The
Cardinal Newman Catholic Campus Ministry Center is located at 1607
N. Rolla Street along the walkway from Thomas Jefferson Hall, near
St. Patrick Parish Church and UMR's Emerson Electrical building.
Many generous parishioners, alumni, parents, students and friends
made this great work of the Lord a reality.
The Newman Program at the University of Missouri-Rolla
was begun in 1953 by Msgr. Kaiser as a weekly discussion group
for Catholic Students at the then School of Mines. From 1953-1967
the students and faculty members met at St. Patrick Church. In
1967 a home was purchased for a Center and a Director was appointed.
In 1986 the Newman Center moved to closer to St. Patrick Parish
on Vichy Road. Up to 1997 the associate pastor of St. Patrick
Church served as the Newman Director. In 1997 Sr. Renita Brummer
was hired as a full time Director of Catholic Campus Ministry
and continued until 2006. In July, 2006, Sr. Denise Descoteaux
began her term as Director.
The Newman Center at UMR is named after John Henry
Newman (1801-1890). Newman, a scholar and ordained clergyman of
the Church of England, converted to Catholicism, lectured and wrote
extensively on the role and purpose of a university. His brilliance
and deep faith was an inspiration to Catholics throughout the world.
Newman’s respect for the life of learning was enhanced by
his Christian faith. He believed learning was a catalyst for the
spiritual journey. Catholic campus ministry centers at public universities
are often named after Cardinal Newman.
Currently Catholic Campus Ministry serves over
1,000 Catholic students and faculty at UMR.
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