Brendan Worobel ’26 and his twin sister Nicole ’26, seniors from Holmdel, New Jersey, found a home at the University’s Catholic Center. There, they found a welcoming community that helped them settle into life at Syracuse.

Brendan began attending Mass during his first year. Through the years, more of his friends, including his brothers from Theta Chi fraternity, have joined him for Mass and activities each week.

“It is incredible to see how big the community has grown,” says Brendan, a triple major in finance, business analytics and economics. “This community is one of my favorite things about being at this school.”

The Worobels are part of a remarkable surge in participation within the University Catholic community that has transformed the Catholic Center’s 110 Walnut Place location.

Weekend Masses now draw close to 400 people, while Thursday Mass and fellowship dinners attract 130 attendees—numbers that overwhelmed the previous all-purpose room with its makeshift chair setup.

And now the increase in attendance has led to answered prayers.

A transformational gift from Life Trustee and alumnus Daniel D’Aniello ’68, H’20 and his wife, Gayle, through the Forever Orange campaign supported the construction of a new chapel and renovations to modernize and expand the building. The new chapel was blessed and dedicated Nov. 5 by Bishop Douglas Lucia of the Diocese of Syracuse, marking a milestone for the community that dates back to 1908.

The renovations include thoughtful personal touches: a large outdoor column at the front illuminates in colors corresponding to the Catholic church’s liturgical season, stained glass salvaged from the former chapel and a painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Eucharistic Chapel dedicated to Beatrice D’Aniello, Daniel D’Aniello’s mother.

For Nicole, a biotechnology major, being able to share her faith with her twin brother has been one of the most meaningful parts of her college experience.

“The Catholic Center has given us a space to continue living out the values we grew up with, and to support each other as we navigate this new chapter in our lives,” she says.

Members of the Catholic community will tell you that the growth in Mass attendance, service outreach and fellowship activities can be attributed to Father Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., the University’s Catholic chaplain since 2016.

“Father Gerry has created such a vibrant and diverse community of Catholic students and has created an environment where students like me feel comfortable and excited to deepen their faith in God,” says Blake Stevens ’27, a data analytics and business analytics major from Chester, New Jersey, and president of Theta Chi.

The growth, while celebrated, strained the physical capabilities of the Catholic Center building. In addition to Masses, sandwiches for the local community are prepared once a month, and numerous activities such as service outreach planning, Bible study and Christian initiation preparation programs are regularly held.

The renovations have resulted in a proper chapel for the celebration of Mass and other sacraments, as well as space to support the community’s outreach and fellowship activities.

Numerous donors, local contractors and the University’s Office of Campus Planning, Design and Construction were integral to the project.

“What a blessing to open the doors to our new Catholic Center and chapel—a sacred space where faith, community and belonging come together,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “I am grateful to Father Gerry Waterman for nurturing our students, and to the extraordinary generosity of Life Trustee Dan D’Aniello, and his wife, Gayle. Their transformative gift has made this vision a reality for generations to come.”

A gift from alumna Judith Pistaki Zelisko ’72 and her husband, Paul, enabled renovations to the building’s study lounge and library. She has fond memories of her four years on campus, during which the Catholic Center played a significant role.

“My hope is that the study lounge and library, which my husband and I support, will become a haven for students, a place for study and scholarship, but also a place for reflection,” she says.

The transformed physical space helps to foster the important work that goes on inside the building. Waterman, now in his 10th and final year as chaplain, has worked to feed his students spiritually and physically.

“If you like something, you want to share it with somebody else. I attribute our growth to that,” he says.

Jessica Gutierrez ’26, a computer science major from Los Angeles, has been involved in the Catholic Center since her first year and currently serves as president of the Catholic Student Association.

“The Catholic Center has helped me transform, both spiritually and personally, giving me a sense of belonging and purpose,” she says. “With its welcoming design and expanded opportunities for gathering, reflection and service, the new Catholic Center will be an even better place for students to grow in faith and connection.”

Originally published in Syracuse University News on November 13, 2025, By Kelly Homan

With a ceremonial shovel and breaking of the ground, a new chapter in the history of Catholic ministry at Syracuse University is being written, thanks to a transformational gift from philanthropist, life trustee and dedicated alumnus Daniel D’Aniello ’68, H’20 and his wife, Gayle.

Part of the Forever Orange Campaign, the D’Aniellos’ newest gift will support construction of a new chapel and renovations to modernize and expand the Catholic Center at 110 Walnut Place. Land is currently being cleared for the building of the new St. Thomas More Chapel at the corner of East Adams and Walnut Place.

“Dan continues to be a devout Syracuse University supporter whose kindness to our students knows no bounds,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “His impact is felt and visible all around our University, from our main campus in Syracuse to our campus in Florence, Italy. Dan’s philanthropy has allowed us to strengthen our commitment to veterans, enhance the student experience both on campus and abroad, and now, build a more vibrant spiritual community. This new gift enhances our ability to be a University welcoming to all, including to students of all faiths, by providing an expanded and modern space to come together, worship and serve the community.”

D’Aniello has often spoken about his own upbringing in an Italian Catholic family, steeped in tradition and faith. Growing up, he was an altar server and sang in the church choir, experiences that led to faith-based giving becoming a central pillar in his philanthropy.

“I admire the way in which Syracuse University supports the spiritual needs and nurtures the moral and ethical development of students,” says D’Aniello. “Faith in God has always been a guiding principal in my life and I am proud to support the new Catholic Center and chapel; a gathering place for our catholic students to support them and their faith while at Syracuse University.”

The Catholic chaplaincy is one of 15 housed in Hendricks Chapel, which also supports 25 student-led religious and spiritual life groups, and hosts more than 2,000 programs each year, many of which are responsive to student engagement at the Catholic Center.

“The ’Cuse Catholic community has grown dramatically over the last several years, with significantly increased attendance at worship services and growing student interest in activities hosted at the Catholic Center in service of the broader Syracuse community,” says Fr. Gerry Waterman, who was appointed to his position as Catholic chaplain in 2016. “I am deeply grateful to Dan D’Aniello for supporting the spiritual growth of our students in an environment that serves to deepen their religious understanding, their relationship with God and their desire to help others in the community.”

Waterman notes that the unprecedented interest in Catholic ministry services has necessitated additional seating to accommodate increased attendance. “Each folding chair we’ve had to add, and the long lines at post-Mass Thursday dinners and Sunday brunch gatherings, demonstrate that our ’Cuse Catholics find strength in fellowship.”

The presence of a Catholic ministry at the University dates back to 1908 with the formation of the first Brownson Club, the predecessor to the Newman Club. Today, the Catholic Center includes a vibrant group of servant leaders composed of students who are dedicated to service and who offer study groups, retreats and mission trip experiences to enrich spiritual development.

D’Aniello is a co-founder and chairman emeritus of Carlyle. Prior to forming Carlyle in 1987, D’Aniello was the vice president for finance and development at Marriott Corporation for eight years. Before joining Marriott, D’Aniello was a financial officer at PepsiCo Inc. and Trans World Airlines. D’Aniello served in the United States Navy from 1968 through 1971 during which time he was a Distinguished Naval Graduate of Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island, a supply officer (LTJG) aboard the USS Wasp (CVS 18); and in 2016, D’Aniello was awarded the designation of Lone Sailor by the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation.

D’Aniello is a 1968 magna cum laude graduate of Syracuse University, where he was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, and a 1974 graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he was a Teagle Foundation Fellow.

Originally published in Syracuse University News on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, By News Staff