About The Newman Catholic Student Center SIU · Carbondale, Illinois
The Newman Catholic Student Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) — also known as 'Saluki Catholics' — is the Catholic campus ministry serving the students, faculty, and staff of SIU as well as members of the wider Carbondale community. Established in 1958 as an outreach of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Carbondale, the Center was housed in its own building near campus by 1963 and today sits at 715 S. Washington Street, just steps from the SIU Student Recreation Center. It belongs to the Diocese of Belleville and is partnered with St. Francis Xavier Church. The Center proclaims the Word of God, celebrates the sacraments, fosters community, offers service, and promotes peace and justice — hosting daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, Bible studies, retreats, free Thursday-night student dinners, small groups, and a student-run ministry team.
- Established
- 1958
- Rector
- Reverend Joel Seipp (Temporary Administrator / Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Belleville
Why belong here
The Newman Catholic Student Center exists to be a home for Catholic life at SIU. It is a place where students and community members can worship together at Sunday and daily Mass, receive the sacraments (Confession, Eucharistic Adoration), and grow in faith through Bible studies, weekly small groups, retreats, and a student-led ministry team. It is also a genuine community: free Thursday-night dinners, the Men's Rosary and Breakfast, Coffee and Conversation (a women's group), Knights of Columbus council, service projects, intramural sports, and game nights give people a ready-made Catholic social network on a secular campus. As the Center puts it, its mission is to proclaim the Word, celebrate the sacraments, foster community, serve those in need, attend to personal growth, and promote peace and justice.
Mass times at The Newman Catholic Student Center SIU
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday 5:45 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. (after the 5:15 p.m. Mass)
- By appointment
- At partner parish St. Francis Xavier: Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Adoration times
- After the Tuesday 5:15 p.m. Mass (Eucharistic Adoration)
- Small chapel with the tabernacle is always available for personal prayer
About the Newman Catholic Student Center
The Newman Catholic Student Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale — known as 'Saluki Catholics' — serves the Catholic community at SIU, both university students and local community members. Its mission is to proclaim and share the Word of God, celebrate the sacraments, foster community, offer service to those in need, attend to the faith dimensions of personal growth, and promote peace and justice. Events and services include Bible studies, retreats, free Thursday-night dinners for students, service opportunities, and a range of social activities. The Center is partnered with St. Francis Xavier Parish in Carbondale, and the pastor of St. Francis Xavier traditionally serves as the Newman Center chaplain.
- Mission: proclaim the Word, celebrate the sacraments, foster community, serve those in need, promote peace and justice
- Serves SIU students, faculty, and staff as well as the wider Carbondale community
- Partnered parish: St. Francis Xavier, Carbondale
- Diocese: Belleville
History
The Center was established in 1958 as an outreach of St. Francis Xavier Church in Carbondale, when the first chaplain was assigned to minister to Catholic students at Southern Illinois University. Five years later, the Center's own building was constructed near the college campus — that same building, now surrounded by campus, is still in use and sits near the SIU Student Recreation Center. The 60th anniversary of the building was celebrated at a Newman Center Gala in the fall. The Center is part of the broader Newman Movement, which grew out of societies formed in response to the writings of Cardinal John Henry Newman; the first Newman society in the United States was founded in 1883 at the University of Wisconsin.
- 1958: Center established as an outreach of St. Francis Xavier Church
- 1963: Purpose-built Center building completed near campus
- Historically operated an on-site Snack Bar that alumni remember fondly
- Part of the Newman Movement inspired by Cardinal John Henry Newman
Mass and the Sacraments
The Center celebrates Sunday Mass at 12:00 noon year-round and daily Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. Confession is offered on Tuesdays from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., after the 5:15 p.m. Mass, and by appointment; Confession is also available at partner parish St. Francis Xavier on Sunday mornings. Eucharistic Adoration follows the Tuesday 5:15 p.m. Mass, and a small chapel with the tabernacle is always open for personal prayer. Daily Mass on Mondays and Wednesdays is available at noon at St. Francis Xavier, Carbondale, and Monday through Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at St. Andrew in Murphysboro.
- Sunday Mass: 12:00 noon (year-round)
- Daily Mass: Tuesday and Thursday, 5:15 p.m.
- Confession: Tuesday 5:45–6:45 p.m. and by appointment
- Eucharistic Adoration: after Tuesday 5:15 p.m. Mass; chapel always open for prayer
Staff
The Center is led by a small team of clergy, religious, and lay staff. The current director is Tim Taylor, who also serves as the diocesan director of campus ministry. The chaplain and temporary administrator is Reverend Joel Seipp, who is also pastor of St. Andrew in Murphysboro. The Center is also served by Father Joseph Brown, S.J., an SIU Professor of Africana Studies who serves as Newman Associate.
- Director: Tim Taylor ([email protected])
- Chaplain / Temporary Administrator: Rev. Joel Seipp (Pastor of St. Andrew, Murphysboro)
- Newman Associate: Fr. Joseph Brown, S.J. (SIU Professor of Africana Studies)
- Pastoral Associate: Dawn O'Leary ([email protected])
- Campus Minister: Emily Coulter ([email protected])
- Secretary: Kelly Kurtz ([email protected])
- Maintenance: Nic Duran
Student Ministry Team
A student leadership team helps plan and run the Center's ministries, small groups, retreats, and events.
- Julianna Berg
- Annabelle Barnstable
- Emma Wiker
- Evan Rudolphi
- Fabian Salinas
- Maria Fiore
- Maycee Cordes
- Peyton Isenhart
Student Life and Small Groups
The Center is structured around a wide range of student-friendly activities that combine faith, formation, fellowship, and fun. Weekly small groups include a Women's group (Mondays at 6 p.m.), a Co-ed group (Tuesdays at 7 a.m., meeting at the red house next to Newman), and a Men's group (Wednesdays at 6 p.m.). Other regular activities include Bible Study, the Men's Rosary and Breakfast, Coffee and Conversation (a women's group), Knights of Columbus, service projects, intramural sports, game nights, and other social events.
- Women's small group — Monday 6:00 p.m.
- Co-ed small group — Tuesday 7:00 a.m. (red house next to Newman)
- Men's small group — Wednesday 6:00 p.m.
- Bible Study (regular schedule posted on Upcoming Events page)
- Men's Rosary and Breakfast
- Coffee and Conversation (Women's Group)
- Knights of Columbus
- Service projects
- Intramural sports teams
- Game nights and other social events
Retreats
The Center offers retreats in both the fall and spring semesters, including the signature 'Awakenings Retreat.' The most recent Awakenings Retreat was held September 19–21, with sign-ups coordinated through the Center's website and questions directed to the campus minister.
- Awakenings Retreat (Fall)
- Spring retreat
- Contact: [email protected]
Serving at Newman (Liturgical & Music Ministry)
Parishioners and students are invited to share their time and talents through liturgical and music ministry at Sunday and weekday Masses. Liturgical roles include lector, Eucharistic minister, Mass greeter, server, and Mass coordinator/sacristan. The music ministry welcomes singers and instrumentalists for the Mass choir.
- Lector
- Eucharistic Minister
- Mass Greeter
- Server
- Mass Coordinator / Sacristan
- Music Ministry (choir / instrumental)
- Contact: Tim Taylor ([email protected])
Welcome Week and Annual Events
Each fall the Center runs a full Welcome Week for new and returning students, including a Welcome Mass and BBQ, Game Night, daily Mass with Adoration and Confessions, the first Thursday Night Dinner, an outdoor hiking trip, and a bonfire behind the Newman building. The annual calendar also features regular Welcome Week events, the Awakenings Retreat, and ongoing student activities.
- Welcome Mass and BBQ (Sunday at noon)
- Game Night (Monday evening)
- Daily Mass, Adoration, and Confessions
- First Thursday Night Dinner
- Outdoor Hiking Trip
- Bonfire behind Newman
Contact, Location, and Practical Info
The Newman Catholic Student Center is located at 715 S. Washington Street, Carbondale, IL 62901, on the corner of Grand Avenue and Washington Street, next to the SIU Student Recreation Center. The main office number is (618) 529-3311 (fax 618-549-9401), and the general email is [email protected]. The Center is followed on Facebook at facebook.com/siucnewman (page name 'Saluki Catholics') and on Instagram at @siucatholic. The Center belongs to the Diocese of Belleville and is listed in the diocesan directory.
- Address: 715 S. Washington Street, Carbondale, IL 62901
- Phone: (618) 529-3311
- Fax: (618) 549-9401
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: siucnewman.org
- Facebook: facebook.com/siucnewman (Saluki Catholics)
- Instagram: @siucatholic
- Diocese: Diocese of Belleville