Campus Ministry
Our Newman Hall is always open for our students to spend time together, study, and grow in their faith. Our campus ministry program, Mountaineer Catholic, sponsors weekly formational and recreational events for our students such as Bible studies, Dinner for a Dollar, movie nights, prayer groups, and various socials. Students are encouraged to attend daily Mass and make frequent use of the Sacrament of Confession. Spring and Fall semester retreats also help our students take time out of their busy school schedule to deepen their relationship with Christ. Contact our campus minister, Colleen Criste, for more information on our campus ministry!
We look forward to adoring and serving our Lord with you.
Meet Our Campus Minister!

Hi! My name is Colleen Criste, and I am the Director of Programs and Development for Campus Ministry for WVU! I’m also known more informally as the campus “Mom!”
A little about me: I have been married to my husband Dan for 30 years, and we have 8 beautiful children and a big German Shepherd named Sarge. We relocated to Morgantown from Bedford, VA two years ago.
I used to spend Summers visiting my cousins in Morgantown, and my uncle who was an English professor at WVU for over 30 years. One of my favorite memories from childhood was riding the PRT downtown with my cousin Paul and sitting in the stands for a WVU basketball game at the Coliseum.
I love Jesus and coffee, and food of all kinds – the spicier the better! I enjoy all things outdoors: hiking, kayaking, swimming, skiing, tennis…but not camping. I’m more of a Glamper.
I also love to laugh. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit! If you can make me laugh, we’ll be friends for life.
I have been known to pray spontaneously in a crisis, and I’m a very good listener.
My desire is to serve the spiritual needs of the students with grace and love to the best of my ability. I look forward to meeting each of you personally!
Mountaineer Catholic is a Home Away from Home for our Students!
Our students grow in their Faith through opportunities such as Bible Studies, retreats, pilgrimages, speaker nights, All-Night Adoration, etc.


Our Campus Ministry Program Makes a Difference on the WVU Campus!
Mountaineer Catholic is recognized by the University as an active presence on WVU’s campus.
Authentic Friendship is Important to Us!
We promote fun activities for the students, such as bonfires, hiking days, Square Dancing Night or Swing Dancing Nights, in order that the students may get to know each other and spend time with each other to form good, healthy friendships rooted in the Catholic Faith.
