Loyola University New Orleans has awarded the 2025 Kelly Frailing Excellence in Online Teaching Award to Dr. Emily Jendzejec for her groundbreaking course "Synodality." The annual award recognizes faculty who demonstrate exceptional achievement in online teaching, course development, pedagogical innovation, and student engagement. Dr. Jendzejec's course aligned with the historic General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome in October 2024, featuring an immersive week-long experience where Loyola Institute for Ministry students joined 150 delegates from 15 U.S. Catholic universities.
Milissa Else, M.P.S., a distinguished alumna of the Loyola Institute for Ministry (LIM), recently shared her experiences working alongside Jennifer Behnke, M.M., the Associate Director of Evangelization for the Archdiocese of Newark. In a compelling discussion, they explored the concept of synodal listening and Milissa's transformative journey to Rome in October 2024, where she participated in the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican.
Claire Gallagher, Associate Director of The Flourishing Sisterhood project at LIM, recently spoke with Dr. Tom Neal, Chief of Evangelization and Mission Engagement for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee and host of the "Sharing the Faith" podcast.
We are delighted to celebrate the imminent publication of "Praying with Our Feet: Encountering God in the Margins" by distinguished alumnus Dr. Ansel Augustine. Through the lens of Ignatian spirituality, this work demonstrates how to actively embody religious beliefs and Catholic social principles while walking alongside those on society's edges, with particular attention to the experiences of the Black Catholic community.
Six LIM graduate students experienced a rare opportunity to witness Church history unfold as they and faculty member Emily Jendzejec joined a landmark pilgrimage to Rome during the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The delegation was part of a larger group of 150 representatives from 15 U.S. Catholic universities who traveled to Vatican City from October 12-19, 2024.
Dr. Emily Jendzejec has published a thought-provoking article in the latest issue of the Journal of Catholic Social Thought. Her work, "'Protagonists of Transformation': Organizing within a Synodal Church," appears in a special edition focused on Organizing, Synodality and Catholic Social Thought and Practice.
Dr. Deborah Wilhelm, adjunct professor and member of an international working group, expressed enthusiasm as their proposal on lay preaching was incorporated into the Vatican's latest document for the Synod "How to be a Missionary Synodal Church."
In March 2024, Dr. Wilhelm joined preachers and theologians from North America, Europe, and Asia in St. Louis for a synodal symposium. Titled "The Pastoral Charge for Lay Catholic Eucharistic Preaching," the gathering aimed to generate recommendations for lay preaching during Mass.
Paula Silliman, a graduate student in the Master of Religious Education program, was recently featured in The Record, Louisville's Catholic newspaper. In the article, Silliman shares how the program has helped her respond to a personal calling and deepen her understanding of the Catholic faith. Read the article here.
Francisco Castillo, D.Min., participated in the 2024 Colloquium of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (ACHTUS) from June 9-12 at Boston College's Connors Center. The Colloquium focused on the theme "Synodality En Conjunto: The People of God, the Bible, and Theology."
Tammy Vidrine, MRE, recently contributed a spiritual reflection to the Jesuit Prayer Daily Inspiration page, focusing on Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. Readers can access the June 19 reading and Tammy's insightful response here.
A certified Spiritual Director from the Archdiocese of New Orleans Spirituality Center, Tammy brings a wealth of experience to her current freelance role. Her diverse career spans education and administration: