Meet our Staff
Fr. Jeff Belger
Priest Director |
Fr. Jeff Belger is the Priest Director of the Newman Center. He is a native of Doylestown, PA (but does not remember it), and is in his thirteenth year at the Newman Center. Prior to becoming Director, he served as Priest Campus Minister at the Newman Center and Parochial Vicar at St. Mary of the Visitation Parish. In addition to Iowa City, he has served in Clinton (Prince of Peace Parish), Pella (St. Mary Parish), and Oskaloosa (St. Mary Parish). Fr. Jeff began his discernment to the priesthood while a student at Notre Dame High School in Burlington. After working professionally as a Program Director for the YMCA in St. Louis, MO, Fort Wayne, IN, Atlanta, GA, and Nashville, TN, he returned back to Notre Dame High School as a teacher and Youth Minister. He attended St. Meinrad School of Theology, where he earn both an MA and an MDiv in Theology.
jeff@newman-ic.org |
Ronda has worked at the Newman Center since 2006. Ronda is the Administrative Assistant and the Facilities Manager. Ronda and her husband, Mark, have three children, four granddaughters and one grandson.
ronda@newman-ic.org
ronda@newman-ic.org
Ronda Lipsius
Administrative Assistant
Administrative Assistant
Joe Mattingly
Director of Music |
Joe Mattingly, a well-known author of contemporary liturgical music, whose work is used in parishes and schools throughout the country, is the Director of Music at the Newman Center. Under his guidance, the Newman Singers have cultivated a reputation as a leading ensemble of contemporary liturgical and inspirational music. The Singers have recorded 11 CDs of original music, and they tour nationally.
For more information, please visit: www.newmansingers.com nspinfo@newmansingers.com |
Christine Wissink
Director of Outreach and Education |
Christine Wissink began working at the Newman Center in the summer of 2016 as the Director of Outreach and Education. A native of Hiawatha, IA, Christine has 18 years of experience in youth, young adult, and campus ministry and holds a Master's degree in Ministry from Loras College. She recently obtained her Advanced Campus Ministry Certification through the Catholic Campus Ministry Association. Previously Christine served as the Associate Director for Campus Ministry for the Diocese of Sacramento in California. Christine is married to Tony, a native of Iowa City, and they have one son.
christine@newman-ic.org |
Ann Thomas
Outreach Assistant |
Ann Thomas joined the Newman Center as Outreach Assistant in 2021, supporting the ministries of Service and Social Justice, Graduate Student and Young Professionals Group, and the Catholic Relief Services University of Iowa Chapter. In addition to her work at the Newman Center, she serves as managing editor of the Catholic literary journal Dappled Things, and holds an MA in Russian Language and Literature from The University of Iowa. Ann and her husband, Caine, are originally from Waterloo, Iowa. They have five children and have called Iowa City home since 1997.
ann@newman-ic.org |
Kristie Wert
Director of Development |
Kristie Wert joined the Newman Center staff in March of 2022. She relocated to Iowa from Ohio where she most recently served as the Operations Manager of St. Peter Parish in Huron, Ohio which is located on Lake Erie in Northcentral Ohio. Kristie brings with her many years of experience in business and nonprofit management, communications, marketing, as well as project management experience. She attended Marietta College and Bowling Green State University where she studied business management and marketing/communication. Kristie is a mom of three plus she has a son in law and a granddaughter. One son lives in Ohio, one in Iowa City, and her daughter lives close by in Dubuque. Kristie looks forward to learning more about Iowa City and what it means to be Iowa Catholic!
kristie@newman-ic.org |
Mary Rae Meyer
Development Assistant |
Mary Rae Meyer returned to the Newman Center as the development assistant after working in the same role from 2017 – 2021. She and her husband, Ron, have lived in Iowa City since 1999, raising their two children here. Mary Rae is a graduate of the University of Iowa. After a career in consulting and technology, she was a stay-at-home mom until her children graduated from high school. She began working at Newman Center in 2017 when her daughter was a freshman at UI. Mary Rae also volunteers Johnson County Right to Life and The Cornerstone Catholic Scripture study.
maryrae@newman-ic.org |
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Mike Leuck
Greeter and Sacristan |
Mike Leuck is the friendly face at the front desk providing hospitality and greeting all those who enter the Newman Center for the last few years. He also serves as the Sacristan for Newman, making preparations for liturgical celebrations. Originally from Moline, IL, Mike has lived in the great state of Iowa for more than 40 years. He has held many jobs over the years and his favorites have been in sales. Mike loves to talk and can chat with the best of them. Stop by and see him!
mikeleuck@newman-ic.org |
Deacon Joe Welter is a deacon of the Diocese of Davenport, and is assigned to the Newman Catholic Student Center, St. Mary of the Visitation Parish, and the Diocesan Office of Social Action. A native of Long Grove, IA, Joe is an alumni of The University of Iowa and has been involved at the Newman Center for more than two decades. He is a civil and environmental engineer. He is married to Katie, a math and religion teacher in the Regina Junior and Senior High School. They have three children.
welterj@diodav.org
welterj@diodav.org
Deacon Joe Welter
Dan Teets
Director of R.C.I.A (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) |
Dan Teets is Director of Adult Spiritual Formation at St. Mary of the Visitation Parish and Director of the R.C.I.A (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Program at the Newman Center. He works with all adults interested in finding out more about the Catholic faith and Catholic adults who wish to deepen their relationship with Jesus. Dan has been happily married to Janet since November 1989. They have five beautiful daughters and a handsome son, and five grandchildren. Dan's greatest joy in life is sharing the Good News of salvation available through Christ. In his free time he enjoys being with family.
dan-icstmarys@q.com |
More Priests Who Serve at Newman
Fr. Bill Kaska
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Fr. Bill Kaska was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Davenport in 1969. He is retired but regularly presides at daily Mass at the Newman Center. Before retirement he was one of the Catholic chaplains for 10 years at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
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Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick
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Fr. Ed Fitzpatrick was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Davenport in 1970. Fr. Ed retired in July of 2015 after serving as the Priest Director of the Newman Center since 1984. He enjoys presiding at the Newman Center Masses as needed.
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