What is Newman Ministry?
Catholic ministry on secular college campuses started over a hundred years ago in Pennsylvania and took as its patron and name-sake the 19th century English convert who became a Cardinal of the Catholic Church -- John Henry Cardinal Newman who was known for his work on University campuses.
Newman Centers exist to radiate Jesus Christ in Word and Sacrament to the entire community of the University -- the students, faculty, staff, and alumni. We hope to be a presence of Catholic doctrine and a witness to the power of the Sacraments in the lives of all to whom we minister.
While being a secular, non-sectarian private university, we believe that Bradley University is a center of Catholic life and study because of the Saint Joseph Student Newman Foundation.
Our Director
Fr. Brian Brownsey, born and raised in Streator, IL was ordained a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Peoria on May 25, 1996. He has served throughout the diocese including Sacred Heart Church in Molin, Alleman High School in Rock Island, St. Mary's in Utica, Marquette High School in Ottawa, and St. Peter's in Peoria. He also served as the rector of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. In 2008 he became the Director of the St. Joseph Newman Center, and remains Director of Vocations for the diocese. He can be reached at fatherbrownsey@bradleynewman.org.
Our Campus Minister
Phil Lee was born and raised in Northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 2006 and continued to be a part of the St. John’s Catholic Newman Center there. Throughout his time as a student at the U of I he was involved with various ministries including Koinonia retreats, Bible studies and organizing praise and worship nights. He now brings his many talents to the St. Joseph Newman Center. He can be reached at phil@bradleynewman.org.
