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Loyola University New Orleans

Contact: Rev. Ted Dziak, S.J., Vice-President of Mission & Ministry.   Phone: (504-865-2304).   E-Mail: Jesuit@loyno.edu

Mission Statement
"Loyola, as a Jesuit university, is committed to the belief that Christianity presents a world view which is meaningful in any age. The person is central in a Catholic university. Its task is to equip its students to know themselves, their world, their potential, and their Creator....

"The Catholic university must foster among its students, its faculty, and the larger community a critical sense. To think critically, one must have a place to stand. Loyola stands on its Catholic commitment. This commitment is not the end of a search, but the beginning of an inquiry into other traditions, other regions, other religions.

"Loyola pledges itself to educate its students to meet change with equanimity, good judgment and constructive leadership. Innovations in the direction of a more Christian and just structure for society are expected of the Loyola community, its alumni, and its friends."
Structure

Office of Mission and Ministry (M&M):  This office was established  in  2007, with Ted Dziak, S.J. as the Executive Director, and then raised to the Vice-presidential level a year later (in 2008).   This Office reports directly to President Kevin Wildes, S.J., and Dziak sits on the Cabinet.  Under Mission and Ministry are three areas:  Jesuit Center / University Ministry / (in 2011) the Center for Volunteer & Public Service.

The Jesuit Center:  Director, Rev. Ted Dziak, S.J.,    Dr.  Ricardo Marquez, Assistant Director    Jesuit Center Fellow (for Volunteer Center): Scott Porot;   Jesuit Center Fellow (for University Programs): Katrina Wechsler;   Jesuit Center Fellow (for Immersion programs):  Andrew Ryan. Established in 1995, the Jesuit Center works to enhance the Jesuit mission and identity of Loyola University New Orleans. Working in collaboration with University Ministry, it works with the more theoretical, broader structural mission & identity issues, while University Ministry focuses on the pastoral, sacramental and formational issues.  The Jesuit Center seeks to promote teaching and research integrated with Jesuit Educational pedagogy and Ignatian spirituality.   It brings various constituencies -- faculty, staff, students, alumni, and families -- of the larger Loyola community together at orientations and for discussions and seminars on the school's Jesuit and Catholic mission and identify.  It works with the Academy in integrating Jesuit values and identity into curriculum.  It facilitates an annual Loyola Week, which celebrates Loyola's Jesuit heritage.  The Jesuit Center invites Loyola community members to deepen their spirituality and faith commitment in light of the faith does justice and service.   The Jesuit Center is also facilitating the planning of a new Center for Volunteer & Public Service, to be opened in the fall of 2011. 

University Ministry:  Mr. Kurt Bindewald, Director of University Ministry serves the holistic education of our students by attending to the faith, spiritual and religious formation of the University community.   At the heart of its work is building strong communities of faith, whether those communities arise out of liturgies, retreats, service outreach, educational programs, Christian Life Communities or other activities.

Mission & Identity Committee of the Board of Trustees:   The Loyola Board of Trustees has a committee that focuses on Mission and Identity.  Its role is to foster, encourage, support and assess, on a continuing basis, the Jesuit and Catholic identity of Loyola University New Orleans in its programs and operations. The Jesuit Center and University Ministry make reports at each of the meetings, and the Board committee reports regularly to the Board of Trustees at its quarterly meetings.

Programs Offered in Mission & Ministry
Jesuit Center Activities (a sampling):
Orientations/Presentations
 New Faculty Breakfast (August) with mission-related talks by talks by Faculty / Student / M&M staff on Jesuit Education and related sessions for new faculty and more experienced faculty on Ignatian pedagogy during the academic year.
 New Staff Orientation Sessions:  Monthly sessions presented for new staff facilitated by Human Resources
 New Student Orientation Sessions (freshmen & non-traditional) & Family Weekend Sessions:  Presentations to parents & students
 'Jesuit Conversations' with senior administrators & new faculty & staff on magazine topics
 Board Orientation session each year (retreat every two years) on Mission & Identity

Loyola Week (Held the first week of November): "Celebrating our Jesuit Heritage"
 Jazz Concerts in collaboration with College of Music & Fine Arts
 Lectures by noted Jesuits  and/or collaborative program with Jesuit Social Research Institute (JSRI)
 Student-planned activities including BBQ, Jesuit Jeopardy, and intercultural forum / kickball tournament.
 Activity with Loyola Jesuit community including dinner  in student cafeteria/ ice cream social
 'Wolves on the Prowl'  Service Day (Saturday following) for faculty/staff & students and Alumni chapters across the US

Ignacio Volunteer Service Immersion Programs:
 Jamaica Undergraduate & Alumni Programs (May)
 Jamaica Christmas Camp program (Christmas break)
 Belize Summer Camp (July/ August)
 Belize Winter Camp [in Mayan Villages]  (Christmas break)
 Louisiana Bayou Experience  [Louisiana ecological program over spring break]
 El Paso Border Experience [Mexico/Texas Border immigration program] (May)
 Uganda Experience (planned for summer 2011)

Retreats / Days of Recollection / Special Masses for Faculty / Staff & Students
 Ignatian 19th and 18th Spiritual Exercises Annotation retreats (offered annually or bi-annually)
 Advent Days of Recollection for Faculty/ Staff
 Lenten Retreat in Daily Life (offered to students/ faculty & staff) – on-line program
 Lenten Lecture & Concert Series (“Sacred Words & Sacred Music”) for Faculty/ Staff and Alumni

Publications
Booklets planned on 'Jesuit Education' and 'Jesuit-Speak.'   Drawing plans for a Student Prayer book
Miscellaneous
Advisory Committee:  Established to advise and support the Jesuit Center on past, present and future events & activities. Made up of Faculty, Staff & Students
Visiting Committee (with institutional Advancement) Planned for 2010-2011, with benefactors to assist with fundraising.

Posted 7/26/2010