The Newman Center provides $1 home-cooked meals every Thursday after mass.

The meals begin around 12:15 p.m. and are followed by a 30-minute apologetics class.

“It’s a good way to get everybody together and share a meal,” said Shea Allen, office manager at the Newman Center, located on the south end of campus.

The tradition that has carried on for years has recently grown in popularity, and it has seen more than 100 people in a day.

David Witherow, who works in the Newman Center, said the meals are always new and fantastic.

“Any home-cooked meal is my favorite home-cooked meal,” Witherow said.

Witherow said the shepherd’s pie is incredible, especially the mashed potatoes, and is the meal he said he remembers most.

Diane Rice prepares the $1 lunches. Allen said Rice is always imaginative with what she comes up with.

The weekly tradition has made a way for students to visit and catch up. Junior Sarah Doolittle described the lunches as “good food, good fellowship.”

Doolittle said everything Rice makes is delicious, and the meals never disappoint. The food is made with a smile, and it’s only a dollar, which students can afford, she said.

The area in the basement of the Newman Center is said to be packed on Thursdays. The lunch includes general announcements of events happening in the center and on campus.

Junior John Wernert said he attends regularly and the food is actually good food that is moderately healthy and affordable.

Some desserts on the menu include: lemon cake, pudding, sundaes and cookies.

The dollar lunches start at the beginning of each semester and continue as long as classes are in session.

After the dollar lunch, students can attend “Apologetics to Go.” Wernert said the class always has an interesting topic.

Wernert said the class has recently covered topics like Harry Potter, Batman and ISIS. The Apologetics class takes everyday issues and shows how they relate to the Catholic faith.

Everyone is invited to attend the dollar lunches.

“It’s good for everybody,” Doolittle said.

For more information, contact Allen at (316) 684-6896.