Catholic Student Center at USF

What time is Sunday Mass?

There is a Vigil Liturgy on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and two Liturgies on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

There is a daily Liturgy on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 5:15 p.m.

Communal penance services are scheduled for Advent and Lent.

Why isn't it called a "Newman Center"?

On many college campuses the Catholic campus ministry center is called the Newman Center. When the Catholic Student Center was established at the University of South Florida in 1967, it was the choice of Archbishop James Hurley to name this Chapel the Catholic Student Center. This center exists to provide spiritual, social and personal support and encouragement to the students at USF.

How can I get involved?

There are a number of opportunities for involvement in our community. For those who are interested in being a Reader or Eucharistic Minister for Sunday Liturgy, the Diocesan Worship Office offers training seminars for liturgical ministers. The Catholic Student Union does a wide variety of activities throughout the year. There are also a number of community service projects in which we participate throughout the year.

What is the Catholic Student Union?

The Catholic Student Union is our club for students. The CSU is chartered through the University's Student Activities Department; membership is open to all USF students. The CSU meets weekly on Sunday nights at 8:00 p.m. A Calendar of CSU Events is posted on this website; the CSU also maintains their own website with information about the group.

Why are there no kneelers in the chapel?

The room which we use as a chapel was built originally as a social hall. As the student population at the University grew, the social came to be used more often for Sunday Liturgy. The hall was remodeled in 1986 in order to make it more conducive to Sunday worship. One of the principle values embraced by the ongoing liturgical reform in our Catholic Church is the desire for the unity and active participation of the Sunday congregation. Most new church buildings and recent remodels do not include kneelers. In these churches the congregation joins the presiding priest in standing throughout the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Sharing the same posture and the same prayer, the priest and congregation join together in solidarity as one People of God.

Is there a Bible Study that I can attend?

Yes, there are several small Christian communities in our congregation which meet on a weekly basis. They pray together and reflect on the Scripture readings from the coming Sunday's Liturgy of the Word. Contact The Chaplain's Office for details.

Are there opportunities for Christian service?

Yes, there is a group of students who participate in "Feed the Homeless" every Sunday afternoon. The Catholic Student Union makes monthly visits to the patients at Shriner's Hospital and to the residents at John Knox Village Nursing Center. We also participate in local events such as the American Cancer Society's "Walk for Life."

How can I learn more about my faith?

There are a number of opportunities to deepen one's understanding of the Catholic faith. The Catholic Student Union's Men's and Women's groups meet monthly to discuss matters of faith and morals. There is an Adult Faith Formation program that takes place every semester. There are also instruction programs for those who would like to become Catholic. Information about these opportunities is available by calling The Catholic Center at 813-988-3727, or by email.

Are there sacramental instructions available at The Catholic Center?

The Catholic Center is able to provide sacramental instructions for USF students and their families. Please click "Sacraments and Instructions" on the navigation bar on the left of this page for more details.

What can I do to get more out of Sunday Mass?

Three things are required in order to engage fully in Sunday Liturgy. First, Catholic public worship (Mass and the Sacraments), requires a lot of attention, awareness and understanding. There are some important data which one must master before being able to connect with Sunday Liturgy. Unfortunately, religious instruction for children in the past thirty years has been a little lacking in good information. If you find yourself in this situation, there are a number of good books and resources which can give you a more adequate understanding of your faith.

Second, one needs a lively and satisfying personal prayer life. Personal prayer and communal prayer go hand in hand. One good way to begin to pray daily is to use the Scripture readings from daily Mass for your personal reflection. There are also a number of good resources which provide daily meditations and scripturally based prayers for your personal use. There are links to examples of each of the above suggestions on the "Links" page on this site; click on "Links" on the navigation bar at the left of this page.

Third, one must have a personal relationship to a specific worshiping community. "Shopping around" for a parish is useful only if you want to run up the odometer on your car. Register in the parish closest to where you live. USF students are invited and encouraged to register at The Catholic Center. Get to know the community where you register. At The Catholic Center, there is always a group hanging around after Sunday Liturgy. The Saturday evening Vigil congregation hangs around in the hallway outside the Chapel until the mosquitos chase us to dinner at a local restaurant. The Sunday morning congregation stays around for cookies, punch and friendly conversation. The Catholic Student Union has its weekly meeting after the Sunday evening Liturgy; after the meeting, there is always a group who goes out for a late supper.

At Sunday Liturgy we gather together our hopes and dreams, our disappointments and our prayers; we pray with one another and for one another. Most important of all, we ask God to make us one as we share the one bread and the one cup of the Lord's Supper.