Loyola Institute for Ministry student David Hebert was ordained to the permanent diaconate on May 31, 2025, at the Cathedral of the Nativity in Biloxi, Mississippi. A celebratory luncheon was held at the Parish Hall on Sunday, June 1, to honor his ordination alongside that of Jim Balentine. David is continuing his studies to earn his Master of Pastoral Studies degree while serving at Most Holy Trinity Parish in Pass Christian, Mississippi.
Bernard Dumond, a Master of Pastoral Studies student at the Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM), was recently featured in The Acadian Advocate for an article examining the Catholic Church's approach to digital ministry.
LIM graduate Melinda Laird, MPS, and current student Liz Aceves will co-facilitate "Anchored in Hope," a transformative online retreat on September 12 from 1-4 pm CST. This contemplative afternoon of prayer and reflection offers participants a sacred pause from life's relentless demands, creating space to listen for God's gentle invitation to find a more sustainable pace. Learn more about the retreat and register to attend here»
Sister Charlotte Rubit, a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, has offered the Catholic community a deeply personal glimpse into the transformative power of forgiveness through her recent reflection published in the Black Catholic Messenger. In her article titled "When God spoke to me in a dream, I listened," Sister Charlotte recounts a profound spiritual experience that changed her understanding of healing and reconciliation.
Judy Fontenot Lavergne, Manager of Student Services at the Loyola Institute for Ministry, received the Staff Senate Outstanding Service to Students Award in 2025. Judy was recognized for her comprehensive support of both undergraduate and graduate students, expertly guiding them through every stage of their academic journey—from initial application and onboarding through course registration and graduation.
Loyola Institute for Ministry Professor Francisco Castillo has published a book review in Perspectivas, a peer-reviewed bilingual journal of the Hispanic Theological Initiative. His review examines Formative Theological Education, edited by Colleen M.
The title might sound like the opening line of a joke, but Sister Mary Martha Moss's reflection "So a Nun walks into a Bar..." tells a profound story of sisterhood, formation, and unexpected connections. Recently published on the Vocation Stories page of the Daughters of St. Paul website, her personal account chronicles her transformative experience with the Loyola Institute for Ministry's Flourishing Sisterhood: Nourishing Communities in the Gulf South project.
LIM alumnus and adjunct faculty member Dr. Ansel Augustine, D.Min., has garnered national media attention for his expertise on African American Catholic heritage and social justice. Augustine was recently featured in prominent interviews with The Wall Street Journal and National Geographic, offering scholarly insights into the intersection of faith, culture, and history.
Liberation Theology Through Poetry: Dr. Castillo Explores Ernesto Cardenal's Vision of God's Kingdom
Dr. Francisco Castillo delivered a compelling presentation on "Celebración e interrogación del Reino de Dios in the Poetic and Prophetic Imagination of Ernesto Cardenal" at the Annual Colloquium of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States, held June 8-11 in Portland, Oregon.
Sister Morenikeji "Francisca" Faseemo, U.S. Mission Superior of the Sisters of St. Michael the Archangel in the Archdiocese of Galveston–Houston, recently published an insightful reflection in the Texas Catholic Herald titled "Program Helps Gulf Coast Women Religious Flourish." Read it here on page 9.