We the people of St. Albert the Great Newman Parish are a diverse Catholic community with a ministry to New Mexico State University as well as to the wider community.
We strive to proclaim and celebrate Jesus Christ through Word and Sacrament.
We seek to achieve our mission through prayer, study and social and spiritual outreach.
We welcome and accept all who wish to join the celebration of God's presence and gift of life.
The “Newman Club” was started at New Mexico A&M College (the name changed to New Mexico State University in 1958) on September 14, 1930. For a good many years its meetings were held at St. Genevieve’s rectory which was then on the site of the present Loretto Mall. The Newman Club of the 30’s reflected the warmth, humor and enthusiasm of its first chaplain, Fr. “Buc” Buchanan. As the nation gathered for war, Fr. Buc went with many of his students leaving Fr. David Kirgin in charge. The club of the 40’s was small in number, but strong in spirit. Those returning from the war took up studies on a campus bustling with new growth.
When Fr. Bill Ryan was assigned to the newly established parish of Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1953, he took charge of the club. Through his dynamic efforts the club grew and was able to obtain its present site and building in 1956. Emily Westbrook, in cooperation with Dr. Marion Hardman, was instrumental in getting Bishop Netzger of the Diocese of El Paso to purchase Dr. Hardman’s property for the students. Dr. Hardman remained a benefactor for many years.
With the coming of the 60’s, a new decade and new era come to the life of the club under the direction of Fr. Blase Schauer, OP, who was indeed a “liturgical pioneer.” With the aid of students, faculty and friends, Fr Schauer set about building the chapel (currently at the southeast end of De Colores Hall) with his own hands. The chapel of St. Albert the Great became know as “The House that Love Built.” It was dedicated on May 5, 1962.
An ecumenical approach to campus ministry began in the late 60’s under the direction of Fr. Schauer and continued under the direction of Frs. Lionel Moroney, OFM, and Wayne Ladenburger, OFM. The Newman Center became a haven for many socially active groups, some of which were not always popular on campus as the nation struggled with an unpopular war in Viet Nam and many voices were raised in protest.
With the aid of a generous donation from the Catholic Extension Society, a major remodeling of the Center was undertaken by Fr. Paul Kao in 1971. A similar remodeling took place later on under the direction of Ric Machado.
Fr. Charles Stoeber came to the Center in 1972 from service in the military chaplaincy. A talented preacher as well as musician, he brought many gifts to the Center. In 1974, Fr. John Anderson, then associate pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary, was assigned as chaplain to the Center. Under his direction, many new traditions were begun and a strong team ministry was developed.
In July of 1983, Bishop Ricardo Ramirez, CSB, invited Fr. Art Roberts, CSB, from the Newman Centre of the University of Toronto to become the tenth chaplain of the center. With the transformation of the Center into a parish on Easter Sunday, 1984, Fr. Art became the first pastor of St. Albert the Great Newman Parish.
On June 1, 1994, Fr. Mitch Dowalgo, CSB, took the reins of the parish as he arrived from Rochester, New York. Fr. Mitch has led the parish through a period of unprecedented growth with a vision that has placed parishioners in true leadership roles within the community. His vision has also greatly increased the parish’s ministry to the students of NMSU. His spiritual leadership and knowledge of liturgy has given the parish a new sense of direction, spirituality and spirit.