We Are One

We are Newman

Newman Central Catholic High School is located in Sterling, IL as a member of the Rockford Diocese.  Newman received its name from John Henry Newman, a 19th century priest and Cardinal.  John Henry Newman began his life as a member of the Anglican clergy before later converting to Catholicism.   He was a prominent figure in the Oxford Movement, a movement to encourage the Church of England to get back to its Catholic beginnings.  Newman's contributions to theology and religious thought earned him widespread acclaim, and he was eventually made a cardinal by Pope Leo XIII in 1879. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010, and in 2019, he was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis. Newman's legacy continues to be celebrated within both the Anglican and Catholic traditions.

The Rockford Diocese is made up of 7 deaneries: Aurora, Dekalb, Elgin, Freeport, McHenry, Rockford, and Sterling.  Within the Sterling deanery are the following schools:

St. Mary's School - Dixon (K-8)

St. Anne's School - Dixon (K-5)

St. Mary's School - Sterling (K-8)

St. Andrew School - Rock Falls (K-8)

Newman Central Catholic High School is currently led by Father Thomas Doyle.  Father Doyle was ordained in 2008 and currently leads the congregation at Sacred Heart Church in Sterling.  He has held this position since 2023.