are an IU student, a graduate student or young adult, or a long-time Bloomington resident, the parish meets you where you are. Daily Mass (Mon–Fri 12:15 pm, plus evening Masses), Sunday liturgies up to four times a weekend, abundant Eucharistic Adoration, Reconciliation before every Mass, and a Catholicism 101 / OCIA process make it easy to encounter Christ and the sacraments. A robust menu of student ministry (Bible studies, small groups, Sunday Suppers, FOCUS mission trips, Frassati Fellowship for grads), strong music programs, the Knights of Columbus, service projects, and a Licensed Mental Health counselor on staff create a true community of missionary disciples rather than just a Sunday obligation.
Mass times at St. Paul Catholic Center IN University
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday: 8:00–8:30 AM
- Sunday: 10:00–10:30 AM
- Sunday: 4:30–5:30 PM
- Sunday: 8:30–9:00 PM (when IU is in session)
- Monday–Friday: 11:45 AM–12:15 PM
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 4:30–5:30 PM
- Tuesday, Thursday: 8:00–9:00 PM (spring and fall semesters)
- Saturday: 4:00–4:30 PM
Adoration times
- Monday–Friday: 8:30–9:30 AM
- Monday–Thursday: 6:00–9:00 PM (when IU is in session; no evening adoration during winter break)
- Friday: 12:45–5:30 PM (when IU is in session; no Friday afternoon adoration during winter break)
Our Story — From Newman Club to Dominican-Staffed Parish
St. Paul Catholic Center traces its roots to the 1928 Indiana University Newman Club organized at St. Charles Borromeo. After decades in cramped facilities, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis purchased 2.85 acres on East 17th Street in 1967, and the new limestone church was dedicated on January 12, 1969. Since 2005 it has been staffed by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great, becoming a hub for both Catholic students and roughly 941 parish families in Bloomington.
- 1928 — IU Newman Club founded by Fr. Paul Deery (St. Charles Borromeo); ~200 students
- 1952 — St. Charles moves; club continues in old school building
- 1958 — Fr. Victor Wright assigned as Newman chaplain
- 1967 — 2.85 acres on East 17th St. purchased; Fr. James Higgins appointed to build
- Jan. 12, 1969 — Archbishop Paul C. Schulte dedicates parish of St. Paul
- 1969–1983 — Msgr. James Higgins serves as founding pastor
- 1991–93 — $1.2 M renovation: Gathering Space, new sanctuary, accessible entrance
- 1994–2005 — Fr. Dan Atkins named pastor
- July 2005 — Dominican Friars (Province of St. Albert the Great) invited to staff the center
- 2019 — 50th anniversary celebrated
Mission and Vision
St. Paul identifies as a parish focused on student ministry that welcomes, invites, and forms all as we create a community of missionary disciples. Its dual charge is ministry to IU students and service to a broader permanent-resident base. The mission statement, crafted under past pastors Fr. Sims and Fr. Wolf, frames the parish as bearing witness to the Gospel, celebrating the sacraments, fostering spiritual formation, evangelizing, and serving those in need.
- Build Community
- Encounter Christ
- Spread the Gospel
- Parish Pastoral Council (created in the 1990s)
- Development office (inaugurated in the 1990s)
Pastoral Staff
The pastoral team is led by Dominican pastor Fr. Patrick Hyde, OP, with three parochial vicars, a deacon, and a full lay staff for campus ministry, music, faith formation, counseling, operations, and annual giving. Parish Secretary position is currently vacant.
- Pastor: Very Rev. Patrick Hyde, OP, VF
- Parochial Vicar / Interim Director of Campus Ministry: Fr. Ben Keller, OP
- Parochial Vicar, Faith Formation: Fr. Brian Zuelke, OP
- Parochial Vicar, Frassati Fellowship: Fr. Simon Felix Michalski, OP
- In Residence: Fr. Justus Pokrzewinski, OP
- Permanent Deacon: Deacon Ronald Reimer
- Campus Ministry Coordinator: Jenna Dedek
- Director of Pastoral Counseling: Dr. Nina Castronova
- Director of Music Ministry: Dr. Tim Gregson
- Director of Mission Ministry: Tom Recker
- Director of Annual Giving: Danielle Heitkamp
- Director of Operations: Tim Mercer
Campus Ministry
Serving IU students is the highest priority at St. Paul. Whether a freshman, returning Catholic, or anyone exploring faith, students will find Bible studies, small groups, Sunday Suppers, socials, mission trips, and a fraternity of ministries dedicated to forming them as missionary disciples.
- Sunday Suppers — free home-cooked meal after 5:30 PM Sunday Mass in Higgins Hall
- Bible studies and small groups
- Catholicism 101 — Wednesdays at 7 PM
- Frassati Fellowship — graduate students and young adults 40 and under
- FOCUS Mission Trips — Spring Break and summer
- Socials — game/movie nights, volleyball, laser tag, bonfires
- Liturgical Ministries: lectors, Eucharistic ministers, altar servers, sacristans
Faith Formation and Becoming Catholic
Adult formation centers on Catholicism 101, which serves as the parish's OCIA process. A combination of lecture-style teaching and small-group discussion, it meets weekly at 7 PM on Wednesdays during the academic year and is open to anyone curious about the Catholic faith or preparing to enter full communion.
- Catholicism 101 / OCIA: Wednesdays at 7 PM during the academic year
- Contact Fr. Brian Zuelke for adult faith formation
- Sacramental preparation for children is offered through St. Charles Borromeo (Rose Johnson)
- Contact Fr. Ben for information about youth ministry
Sacred Music Ministry
St. Paul's music ministry is led by Director of Music Dr. Tim Gregson and is celebrated for its choral quality. Three ensembles serve the parish at different Sunday Masses and at concerts, and no audition is required to join.
- Adult Choir — serves weekly at the 10:30 AM Mass and biannual concerts; rehearses Wednesdays 7:00–8:30 PM
- College Choir — serves weekly at the 5:30 PM Sunday Mass; warm-ups at 4:45 PM
- Schola Cantorum — College students chant Mass propers, motets, and hymns at the 9:00 PM Sunday Mass during the school year
- Cantors and instrumentalists welcome
Service and Mission Outreach
The center's mission is lived out through local service, FOCUS mission trips during Spring Break and summer, and outreach to those in need across Bloomington. St. Paul partners with national Catholic organizations as well as community groups.
- FOCUS Missions — Spring Break and Summer Mission Trips for students
- Volunteer opportunities at the Farm
- Habitat for Humanity
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul Warehouse help
- St. Paul Christmas Sharing Program
- Clean-up days at the parish
- Communion Outreach Ministry to homebound, hospital, and nursing home
Knights of Columbus Council #15859
The Knights of Columbus Council #15859 is a college council at Indiana University — a fraternal organization of Catholic men active in community service, Pro-Life activities, Eucharistic Adoration, and supporting the parish through football parking and tailgating on game days. The college Knights lead in faith, charity, and service on campus.
- Community service and Pro-Life work
- Eucharistic Adoration leadership
- Football parking and tailgating at St. Paul's
- Meet during the academic year
- Contact: JG Arbuckle at [email protected]
Sacraments Preparation
Baptisms are scheduled through the parish office with preparation classes; First Communion and Confirmation preparation for children is offered through St. Charles Borromeo; marriage preparation uses a Sponsor Couple Program; and the Anointing of the Sick and Communion for the homebound are coordinated by Fr. Ben.
- Baptism of children — Parish Office 812-339-5561
- First Communion / Confirmation prep — through St. Charles Borromeo
- Marriage preparation — Sponsor Couple Program ([email protected])
- Anointing of the Sick / homebound Communion — contact Fr. Ben
Pastoral Counseling
Dr. Nina Castronova, a Licensed Mental Health Provider and Director of Pastoral Counseling, offers Catholic faith-integrated counseling at St. Paul Catholic Center. She brings clinical experience from outpatient adult psychiatry, couple and family counseling, and Hospice bereavement work, and sees a privilege in accompanying people through anxiety, depression, grief, and life stresses.
- Director of Pastoral Counseling: Dr. Nina Castronova
- Licensed Mental Health Provider
- Catholic faith-integrated counseling
- Contact: 812-558-9050
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. James Higgins (later Msgr. James Higgins)1969–1983
Founding pastor; oversaw construction on East 17th Street; served until 1983; awarded IU honorary doctorate in May 1989.
- Fr. Bob Sims, OP and Fr. Kim Wolfapprox. 1980s–early 1990s
Directed the $1.2-million renovation that added the Gathering Space, new sanctuary, and accessible entrance, dedicated 1993.
- Fr. Dan Atkins1994–2005
Led the parish through the transition to Dominican staffing.
- Fr. Robert Keller, OP / Fr. Stan Drongowski, OP / Fr. Rich Litzau, OPfrom July 2005
First Dominican priests assigned by the Province of St. Albert the Great at the invitation of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
- Fr. Patrick Hyde, OPpresent
Current pastor; members of the Dominican Province of St. Albert the Great have staffed the center continuously since 2005.