About Comeau Catholic Campus Center · Hays, Kansas
The Comeau Catholic Campus Center and St. Francis Chapel serve the students of Fort Hays State University (the 'Tigers') in Hays, Kansas. It is a Catholic university-ministry center under the Diocese of Salina — not a territorial parish — that exists to walk with college students as they encounter Christ, build community, and grow as lifelong disciples. Daily and Sunday Masses, Reconciliation, all-day Adoration, Bible studies, retreats, and student fellowship all flow out of the center at 506 W. 6th Street, just steps from the FHSU campus.
- Established
- 1969
- Patron
- St. Francis of Assisi (patron of the chapel, whose quote anchors the center's identity: 'All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.')
- Rector
- Father Andy (Andrew) Hammeke — Chaplain
- Diocese
- Diocese of Salina
Why belong here
Comeau is built for the college years: daily Mass, weekday Reconciliation, and Tuesday/Wednesday Eucharistic Adoration are all on the schedule, and the doors open at 5 a.m. and close around midnight so students can stop in for prayer, coffee, popcorn, study, or fellowship. FOCUS missionaries and the student-run Catholic Disciples run weekly Bible studies, men's and women's nights, and ABC Nights (Adoration, Benediction, Confession), plus retreats like Crossroads and the SEEK conference. Whether you're Catholic, curious, or just looking for genuine community at FHSU, the Catholic Tigers welcome you as you are.
Mass times at Comeau Catholic Campus Center
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Sunday 5:00 PM – 5:35 PM
- Wednesday 5:00 PM – 5:35 PM
- Monday 8:00 PM – 8:25 PM
- Tuesday 8:00 PM – 8:25 PM
- Thursday 8:00 PM – 8:25 PM
Adoration times
- Tuesday 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (when FHSU is in session)
Our Story
Catholic campus ministry at Fort Hays State began in 1917 with a Newman Club served by Capuchin friars from St. Joseph's Parish in Hays. In 1969, Capuchin Father Finian Meis became the first full-time campus minister, and the diocese acquired two homes across from FHSU for Masses and programs. The current building at 506 W. 6th Street was made possible by a $500,000 gift from the R.A. and Catherine Comeau family of Plainville and dedicated in June 1984. The chapel inside is named St. Francis Chapel, in honor of another major donor, Ida Marjorie Pratt.
- Newman Club organized at FHSU in 1917
- Capuchin Father Finian Meis named full-time campus minister in 1969
- Diocese purchases two homes across from FHSU for the ministry
- 1982: R.A. and Catherine Comeau family of Plainville contribute $500,000
- June 1984: Comeau Catholic Campus Center dedicated
- Chapel named for donor Ida Marjorie Pratt
Mission & Vision
The center's mission is to walk with students as they discover the light Christ calls them to bear in the world. It anchors itself in St. Francis of Assisi's line: 'All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.' The vision is to build a world where students, alumni, and friends are rooted in the Catholic faith and equipped to make a positive impact.
- Mission: To be a light in the darkness, encountering Christ together and living as lifelong disciples.
- Vision: Students, alumni and friends rooted in the Catholic faith and equipped to make a positive impact.
- Patron quote from St. Francis of Assisi
Chaplain & Staff
The center is led by Chaplain Fr. Andy Hammeke, an FHSU alumnus who returned to Hays as chaplain in 2021; he also serves as Co-Vocations Director for the Diocese of Salina. A small lay staff runs day-to-day operations, fundraising, and student outreach.
- Fr. Andy (Andrew) Hammeke — Chaplain (and Co-Vocations Director, Diocese of Salina)
- Lucas Roths — Director of Campus Ministry ([email protected])
- Jana Fross — Development Director ([email protected])
- Sandy Losey — Office Administrator ([email protected])
Student Life & Fellowship
Catholic Disciples is the student-run organization that forms the backbone of undergraduate fellowship. It meets at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday nights in the center's lobby, with speakers, candlelight Masses, and 'Dinner & Discernment' evenings. FOCUS missionaries (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) are on staff to walk with students one-on-one and lead Bible studies. Retreats like Crossroads and the national SEEK conference, plus social events — movie nights, game nights, Wine & Cheese evenings, and a formal dance at the center — round out campus Catholic life.
- Catholic Disciples — Wednesday 8:00 p.m. in the Comeau lobby
- FOCUS missionaries leading Bible studies and one-on-one discipleship
- Men's and Women's nights
- ABC Night — Adoration, Benediction, Confession
- Retreats: Crossroads and SEEK
- Dinner & Discernment evenings
- Social events: movie nights, game nights, Wine & Cheese, Formal Dance
Get Involved & Get in Touch
Students can register online through the 'Student Registration' page on catholictigers.org. The center's doors open at 5 a.m. and close around midnight, so anyone at FHSU can drop by to study, bake cookies, make popcorn, watch a movie, or simply sit in St. Francis Chapel. Because Comeau is a campus center rather than a parish, it relies on the generosity of alumni and friends — including giving campaigns such as #iGiveCatholic — to support its student-focused mission.
- Student Registration form on catholictigers.org
- On-site amenities: kitchen, lounge, library, computer room
- #iGiveCatholic giving day participation with matching funds
- Mailing address: 506 W. 6th Street, Hays, KS 67601
- Phone: 785-625-7396
Visiting & Contact
From FHSU: head southeast on W. 6th Street toward Elm Street for about 135 feet; the Comeau Catholic Campus Center is on the right. Doors open at 5:00 AM and close around midnight. Office hours run Monday–Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday 9:00 AM to noon.
- Address: 506 W. 6th St., Hays, KS 67601
- Phone: 785-625-7396
- Located one block southeast of FHSU campus
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 9:00 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Capuchin Father Finian Meis1969 (full-time campus minister)
First full-time campus minister; oversaw the diocese's purchase of two homes across from FHSU as the base for Masses and programs.
- Fathers from St. Joseph's Parish (Hays)1917–1969
Capuchin friars from St. Joseph's Parish served the Newman Club as chaplains and spiritual directors.