Our Parish
“I will go peaceably and firmly to the Catholic Church: for if Faith is so important to our salvation, I will seek it where true Faith first began, seek it among those who received it from God Himself.” – St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Located on the West Virginia University downtown campus, St. John University Parish was originally erected in 1925 as a chapel to support the Catholic community of WVU. In 1966, the church was raised to the status of a parish. Since our beginning, we have been seeking to grow in holiness as disciples of Jesus Christ, who in turn strive to bring others to Him and His Church.
Our parish community has been called to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Church at West Virginia University by serving the students, faculty, staff, and families of the greater Morgantown area. As a parish devoted to campus ministry, we provide opportunities for students and adults to participate in the sacramental life of the Church, to deepen one’s spiritual life, to serve the poor and disadvantaged, and to develop meaningful, lifelong relationships with other Catholics on campus and throughout greater Morgantown.
Mountaineer Catholic 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 (see below), for more information on our campus ministry! Visit our campus ministry page here.
We look forward to adoring and serving our Lord with you.
Staff
Clergy
Parish Staff
Campus Ministry (Mountaineer Catholic)
Parish Groups
Women’s Group
All women of St. John University Parish are welcome to join the Women’s Group.
The group was formed to provide support in spiritual growth and opportunities for outreach. The women participate in events, small groups and Bible studies, and service committees. The women meet every fourth Monday of the month in the Sophia Center at 7 p.m. Join us!
Titus 2 Men’s Group
The Titus 2 Men’s group is a men’s prayer group at St. John’s. The group meets 1st, 3rd and 4th Mondays at 7:00 pm in Potter’s Cellar to pray for St John University Parish. All are invited. For more information, please contact Bob Carubia.
“In his teaching, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray with a purified heart, with lively and persevering faith, with filial boldness. He calls them to vigilance and invites them to present their petitions to God in his name. Jesus Christ himself answers prayers addressed to him.”
– Catechism of the Catholic Church 2621
St. John University Parish – Council 8288
Charter Date: February 15, 1983 | Meetings: 1st Mon 7:00 PM
GRAND KNIGHT:Thomas Sieban | thomassieban@gmail.com
FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Michael Sarcopski | Phone: C: (304) 906-9410 | msaccopski@live.com
FOCUS
Mountaineer Catholic is blessed to partner with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) as we serve the Catholic students at WVU in campus ministry. FOCUS is a national outreach that invites college students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship and friendships in which they lead others to do the same. Each year, teams of FOCUS missionaries are sent to college campuses at the invitation of the local bishop and with the support of the local Catholic campus ministry. They help change lives on campus and have been doing an amazing job here at WVU!
Interested in getting involved in a FOCUS Bible Study? Check out more info at
http://focusoncampus.org/campus/west-virginia-university
Post-Grads/Young Professionals/Young Families
We invite all those who have recently graduated, as well as those into their 30s, who are single, married, and have families to join our St. John young adults/professionals group. We meet monthly for fellowship and faith-building. Please feel free to find out more by emailing us at youngadults@mountaineercatholic.com.
Courage Apostolate
Courage members are men and women who experience same-sex attractions and who have made a commitment to strive for chastity. They are inspired by the Gospel call to holiness and the Catholic Church’s beautiful teachings about the goodness and inherent purpose of human sexuality.
Through our apostolate, people who experience same-sex attraction receive pastoral support in the form of spiritual guidance, community prayer support, and fellowship.
The Five Goals of Courage are:
- To live chaste lives in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching on homosexuality (Chastity);
- To dedicate our entire lives to Christ through service to others, spiritual reading, prayer, meditation, individual spiritual direction, frequent attendance at Mass, and the frequent reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist (Prayer and Dedication);
- To foster a spirit of fellowship in which we may share with one another our thoughts and experiences, and so ensure that no one will have to face the problems of homosexuality alone (Fellowship);
- To be mindful of the truth that chaste friendships are not only possible but necessary in a chaste Christian life; and to encourage one another in forming and sustaining these friendships (Support);
- To live lives that may serve as good examples to others (Good Example/Role Model).
More information can be found on Courage’s official website. If you experience same-sex attraction and would like to be part of our local Courage Chapter, please email couragedwc@gmail.com.
Confraternity of St. Nicholas
The Confraternity of Saint Nicholas is a public association of the faithful who, through prayer, fasting, and good works, are dedicated to the protection of all children from scandalization, abuse, and trafficking. The members of the Confraternity, by fulfilling its obligations, gain many spiritual benefits. Members enjoy the intercession of St. Nicholas, great wonder worker, Bishop, and patron of children. We pray that, as St. Nicholas defended the Divinity of Christ, he too by our prayers, fasting, and good works defends all children from harm.
Apostolate to the Needy
St. John’s offers two soup kitchens for our needy here in Morgantown: Bible and a Breakfast on Saturday mornings from 8 – 9am and Sarah’s Table on Sunday mornings from 11:30 – 12:30pm.
Bible and a Breakfast:
Every Saturday morning the Bible & Breakfast volunteers serve healthy meals and words for the needy in Morgantown. If you would like to spread God’s love to those in need through volunteering your time and talents, please call Bob Carubia at (304) 276-1360 for details.
Sarah’s Table:
Located in Potter’s Cellar at St. John’s. For over 25 years each Sunday a team of volunteers has prepared and served a free mid-day meal to those in need of good food and good company. All are welcome! Interested in volunteering? Join the team! Our teams serve 4-5 times over the course of the year. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Marge McCawley at (304) 376-4188 (can text) or Mmcawley@aol.com. Interested in giving a monetary donation? Please make checks out to St. John University Parish with Sarah’s Table on the memo line and mailed to St. John University Parish. You may also donate online here.
Intercessory Prayer
Matthew 18:19-20
“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name,
I am there in their midst.”
At St. John’s we support and encourage each other through prayer. Each day we pray for all of the prayer requests submitted to our parish and entrust them to our Lord’s Mercy and Love.
Prayer Requests
Please fill out the following form if you would like to submit a prayer request. Your contact information will not be shared with our prayer team.
Be a Prayer Chain Member
If you would like to pray for others and the prayer requests that we receive, please let us know. The more people interceding for our parish and all of the intentions we receive, the better!
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you! Please fill out the form with your comments or concerns, and we will be with you shortly.
Or Contact Us Directly at:
Address
St. John University Parish
1481 University Ave
Morgantown, WV 26505
Phone
(304) 296 – 8231