As a university parish entrusted by the Church with a specific mission, we embrace fully our ministry of serving as a strong Catholic presence at Kent State University. By focusing on worship, learning and service to the local and global community, we accompany our students toward lifelong commitment to faith and to our Tradition. Enriched by many persons from within and beyond the university, we commit ourselves to the hospitality, generosity, and prayerfulness that mark those gathered at the table of the Risen Lord.
Parish Profile
We are a small parish community of approximately 225 families dedicated to serving the campus of Kent State University. During the academic year our population increases by several hundred through the participation of our KSU students.
In addition to traditional sacramental offerings and parish educational programming, our parish life is enhanced by dynamic adult faith formational activities designed for those in college and beyond. Striving to realize our call to be unified as the Body of Christ, we actively work to maintain an integrated community by incorporating our university students in all facets of parish life.
Membership at the University Parish Newman Center
During late summer and early autumn, we update our files and databases to better serve the parish and enhance its programs. Because of the specialized nature of our parish and its mission, it is important to clarify our understanding of “membership.” Thus we hope to minimize confusion and maximize our commitment to who we are.
Since we are not a territorial parish with geographic boundaries, membership in our parish is not determined by baptism or address; it is not “de facto.” As a university parish which exists to build the future of our church through campus ministry, we have a special responsibility to model a committed adult Catholic way of life—and this includes being church in a healthy, responsible fashion.
You need not be a KSU student, alumnus/alumna, faculty or staff member to belong to our parish. We welcome persons from “far and wide”; indeed many of our parishioners travel a good distance to worship with us and join in our ministry. Nor do we present ourselves as an “alternative parish.” Ideally we understand our parish as a Catholic community of men and women deeply committed to the future of our church. We strive to serve as models for our students of all ages while learning with them about our gifts, talents and responsibilities.
Membership in the parish reflects this commitment to our mission. When you register in our parish, you commit yourself to regular and consistent participation in weekly Mass, to consistent and generous financial support of the parish, to an appropriate level of participation in parish life and programs. We exist as a parish because this vision guides our members who often ask, “If everyone’s participation and support resembled mine/ours, what would the church be like?” Regular worship and sacrificial giving form the cornerstones of our parish’s community life and viability.
As you discern membership in our Newman Center parish, please give these criteria your prayerful consideration.