About St. Thomas Aquinas (NSU) · Thibodaux, Louisiana
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church and Student Center is a Catholic parish and campus ministry located on the grounds of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Established in 1970 as a parish (with the Catholic Center itself blessed in 1965), it uniquely serves both the registered parish community of 679 households and roughly 2,745 Catholic students at the university. Belonging to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, the parish is staffed by a priest-administrator, a director of campus ministry, and a full team of FOCUS missionaries who shepherd the vibrant student apostolate. Daily Mass, perpetual Eucharistic adoration in the Two Hearts Chapel, retreats, and small-group formation are at the heart of its mission.
- Established
- 1970
- Patron
- St. Thomas Aquinas
- Rector
- Rev. John David "J.D." Matherne
- Diocese
- Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Why belong here
St. Thomas Aquinas offers something rare: a full Catholic parish life built right on a university campus, where students, faculty, and local families pray, study, and serve side by side. Daily Mass, perpetual adoration in the Two Hearts Chapel, frequent confession, small-group formation (like Man Night and Veritas et Bonitas), and retreats such as Awakening and The Father's House give every visitor a clear path to encounter Christ. With a pastor, a campus minister, and a team of FOCUS missionaries dedicated to collegiate evangelization, the parish is a living home for any Catholic student, commuter, or Thibodaux resident looking for a vibrant, mission-driven community.
Mass times at St. Thomas Aquinas (NSU)
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- 30 minutes before all Mass times
Adoration times
- Perpetual adoration in the Two Hearts Perpetual Adoration Chapel (24 hours / 7 days a week)
- Monthly adoration in the church
History of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center
The idea for a Catholic student center at Nicholls State College was born in the 1950s under Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel of New Orleans. After years of working through campus land issues and the statewide university system, Archbishop John Cody blessed the newly built St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center on January 26, 1965. Five years later, in 1970, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux formally established it as a parish. Since then it has served generations of Nicholls students, faculty, and local Catholic families, and marked its 50th anniversary in January 2015 with a Mass led by the Rev. André Melancon.
- Vision began under Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel in the 1950s
- Catholic Center blessed by Archbishop John Cody on January 26, 1965
- Established as a parish in 1970
- 50th anniversary celebrated January 2015 with Mass by Rev. André Melancon
Parish & Campus Ministry Staff
St. Thomas Aquinas is staffed by a pastor, a director of campus ministry, and a robust support team including a FOCUS missionary team, secretaries, a business manager, music coordinator, facility assistant, and event coordinator — a structure that mirrors its dual identity as parish and student center.
- Pastor / Administrator & Director of Campus Ministry: Rev. John David "J.D." Matherne
- Director of Campus Ministry: Mrs. Carolyn (Cissy) Atzenhoffer
- FOCUS Team Director: Mr. Peter Manfre
- FOCUS Missionaries: Ms. Haley Calonge, Mr. Matt Davidson, Ms. Miriam Skinner
- Secretaries: Ms. Maddy Carter, Ms. Morgan Toups, Ms. Megan Roy
- Business Manager: Mrs. Brandie Toups
- Music Coordinator: Sarah Pate
- Event Coordinator: Mrs. Cathy Weimer
- Facility Assistant: Mr. Jacob Louviere
- Admin Assistant: (per staff page)
Sacraments & Devotions
Confessions are heard thirty minutes before every Mass, and adoration is available perpetually in the Two Hearts Chapel with a monthly holy hour in the church itself. The parish also gathers for Eucharistic processions, Bible studies, formation groups, and 'AFA' (Ask Father Anything) sessions — creating a steady rhythm of sacramental life and ongoing formation.
- Confession 30 minutes before all Masses
- Perpetual adoration in Two Hearts Perpetual Adoration Chapel
- Monthly adoration in the church
- Eucharistic processions
- Bible Studies
- Formation groups
- Ask Father Anything (AFA)
Student Formation & Retreats
The Newman/Campus Ministry side of St. Thomas offers multiple overnight retreats and formation experiences designed to help students encounter Christ and grow in their Catholic faith. Men's and women's groups — Man Night and Veritas et Bonitas — provide ongoing small-group discipleship throughout the academic year.
- Awakening Retreat
- The Father's House Retreat
- SEEK Conference (national FOCUS conference)
- Service Opportunities
- Man Night (men's group)
- Veritas et Bonitas (women's group)
- FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionaries
Community Identity
St. Thomas Aquinas identifies itself as 'Colonel Catholics' — the Catholic community of Nicholls State University, whose athletic teams are the Colonels. The parish emphasizes that it is both a family and a mission: 'St. Thomas is a family and Christ is at our center!' The student center houses a café, library, and prayer space, making it possible for students to eat, study, and worship all in one location — a setup longtime parishioner Billy Naquin described as 'a blessing to have the church on campus.'
- Also known as 'Colonel Catholics'
- Student center with café, library, and prayer space
- Pastoral Council provides lay leadership
- Anchored in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. André Melancon
Celebrated the 50th anniversary Mass in January 2015; referenced as a former pastor.