All Things New

Rendering of the proposed new Newman Catholic Center

The Newman Catholic Center needs your support for the

"All Things New" rebuild project!

The mission of the Newman Catholic Center is to guide young adults, especially Catholic young men and women, in the call to holiness while they live out their life as college students. Through your gift you become a part of this mission to bring the light of Christ to students in the college setting!

Outside of the current Newman Catholic Center

GIVE

All donations are made through St. Leo Catholic Church, so be sure to notate that the donation is intended to support the Newman Center!

A History of our Newman Center

The Newman Campus Ministry at Murray State University was established with the help of Father Mattingly, who was the chaplain. In 1986 Bishop Soennecker invested $10,000 to set up the headquarters for Newman and a house on the corner of 13th Street and Payne was purchased. In 1994 that building was torn down and a double-wide trailer was moved into the space, where it served as the Newman Center and the home of a nun.

1962

2011

The first FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) team came to the Newman House Ministry to work with Newman students and to help develop their spiritual life.

1997

An addition was added to the East side of the double-wide, doubling the space of the Newman House and providing a chapel.

2021

One of the students of the Newman Center stepped through the floor, and we realized that it was truly necessary to begin considering the need for a new building.

Fall '21

Father Josh McCarty, chaplain of the Newman Center and pastor of St. Leo’s, began to build a case to present to the Diocese of Owensboro about the need for a new Newman Center building. From these efforts, “All Things New ” was born, and the dream became a reality!

Fall '23

“I wholeheartedly support the rebuild project entitled ‘All Things New’ which will enable the Diocese of Owensboro to serve our young people for generations to come.”

The bishop gave his official approval for the proposed building project and capital campaign!

Now

Let’s Work Together

Ways to Help

Prayer
Time
Talent
Treasure

As we launch this capital campaign for rebuilding the Newman Center we would like to ask for your help in whatever way you are able to give!

Prayer for the Rebuild

My Jesus, I ask You to direct and guide the build project and to bring together Your Church to support the mission of the Newman Catholic Center. Shepherd our planning, provide for our needs, and guide us with Your skilled and sacred carpenter’s hands.

Lord, use me as an instrument in this work! You have created me for service, and have chosen me from all eternity for such a time as this - let me be an instrument in the accomplishment of Your will today.

Father, we place all our cares in You. Amen. St. John Henry Newman, intercede for us!

Written by Philomena Hempel – Alumna of Newman Catholic Center and Murray State University

Floorplan

The proposed new building will be a 5000-square foot facility featuring a gathering space to accommodate approximately 100 students and a Chapel that is 150% larger than the current one and will comfortably seat more than 70 students for the celebration of Mass. There will be a library/reading room which can serve for Bible Study and is 65% larger than current space. Included will be a reinforced safe area in the event of severe weather, attractive study and meeting rooms, office space for the director and FOCUS staff, a modern kitchen for cooking meals, and larger, separate bathrooms.

Video Testimonials

A few video testimonials from alumna of the Newman Center who are entering or are in religious life or the seminary!

Emma Whitfill

James Sappington

Nathan Folz