About LA Tech University Catholic Student Cent · Ruston, Louisiana
The Association of Catholic Tech Students (ACTS) is the Catholic campus ministry at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, operating out of the E. Donn Piatt Catholic Student Center at 600 Thornton Street. ACTS is the student-facing arm of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (810 Carey Avenue), and the two share a thriving community in which resident parishioners and university students support one another. The center is staffed by Franciscan friars of the Diocese of Shreveport and offers daily Mass, confession, Eucharistic adoration, Bible study, retreats, OCIA, intramurals, and a robust IMPACTS service program that has included mission trips to Guatemala, Missouri, and Washington, D.C. ACTS was ranked #32 in the nation among Catholic student centers by Best College Reviews.
- Established
- 1941
- Patron
- St. Thomas Aquinas
- Rector
- Fr. Kevin Mues, O.F.M. (Pastor & Campus Minister)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Shreveport
Why belong here
ACTS offers a complete Catholic campus life: daily Mass (including a student-tailored 8 pm Wednesday Mass and a Spanish-language Sunday Mass), regular confession before every Mass, Eucharistic adoration, the Liturgy of the Hours, rosary, weekly Bible study, and the Order of Christian Initiation for adults (OCIA). Beyond worship, ACTS is a tight-knit community of students, faculty, and resident parishioners who gather for retreats each quarter, Saturday-night socials, Guys' and Girls' Groups, intramural sports, tailgates, and service through the IMPACTS program — including summer mission trips to Guatemala and a 'Simple House' trip to Missouri. Whether you are a Catholic student looking for daily Mass and the sacraments, a fellow Christian curious about the faith, or a Ruston resident wanting a vibrant parish, ACTS and St. Thomas Aquinas welcome you.
Mass times at LA Tech University Catholic Student Cent
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday–Thursday: 7:30 am – 8:00 am
- Friday: 11:15 am – 11:45 am
- Saturday: 3:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration (times posted weekly; check acts-stac.com calendar)
About ACTS and St. Thomas Aquinas
The Association of Catholic Tech Students (ACTS) is the Catholic campus ministry at Louisiana Tech University, and it is the student-facing arm of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Ruston, Louisiana. The two communities share a single campus: ACTS operates out of the E. Donn Piatt Catholic Student Center at 600 Thornton Street, directly behind Louisiana Tech's Biomedical Engineering building and adjacent to the parish church at 810 Carey Avenue. Resident parishioners and student parishioners support each other in a thriving church community, sharing the same priests, daily Mass schedule, and faith-formation programs.
- Mission: develop well-rounded Catholics through sharing the joy of Christ and the Sacraments, evangelizing campus and community, and being examples of Christian unity and loving service.
History and Heritage
St. Thomas Aquinas parish was established in 1941 to serve Catholics in Ruston, Lincoln Parish, and Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (now Louisiana Tech). The parish has been under the care of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans) since its founding. As Louisiana Tech grew, the parish opened the E. Donn Piatt Catholic Student Center in 1968 to better serve the university community, and the Joe and Roger Luffey Catholic Life Center followed in 2014 to provide additional event and meeting space for the growing Catholic community.
- 1941 — St. Thomas Aquinas parish founded
- 1968 — E. Donn Piatt Catholic Student Center opened
- 2014 — Joe and Roger Luffey Catholic Life Center completed
Clergy and Staff
ACTS and St. Thomas Aquinas are served by Franciscan friars of the Diocese of Shreveport. The pastor also serves as campus minister, and the parochial vicar assists with both parish and student ministry. Two deacons support sacramental life, and lay staff direct religious education, the Luffey Center, and business operations for the parish.
- Fr. Kevin Mues, O.F.M. — Pastor & Campus Minister
- Fr. Gabriel Cisneros Campos — Parochial Vicar (Associate Pastor)
- Deacon John Serio
- Deacon Robert Ransom
- Marcie Tucker — Business Manager & Luffey Center Director
- Melinda 'M' — Parish School of Religion Director
Faith Formation and Sacramental Life
Beyond the sacraments offered at Mass, the parish and ACTS run ongoing formation for adults, students, and children — including weekly Bible study, the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA), retreats each quarter, and the Parish School of Religion (PSR). Matrimony is prepared and celebrated in the student center by the Franciscan friars.
- Bible Study — Wednesdays 6:30 am and Thursdays 6:00 pm
- OCIA — Thursdays 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (Sept–May); for unbaptized, Christians seeking full communion, and Catholics preparing for Confirmation
- Parish School of Religion (PSR) for children
- Spring, Fall, and Leadership Retreats (each quarter of the school year)
Student Ministry and Community Life
ACTS is run by a student leadership team of executives, committee chairs, and the faculty advisor, working under the pastor/campus minister. The community gathers throughout the week for prayer, fellowship, study, sports, and service. New students are welcomed through Freshman Crossing, and the year opens with a Spaghetti Dinner and closes with a Pancake Dinner during finals.
- Student Executive Council — President (Tommy Hertel), Vice-President (Ethan Dowell), Treasurer (Joseph Curtin), Secretary (Evan Simon), Chaplain (Nicholas Winkelmann)
- Faculty Advisor — Don Braswell
- Freshman Crossing (bi-weekly Wednesday evenings, 7:00 pm)
- Guys' Group and Girls' Group (bi-weekly, gender-exclusive fellowship)
- Saturday Night Socials, Tailgates, Intramurals
Service, Outreach, and Mission Trips
The IMPACTS committee coordinates ACTS's response to the social teachings of the Catholic Church and the needs of the local community. Each year ACTS students take part in mission trips near and far, support food drives and recycling programs on campus, and join in Big Event, Louisiana Tech's signature day of community service in Ruston.
- Summer mission trip to Guatemala
- 'Simple House' trip to Missouri
- Mission trip to Washington, D.C.
- ACTS-Me local service projects
- Food drives and recycling program at the EDP Catholic Student Center
- Big Event (Ruston community service day)
Annual Traditions and Events
ACTS marks the rhythm of the academic year with beloved traditions that bring students, alumni, and resident parishioners together. Each tradition is organized by one of the student committees and reflects the community's mix of faith, fellowship, and Bulldog spirit.
- Spaghetti Dinner (school-year kickoff)
- Alumni Homecoming Dinner
- Pancake Dinner (during finals week)
- Graduation Celebrations (breakfast and lunch for grads and families)
- Quarterly Retreats
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Frank Folino, O.F.M.
Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish as referenced in US Catholic's 2014 'Better Know a Parish' feature.