"When I walked in to the first campus Mass in August of 2019, I never could have imagined what the Lord would do with that first "yes." By the perservering grace of God and through this community, I've grown, daily, more deeply in love with Jesus and the Catholic faith. Here I had a place to form friendships that have encouraged me to pursure greater virtue, fortified by the sacraments of the Church. Cougar Catholic even gave me the opportunity to take a pilgrimage to Paris and Lourdes, France in 2020. Life with Christ is more lovely, adventurous, and joyful; I want everyone to share in it with me!"

   -Maria Fitzgerald

     Class of 2023

"When I went away to college, my faith was at a turning point in my life. During high school, I attended Mass on Sundays with my parents but that was where my spiritual life ended. I wanted to develop a more personal relationship with Christ but had no idea where to start. I went to the SIUE Newman Center and was surprised to find practicing Catholics who were my age. They were active students striving to live a holy life in a culture that encouraged the opposite. I made new friends and strengthened my faith through small groups, retreats, Mass, adoration, and Thursday Newman Nights. The SIUE Newman Center encouraged my vocation to the priesthood and shaped me into the man I am today."

                                            -Charlie Delano

                                              Class of 2019