About University Catholic Community · Arlington, Texas
The University Catholic Community (UCC) is a Catholic campus ministry serving students at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and nearby Tarrant County College students. It operates as a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth out of the UCC Newman Center at 1010 Benge Dr in Arlington, Texas. The community gathers around Sunday Mass at nearby St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church and a Wednesday Mass, adoration, and confession at the Newman Center, with meals, small groups, retreats, rosary on campus, and a wide array of social events centered on faith and friendship. Led by Campus Minister Jeff Hedglen, the UCC describes itself as a community of Catholic students growing in relationship with Jesus and living out their faith at UTA.
- Diocese
- Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Why belong here
The UCC is built around a simple rhythm — gather, be fed, and grow — that makes it easy for any UTA or Tarrant County College student to plug in. Students worship together at Sunday Mass at St. Maria Goretti and a Wednesday Mass at the Newman Center, share a free Sunday supper and Wednesday meal, pray the rosary on campus, join weekly small groups, and serve through Works of Mercy projects, retreats, and pilgrimages. The Newman Center itself is open as a study space, hangout, and prayer chapel, so the UCC functions as both a parish home and a college student center for Catholic life at UTA.
Mass times at University Catholic Community
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:00–4:55 PM at the Newman Center (during Fall and Spring semesters)
Adoration times
- Wednesday 4:00–4:55 PM at the Newman Center (during Fall and Spring semesters)
About the University Catholic Community
The University Catholic Community (UCC) is the Catholic campus ministry serving students at the University of Texas at Arlington and Tarrant County College. It is a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth and operates out of the UCC Newman Center, located just down the street from St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, with whom it works in partnership throughout the year. The UCC's stated mission is to be a community of Catholic students growing in relationship with Jesus and living out their faith at UTA. The community welcomes all students regardless of religious affiliation.
- Campus Ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
- Located in the UCC Newman Center at 1010 Benge Dr
- Works in partnership with St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church
- Welcomes all UTA and Tarrant County College students
History & Leadership
The UCC has a publicly documented succession of chaplains and campus ministers dating back to at least 1998, with chaplains typically drawn from priests of the Diocese of Fort Worth. In recent years the role of resident chaplain has been vacant, and pastoral care has been provided by priests from St. Maria Goretti. Day-to-day leadership today rests with Campus Minister Jeff Hedglen, supported by student leaders and a faculty/staff advisor.
- Documented campus ministers include Pat Schmidt (2006–present per archive), Paul Combest (2005–2006), and Eric Gray (1998–2005).
- Past chaplains include Fr. Kyle Walterschied (2005–2006), Fr. Marc Cliffard (2004–2005), and Fr. Bob (d. August 2003).
- Current Campus Minister: Jeff Hedglen
- Student Executive Officer: David Capps
- Faculty/Staff Advisor: Ceil Flores
Prayer & Devotions
Beyond the sacraments, the UCC cultivates a range of devotional practices. Students can pray before the Tabernacle whenever the Newman Center is open, walk the Prayer Garden by the entrance, gather for the rosary on campus, and engage in Lectio Divina. Special seasonal devotions include Stations of the Cross during Lent and a campus Ash Wednesday Mass.
- Eucharistic Adoration — Wednesdays 4:00 PM and any time the Newman Center is open
- Prayer Garden — by the entrance to the Newman Center
- Rosary on Campus — most weeks during the semester; notices posted in the Called App
- Lectio Divina / Pray the Scriptures
- Stations of the Cross during Lent
- Ash Wednesday Mass on campus
Small Groups & Faith Formation
Weekly Small Groups are a central way students deepen their faith and friendships at the UCC. The ministry also runs OCIA (formerly RCIA) formation for students who want to become Catholic or who need to catch up on missed sacraments — at last public count, eight students were in formation. Retreats, conferences (such as SEEK), and pilgrimages supplement the weekly rhythm of formation.
- Weekly Small Groups (men's and women's)
- OCIA / RCIA for inquirers and catechumens
- Retreats and SEEK conference participation
- Pilgrimages
- Lectio Divina and Scripture prayer resources
Community Life & Social Activities
The UCC Newman Center doubles as a student center: it is open for studying, hanging out, playing pool and video games, grabbing a snack, praying in the Blessed Sacrament chapel, and even taking a mid-day nap. Weekly and monthly social events build friendships alongside faith, while a free Sunday Supper and a Wednesday meal after Mass keep students fed in body as well as soul.
- Sunday Supper — free dinner after Mass
- Wednesday meal after Mass
- Community Nights
- UCC Guys events / UCC Ladies events
- Game Nights and Movie Nights
- Tabling on Campus (outreach at UTA)
- Hang out at the UCC (pool, video games, snacks)
Works of Mercy & Outreach
Service is a core part of the UCC's identity as a community built on Christ. The Works of Mercy page invites students to live both the spiritual works (instructing the ignorant, counseling the doubtful, bearing wrongs patiently, etc.) and corporal works through parish volunteering, RCIA sponsorship, Bible studies, and godparent/sponsor accompaniment. The ministry's #iGiveCatholic campaign each November raises funds for evangelization, leadership training, outreach events, Bibles and catechisms for OCIA, and building updates.
- Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy
- Volunteer as a religious education aide or teacher in your parish
- Sponsor or attend RCIA / OCIA
- Bible study leadership
- #iGiveCatholic annual giving day (November)
- Outreach events and orientation 'give aways' for new students
Get Involved & Stay Connected
The UCC meets students where they are — through a custom Called App that hosts chats, groups, and event details; through Instagram for event photos and faith reflections; and through email and a Facebook carpool GroupMe. Donations support student meals, conference scholarships, retreat fees, small group resources, and building improvements like new blinds in the main gathering room.
- Called App — chats, groups, and event info
- Instagram — events, photos, and faith reflections
- Email — [email protected]
- Carpool options to Mass (Sunday from Newman Center; Wednesday on request)
- Donate online via the Diocese of Fort Worth giving page
- Gift card donations welcome (Chick-fil-A, Canes, Jimmy John's, Sam's Club, pizza chains)
Contact & Visit
The UCC Newman Center is at 1010 Benge Dr, Arlington, TX 76013. Campus Minister Jeff Hedglen can be reached at 817-460-1155 or [email protected]. Building hours are Sundays 4:00–8:00 PM, Monday–Thursday 1:00–8:00 PM, and Fridays for events only — check the Called App for the latest schedule and event details.
- Address: 1010 Benge Dr, Arlington, TX 76013
- Phone: 817-460-1155
- Email: [email protected]
- Campus Minister: Jeff Hedglen
- Building hours: Sun 4–8 PM; Mon–Thu 1–8 PM; Fri events only
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Bob?–2003
Chaplain of the UCC; died August 2003 (per public archive of the UCC wiki page).
- Fr. Marc Cliffard2004–2005
UCC chaplain; later moved to serve as campus minister for UNT and TWU.
- Fr. Kyle Walterschied2005–2006
Chaplain; also served as Assistant Vocations Director for the Diocese of Fort Worth.
- Eric Gray1998–2005
Campus minister; also campus minister for UNT and TWU.
- Paul Combest2005–2006
Campus minister; also directed Young Adult Ministry for the Fort Worth Diocese.
- Pat Schmidt2006–present (per archive)
Campus minister.
- Jeff Hedglen
Current Campus Minister and primary public contact for the UCC.