About St. thomas aquinas - the catholic center at purdue
St. Thomas Aquinas - The Catholic Center at Purdue: A Haven for Spiritual Growth and Community
St. Thomas Aquinas - The Catholic Center at Purdue is a vibrant community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who seek to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, service, and fellowship. Located in the heart of West Lafayette, Indiana, St. Tom's (as it is affectionately called) offers a wide range of programs and activities that cater to the spiritual needs of Catholics on campus and beyond.
Founded in 1926 by the Dominican Friars as a chaplaincy for Catholic students at Purdue University, St. Tom's has grown into a dynamic center of evangelization that welcomes people from all walks of life to encounter God's love and mercy. Whether you are a freshman or a graduate student, an international or domestic student, a cradle Catholic or someone exploring the faith for the first time – you will find a home at St. Tom's.
One of the hallmarks of St. Tom's is its commitment to liturgical excellence. The center offers daily Masses (including Latin Mass), confession times with multiple priests available every day except Sunday mornings), adoration hours (24/7 during finals week), rosary groups (including one led by seminarians), Divine Mercy chaplet prayers on Fridays after Masses during Lent/Easter season). Additionally there are many opportunities throughout each semester where students can participate in retreats such as Kairos retreats which are offered twice per year.
Another key aspect of St. Tom's mission is its emphasis on formation – both intellectual and spiritual – through various educational programs such as Bible studies (led by FOCUS missionaries), RCIA classes for those interested in becoming Catholic or learning more about their faith journey; theology courses taught by Dominicans; guest speakers who come from around the country/world to share their knowledge/expertise with our community.
In addition to these regular offerings there are also many social events held throughout each semester including dances like Swing Dance Night which happens once per month during fall/spring semesters; game nights where students can play board games/card games together; movie nights featuring films that explore themes related to faith/morality/etc.; intramural sports teams like volleyball/basketball/soccer etc.; service projects both locally/internationally where students can put their faith into action by serving others who may be less fortunate than themselves.
St.Tom’s also has an active outreach program that seeks to engage with non-Catholic students/faculty/staff/alumni through various means such as hosting interfaith dialogues/debates/discussions; participating in campus-wide events like Boiler Gold Rush orientation week/International Festival/Campus Ministry Fair etc.; collaborating with other religious organizations/clubs on campus towards common goals like promoting social justice/human dignity/interreligious harmony etc..
The online resource provided by St.Thomas Aquinas - The Catholic Center at Purdue serves as an excellent platform for anyone seeking information about upcoming events/services/offices available within this community! It provides easy access not only information but also resources such as podcasts/videos/articles written by members within our community sharing insights into topics ranging from prayer life/spiritual growth/personal testimonies/etc..
In conclusion if you're looking for an authentic experience rooted deeply within your catholic faith while attending college then look no further than Saint Thomas Aquinas - The Catholic Center at Purdue! With its rich history/tradition coupled with modern amenities/resources this place truly has something special offer everyone regardless background/experience level when it comes living out one’s relationship with God!