It is the Friday before “dead week,” the week of studying before exams at the University of California at Berkeley. Students are in and out of the campus’ Newman Hall-Holy Spirit Parish – going to meetings, attending daily Mass or just finding a quiet place to go over some biology notes.

Media Studies major Paloma Larson is one of the approximately 500 students who walk through Newman’s doors each week and for whom this place has become a home away from home.

“It’s a good environment to be in,” said the San Diego native. “It helps connect my college life to my Catholic life, makes my faith more central to my life.”

Whether it is feeding the poor, a social event, retreats, Bible study or any of the many other activities, Newman is an active place, according to Father Ivan Tou, CSP, pastor. Father Tou and associate pastor Father Dat Tran, CSP, became the new priests on staff at Newman in August, and are quickly getting the lay of the land.

“We want to get to know the community,” Father Tou said – both the students and Berkeley residents who worship at Newman.

Many of the residents of Berkeley are probably somewhat apprehensive about organized religion, according to Father Tou, but an effective outreach to the poor and needy, “gives us credibility to the folks who live here.”

One of the biggest challenges at Berkeley, Father Tou said, is the integration of the student and resident communities at Newman.

“This is a positive, welcoming and hopeful place where anyone can come and be served,” he said. “People come to Newman from around the [San Francisco] Bay Area.”

Father Dat Tran, CSP, stops to speak with a Berkeley student in the lobby of Newman Hall-Holy Spirit Parish at the University of California at Berkeley.

One thing both communities have in common is smarts. At any time, you might find yourself walking down the street of downtown Berkeley next to Nobel Prize-winning laureate or find yourself eating pizza seated to the person who will make the next big scientific breakthrough in just a few years.

“These are super-smart, super gifted, yet down-to-earth people,” Father Tou said. “Here we can affect leaders and future leaders of the America and the world, helping them live a life of Gospel values. In so doing, they are able to share that faith with others, making the world a better and more loving place.”

Father Tran describes the Newman community as people, “honestly seeking God.”

“Faith is vibrant and alive here,” Father Tran said.

On any given day, you might find Father Tran stopping to chat with a student in the Newman lobby or a parishioner after daily Mass, or planning a retreat, ice skating outing or spiritual experience for students.

“This is a great place to be,” said Father Tran, who was ordained in 2011 and feels ministering in Berkeley is bringing maturity to his priesthood.

“I am experiencing a different dimension of priesthood by walking along this journey with [the students],” he said.

Whether student or resident, the faithful at Newman are bound together by their shared faith.

“There is a sense of unity [at Newman],” said Keenan Ng, 24, who grew up worshipping at Newman. “And that is so important so you get a sense of community and culture here as you explore your faith.”