About SU Catholic Center (Syracuse University) · Syracuse, New York
The SU Catholic Center, home to St. Thomas More Chapel, is the Roman Catholic campus ministry serving Syracuse University and SUNY ESF, located at 110 Walnut Place (corner of East Adams and Walnut) just across from the Whitman School of Management. Operated under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and led by Conventual Franciscan Friar Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., the Center builds an inclusive community bound together by God's universal love through the celebration of the sacraments, small faith-sharing groups, retreats, fellowship meals, music, and service. On November 5, 2025, Bishop Douglas Lucia of the Diocese of Syracuse blessed and dedicated the newly expanded chapel complex — the first new Catholic worship space built in the city of Syracuse in nearly two decades — funded by philanthropist and Life Trustee Daniel D'Aniello '68, H'20 and his wife, Gayle, as part of the Forever Orange Campaign. Weekend Masses now draw close to 400 people, with Thursday Mass and dinner gatherings attracting roughly 130 attendees.
- Established
- 1908
- Patron
- St. Thomas More
- Rector
- Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. (Catholic Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse
Why belong here
The SU Catholic Center welcomes Syracuse University and SUNY ESF students, faculty, staff, and neighbors into an intentionally inclusive Catholic community that is completely accepting regardless of race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Members grow in faith through Sunday and weekday Masses in the new St. Thomas More Chapel, Reconciliation, small faith-sharing groups, retreats like Lake Retreat and Kairos, leadership formation, music ministry, and high school confirmation retreats — and they put faith into action through service projects such as the monthly "Slice of Hope" sandwich-making for the Assumption Food Pantry and partnerships with groups like A Tiny Home for Good. As Bishop Douglas Lucia noted at the November 2025 dedication, "Our young people are searching — for purpose, for community — and that's evident across the board."
Mass times at SU Catholic Center (Syracuse University)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesdays 2:00–4:00 PM at Hendricks Chapel
- Wednesdays 1:30–2:30 PM at the Catholic Center
- Thursdays 2:00–4:00 PM at Hendricks Chapel
- By appointment at the SU Catholic Center
Adoration times
- Dates and times TBD (check calendar; visit the Eucharistic Chapel for personal prayer and reflection)
About the SU Catholic Center
Operated under the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and led by Conventual Franciscan Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., the SU Catholic Center serves the students, faculty, and staff of Syracuse University and SUNY ESF. Its mission is to build a strong, completely accepting and inclusive community — regardless of race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation — bound together by God's universal love. The Center lives out that mission through the celebration of the sacraments, small faith-sharing groups, fellowship, volunteer service, music, and social action.
History of Catholic Ministry at Syracuse University
Catholic presence at SU began in 1908 with the Brownson Club; it became the Newman Club in 1915 and remained without a full-time chaplain until 1935. The St. Thomas More Foundation purchased a fraternity house at 112 Walnut Place in 1939, expanded it by 1950, and added the John G. Alibrandi Jr. Catholic Center in 1982 under Fr. Charles Borgognoni. The Conventual Franciscan Friars took over the chaplaincy in 1999, and in 2025 Bishop Douglas Lucia blessed the new St. Thomas More Chapel — the first new Catholic worship space built in the city of Syracuse in nearly two decades.
- 1908: Brownson Club founded at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Larned Street.
- 1915: Renamed the Newman Club.
- 1935: Fr. Gannon Ryan appointed first full-time chaplain.
- 1939: St. Thomas More Foundation acquires the house at 112 Walnut Place.
- 1950: Great Room / makeshift chapel addition completed.
- 1982: John G. Alibrandi Jr. Catholic Center addition built under Fr. Charles Borgognoni.
- 1999: Conventual Franciscan Friars assume the chaplaincy (Friar Adam Keltos).
- 2004: More House Catholic living community dedicated by Bishop James M. Moynihan.
- 2007: Friar Linus DeSantis formally installed as chaplain by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham.
- 2016: Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., appointed May 2; installed October 30.
- 2025: New St. Thomas More Chapel and Catholic Center dedicated by Bishop Douglas Lucia on November 5.
St. Thomas More Chapel and Catholic Center (Facilities)
The 110 Walnut Place complex began as a 1939 fraternity house, grew through the 1950 Great Room and the 1982 Alibrandi addition, and was transformed again in 2025 when the More House was demolished to make way for the new St. Thomas More Chapel. The new chapel features a large outdoor column that illuminates in liturgical-season colors, stained glass salvaged from the prior chapel, and a Eucharistic Chapel with a painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus dedicated to Beatrice D'Aniello.
- Card-swipe accessible to students 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM for prayer, study, or recreation.
- Library and Great Room study spaces for use as a quiet oasis.
- Eucharistic Chapel for personal prayer and reflection.
- Liturgical-season lighting on the outdoor column at the corner of East Adams and Walnut.
Liturgy and Music Ministry
Volunteers serve as greeters, lectors, altar servers, and clean-up crew through the Liturgy Team, while the Music Ministry welcomes volunteer singers and musicians to lead and uplift programs and liturgies. Students and staff continue weekly Scripture reflections on the Center's Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube pages.
- Liturgy Team (greeters, lectors, altar servers, clean-up)
- Music Ministry (singers and instrumentalists)
- Wednesday and Thursday Scripture reflections published on social media
Catholic Student Association (CSA)
Student leadership is a volunteer opportunity to deepen faith and develop collaborative skills working with the campus ministry team. The Catholic Student Association at Syracuse University plans events, ministries, and service alongside the chaplaincy.
- Jessica — President
- Evan — Vice President
- Maggie — Treasurer
- Tatiana — Secretary
- Ariana — PR Chair
- Irene and Ryan — Service Co-chairs
- Elizabeth and Noah — Ministry Co-chairs
Leadership Formation and Small Groups
The Leadership Formation Program helps students grow as leaders, as disciples, and as people, so they can become more effective servant-leaders after the model of Christ. Small Faith-Sharing Groups are student-led and meet weekly across campus to discuss life and faith, reflect on Scripture, and pray together.
- Leadership Formation Program (retreat teams, Bible study leaders, CSA officers)
- Small Faith-Sharing Groups — student-led weekly meetings across campus
Retreats
Two signature retreats welcome students into deeper community. The Lake Retreat introduces incoming freshmen to the Catholic community each fall at Minnowbrook Conference Center on Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks. Kairos offers a longer retreat experience.
- Lake Retreat — annual freshman-focused retreat at Minnowbrook Conference Center
- Kairos Retreat — longer retreat experience for students
- High school Confirmation retreats — hosted for local high school students preparing for the sacrament
Service and Outreach ("Slice of Hope")
Service is a hallmark of the SU Catholic Center. After most Thursday Masses and dinners, the community "pays it forward" by making sandwiches — about 700 per month — for the Assumption Food Pantry on Syracuse's Northside; the program was renamed "Slice of Hope" amid SNAP benefit cuts. Students also partner with groups like A Tiny Home for Good for Service Saturdays such as fence-staining and property mulching in the city.
- "Slice of Hope" monthly sandwich-making (Assumption Food Pantry)
- Service Saturdays with A Tiny Home for Good
- Sandwich-making service night with student volunteers and FrancisCorps helpers
Sacraments
The Center prepares Catholics-in-the-making and active Catholics for the sacraments of Christian initiation and marriage. Adults inquiring about becoming Catholic are invited to O.C.I.A. (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults).
- Baptism — at St. Thomas More Chapel, by email request
- Confirmation — preparation typically begins in the Fall semester
- Eucharist and Reconciliation — see schedules above
- Matrimony — coordination for Hendricks Chapel and St. Thomas More Chapel, plus marriage prep program
- O.C.I.A. — for adults inquiring about becoming Catholic
Staff and Leadership
Current chaplaincy and lay campus ministry staff include Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. (Chaplain) and Patrick McLaughlin (Campus Minister), along with support from Peppie Calvar, Jack Rose, and the student leaders of the Catholic Student Association. Honorary history includes Monsignors Ryan, Borgognoni, and Lang, and Conventual Franciscans Keltos, Mulligan, Ruffo, and the late Fr. Linus DeSantis.
- Fr. Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv. — Chaplain ([email protected], 315.443.2649)
- Patrick McLaughlin — Campus Minister ([email protected], 315.443.2651)
- Peppie Calvar, Jack Rose — acknowledged staff
- Gregg Cecconi — acknowledged recent staff
Contact, Location, and Hours
The main office can be reached at 315.443.2600; the Catholic Center sits at 110 Walnut Place in Syracuse, NY 13210, at the corner of East Adams and Walnut, across from the Whitman School of Management. The Center is card-swipe accessible to students from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Fr. Gerry holds regular office hours during the school year (see calendar).
- Address: 110 Walnut Place, Syracuse, NY 13210
- Phone: 315.443.2600
- Chaplain email: [email protected]
- Campus Minister email: [email protected]
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM (card swipe for students)
Giving and the Forever Orange Campaign
The new chapel and renovated Catholic Center were made possible by a transformational gift from Life Trustee and alumnus Daniel D'Aniello '68, H'20 and his wife Gayle, as part of Syracuse University's Forever Orange Campaign, with additional support from Chancellor Kent Syverud and Judith Pistaki Zelisko '72 and her husband Paul. The Eucharistic Chapel inside is dedicated to Beatrice D'Aniello, Daniel D'Aniello's mother.
- Lead benefactors: Daniel and Gayle D'Aniello
- Campaign: Forever Orange (Syracuse University)
- Sacred Heart of Jesus painting in the Eucharistic Chapel — dedicated to Beatrice D'Aniello
- Donations supported through the Center's Give page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Gannon Ryan (later Monsignor)1935–1962
First full-time chaplain; founded the St. Thomas More Foundation; acquired the 112 Walnut Place house in 1939; oversaw 1950 addition with the Great Room/makeshift chapel.
- Fr. Charles Borgognoni1962–1991
Directed the Pompian Players, started the weekly pasta dinner and the annual golf tournament; built the 1982 John G. Alibrandi Jr. Catholic Center addition; later named Monsignor but insisted on being called Fr. Charles.
- Fr. Jim Lang1991–1999
Continued the ball, pasta dinners, and renamed 'Fr. Charles Open' golf tournament; later appointed Vicar for Parishes of the Syracuse Diocese.
- Friar Adam Keltos, OFM Conv.1999–2001
First Conventual Franciscan chaplain; later commissioned to The Franciscan Place at the Carousel Center Mall.
- Friar Tim Mulligan, OFM Conv.2001–2006
Founded the More House concept and oversaw its 2004 rechristening as a Catholic student living community.
- Friar John Ruffo, OFM Conv.January 2007–December 2007
Interim chaplain.
- Friar Linus DeSantis, OFM Conv. (the late)2007–2015
Launched the $150,000 roof campaign and the $4 million capital campaign; oversaw the More House Cafe and renovation planning.
- Friar Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv.2016–present
Appointed May 2, 2016; installed October 30, 2016 by Bishop Robert J. Cunningham; led the new chapel project and 2025 dedication.