FAQs

How do I get involved?

Please register with our community! More than ever before, registering will help us stay connected and serve your spiritual and community needs.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter!

Register as a parishioner! 

Do you have a Newman center?

The offices and meeting spaces of the Cornell Catholic Community are located in Anabel Taylor Hall. We are one of a large group of university affiliated chaplaincies which comprise Cornell United Religious Work (CURW).

Our spaces include the Redlin Room, our main gathering space and library, the lounge, and Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and, of course, our offices. All are open to students.

Where does Mass take place?

All Sunday and major Holy Day liturgies are celebrated on campus in historic Sage Chapel. Weekday liturgies are held in the chapel of Anabel Taylor Hall. There are also two Roman Catholic parishes in Ithaca, Immaculate Conception Church and St. Catherine of Siena Church, both of which welcome the presence and participation of the Cornell community.

Do you have a priest?

Fr. Daniel McMullin, a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester (NY), is our full-time director. He is appointed by the diocesan bishop, the Most Reverend Salvatore Matano. Our community is also served by Deacon Mike Mangione.

What about other staff?

Our lay staff includes a full-time associate director, a full-time business and office manager, a full-time campus minister and a large team of part-time student workers. There are numerous work-study opportunities and paid student internships for Catholic students!

How many people go to Mass?

Our average Sunday attendance numbers over 350 students, staff, and faculty; the vast majority are students. We also have over 100 students who share their musical talents or assist as acolytes, sacristans, lectors, ministers of hospitality, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. We hope you’ll consider joining one of our liturgical ministries or music ministry.

Is there a Christian or Catholic dorm or housing?

The Cornell Catholic Community does not have a residence facility, but students interested in Christian housing have some options. The Chesterton House is a Christian house of prayer and study. Many Catholic students have been residents or taken part in their for-credit courses. Informally, many students also find roommates and friend groups through the Cornell Catholic Community.

How do I find Catholic friends at Cornell?

As soon as you make the decision to attend Cornell you’ll be asked to fill out and return a Religious Preference Form. When you arrive on campus and attend one of our first Masses, we’ll invite you to register as a member of our community. With that registration we’ll inform you by email or our weekly e-newsletter (Flocknote) of our many programs and events. First Year Students are also invited to participate in our Big Sib/Little Sib Program, which pairs you with a returning Catholic student and connects you with other new and returning students in the community.

What has COVID-19 meant for campus ministry?

During the 2020-2021 academic year, when in-person ministry was not possible, we provided small group gatherings through Zoom—musical livestreams, Bible study, prayer groups, office hours, drop-ins with staff members, etc.—and remained as connected as we could via email and phone. Some in-person gatherings were resumed in the Spring 2021 semester. We resumed full in-person ministry on campus in Fall 2021, retaining some of the new tools and techniques we learned during the pandemic. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns about your sacramental life, spiritual well-being, or safety concerns.