“Through your wonderful support, you are helping us create new opportunities for worship, faith formation, and leadership service for our growing Catholic student population. The Catholic Center will be a warm and welcoming place, serving students’ intellectual and spiritual needs when they need it most.”
–SARAH C. MANGELSDORF
PRESIDENT AND G. ROBERT WITMER, JR. UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR
“College years are a critical developmental time, and our students are navigating complex and confusing spiritual, intellectual, and moral challenges. Newman can provide the foundation to prepare our students to be disciples far beyond campus. Your gift today will help us make history.”
–REV. BRIAN C. COOL '06W (MS), '21W (EdD)
NELSON HOFFMAN '55 AND JOAN DUTCHER HOFFMAN '55
DIRECTOR OF CATHOLIC NEWMAN COMMUNITY
On Monday, February 24, 2025, over 140 students, alumni, parents, and staff gathered with excitement to mark a historic moment in the life of the Catholic Newman Community at the University of Rochester—the groundbreaking of the $7.3 million Joseph P. Mack ’55 Catholic Center and the William and Mary Christine Carpenter Catholic Chapel!
After a multi-year journey—navigating the challenges of a pandemic, significant inflation, and the unexpected opportunity to secure an even greater location, larger building and more visible presence on campus— alumni, parents, staff, and students packed the Alumni Lounge in the Goergen Athletic Center at 9 AM to celebrate this momentous occasion. President Sarah Mangelsdorf, Bishop Salvatore Matano, Joe Mack ‘55, Bill and Chrissy Carpenter, and Amelia Swan ‘25 all spoke, marking this historic day and the profound impact this new home will have on our Catholic community for generations to come.
The energy in the room was electric—a testament to the passion and dedication that have carried this project forward with our over 450 donors and more than 1,800 current Catholic students on campus. As construction begins, we still need to raise $1.1 million to fully bring this dream to life. Your continued support—through prayers, donations, and advocacy—will help us complete this sacred space for generations to come."
Thank you for your prayers, your generosity, and your unwavering support. This is our chapel, our home, and our legacy. Together, we are building A Place to Gather, A Place To Pray, A Place to Grow.
