PITTSBURG, Kan. — With Pitt State graduates scattered across the state, St. Pius X Catholic Student Center has decided to host an alumni event near Wichita on Friday, July 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. The event will be held at a private home at 15 Norfolk Drive in Eastborough, Kansas. Parking and a shuttle will be available at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church at 124 N. Roosevelt Street in Wichita.
“This event is a great way for alumni to reconnect, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks, live entertainment, and hear from Father Derek Thome about the mission of St. Pius X,” said Bethany Kendrick, Director of Development.
Similar events are planned for Lawrence and Topeka as a way to reconnect with Pitt State graduates.
Now beginning its second year under the leadership of Father Derek Thome, the center is refocusing on serving the needs of the student body. Times for mass and adoration are set with student schedules in mind, especially on weekdays beginning as late as 9 p.m. Mass and adoration are not restricted to just Catholic students at the university, Kendrick stressed, but are open to the public as well.
“We want to share this excitement with our alumni and Diocese and to celebrate 110 years of Catholic campus ministry here is a true blessing.”
The St. Pius X Catholic Student Center, located at 301A E Cleveland Ave in Pittsburg, sits in the heart of Pittsburg State University. Across the street from the Overman Student Center and behind Grubbs Hall, St. Pius is a mainstay of the Pitt State campus, having served the students there for over 110 years.
Known as “Catholic Gorillas,” the center is “dedicated to evangelizing students at Pittsburg State University and forming them into disciples of Christ,” according to its official website and it caters to the unique needs of active college students.
Kendrick said the center is open to all students, regardless of religious affiliation. The center offers not only Catholic mass, but also is an active member of the campus community, participating in homecoming festivities and hosting a spring banquet. For over a decade, St. Pius has offered free lunches on Wednesdays to university students during the school year.
“It is one less meal a student has to plan for,” Kendrick said.
In 2021, the student center completed a renovation that remodeled the chapel and added a computer lab, game room, and classrooms for student use. Father Thome is currently working to establish a chapter of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionary on campus.
“Many alumni have been very generous,” Kendrick said, “with prayers, donations, and sponsorships.”
Pittsburg residents who wish to attend are welcome to and can respond with an RSVP to Bethany Kendrick at [email protected].
“If you are going to be in Wichita, we’d love to have you,” Kendrick said.
