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Loyola University Chicago

University Website: www.luc.edu
Email Addresses:
Assistant to the President, Mission and Identity: Missionandidentity@luc.edu
University Ministry: ministry@luc.edu
Sacramental Life: mds@luc.edu

Mission Statement
Loyola University Chicago is a diverse community seeking God in all things and working to expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice, and faith.
University Structures:

(A) Assistant to the President, Mission and Identity: The Assistant to the President for Mission and Identity is tasked with articulating, augmenting, and fostering conversation concerning the Catholic, Jesuit identity of the university with a particular focus on the intellectual life of the university.  The Assistant to the President currently serves as a liaison to the Board of Trustees' Jesuit and Catholic Identity Committee, a member of the President's Cabinet, a member of University Policy Committee for Strategic Planning, and a liaison to the Loyola University Jesuit Community and the Council of Regents.

(B) University Ministry is committed to the development of the whole person through "the service of faith and the promotion of justice." University Ministry provides opportunities for students to discern their gifts and talents in light of God's calling. Through liturgy and worship, community service, retreats and spiritual formation, students are engaged in the Ignatian charism of doing all things for the greater glory of God.  Ministry focuses on faith formation and pastoral care through an extensive peer ministry program in the Residence Halls.  University Ministry at Loyola's Stritch School of Medicine seeks to support the professional education and personal growth of the Medical School's students, faculty, and staff.

The university intentionally reaches out to members of all faiths represented at Loyola University Chicago. There is a very dynamic Hillel group for Jewish students, and an active Board of Jewish faculty & staff which coordinates and supports Hillel activities. Loyola houses a Mosque at the Ministry Center which is run by the Muslim Student Association. The Mosque attracts large groups of Muslim students for prayers and meetings, especially during the observance of Ramadan. The Hindu Student Organization maintains a Puja prayer room at the Ministry Center as well. The Ministry Center hosts the Gospel Choir, Protestant Bible study, a Sunday evening Christian Worship Service.

(C) The Office of Sacramental Life addresses the spiritual needs of the Roman Catholic community. This includes coordination of the R.C.I.A., weddings, Jesuit funerals and Celebrations of the Eucharist.

Orientation Programs
EVOKE and University Ministry participates in Discover Loyola orientation sessions for first year students and parents throughout the summer.
 
The Assistant to the President for Mission and Identity, in collaboration with university ministry, coordinates separate staff and faculty orientation programs for new employees. 

Ongoing Educational Programs
The Chapel Lecture Series is part of a university-wide initiative established in 2003. The program features monthly talks by distinguished speakers addressing some of the pressing issues within the church today.

First-year medical students participate in the Chaplain Mentor Program, a curricular initiative that is part of the Spirituality of Medicine.

EL Tracks and Living Extraordinarily luncheon presentations based on the mission and promise.
 
Summer Institutes for faculty and staff and the national Magis retreat which offers an opportunity to connect personal vocation with institutional mission.
 
EVOKE sponsors courses and workshops for faculty/staff that highlight the value and notion of vocation within the academic and co-curricular pursuits of Loyola.
 
University Ministry at the Stritch School of Medicine offers an International Service Immersion Program for medical students. This program offers the students an opportunity to serve and learn amongst the poor in Central America during the summer following their first year.
 
Ministry at the Lakshore Campus offers domestic and international immersion courses that are connected to academic courses in the Sociology and Theology departments.
Soup and Substance  Lenten lunches for students and employees
 
Ignatian Heritage Week celebrates the living legacy of Ignatius Loyola. Each October the university community celebrates with a variety of events and activities which explore the Jesuit charism of the university. 
 
Ministry in collaboration with the Theology Department offers a minor in Pastoral Leadership which requires an internship in ministry and a capstone course integrating pastoral practice and theory.

Integration of M&I Into the Curriculum and Academic Programs
Involvement in Strategic Planning Committees regarding Mission and Vision.

Integration of International Immersion trips into undergraduate sociology/theology/philosophy studies.

Graduate Credit service learning courses to Cuba and Mexico. A variety of retreats are offered by each department within Mission and Ministry.

Vocation and social justice courses co-sponsored by EVOKE and University Ministry have been implemented into the curriculum.

Spiritual Exercises/Retreats
The university offers the opportunity to faculty and staff to participate in the 19th Annotation Retreat offered annually. 
Ministry offers two retreats for undergraduates, Explore, a first year retreat and Search, a Kairos retreat.

University Ministry offers a 5 day Silent Directed Ignatian retreat for upperclass and graduate students,

Posted 7/26/2010