On Saturday, June 6, sisters from across the Houston area gathered for a day of prayer, reflection, and conversation centered on the theme of accompaniment. The day was led by Claire Gallagher, Associate Project Director of the Flourishing Sisterhood project, in collaboration with Sr. Francesca Kearns, CCVI, former Vicar of Religious Life, and Sr. Maria Goretti, OP, who is transitioning into the role of vicar as Sr. Francesca begins her retirement.
Ansel Augustine, an alumnus of Loyola Institute for Ministry, was recently featured on the Beyond the Habit podcast in a conversation with Sisters Erin McDonald and Colleen Gibson. Listen to the full episode here→ While the interview touches on Ansel's work as a lay minister, author, producer, and educator, it focuses more deeply on the importance of community and mentorship, as well as the challenge and grace of trusting God's plan.
On May 12 at Le Petit Theatre in New Orleans, Claire Gallagher, Associate Project Director of the Flourishing Sisterhood grant at the Loyola Institute for Ministry, took the stage as a featured storyteller in a GrandSLAM competition hosted by The Moth.
LIM faculty member Emily Jendzejec has contributed an article to the volume A Shared Praxis: Renewing Religious Education (Crossroad, 2026) honoring Catholic religious educator and theologian Thomas H. Groome and his legacy as he retires after 50 years at Boston College. In April 2026, she also had the opportunity to celebrate with him in person at the conference "A Shared Praxis: Renewing Religious Education” at Boston College marking his five decades of scholarship and ministry.
What began as a deeply personal act of faith has become a gift to the wider Church. Dr. Francisco Castillo, D.Min., a faculty member in the Institute for Ministry, recently celebrated a significant milestone: a liturgical song he co-created with composer Iván Díaz has been accepted for publication by GIA Publications.
A big congratulations to second-year counseling students Trent Andrews and Kentra Greene, who are presenting on their literature review, “Behind Bars, Beyond Trauma: Exploring How Trauma-Informed Care Lowers Recidivism,” at the Law and Society Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California in May 2026. We are so proud of you two!
On March 20, 2026, Francisco Castillo, D.Min., the Joe and Kelly George Visiting Professor of Pastoral Studies at the Loyola Institute for Ministry, served as the keynote speaker for the Archdiocese of Miami's regional professional development day for educators, which was held at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Congratulations to Chakayla Coulter for winning the 2026 Ignation Award! This award is Loyola’s highest honor given to one outstanding graduate student, annually. Ignatian Award winners have distinguished themselves by their holistic involvement in the life of the university — representing Loyola with honor and distinction, maintaining a distinguished grade point average, living a strong faith commitment, demonstrating examples of service for and with others, and showing high regard for Ignatian, Jesuit values. We are so proud of you!
Dr. Tracey Lamont, Director of LIM and Associate Professor of Religious Education and Young Adult Ministry, continues to make a national impact through her scholarship and ministry. At the 2026 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, she presented a compelling and timely lecture titled “Beyond Cancel Culture: A Theology of Reconciliation and Forgiveness in Ministry with Young Adults.”
Dr. Hunter and first year student, Blake Erskin, participated in a panel discussion hosted by Loyola's Career Center on "Pathways to a Career in Counseling". Joining them was Morgan Faust, PLPC, a school counselor at Holy Name of Jesus School, and Rebekah Cianci, LPC, BCBA, the director of Crescent City Bloom Consulting. Thank you to Dr. Hunter and Blake for representing the Department of Counseling!