Father Patrick Keleher's dream was to have one place where UB students, staff and community members could come together and celebrate their Catholic faith.
The newly constructed Campus Ministry Center in the Newman Center off of UB's North Campus has fulfilled that wish.
The center was dedicated on Sunday at a full mass of UB students and community members. Students in the Catholic Campus Ministry finally have a place to call home.
Keleher, the pastor for the Newman Center who spearheaded the project, said the dedication was 'heavenly, joyful and energetic.' He added that he is excited to be so close to UB.
'I have been here for 21 years and I love it,' Keleher said. 'Our hope is that this building increases student involvement. That is the paradigm in our location – being so close to UB's campus, our presence will increase in many ways at and for the university.'
The $2.7 million project includes a main chapel and multipurpose space with seating for 380 people, a side chapel, offices, classrooms and a kitchen.
Before the reconstruction, the Campus Ministry only had an office located in the University Commons in which to hold events such as Bible study, Wednesday night dinners and social meetings. Masses were held in a small chapel off of Frontier Road or in the Student Union Social Hall. The new building brings together all of these aspects under one roof, creating a unity for the members that was previously lacking.
'So many possibilities are available now with programs and I think in the years to come, the numbers of programs and those in attendance will increase,' said Katie Koch, the campus minister at the Newman Center.
This project was in the works for four years and had a lot of emotional support from UB and the generosity of church members. Construction began after a groundbreaking ceremony in August 2009.
The funding for the pricey project came from the generosity of members of the Catholic community in Buffalo and at UB.
'Without them, the process would have been difficult, and we have been working closely with the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and specifically Bishop Kmiec,' Koch said.
Students involved with the Catholic Campus Ministry expressed excitement about the construction of the new building.
'I like the Newman Center. It's a community of people from the permanent and temporary residence coming together for the same reason and the same belief, and [it] serves as a support system that you can go to with any problem,' said Derek Peloquin, a junior chemistry and math major. 'The dedication had an air of excitement because the new center is a place where everyone can go and just have fun and help each other out.'
The dedication mass combined the students and the community members in their new place of worship for the first time.
Nadia Aboley, a longtime member of the Catholic Campus Ministry, sang at the dedication. She was enthusiastic about the new center and felt that the sense of permanence was one of the best things about it.
'The Bishop dedicated the new building and it was great to see everyone come together. It is a symbol that we will be here generation after generation,' Aboley said.
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