The Newman Center at Drexel University celebrated its 100th anniversary recently, and Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez was among those who took part in the events.

“Yesterday, @DrexelNewman Catholic Community celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Agatha-St. James Parish in University City,” Perez said in a May 8 Twitter post. “I was blessed to help celebrate this special milestone for this wonderful and vibrant community led by Patrick Travers, SCV, Director of Newman Ministries and Father Carlos Keen, SCV, Parochial Administrator & Chaplain!”

The Newman Center commemorated hitting the century mark with a three-day festivity that included various activities, according to the Drexel Newman Catholic Community website. On Sunday, May 7, Perez presided over a Mass that was part of the celebration.

The three-day celebration gave attendees the chance to take part in a range of activities such as breakfasts, luncheons, panel discussions, and a formal dinner and gala. The event also featured keynote speeches from Mark Bartek, who served as a missionary with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students); Rachel Bulman, an author and speaker; and Bishop Joseph Coffey; the website said.

In 1850, the Church of St. James the Greater was founded, becoming one of the earliest Catholic parishes in Philadelphia County, the website said. Subsequently, the University of Pennsylvania established the first Newman Center in the United States in 1893, followed by the establishment of the Drexel Newman Center in 1923. The center offers Catholic students a diverse range of opportunities, including liturgy, theological education, pilgrimages, social events, missions, mass, archdiocesan certification in various areas, and more.

“We are an apostolic Catholic community entrusted to Mary, working with the Drexel University community to live a full Christian life by providing spaces of prayer, encounter, reconciliation and service, from one heart to another,” the Drexel Newman Catholic Community said in describing its purpose.