Faith, Reason, and Service
The Catholic Newman Center for Pitt, CMU, and Chatham.
The Catholic Newman Center
Where Faith Meets the University
The Pittsburgh Oratory is the Catholic Newman Center for three universities — the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Chatham University. Students find here what so few universities can offer: a community of seekers, a tradition worth inheriting, and priests who will sit with them and talk.
“The Newman Center” names both this campus ministry and the room inside the Oratory where students gather, eat, and meet between classes — so whether you hear it as a place or a community, you’re in the right spot.
Whether you come for Mass, for a Newman Night, for a late-night conversation with a priest, or just for pizza — you belong here.
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Universities Served
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Priests on Campus
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FOCUS Missionaries
Campus Ministry Programs
Get Involved
The Newman Center runs throughout the academic year. All programs are open to any student regardless of where they are in their faith.
Newman Night
Every Sunday · 7:00 pm
St. Paul Cathedral basement
Pizza, a talk, and the best community in Pittsburgh. Every Sunday night during the academic year, students gather for fellowship, a short talk, and good food. No RSVP needed — just show up.
Mass on Campus
Sundays 11 am · Mondays 5:15 pm
Heinz Chapel (Pitt) · Wright-Rogal Chapel (CMU)
Can't make it to the Oratory? We bring the Mass to you. Sunday Mass at Heinz Chapel on the Pitt campus. Monday evening Mass at Wright-Rogal Chapel on CMU's campus.
First Friday Feast
First Friday of the Month · 6:00 pm
The Oratory
Each first Friday of the month, after Mass in honor of the Sacred Heart, undergraduate and graduate students gather around a shared table for a home-cooked meal.
FOCUS Bible Studies
Weekly · Various times
Pitt & CMU campuses
Small-group Bible studies led by FOCUS missionaries and students, meeting where students already are — in dorms, dining halls, and common rooms. Reach out to Hannah at hannah@pittsburghoratory.org to join a Bible Study.
Retreats at Rednal
Multiple times per semester
Rednal Retreat House · Ligonier, PA
Step away from campus at Rednal — the Oratory's 87-acre retreat property in Ligonier. Student retreats run each semester: a long weekend of silence, prayer, hiking, and brotherhood or sisterhood.
Newman Clubs
Each Newman Club connects students at their university to the Catholic Newman Center and to Christ. Check out their Instagram pages to see what they have going on!
- Pitt Newman Club@catholicnewmanclub412
- CMU Newman Club@tartancatholic
- Chatham Newman Club@chathamucatholic
FOCUS — Fellowship of Catholic University Students
Missionaries on Campus
Ten FOCUS missionaries serve the Pitt and CMU campuses in partnership with the Oratory. They lead small-group Bible studies, go on mission trips, and invest personally in students’ discipleship — one conversation at a time.
FOCUS missionaries live in Pittsburgh, walk the campus, and are sent out by the Oratory to be present where students are.
FOCUS at the University of Pittsburgh
FOCUS at Carnegie Mellon
Rednal Retreat House
87 Acres. One Purpose.
In the Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania — 50 miles from campus — lies Rednal: an 87-acre retreat property in Ligonier, PA named after the country home of Cardinal Newman. Hiking trails, a chapel, and enough silence to hear yourself think.
Retreats run throughout the academic year for undergraduates, graduate students, and young adults — men and women alike — and two Barn Dances are held each early fall. Adult retreats are available by arrangement.
Who We Are
Your Campus Ministry Team
Our priests and staff are on campus, at Masses, at events, and available for conversation. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Fr. Peter Gruber, C.O.
Campus Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry
Fr. Peter studied engineering and philosophy at Pitt and was ordained a priest in 2017. He oversees campus ministry for all three universities, with a particular focus at Pitt, and he serves as the Minister of the Rednal retreat house.
frpeter@pittsburghoratory.orgFr. Thomas Skamai, C.O.
Part-time Campus Chaplain
Fr. Thomas studied philosophy at Pitt and was ordained a priest in 2022. He serves as a part-time chaplain focusing on Chatham and full time as a high school teacher at Aquinas Academy. He is also pursuing an advanced degree in Canon Law.
thomas.skamai@gmail.comFr. Leo Dornan, C.O.
Part-time Campus Chaplain
Fr. Leo studied philosophy and political science at Pitt and was ordained a priest in 2024. He serves as a part-time chaplain focusing on Carnegie Mellon and full time as a teacher at Oakland Catholic High School.
leodornan@gmail.comBr. Kurt Kessler, C.O.
Assistant to the Chaplains
Br. Kurt graduated from Pitt with a degree in philosophy and was ordained a deacon in 2026. He will be ordained a priest in May of 2027 after completing his seminary training at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
kesslerkurt7@gmail.comHannah Naylor
Campus Minister
Hannah coordinates day-to-day campus ministry programming, student outreach, and community events for the Newman Center.
hannah@pittsburghoratory.orgCome Find Us
The Newman Center is at the Oratory, one block from the Cathedral of Learning. Show up on a Sunday night. Come to a weekday Mass. We’ll be there.
Questions? faith@pittsburghoratory.org · (412) 681-3181