According to the Centre Daily Times, Penn State’s Catholic Campus Ministry is seeking $6.5 million worth of funds to construct a 22,000-square-foot Student Faith Center. The campaign started as a quiet idea in 2007, but has been recently been open for public support. The Center will include a library, game room, chapel, study, and residential space to house Benedictine monks.

Despite opposition from some 300 neighboring residents, the campaign will demolish the houses located at 113, 117, and 123 E. Park Ave. Ministry Director Father Matthew Laffey plans for ground-breaking in the fall, with high hopes of raising at least $5 million by then. Laffey told the CDT that the center “will be a place that’s always open, a place of faith and also a place of friendship and fellowship, a place of respite to sit and be alone and be with God.”

The Joe and Sue Paterno, the honorary co-chairs of the capital campaign, have extended much support to the Faith Center. A whopping $2.5 million has been raised by the combined donations of the Paterno’s, businessman Bill Schreyer, and philanthropist Peg Stine. If you are interested in donating to the project, you can fill out a donation form here.

In the meantime, the ministries regularly scheduled weekend Masses will continue to be held at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.