Campus Ministry Program
The Association of Catholic Tech Students (ACTS) is the campus ministry program at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and Student Center in Ruston, LA. Since its humble beginnings in 1941, the resident parishioners of St. Thomas have been ministering to all those associated with Louisiana Tech University and Lincoln Parish. In 1968 the church community opened the E. Donn Piatt Catholic Student Center to better serve the needs of the university and the community. In 2014, the Joe and Roger Luffey Catholic Life Center was completed to the give the growing Catholic community more space to house events and meetings.
Retreats
ACTS students lead the organization on retreats in each quarter of the regular school year.
Spring Retreat is planned by the Spring Retreat Team and lasts an entire weekend with a huge focus on the year's theme.
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Fall Retreat is great for getting to know one another and for team building.
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Leadership Retreat is a team building retreat for the leadership group of ACTS to get to know each other and build leadership skills.
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Liturgical Celebrations
Daily Mass and Confession, Prayer Sessions @ 10pm on Weekdays, Liturgy of the Hours, Eucharistic Adoration, Rosary.
Mass Schedule:
Saturday - 5 pm Vigil
Sunday - 9:30 am, 7:00 pm (Sept thru May)
1:30 pm Spanish Mass
Monday - 8:15 am
Tuesday - 8:15 am
Wednesday - 8:15 am
8:00 pm (Sept thru May)
Thursday - 8:15 am
Friday - Noon
Confession Schedule:
Monday -Thursday - 7:30am - 8:00 am
Friday - 11:15 am - 11:45 am
Saturday - 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
Mass Schedule:
Saturday - 5 pm Vigil
Sunday - 9:30 am, 7:00 pm (Sept thru May)
1:30 pm Spanish Mass
Monday - 8:15 am
Tuesday - 8:15 am
Wednesday - 8:15 am
8:00 pm (Sept thru May)
Thursday - 8:15 am
Friday - Noon
Confession Schedule:
Monday -Thursday - 7:30am - 8:00 am
Friday - 11:15 am - 11:45 am
Saturday - 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm
Wednesday Night Mass
Wednesday Night Mass is tailored to college students and held in the Church at 8pm every Wednesday. Student involvement is evident in our student choir and student lectors. On Sundays, the parish adds another Mass for students at 7pm when school is in session.
Bible Study
On Wednesdays at 6:30 AM and Thursdays at 6:00 PM, Bible Study is held to help understand the Catholic Faith. By attending Bible Study, the more you can understand the inspired writings in the books of the Bible, the more you understand the beliefs, celebrations, and rituals of our Faith.
Sacramental Life
Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA)
To talk to St. Thomas Church's OCIA administrators, send an email to stthomaspsr430@gmail.com.
Formerly referred to as RCIA, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is the normal way for unbaptized persons and those already baptized in another Christian tradition to become Catholic. Reflecting on their conversion for several weeks. It's designed for adults (and children of catechetical age) who consciously seek the living God and pursue conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God's help participants will grow spiritually and will then fruitfully receive the sacraments.
For the Unbaptized, the OCIA tells the story of God’s salvation for humanity-- the mystery of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection-- and the workings of the Holy Spirit revealed in the beliefs, sacramental life and spiritual practices of the Catholic Church. Initiating catechumens is gradual, and it takes place within the community of the faithful and in accordance with the Church’s liturgical year. Together with the catechumens, the faithful reflect upon the value of the paschal mystery, renew their own conversion, and more generously lead the catechumens to obey the Holy Spirit.
For Baptized Christians who seek full communion with the Catholic Church, the OCIA includes rites and pastoral practice.
For Baptized Catholics who have received no other faith formation and have not received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist, the OCIA mentions pastoral practices to become a fully initiated Catholic.
The discussions take place on Thursday evenings. The initial stage goes into many of the teachings of the faith. Later, we delve deeper into our faith and the Holy Sacraments. If baptized adult Catholics are wishing to be confirmed, they are welcome to join this discussion group also. If any parishioner seeks to refresh knowledge of the faith, he or she is welcome to attend.
Meeting Times: Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (September – May)
See the U.S. Bishops' explanation of OCIA for more details.
Holy Sacrament of Matrimony
"The intimate community of life and love which constitutes the married state has been established by the Creator and endowed by him with its own proper laws. . . . God himself is the author of marriage."
7. CCC, n. 1603
Throughout your many college years, you often find someone to spend your life with, and there are ACTS members who have met at the EDP Catholic Student Center and have been married by our Franciscan Friars.
7. CCC, n. 1603
Throughout your many college years, you often find someone to spend your life with, and there are ACTS members who have met at the EDP Catholic Student Center and have been married by our Franciscan Friars.