About St. Paul's Newman Center · Laramie, Wyoming
St. Paul's Newman Center is the Catholic parish serving the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. Established in 1957 by Bishop Newell, it exists to bring the Gospel to UW students, faculty, and staff through vibrant liturgies, hospitality, stewardship, education, formation, and support. Alongside its student mission, the parish is a full sacramental community with approximately 500 resident family members, and works to integrate these two communities so every resident has a relationship with a college student. The parish motto is drawn from 2 Corinthians 12:10: "For when I am weak, then I am strong," and visitors are welcomed with the invitation "Come as you are, do not leave as you came."
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- St. Paul (the Apostle)
- Rector
- Very Reverend Robert Spaulding (Fr. Rob Spaulding)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cheyenne
Why belong here
St. Paul's Newman Center is both a campus ministry and a full parish. Students find weekly Sunday Supper after the 5 pm Mass, daily evening Mass, faith formation, retreats, and service trips, while resident families of about 500 enjoy a complete sacramental life including RCIA, youth ministry, marriage preparation, and the Anointing of the Sick. The parish pairs every resident with a college student so both generations grow together — and newcomers are welcomed with the simple invitation, "Come as you are, do not leave as you came."
Mass times at St. Paul's Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 4:00 p.m.
- Wednesday: 4:00 p.m. (during the school year only; not celebrated during summer or Christmas break)
- By appointment with Fr. Rob via email
Adoration times
- Anytime the building is open (usually 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the northwest corner of the Worship Space
About St. Paul's Newman Center
St. Paul's Newman Center is the Catholic parish serving the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Wyoming, as well as a thriving residential community of approximately 500 families in Laramie. The parish's stated mission is to bring the Gospel to UW through vibrant liturgies, hospitality, authentic stewardship, education, formation, empowerment, and support. It is a full sacramental parish and works to integrate student and resident life so that every resident member has a personal relationship with a college student, and every college student can claim St. Paul's as their home parish.
- Mission: bring the Gospel to UW students, faculty, and staff
- About 500 resident family members
- Full sacramental parish
- Motto: "Come as you are, do not leave as you came."
- Scripture motto: "For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10)
History
The University of Wyoming Catholic Community was established in 1957 by Bishop Newell. Msgr. Charles F. Taylor, its founding pastor, served from 1959 to 1972 and founded the Newman School of Catholic Thought, a nationally-attended summer program. The parish has continued its ministry to UW students without interruption for more than six decades. The Diocese of Cheyenne reassigned Fr. Carl Gallinger in July 2012 to become Vicar General and pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Cheyenne, and Fr. Robert Spaulding was appointed Parochial Administrator from St. Mary's Cathedral.
- 1957 — parish established by Bishop Newell
- 1959–1972 — founding pastor Msgr. Charles F. Taylor
- Newman School of Catholic Thought summer program founded by Msgr. Taylor
- 2012 — Fr. Carl Gallinger reassigned; Fr. Robert Spaulding appointed Parochial Administrator
Sacraments
St. Paul's offers the full sacramental life of a Catholic parish. Children prepare for First Reconciliation in group classes in the fall and First Eucharist in the spring. Confirmation is celebrated in 7th grade in the Diocese of Cheyenne. The Anointing of the Sick is offered on the second Saturday of every other month following the 5 p.m. liturgy. Marriage preparation runs September through May and includes meetings with the pastor, the FOCCUS inventory, work with a mentor couple, and a Natural Family Planning course. Those interested in priesthood or religious life are referred to Fr. Brian Hess, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Cheyenne.
- Baptism — email the office
- First Reconciliation preparation (Mondays in Fall)
- First Eucharist preparation (Spring)
- Confirmation — 7th grade, Diocese of Cheyenne
- Anointing of the Sick — 2nd Saturday every other month after 5 p.m. liturgy
- Marriage Preparation — September through May
- Holy Orders / Vocations referral to Diocese of Cheyenne
- RCIA — Monday 6:00 p.m.
Education & Faith Formation
Faith formation at St. Paul's spans every age and stage of life. "Our God Lives" is the family faith formation program in which parents and children learn together about Catholic values and teachings, beginning the second Sunday of September at 9:40 a.m. Middle school students (grades 6–8) attend a dedicated youth ministry that integrates scripture, the saints, Catholic morality, the Sacraments, and Confirmation prep. High school students (grades 9–12) meet Sunday evenings from 6:15–7:15 p.m., beginning with Sunday Supper. Adults gather for "Diving Deep," a Scripture and faith-based study open to all, no registration required. Adults exploring Catholicism are welcomed into the RCIA process on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
- "Our God Lives" — Family Faith Formation with Children
- Middle School Youth Ministry & Confirmation Preparation (grades 6–8)
- High School Youth Ministry (grades 9–12, Sundays 6:15–7:15 p.m.)
- "Diving Deep" — Adult Faith Formation
- RCIA (Mondays 6:00 p.m.)
Youth Ministry
The youth ministry at St. Paul's aims to create a fun, welcoming, faith-filled community for middle and high schoolers through games, competitions, discussion of faith topics, and service projects. Both groups begin their fall programming on Sunday, September 7.
- Middle School Youth Group — Sundays 3:45–4:45 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 415 S 19th St (snacks provided)
- High School Youth Group — Sundays 6:15–7:30 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 415 S 19th St (dinner provided)
- Confirmation Preparation (Diocese of Cheyenne, 7th grade)
Service & Outreach
St. Paul's Newman Center is committed to serving the Laramie community through its Service & Outreach Program, coordinated by Sandy Rupp. The parish invites everyone to "put love into action" through a wide range of hands-on ministries, from a community garden and cooking for student events to companionship visits, monthly meal delivery, and visiting the homebound. Seasonal projects like the Christmas Giving Tree and Community Clean-Up round out the year.
- Community Garden
- Cooking/baking for student activities and community events
- Companionship Ministry
- Monthly Meal Delivery Program
- Visiting the Homebound
- Christmas Giving Tree
- Community Clean-Up
- Student Food Drive for Interfaith
- Love in Action — visits to Laramie Soup Kitchen, nursing homes, Eucharistic delivery
Student Life at the Newman Center
Current UW students are invited to join in the rhythms of community life at the Newman Center. Sunday Supper follows the 5 p.m. Sunday Mass, providing a free home-cooked meal each week during the academic year. Love in Action on Mondays and Tuesdays (3–5 p.m.) sends students out into Laramie to serve. Other weekly activities — Bible studies, small groups, retreats, and personal reflection — are promoted through the parish's student pages.
- Sunday Supper — Sundays 6:00 p.m. (after 5 p.m. Mass)
- Love in Action — Mondays & Tuesdays 3–5 p.m., meet in Newman Kitchen
- Small groups and retreats
Parish Staff
St. Paul's is led by Fr. Rob Spaulding and a full team of lay staff serving campus ministry, liturgy and music, youth and family ministry, service and outreach, communications, and facilities. The staff directory is published on the parish contact page.
- Fr. Rob Spaulding — Pastor (ext. 105, [email protected])
- Emily Mahood — Director of Campus Ministry (ext. 111, [email protected])
- Lillie Rodgers — Coordinator (Director) of Pastoral Ministry (ext. 104, [email protected])
- Donovan Boxey — Director of Liturgy and Pastoral Music (ext. 101, [email protected])
- Sandy Rupp — Coordinator of Service and Outreach (ext. 112, [email protected])
- Carrie Gomez — Business Manager (ext. 103, [email protected])
- Hanna Hoes — Communications Specialist (ext. 100, [email protected])
- Brenna Fankell — Coordinator of Youth and Family Ministry (ext. 102, [email protected])
- Jay Johnson — Facilities Manager (ext. 110, [email protected])
Visit, Contact & Practical Info
The parish offices are at 1800 E Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY 82070, across from the University of Wyoming campus. The main phone line is 307-745-5461 and the general inbox is [email protected]. Funeral liturgies and the Sunday 11 a.m. Mass are livestreamed, and the parish bulletin and Sunday Liturgy Resources are available online. The official social media presence is the St. Paul's Newman Center Facebook page.
- Address: 1800 E Grand Avenue, Laramie, WY 82070
- Phone: 307-745-5461
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.newmancenter.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/laramienewmancenter
- Livestreamed Sunday 11 a.m. liturgy
- Livestreamed funeral liturgies
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Msgr. Charles F. Taylor1959–1972
Founding pastor; established the Newman School of Catholic Thought summer program
- Fr. Carl Gallingeruntil 2012
Reassigned as Vicar General of the Diocese of Cheyenne and pastor of St. Joseph Parish, Cheyenne in July 2012
- Fr. Robert Spaulding2012–present
Appointed Parochial Administrator effective July 2, 2012 from St. Mary's Cathedral, Cheyenne