Q: What is the Newman Center?
A: Named in honor of John Henry Cardinal Newman, Newman Centers, are residence and Catholic ministry centers throughout the world. The centers provide pastoral services and ministries to their Catholic communities, in particular to the Roman Catholic student population within the universities, and to their communities. A variety of university and parish related meetings and social events take place at the centers, as well as personal events including weddings, anniversary celebrations, baptisms, masses and funeral receptions. Most trace their inspiration back to the Newman Society of Oxford University.

Q: What goes on at the John Paul II Newman Center?
A: There is always a lot of activity at our Center, including daily and weekend mass at our East and West location Chapels. Beyond that, we’re so much more to students; from those that stop by to hang out in our lounge or eat lunch between classes to social events catered specifically to the students. The JP2 Center also exists to offer programs that reach beyond the classroom, including service programs and trips that help provide assistance to the many organizations around the Chicago land area, religious education, retreats and ethics programming through our Integritas Institute for Ethics program. We also help many of UIC’s organizations in their desire to do community service. Our Center is open to students of all faiths. For the most up to date happenings at the JP2, check out our Events page, click here.

Q: How long have you been at UIC?
A: We have had a presence on campus for over 43 years, then in 1979, The Center was built as a lasting memorial of the visit of His Holiness, Pope John Paul II to the Archdiocese of Chicago in October of that year. 

The original Catholic Center at 826 Morgan St. now offers solace for the Vocation Discernment House.
 
The Integritas Institute for Ethics opened in 1997 as a response to an identified need to provide a forum for the study and discussion of ethics and morality in the professional colleges at UIC.
Providing the stepping stone for the Church and the public university to co-exist, in 1999 we endowed the first ever Chair in Catholic Studies, excelling students in new areas of faith-based knowledge.

In 2006 the JP2 Newman Foundation began, to help further funding necessary to continue the progress being made.

Q: Are there other Newman Centers?
A: Yes. There are approximately 2100 Newman Center across the country and they are located at public colleges and universities.

Q: What is the purpose or goal of the Newman Center?
A: The goals of the Newman Center are consistent with goals set forth by the Department of Ministry in Higher Education of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The goals are to hand on the tradition of the faith; evangelize the University of Illinois community; create multiple experiences of large and small communities that serve to transform and integrate faith into everyday life through liturgical, intellectual, ethical and moral programs.

Q: How many students do you serve annually?
A: We are fortunate to serve the largest Catholic student body in the Midwest. 15,000 of 25,000 students that attend UIC are Catholic or come from Catholic families. Essentially, they are our parishioners.

Q: What is the relationship between the Newman Center and UIC?
A: We are privileged that the University of Illinois at Chicago, a public university, is open and welcoming to us as a religious organization. The University of Illinois has had a long standing relationship with Newman Centers, beginning with St. John’s Newman Center in Champaign almost a century ago. We are a provider of religious services to the university and assist each other in helping students by enriching their college education and experiences.

Q: Do you have to be Catholic to be involved?
A: While we do have a large number of Catholic students involved in our programs, we do not limit ourselves or our work to just these students or communities. We are open and welcome to all people of diverse faith backgrounds.

Q: How many Catholic students are at the Newman Center and UIC?
A: In a given year, almost 5,000 students come through our doors and consider JP2 their home away from home.

Q: What is your stance on the issues facing the Catholic Church right now?
A: The Catholic Church has been around since the days of Jesus Christ and when his disciple Peter was named head of the Church. Our Catholic Church has evolved for over 2,000 years. During that time we have been faced with many circumstances where goodness was tempted by evil, but we continue to strive to be more and more Christ-like. By following closely to the teaching of Jesus, we will continue to flourish.

Q: Are you a part of the Chicago Archdiocese?
A: We are considered an agency of the Archdiocese and part of their Ministry in Higher Education. Though we don’t have parishioners as a regular church would, we strive off our students and those who believe in our cause.

Q: How many staff members work at the Newman Center?
A: We are pleased to have many wonderful people working for us and with us. Currently, the Newman Center employs nine full time employees and five part time employees. Six of them are UIC alums!

Q: What are your strategic plans for the future?
A: The Newman Center takes pride in continually communicating its mission and works hard to reach out to the students here at UIC and the community at large. We focus daily on students and their lives in order to help them be the best person they can be, whether in the class room or through their communities. We have a vision to create a community where you can live a faith based life while attending UIC and well beyond graduation.

Q: I have heard about your foundation, what is the John Paul II Newman Foundation?
A: In 2006, the JP2 Newman Foundation was established to continue the forward progress already exciting the campus, enabling us to accept donations from supporters who believe in the service arm of our Center, but were never able to reciprocate based on our religious affiliation.

Q: What is the JP2-MC?
JP2-MC is the acronym for the John Paul II Mentoring Club. This club is student run and includes opportunities for students to provide service hours towards programs that reach out to the many social justice initiatives we believe in supporting around the local Chicago area. It was created to help students face problems and issues in their civic communities and to take active roles in helping combat some of the issues that arise and work towards providing solutions. The types of organizations we partner with include Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, The Ronald McDonald House, and the Greater Chicago Food Pantry.

Q What is the Newman Center West?
A: The John Paul II Newman Center West is a smaller location of the JP2 Newman Center offering liturgical, spiritual and ethical discourse for the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical School Campus. Program times and offerings are limited.

Q: Why do you need a Newman Center at the Medical Campus?
A: The Roman Catholic Church has a proud history of over 2000 years of intellectual, spiritual and liturgical tradition that has outlasted any other institution. The rich history of her scholarship and belief adds a positive perspective to the every-growing medical and technological advancements in medicine today.

Q: Where is the Newman Center West located?
A: The Newman Center West  is located in Student Center West Rm. 5 Basement of the Student Center. The phone number is 312-355- 3342.

Q: Do I need an appointment to come to the Newman Center?
A: No. Any person can stop by without an appointment to pray in our chapel (The Eucharist is reserved there) or use our facilities to study or just relax.

Q: You mentioned that you have a chapel. Are liturgies celebrated there?
A: Yes. We have a chapel that is open to anyone who wishes to spend time in prayer. Times vary by location, please visit our worship schedule, click here.  All students and faculty are invited to join the community.

Q: Is there an opportunity for Reconciliation (Confession)?
A: Yes. The sacrament of Reconciliation is offered for any student, faculty or staff member. Any person wishing to receive the sacrament needs only to stop in Student Center West Rm. 5 Basement or call for an appointment.

Q How can I receive more information about the John Paul II Newman Center?
A: Spend some time surfing our website or stop by the East or West facility. Need more, call us at:  312-226-1880 or 312-355-3342.