About UNO Newman Center · New Orleans, Louisiana
The UNO Newman Center is the Catholic chapel on the University of New Orleans campus in New Orleans, Louisiana, situated across the street from the UNO University Center. A ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, it serves Catholic students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and members of the surrounding Gentilly neighborhood. Liturgical life centers on a Sunday evening Mass, two weekday midday Masses, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, while the building also functions as a daily hub for study, fellowship, and prayer. The parish is home to the Catholic Privateers student organization and, since 2011, has been the weekday Mass location and parish office for Transfiguration of the Lord Parish.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. John Henry Newman (center's name); historically St. Thomas the Apostle
- Rector
- Fr. Francis Offia
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of New Orleans
Why belong here
The UNO Newman Center welcomes everyone — students, faculty, staff, alumni, families, and neighbors — to worship, study, and build community together. Whether you are looking for a Sunday evening Mass, weekday noon Mass during the semester, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, or simply a quiet place to pray and study between classes, the chapel and its named spaces (library, parlor, courtyard, and gardens) are open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Joining the Catholic Privateers student organization connects you with peers for fellowship, faith formation, and service, all under the pastoral care of Fr. Francis Offia and the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Mass times at UNO Newman Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- By appointment — contact the office or Fr. Francis Offia at (504) 288-6344
About the UNO Newman Center
The Newman Center is the Catholic chapel on the University of New Orleans campus, located across the street from the University Center (Building #24 on the UNO Campus Map). It is a ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans that offers a regular Mass schedule, the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, pastoral guidance, and a Catholic community for students, families, alumni, faculty and staff, neighbors, and anyone seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith.
History
Catholic ministry on what is now the UNO campus goes back to World War II, when a chapel stood on the Naval Air Field at the lake end of Elysian Fields Avenue. As Gentilly grew after the war, a small wooden chapel was built farther up Elysian Fields at Prentiss Avenue. In 1958 — the same year the air field closed and UNO opened — that wooden chapel was replaced by a large brick church. The present-day Newman Center building on campus was dedicated by Archbishop Philip Hannan on June 4, 1981.
Hurricane Katrina and the 2011 Restoration
Although floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina (2005) did not reach the Newman Center itself, the building was damaged in the flood and was later restored and re-dedicated on October 16, 2011. During the recovery, the Newman Center hosted several displaced Gentilly-area parishes, and after three of those parishes — St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Raphael the Archangel, and St. Thomas the Apostle — were merged into the new Transfiguration of the Lord Parish, the Newman Center became the location of weekday Masses and the parish office during the academic year.
Catholic Privateers Student Organization
Catholic Privateers is the recognized Catholic student organization at UNO, open to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and staff. Its purpose is to bring Catholic Christians together to grow in relationship with God, others, and oneself, while sharing the Gospel with all who interact with the group. All are welcome, and the chapter connects students with the pastoral and liturgical life of the Newman Center.
- President: Mary Miller ([email protected])
- Campus Advisor: Ross Gernon ([email protected])
- Chaplain: Fr. Francis Offia
- Membership: All are welcome; come as you are
Spaces Inside and Around the Center
The Newman Center is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM for study, fellowship, and prayer. Several named spaces give students, faculty, and visitors places to gather, study, and rest between classes.
- St. Louis King of France Library — coffee, cookies, and conversation
- St. John Paul II Parlor — study space with internet and copier/printer access
- St. Francis of Assisi Courtyard — outdoor fresh air and fellowship
- St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel — prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
- Purple Heart Garden and oak tree — outdoor picnic area
Clergy and Pastoral Care
The Newman Center is served by Fr. Francis Offia, who serves as Chaplain of the UNO Catholic community and also as Pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish in the Gentilly area. Fr. Francis provides pastoral guidance, celebrates the scheduled Masses, and is available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation by appointment.
- Chaplain: Fr. Francis Offia
- Contact: (504) 288-6344 / [email protected]
Connection to Transfiguration of the Lord Parish
Since the 2011 re-dedication, the Newman Center has served as the weekday Mass location and the parish office for Transfiguration of the Lord Parish during the academic year. That parish was created after Hurricane Katrina by merging St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, St. Raphael the Archangel, and St. Thomas the Apostle parishes, and is now headquartered at the former St. Raphael church on Elysian Fields Avenue. UNO students are warmly welcomed into the wider life of Transfiguration of the Lord.
- Parish name: Transfiguration of the Lord
- Sunday Masses (at Transfiguration, 2212 Prentiss Ave.): 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, and 6:00 PM
- Saturday Vigil (at Transfiguration): 4:00 PM
- Daily Mass also offered at Transfiguration (Mon–Fri at 8:15 AM; Tue at 6:00 PM)
Visit and Contact
The Newman Center is located on the UNO campus at 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70148, across the street from the University Center (#24 on the Campus Map). It is open weekdays from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM for study, fellowship, and prayer, and for scheduled liturgies. Visitors and prospective members are warmly welcomed.
- Address: 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70148
- Phone: (504) 288-6344
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: uno.edu/student-involvement-leadership/orgs/newman