MUCH ANTICIPATED AND LONG-AWAITED…

The Catholic Diocese of Grand Island and the St. Teresa of Calcutta Newman Center are moving forward with a campaign to build a new facility on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). 

THE EXISTING FACILITIES HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IS NO LONGER THE BEST USE OF RESOURCES.

Founded in 1952 and in its current location for seven decades, the Newman Center has been well-served by its aged premises. However, the number of students served by St. Teresa's is higher now than ever. Growing out of its space and with facilities crumbling, it is time to build the students a new church. 

NEW LAND COMMITTED...
NO GOING BACK

In December 2024, UNK and St. Teresa’s concluded a land swap agreement for the property at 1601 University Drive. No money changed hands in the exchange and the new property perfectly suits St. Teresa’s needs for a new church. The agreement calls for UNK to take possession of the Newman Center’s existing premises no later than December 2029, at which time the buildings will be demolished and a UNK parking lot constructed. 

THE CLOCK IS TICKING…

It is time to build a new church. We need space for worship, community dinners, Bible studies, and social/fun activities.

BALANCING TODAY, TOMORROW AND THE FUTURE

The proposed layout for the new church is a modest 25,000 square feet. The church will seat 300, the parish hall will allow for community dinners of 180, and there are spaces for 9 different Bible study groups to meet at the same time. We have nearly 30 Bible study groups right now.

WHAT WILL THE FUTURE BRING?

While it is conceivable that enrollment totals at UNK may decline in coming years due to AI and other factors, it is highly probable that student engagement at St. Teresa's will continue to increase, perhaps dramatically. We are currently serving roughly 10% of the UNK student body, and that percentage keeps steadily increasing. Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we have every expectation of serving a third or more of all UNK students soon. In addition, as enrollment of University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and Central Community College (CCC) students in Kearney grows, we anticipate these students enlarging our programs as well.

Students from the St. Teresa of Calcutta Newman Center sit around a campfire and string lights at a retreat.

THE FUTURE IS HAPPENING NOW.

See St. T's in action

We want our donors to be informed and excited about this project. Here are answers to questions many of you have asked us. We love to talk with people about this future new St. Teresa's, please reach out to us with any questions, concerns or ideas. 

ANSWERS

ANSWERS

REASONS TO SUPPORT THIS NEW CHURCH

Different people with different priorities can all find at least one reason among the dozen to support this effort.

  • Father Hock stands outside with two students in blue t-shirts. Each of them are wearing sunglasses.

    01. Partnering with UNK

    St. Teresa’s strengthens UNK, draws students to the campus, and has a profound impact on the learning of “deeper things” at the university.

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  • Father Hock stands at the altar and lifts the consecrated host during Mass. A gold and red tapestry with Jesus hangs behind him.

    02. The Salvation of Souls

    St. Teresa's is 100% focused on the salvation of young people's souls and in enriching their lives in Christ.

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  • A drone shot overtop of Kearney, Nebraska, showing the St. James property and Kearney Catholic High School track.

    03. Strengthening Kearney

    St. Teresa’s is a civic leader in Kearney and influences young citizens who want to stay and build their futures here.

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  • Father Hock processes outside with the monstrance. Four altar servers hold a processional canopy over him and another follows closely behind.

    04. The Future of the Church

    Newman Centers foster priestly vocations and form young Catholics who are the future of the Church.

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  • Students sit outside on UNK's campus for Eucharistic Adoration.

    05. Winning the Culture War

    The role of the Catholic Faith in the ongoing Culture War is to form young people who know their faith, take it seriously and are beacons of God's original plan for humanity.

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  • A yellow and orange sunset in the Nebraska countryside. A fence sits in the foreground.

    06. Developing Western Nebraska

    Development in Kearney is a building block and gateway for Western Nebraska.

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  • The UNK FOCUS team stands to the right of Bishop Hanefeldt. The three girls wear long dresses and the two men wear grey suits.

    07. Supporting FOCUS

    FOCUS is leading a revolution in the Church and our society by providing true knowledge of Jesus Christ.

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  • Father Hock and two altar servers kneel in front of the altar where Jesus is exposed in the monstrance. Incense rises over the altar.

    08. Growing the Church in Nebraska

    The network of Newman Centers across the state are engines of growth for the Church in Nebraska.

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  • A black and white image of Mother Teresa smiling at the camera. A young girl smiles behind her.

    09. Honoring Mother Teresa

    Few parishes around the world are named after St. Teresa of Calcutta, and the young people at St. Teresa’s in Kearney love "Mother" very much.

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  • A drone shot of St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island, Nebraska.

    10. Building the Grand Island Diocese

    As a focal point for young Catholics, St. Teresa’s serves youth across the whole Grand Island Diocese.

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  • A white iPhone sits on a white table next to a blue stethoscope.

    11. UNMC and Rural Healthcare

    The future of rural healthcare is being trained at UNMC in Kearney, and these students need authentic formation in spiritual as well as physical health.

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  • A girl with brown hair and a black shirt kneels to receive communion on the tongue.

    12. The Presence of God in the World

    Building a church is very simply a sign of God in the world.

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FAITH IN ACTION: UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Knights of the Holy Eucharist Visit

    October 25-27

  • Jesus exposed in the monstrance.

    Sanctifier Retreat

    November 20-22

  • Christmas Decorating Party

    December 3 - 9 p.m.

DON’T MISS THE LATEST NEWS AND MILESTONES.

We’re continuing to build this site as the campaign develops, thank you for following along!