Our Story
The ministry life center is the culmination of 5 years work, planning, and support. It greatly increases our capacity for the Café Manna Soup Kitchen, all church functions, and 9pm socials for students. It has served us well and continues to be a great blessing for us. It was christened with our Advent Student Dinner on December 12th, 2010 by Bishop Melczek after our student mass.
The upstairs contains our new blessed sacrament chapel, a retreat room ("The Antioch Room") and most importantly our new student center. Check out the guided tour!
The Link
Despite the wonderful additions of this building, this may be the most exciting feature for some. No longer must we brave the elements to get from the church to cafe manna. This link provides an indoor link between our new Ministry Life Center and our church.
In addition, an elevator provides handicap access to all levels of our new center. This link provides exits to both the north and south parking lots of St. Teresa's.
The Back Hall
No, it's not where Colonel Mustard did it with the rope. The hall is lit with warm welcoming can lights linking the entire upstairs. Use it to peruse the many new rooms of our Ministry Life Center.
The Chapel
Our Blessed Sacrament chapel has been moved over here to allow handicap access as well as a better space for prayer and reflection. The light over the tabernacle always remains on, so come stop by for a quiet moment.
The Antioch Room
"And it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians" -- Acts 11:26
The Antioch room was built as a comfortable place for growing in and sharing our faith with others. Several sofas, love seats, and chairs form a nice area for large group meetings.
It is equipped with a kitchenette and plenty of cabinets for storage. Several dining tables are also available for a nice lunch or breakouts during a meeting.
The Antioch room has seating comfortably for thirteen plus 12 dining chairs.
The Hall
No, it's not where Colonel Mustard did it with the rope. The hall is lit with warm welcoming can lights linking the entire upstairs. Use it to peruse the many new rooms of our Ministry Life Center.
The Study Area
One of the primary and already most used functions of the student center is having a place for quiet but social study. Three "pub-style" study tables provide ample space for study and are far enough away to not be bothered by the noise of a quiet television but elevated so as to provide stadium seating when needed
Across the hall the Antioch Room provides a silent study space when not occupied, but in the student center (aka the Newman Room) students can study with others and have the pleasure of social interaction while doing work. As this is St. T's, these tables are not coincidentally quiet perfect for a nice game of Euchre.
The Coffee Nook
Our coffee nook has the feel of a Starbucks with (of course) the hospitality of St. Teresa's, two chairs and a glass chess set make for an excellent place to cup of coffee or enjoy a challenge game of thought with a friend.
The TV Area
The TV Area of the new student center includes a 55" LED TV with plenty of HD channels for students to peruse. Additionally we have a BluRay player to show a variety of movies and possibly set the stage for a film/discussion series.
A large chocolate sectional and chair make up a very comfortable viewing area, with dimmable can lighting providing an excellent movie theater like feeling.
The Game Area
The middle section of our new student center has a collection of a few chairs and a coffee table the perfect size of any board game. The open space provides room for dancing (as some students have already done) or floor space for a game of twister.
In addition, outside the kitchen are two bistros tables perfect for lunching, chatting, or a nice game of cards for two.
The St. Thomas Aquinas Study Room
This study room provides a quiet place for students to either study alone or as a group. Eight chairs and a large table provide plenty of place to spread out and work. Works great as a group project room or a place to have a nice big meal. Plenty of cabinet space acts as storage for both students and campus ministry. It also has a whiteboard for students to use.
If you would like to reserve this room for a group project, email John at jdewyze@saintt.com.
Kitchen
Included in our student center is a small kitchenette complete with refrigerator and sink for student use. Plates, bowls, cups, and utensils are available for students to bring their meals over and eat (or reheat) whenever they wish. A constant supply of lemonade will be available. It will also have a microwave and some popcorn for whenever someone would like to relax and watch a movie.
In addition, our always growing collection of games are located in the cabinets free for all to use. If it had a stove, you'd never have to leave!
The Campus Minister Office
To be closer and more present to the students, the campus minister office has been moved over to the new building. In addition to being easily accessible for students, it is equipped with a love seat and chair for students to meet when necessary.
In addition, a whiteboard allows students to trash talk the card playing skills of the campus minister in a public way. It only took a week and it's already messy and cluttered, hard work occurs here.
Men's Bathroom
Near the front of our building are located men's and women's bathrooms.
Women's Bathroom
Near the front of our building are located men's and women's bathrooms.
Upstairs Foyer
Outside the second floor bathrooms is a nice foyer area perfect for any registrations or gathering prior to large events or retreats in our Antioch Room.
North Stairs
In addition to the stairs located in the link between the church and new building, there are a set of stairs in the front of the building.
