About St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center (University of Arizona) · Tucson, Arizona
St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center is the Catholic campus ministry for the University of Arizona, located at 2nd and Cherry Avenue in Tucson. It serves University of Arizona students, faculty, and the surrounding Tucson community, celebrating Mass daily and offering formation, fellowship, and sacramental life on campus. Since 1968 the center has been staffed by Dominican friars and sisters, who continue to shape its identity through the Order of Preachers' four pillars of Prayer, Community, Service, and Preaching. The parish's mission is to be transformed through an encounter with the Spirit of Truth and the Love of God, and in 2026 it will mark 100 years of Catholic campus ministry at the University of Arizona (founded 1926 as the Newman Club).
- Established
- 1926
- Patron
- St. Thomas More
- Rector
- Fr. John Paul Forté, O.P.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
The Newman Center welcomes undergraduate and graduate students, young adults, and Tucson-area parishioners into a community shaped by the Dominican pillars of Prayer, Community, Service, and Preaching. Weekday and Sunday Masses are complemented by weekly small-group Bible study, a Young Adult Community for ages 22–35, RCIA, Confirmation preparation, and Eucharistic Adoration. Centrally located on the UA campus with Sunlink streetcar access, it offers an authentic Catholic home, formation, and fellowship for anyone connected to the university.
Mass times at St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center (University of Arizona)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays at 4:00 PM in the church
- By appointment with a priest (contact via the Staff Page)
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is held regularly at the Newman Center (see the parish bulletin/schedule for current times)
About St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center
St. Thomas More Catholic Newman Center is the Catholic campus ministry for the University of Arizona, serving students, faculty, and the surrounding Tucson community. Its mission is to be transformed through an encounter with the Spirit of Truth and the Love of God. The community is guided by the Dominican Order's four pillars: Prayer, Community, Service, and Preaching.
- Mission: To be transformed through an encounter with the Spirit of Truth and the Love of God
- Newman Values: Connect, Building Community, Seeking Truth Together, Availability / A Space to Breathe, Formation of Faith, Cultivating Gifts & Forming Leaders, Open Communication
- Staffed by the Friars of the Western Dominican Province, Dominican Sisters of Oakford, Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill, and the St. Martin de Porres Chapter of the Dominican Laity
History of the Newman Center
Catholic campus ministry at the University of Arizona began in 1926 as the Newman Club. Through more than a century, the community has grown from a humble house near 3rd and Cherry to a dedicated chapel at 2nd and Cherry, blessed in 1964 by Bishop Francis Green. Dominican friars have served the community continuously since 1968.
- 1926 — Newman Club founded near 3rd Street and Cherry (now Flandrau Planetarium)
- 1951 — First chaplain Fr. Frederic Curry leads first expansion with Bishop Gerke (50-seat chapel, 300-seat hall, cafeteria, library, offices); Curry Classroom named in his honor
- 1960s — Center relocates to 2nd and Cherry after Diocese of Tucson acquires land from the University of Arizona
- May 10, 1964 — Present chapel blessed and dedicated by Bishop Francis Green under chaplain Fr. Robert Graff
- 1968 — Bishop Green invites Dominicans of the Central Province
- 1980 — Administration transferred to Western Dominican Province under Fr. Tom DeMan, O.P.
Ministries and Community Life
Ministry at the Newman Center flows from the Dominican pillars of Prayer, Community, Service, and Preaching. It includes student-centered formation (Newman Nights, small groups), a thriving Young Adult Community for those 22–35, sacramental preparation, a parish choir and music program, and fraternal organizations such as the Knights of Columbus.
- Newman Night for Undergrads — Wednesdays at 7:00 PM in Bishop Green Hall
- Young Adult Community (ages 22–35) — Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
- Torch Small Group Bible Study — student-led, weekly
- RCIA — Thursday evenings 7:00–8:30 PM
- Confirmation Preparation — Tuesdays, 8-week program
- Music Ministry — Director Tom Booth
- Knights of Columbus Council #16061
- Dominican Laity — St. Martin de Porres Chapter
Sacraments
The Newman Center celebrates and prepares parishioners for all seven sacraments. Adult initiation happens through the RCIA process, while college students and registered High School Seniors may prepare for Confirmation. Couples are asked to contact the parish at least six months before a proposed wedding date.
- Baptism — Baptismal Prep Class required within past 12 months (contact Sr. Mary Elizabeth)
- Confirmation — Tuesdays during Fall & Spring semesters
- Eucharist — celebrated daily; preparation via RCIA
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 4:00 PM or by appointment
- Marriage — contact 6+ months ahead via Sr. Mary Elizabeth, 520-327-4665 x113
- Anointing of the Sick — contact a priest
- Holy Orders / Vocations — discernment support
Staff
The Newman Center is led by Dominican friars and supported by Dominican sisters, staff, and lay leaders.
- Pastor — Fr. John Paul Forté, O.P.
- Associate Pastor — Fr. Emmanuel Taylor, O.P.
- Dominican in Residence — Fr. Tom DeMan, O.P.
- Dominican in Residence and Author — Fr. Nathan Castle, O.P.
- Pastoral Associate — Sr. Lynn Allvin, O.P.
- Office Manager — Sr. Mary Elizabeth Lawrence, SC
- Business Manager — Tony Leon ([email protected])
- Music Director — Tom Booth
- Pastoral Artist in Residence — Yordi
- Maintenance Tech — Nathan Payne
Contact
Reach the parish office by phone, fax, email, or in person. Priest email addresses are listed on the Staff Page for those wishing to schedule confession or pastoral appointments.
- Phone: (520) 327-4665
- Fax: (520) 327-3963
- Email: [email protected]
- In person: 1615 East 2nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85719
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Frederic Curryfrom 1951
First Newman chaplain; led first major expansion with Bishop Gerke. The Curry Classroom is named in his honor.
- Fr. Robert Graffby 1964
Chaplain at the time the current Newman Center chapel was blessed and dedicated on May 10, 1964 by Bishop Francis Green.
- Fr. Tom DeMan, O.P.from 1980
First pastor after administration transferred to the Western Dominican Province; continues as Dominican in Residence.