Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

This academic year, the University of Louisville’s Catholic Campus Ministry has relocated its Sunday Mass to Holy Name Church, situated at 2914 S. Third St., a 20-minute walk from campus. The church, with roots dating back to 1891, now includes the Sunday Student Mass at 11 a.m. in its liturgical schedule while maintaining its regular services.

The Catholic Campus Ministry previously conducted Masses at the Interfaith Center on U of L's Belknap campus. However, due to increased attendance often exceeding 50 students, the ministry required more space. "As Catholic Campus Ministry experiences growth, it can no longer fit the Sunday crowd," said Dominican Father John Baptist Hoang, chaplain of the campus ministry.

Father Hoang noted that this year there are about 20 active Bible studies led by FOCUS Catholic missionaries and students. The numbers for Sunday Masses are also increasing. Using Holy Name Church allows the ministry to expand further. He emphasized that students “are looking for a new spiritual home,” and described the building as an invitation: “It is a visible church. You can see the bell tower from the football stadium,” he said.

Since moving to Holy Name Church, new students have been attending Mass regularly, particularly those who prefer parish worship upon starting university life. “You feel the presence of God there,” said Father Hoang.

Catholic Campus Ministry offers fellowship time over donuts after each Sunday service, aiming to foster a routine similar to traditional parishes. Father Hoang hopes this routine will carry into adulthood for students as they transition off-campus.

Daily Masses continue at 12:20 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Interfaith Center; however, the 11 a.m. Sunday student Mass occurs only when classes are in session.

In addition to hosting student Masses, Holy Name Church serves English-speaking and Spanish-speaking parishioners and holds a candlelight Mass on Sundays at 9:30 p.m. It accommodates approximately 550 parishioners and houses the Father Jack Jones Food Pantry under Catholic Charities of Louisville.