About University Catholic Center at UT Dallas · Richardson, Texas
The University Catholic Center at UT Dallas (also known as the Tinker Catholic Student Center, or TCSC/UCC) is the Catholic campus ministry serving students, faculty, staff, and their families at the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas. Operated by the Diocese of Dallas Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry, it is the first fully dedicated Catholic campus ministry building and chapel for the UTD community. The 15,000-square-foot center at 2105 Waterview Parkway is home to daily and Sunday Mass, the sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, the Newman Catholic Ministry (the largest Catholic student organization on campus), and a partnership with FOCUS Ministries. The center features study rooms, a kitchen, a movie theater, a game room, and the dedicated St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Chapel, which was consecrated by Bishop Edward J. Burns on October 21, 2024.
- Established
- 2022
- Patron
- St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
- Rector
- Father Tymo Ksiazkiewicz (Chaplain)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Dallas
Why belong here
The UCC offers the UTD community a true Catholic home away from home — daily and Sunday Mass, Reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, and Bible studies are all within walking distance of campus. No one eats alone: breakfast is shared after the Sunday morning Mass and dinner after the evening Mass, and free coffee is on offer throughout the day. The center partners with FOCUS Ministries for Bible studies and faith-sharing, hosts the Newman Catholic Ministry (the largest Catholic student organization on campus), and welcomes non-Catholics and non-Christians to learn about the faith.
Mass times at University Catholic Center at UT Dallas
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 9:30 AM - 9:50 AM
- Monday 5:00 PM - 5:20 PM (school year only)
- Tuesday 5:00 PM - 5:20 PM (school year only)
- Thursday 5:00 PM - 5:20 PM (school year only)
- Friday 11:40 AM - 12:00 PM (school year only)
- Available 30 minutes before each Mass
Adoration times
- Friday 10:00 AM - 12:10 PM (resumes 1/23/2026; school year only)
About the University Catholic Center at UT Dallas
The University Catholic Center at UT Dallas — also known as the Tinker Catholic Student Center (TCSC/UCC) — is the Catholic campus ministry serving students, faculty, staff, and their families at the University of Texas at Dallas. Operated by the Diocese of Dallas Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry, it sits directly across from the UTD main campus at 2105 Waterview Parkway in Richardson. The center offers daily and Sunday Mass, the sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic adoration, the Newman Catholic Ministry, and a partnership with FOCUS Ministries for Bible studies and faith-sharing. Its mission is to provide a Christ-centered respite for all members of UT Dallas and the surrounding community.
- Type: Catholic campus ministry / college & university
- Diocese: Diocese of Dallas
- Opened: September 2022
- Chapel dedicated: October 21, 2024
History
The center was born after Bishop Edward J. Burns celebrated an Ash Wednesday Mass on the UTD campus in 2019 that filled a large classroom to capacity and had students lining the hallway. He returned for two more Ash Wednesday Masses and committed the Diocese of Dallas to building a permanent Catholic presence on campus. Before the building opened, the Newman Catholic Ministry improvised Sunday Mass in the faculty dining hall with a table as the altar. The Diocese purchased a 15,000-square-foot building at 2105 Waterview Parkway, and the new University Catholic Center officially opened in September 2022, with Father Tymo Ksiazkiewicz installed as chaplain. The permanent St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Chapel was consecrated on October 21, 2024.
- Ash Wednesday 2019 campus Mass packed a classroom and hallway — the catalyst
- First Sunday Mass in temporary chapel held August 21, 2022 (~300 people)
- Center officially opened September 2022
- St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Chapel dedicated October 21, 2024
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Chapel
The chapel is named for St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, the young Italian layman who is a patron of students. Consecration was celebrated by Bishop Edward J. Burns on October 21, 2024. Father Ksiazkiewicz described it as 'a long-awaited worship space for the student community' designed to draw students into the Mass by emphasizing two pillars: the Lord's presence in the Word of God and in the Eucharist on the altar. The chapel nearly doubles the size of the previous worship area and was made possible by donor support, especially Audrey and Dan Tinker, for whom the center itself is named.
- Patron: St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
- Feast day: June 4
- Dedicated by Bishop Edward J. Burns on Oct. 21, 2024
Fellowship & Community Life
The center lives by the motto 'no one goes hungry at the UCC, and no one eats alone.' Breakfast is shared after every Sunday morning Mass and dinner is shared after every Sunday evening Mass, and free coffee is on offer throughout the day. The building is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and features study rooms, a kitchen, a movie theater, and a game room so that students have a place to rest, study, and gather between classes.
- Breakfast after Sunday 10 AM Mass
- Dinner after Sunday 4:30 PM Mass
- Free coffee daily
- Study rooms, kitchen, movie theater, and game room
- Building open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. on weekdays
Ministries & Student Organizations
Student members are heavily involved in liturgical ministries at the UCC. The Newman Catholic Ministry — the largest Catholic student organization on the UT Dallas campus — is housed at the center and provides fellowship and spiritual opportunities for students across campus. FOCUS Ministries partners with the UCC to provide numerous Bible studies and faith-sharing programs for the campus community.
- Newman Catholic Ministry
- FOCUS Ministries (Bible studies)
- Sacristans
- Altar Servers
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers
- Lectors
- Music Ministry
Staff
The center is led by a chaplain and two deacons, supported by an administrative assistant. It operates as a program of the Diocese of Dallas Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry, currently directed by Josh Salinas.
- Father Tymo Ksiazkiewicz — Chaplain (ext. 102)
- Deacon Tim Bray — Campus Minister (ext. 103)
- Deacon Kevin Lovett — Campus Minister (ext. 104)
- Carmen Gonzales — Administrative Assistant (ext. 101)
- Josh Salinas — Director, Diocese of Dallas Office of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministries
Capital Campaign & Giving
The University Catholic Center is engaged in a capital campaign to expand its facilities and build a new Chapel of Repose for quiet adoration. Donations enable day-to-day operations and the expansion of sacred space to meet the growing demand for a faithful Catholic home on the UT Dallas campus. The Tinker Catholic Student Center is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity.
- Capital campaign underway for new Chapel of Repose
- Donations accepted via Givebutter and #iGiveCatholic
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity