Campus Ministry: Small office, big spiritual impact
Campus Ministry acts as the beating heart of faith within the Newman community, creating a space for students and faculty to grow closer with God and practice a pious way of life on campus.
The Campus Ministry Office provides daily Mass and confession, weekly Adoration and Campus Ministry Night each Wednesday. Additionally, it organizes two retreats each semester. During the 2023-24 school year, the ministry held a camping trip, attended SEEK (a Catholic convention aimed at college students) in St. Louis and traveled to San Antonio in the spring to volunteer with the Texas Ramp Project. There, students helped build ramps for disabled and elderly people who require ramps for mobility but otherwise would not have access to them.
Campus Ministry made a particular impact on the lives of Austin Fullerton, Charles Morrison and Elvis Cruz, along with Friends University student Davis Green. In their pursuit towards faith, Campus Ministry provided a place for them to express their spirituality and aided in their entrance to the Catholic Church, the students said.
Under the guidance of former chaplain Father Adam Grelinger ‘’11, Campus Ministry has expanded to be a place where students can find community in the development of their faith. Father Edmund “Ed” Herzog ‘’10, ‘’11 took the helm as Newman’s chaplain in July 2024, and plans to continue Grelinger’s efforts.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve done in Father Adam’s time in this office. I think it’s grown to be a place (where) students hang out and enjoy each other’s company. So, mostly I’m just excited to see where Father Ed will take the office and how it will continue to grow and be an important part in this community,” said Emily Simon ’16, ’22, former assistant director of Campus Ministry.
Campus Ministry plans to attend SEEK again in 2025 — this time in Salt Lake City — and will continue holding Campus Ministry nights each Wednesday.