About The Catholic Center at Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, Georgia
The Catholic Center at Kennesaw State University is a Catholic college and campus ministry serving the students, faculty, and alumni of Kennesaw State University (KSU) in Kennesaw, Georgia. Located at 3487 Campus Loop Road on the edge of the KSU campus, the Center operates under the Archdiocese of Atlanta and supports the student-led Catholic Student Union (CSU). It offers daily Mass during the fall and spring semesters, including a Sunday evening liturgy, weekday Masses (with a satellite Mass at the Marietta campus), weekly reconciliation, a Sunday Holy Hour, FOCUS Bible studies and small groups, retreats, social events, and spiritual formation nights. Its mission is 'to transform the lives of our students in Christ' through prayer, service, fellowship, and spiritual formation.
- Established
- 1995
- Rector
- Fr. Bob Frederick
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
The Catholic Center at KSU welcomes every student, faculty member, and visitor — Catholic or otherwise — into a vibrant on-campus Catholic community. Daily Mass (with a free lunch afterward on weekdays), weekly reconciliation, a Sunday Holy Hour, FOCUS-led Bible studies and small groups, Fall and Spring retreats, Centered talks, social events held at least twice a month, and Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 'spiritual nights' offer many easy ways to grow in faith and friendships. The Center's own mission — to help each person deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and to love and serve Christ and neighbor — is lived out concretely in prayer, service, fellowship, and spiritual formation across both the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses.
Mass times at The Catholic Center at Kennesaw State University
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesday 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM (Kennesaw Catholic Center)
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Sunday Holy Hour: 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM (during the Fall and Spring semesters)
About the Catholic Center at KSU
The Catholic Center at Kennesaw State University works to support the Catholic Student Union (CSU), serving students, faculty, and alumni of KSU. Its mission is to transform the lives of students in Christ by helping each other deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church through prayer, service, fellowship, and spiritual formation. The Center sits on Campus Loop Road next to the Lutheran church and operates as part of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.
- Mission: to transform the lives of our students in Christ
- Supports the student-led Catholic Student Union (CSU)
- Part of the Archdiocese of Atlanta
- Located at the intersection of Paulding Avenue and Campus Loop Road
History of the Catholic Center
The Catholic Center was founded in 1995 by Fr. David Dye and has seen only five directors in its history. The original building was acquired the same year, and a chapel addition was added in 2009 to keep up with a constantly growing community. Fall and Spring retreats have been a hallmark since 2007. In 2023, FOCUS missionaries were assigned in person to KSU for the first time.
- Founded 1995 by Fr. David Dye
- Fr. Linus DeSantis served 1995–2006
- Fr. Paul Burke succeeded Fr. DeSantis
- Fr. Joseph Morris appointed 2007, served until summer 2021
- Fr. Bob Frederick appointed July 2021 as current director
- Chapel addition built onto the building in 2009
- Fall and Spring retreats a tradition since 2007
- First in-person FOCUS missionaries arrived 2023
Staff and Leadership
The Catholic Center is led by its director, who serves as the resident Catholic chaplain on the KSU campus, and supported by an operations manager and student leaders of the Catholic Student Union.
- Fr. Bob Frederick — Director ([email protected])
- Debra Bona — Operations Manager ([email protected])
- Leo Bustinza — CSU President
- Alisa Le — CSU President
Mass and Worship
During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Catholic Center offers a robust schedule of Masses on the Kennesaw campus and a Tuesday Mass on the Marietta campus. The Center is closed during KSU school holidays, summers, and inclement-weather days that close the campus. All are welcome to attend.
- Sunday — 10:30 AM and 6:00 PM (Kennesaw)
- Monday — 12:30 PM (Kennesaw)
- Tuesday — 12:30 PM (Kennesaw) and 2:15 PM (Marietta Student Center, Room A215)
- Wednesday — 12:30 PM (Kennesaw)
- Thursday — 12:30 PM (Kennesaw)
- Free lunch served after the 12:30 PM weekday Mass
- Saturday Vigil Mass at the Marietta campus (JW Wilson Student Center, Room A216)
Spiritual Formation Nights
During the academic year, the Catholic Center hosts spiritual formation nights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 7:00 PM for students who want to deepen their faith. 'Centered' is a flagship Tuesday-night faith-sharing program featuring talks by priests, authors, teachers, moms, and other guest speakers; people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome.
- Tuesday 'Centered' talks — 7:00 PM
- Wednesday Spiritual Night — 7:00 PM
- Thursday Spiritual Night — 7:00 PM
Retreats
Fall and Spring retreats have been a part of Catholic Center life since 2007. They are highly anticipated, reasonably priced, student-led, and priest-guided, designed to produce experiences that impact students in a significant way.
- Annual Fall Retreat
- Annual Spring Retreat
- Student-led and priest-guided
Ministries and Student Life
The Center supports a wide range of student ministries and activities. The Catholic Student Union (CSU) is the student-led organization that animates much of the Center's life. FOCUS missionaries lead Bible studies and small groups. Social events are held at least twice per month, and charitable service projects and outreach give students concrete ways to live the faith.
- Catholic Student Union (CSU)
- FOCUS — Bible studies and small-group formation
- Centered — faith-sharing talks on Tuesday nights
- Spiritual Nights — Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings
- Fall and Spring Retreats
- Social events (twice monthly or more during the semester)
- Charitable service projects and outreach
- Free weekday lunch after daily Mass
FOCUS Missionaries
The Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) partners with Fr. Bob Frederick and the Catholic Center to lead Bible studies, small-group formation, and outreach. In 2023, four missionaries were assigned in person to KSU for the first time. The team has continued to grow and now includes a Team Director and several full-time missionaries.
- Madeline Altendorf — FOCUS Team Director (College Station, TX; Texas A&M grad, 3rd-year missionary)
- Jo Davis — FOCUS Missionary (Dallas, TX; Texas Tech grad, Alpha Phi, serves in Greek mission)
- Peyton Smith — FOCUS Missionary (Dallas, TX; Texas A&M grad, Finance, 1st-year missionary)
Amenities and Facilities
The Catholic Center building is designed as both a chapel and a student center, providing everything students need to pray, study, rest, and gather between classes.
- Charming chapel
- Free Wi-Fi
- Library, several study areas, and lounges
- Printer, large-screen TV, and media box
- Free lunch on weekdays
- Limited free parking
Contact and Stay Connected
Parishioners and visitors can reach the Center by phone, email, or through the official website and social media accounts. The Center's Instagram and YouTube channels share updates, talks, and event announcements throughout the academic year.
- Website: http://ccksu.org/
- Phone: 770-423-9909
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @catholic.owls
- YouTube: Catholic Center at KSU
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. David Dye1995
Founder of the Catholic Center at KSU in 1995.
- Fr. Linus DeSantis1995–2006
Took over from Fr. Dye the same year the Center was founded; served until 2006.
- Fr. Paul Burke2006–2007
Served as director after Fr. DeSantis.
- Fr. Joseph Morris2007–summer 2021
Appointed in 2007; served more than a decade until summer 2021.
- Fr. Bob FrederickJuly 2021–present
Appointed July 2021; current Director of the Catholic Center at KSU.