IPS In Action – Page 20 – Where do your passions meet the needs of the world?

Speakers Bureau Workshop Series Continues Success

The latest event of the series, titled “When Task and Ministry Collide,” explored Western culture, along with the call of the Vatican II which describes the goal of communion for the Church.

Presenter: Carole Veronesi, IPS Parish Consultant (licensed organizational development professional)

During the workshop, the 150 plus attendees were given time to discuss issues and how they impact ministry. For instance, the participants:

Gained understanding about the culture of their teams
Identified the practices that get in the way of communion
Explored new ways of being with each other in order to fulfill the call to communion

Attendees discussing communion in the Church

Proving to be beneficial, the event created a platform for important discussions and critical thinking about communion in the Church. The workshop ended asking, “What can be done to more fully answer the call to communion?” Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

The IPS Speakers Bureau Workshop Series is presented through IPS Parish Leadership and Management Programs in service to the Church.

The next event will be “Administrando Resultados en un Mundo Diverso,” featuring a discussion in Spanish about managing results in a diverse world. It will be held on Saturday, November 8th at St. Donatus Parish. For more details or to register, contact Dina Carr at dcarr1@luc.edu. Hope to see you there!

Let’s Tweet! For more updates, follow @BrianSchmisek on Twitter!

10-20-2014 | Comments Off

Student Feature: Meet Daniel Guzman

Just from answering a few questions, it is evident that Guzman is the type of person to have a lasting, positive affect on people. With a personality that leaps off the page, Guzman would like to tell you a little more about himself:

Nickname: Guzy

A favorite thing: I’m a HUGE Golden State Warrior fan!!!

Hometown: Hayward, California

What is your previous education?
BA in Sociology: Concentration in Criminology from San Jose State University (SJSU)

What were you doing before beginning your IPS journey?
Teaching transformative learning practices in marginalized communities and traveling for leisure

What made you decide to come to Loyola IPS?
The city of Chicago and the opportunity to pursue a dual degree (M.A. in Social Justice and an M.S.W.) related to creating transformational change in both local and global communities propelled and motivated my decision to attend Loyola University.

What are your studies focused on?
My studies are concentrated on the criminalization of black and brown youth, restorative justice practices, community organizing, and critical pedagogy.

What are you most looking forward to accomplishing during your time here at Loyola IPS and how does that relate to your future goals?
Transformational growth, coupled with strengthening mind, body, and spirit during the next three years at Loyola will enable be to be a catalyst for change in any context or setting. My future goals include obtaining a PhD and starting my own business.

Do you have a favorite class or one you look forward to taking?
I am looking forward to taking IPS 635 (Community Organizing and Community Development) & IPS 660 (Leadership for Social Transformation).

Do you see any challenges you will have to overcome during your time here? Is so, what is one of them?
Anytime you transition to a new environment there are unexpected stressors you will inevitably encounter, however, I choose to focus on the positive rather than highlighting the negative, thus I see my experience at Loyola, as well as my transition to the city of Chicago as a beautiful struggle.

Do you have any recommendations for future students?
Come to graduate school with a purpose. Continually ask yourself self-reflective questions such as what am I working towards, and what do I hope to accomplish by the time I walk the stage with my diploma in hand? Keep an end goal in mind; otherwise you’re working hard and straining yourself without any clear direction. Figure out your why and represent a just cause!!

In what way will you go forth to “change the world?”
“I’m not saying I’m going to change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.” -Tupac

What project(s) are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on a research paper studying the effects and correlation of gentrification and crime.

What is a fun fact or story about you?
I recently entered a hip-hop karaoke competition and won accolade from the crowd and a free t-shirt for my stellar performance.

Final thoughts to share:
In Lak’ Ech – an ancient Mayan concept that provides us with an alternative framework for doing social justice by relaying the message: you are my Other me

Follow me on Twitter @BrianSchmisek for more exciting news and updates!

10-15-2014 | Comments Off

Alpha Sigma Nu Recognizes Extraordinary Loyola Student

medals420
This past Sunday, Alpha Sigma Nu held its annual Induction Ceremony to welcome new members and recognize the most outstanding new inductee with the Rev. Ronald J. Ferguson, S.J., Award.

This year, that honor went to Staycie Flint from IPS. Congratulations!

The award recognizes a student who has shown extraordinary commitment and care for his or her fellow students and the community as a whole. It is tradition for the Jesuit community to present this award in remembrance of Fr. Ferguson, S.J., who passed away in 2002. He left behind a legacy of loyalty, service and scholarship that will be honored for years to come.

We also would like to congratulate new Alpha Sigma Nu inductees from IPS:

Eric Lejeune
Rachel Lyons
Elizabeth Reardon
Denise Thompson

With over 68,000 members worldwide, Alpha Sigma Nu is the honor society of Jesuit institutions of higher education. It recognizes upperclassmen and graduate students who rank academically in the top 15 percent of their class and who have demonstrated service and loyalty to the Jesuit ideals.

Loyola IPS is proud to have students who continue to pursue scholarly goals and strive to better their community on a daily basis!

For more updates, follow @BrianSchmisek on Twitter!

10-14-2014 | Comments Off

Student Feature: Meet Rebekah

Starting this week, IPS will feature a different student on our blog once a week.

It’s a chance to get to know our students better and for our students to connect with one another.

So without further ado…

Meet Rebekah.

Full name: Rebekah Turnbaugh

From: Sacramento, CA

What is your previous education?
I graduated in 2008 with a BA in Sociology from California State University, Stanislaus.

What were you doing before beginning your IPS journey?
Prior to moving to Chicago I was working at a statewide public policy and advocacy nonprofit organization called The Campaign for College Opportunity, which aims to ensure that all students in California have the opportunity to pursue and be successful in higher education.

What made you decide to come to Loyola IPS?
I decided to come to Loyola because of the MA in Social Justice degree program. I was drawn the unique blend of faith and social justice, as well as the openness of the program to welcome individuals of all faiths or of no articulated faith at all. For me, the potential for a diverse student body and being able to hear and learn from a plurality of perspectives was really appealing.

What are you most looking forward to accomplishing during your time here at Loyola IPS and how does that relate to your future goals?
I think one of my primary goals here is to have a better understanding of what I may be called to after graduation. I’m looking forward to exploring new issues, developing my own skills, and using both to inform my direction moving forward.

Do you have a favorite class or one you look forward to taking?
I am really looking forward to the Contextual Education class that I will take next year. I am excited to be able to work with a local organization and also have a place where I can engage in reflection about that experience and what I am learning about my own vocation.

Do you see any challenges you will have to overcome during your time here?
While I have an understanding of an issue [criminal justice] about which I am passionate, I think I will be challenged to discern how/if God is calling me to lend my voice to this realm.

In what way will you go forth to “change the world?”
With openness to the idea of this changing entirely while I am here, I have an interest in engaging in research and policy analysis around criminal justice issues, lending a voice of compassion and forgiveness to public discourse.

What is a fun fact/story about you?
I love the mishaps of travel. Once as an exchange student in Mexico, some friends and I took a weekend trip to Oaxaca. After driving most of the night, we decided to spend the night in Puebla. We had not made any hotel/motel reservations and simply assumed that we could easily find an inexpensive place to stay at any hour. This, however, was not as easy a task as presumed. We ended up finding a motel that would only rent rooms to us for four hours at a time. Ahem. They were gracious, however, and permitted us to stay for eight hours.

Some of her favorite books: Little Women, Tattoos on the Heart, The Shack, The Autobiography of an Execution

Connect with her on Facebook: facebook.com/rebekah.turnbaugh

10-08-2014 | Comments Off

Speakers Bureau Explores Hospitality in the Church

One of the biggest factors that affect a person’s experience of a church is whether or not they feel welcomed. But what does it truly mean to be welcoming, and what difference does hospitality really make?

Loyola IPS explored answers to those questions and more during its first Speakers Bureau Workshop Series event held last week.

Carol Knoerzer, director of liturgy at Mary Seat of Wisdom parish, came to the event to acquire new ideas on how to improve her parish’s usher and greeter ministry.

“The workshop was just terrific on many counts,” proclaimed Knoerzer. “The presenters… were full of ideas, enthusiasm, energy and successful stories.”

When asked what she will bring back with her to Mary Seat of Wisdom, Knoerzer said she learned the importance of making good eye contact and asking newcomers to help with tasks or inviting them to a parish event. In addition, she noted that it is good sit in different pews to encounter new people and be aware of those standing by themselves, so someone can reach out to them.

Loyola IPS is both proud and grateful to be able to create these events as platforms for parishioners to learn how they can continue improving the church community experience.

Hospitality1
There were more than 50 attendees representing 16 different parishes and diocesan organizations who were able to bring back new ideas and thought-provoking dialogue back to their community.

Here at Loyola IPS, we believe that it is important to provide innovative learning experiences in leadership, outreach and inter-parish discussion. The IPS Speakers Bureau Workshop Series certainly fills those criteria.

Christina Bax, pastoral associate for Saint Clement Parish, and Tim Weiske, chair of the Stewardship Council and co-chair to the Young Adult Community Board in Saint Clement Parish, facilitated the evening with their effective and knowledgable presentations.

For more updates, follow me on Twitter @BrianSchmisek

10-02-2014 | Comments Off

Loyola Looks to the Future with New Archbishop

This past weekend, Pope Francis appointed Bishop Blase Cupich of Spokane, Washington, to succeed Cardinal Francis George as the Archbishop of Chicago.

We would like to personally add our congratulations to Archbishop-designate Cupich and look forward to working with him to meet the needs of the Archdiocese of Chicago!

This is a time of joy and hope for the people of the Archdiocese and we share that joy and hope in a profound way.

Welcome Archbishop-designate Cupich!

Cupich, is originally from Omaha, Nebraska, and is one of nine children raised in a devout Catholic home. In 1975, he was ordained a priest in his hometown and went on to become Bishop of Rapid City in 1998. He has been Bishop of Spokane since 2010.

Cupich has been successful at guiding the 100,000 Catholics in Spokane, but asks for patience as he gets to know the 2.2 million Catholics in Chicago. Cupich smiled during the press conference on Saturday, saying that he looks forward to personally meeting every member of the Archdiocese.

“The Holy Father’s appointment of me to Chicago humbles but also encourages me… I bow my head in the hope that everyone in Chicago will pray for me in the days ahead,” requested Cupich.

Being the country’s third largest Roman Catholic diocese, Chicago plays a vital role in the American church. Watch to find out more about what Cupich has planned for its future.

It is clear to see that Cupich takes a highly personal approach to his leadership style. He has already been on a whirlwind tour of the Archdiocese and we look forward to his future visit here at Loyola.

Archbishop-designate Cupich will be installed on November 18 as the ninth archbishop of Chicago.

9-25-2014 | Comments Off

IPS Welcomes New Graduate Assistants

Monday morning marked the first day of work for IPS’s two new graduate assistants.

Layli Carsey and Laine Davis have very different backgrounds, but both came here eager to offer their knowledge and help further improve IPS. They also have only been living in Chicago for about six weeks. Welcome ladies!

Layli, our new Research Assistant, has a B.A. in Russian Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign and a Masters in Religious Studies from Indiana University. Currently, she is at IPS studying Pastoral Counseling.

Originally from Miami, Layli moved to Champaign with her family during her high school years. Fortunately for us, she eventually made her way to Loyola where she will be assisting the IPS faculty on various research projects throughout her time here.

“I came to IPS because I decided I wanted my career to be more focused on people. For me, religion and spirituality was transformative and I wanted to be a part of that transforming power in other people’s lives as well as my own. I liked IPS because it deals with mental health from a spiritual perspective.”

IPS also brought onboard Laine Davis as the new Graduate Assistant for Communication. She will be actively involved in creating content for our social media platforms and increasing our reach into the community.

Laine joins us from New Orleans with a B.A. in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University. Currently, she is pursuing her Masters in Communication through the Digital Media and Storytelling program here at Loyola.

Though she has never lived in a city where winters always include snow, Laine is excited to be here and offer her communication skills to IPS.

“I love my classes so far and am already learning a lot of valuable information. This position at IPS complements my studies nicely and will allow me to put my knowledge and skill set to good use. I look forward to revamping and expanding the digital media at IPS.”

IPS is very excited to have Layli and Laine on our team. We have high expectations for them, but we know they are more than capable of excelling at the job!

9-23-2014 | Comments Off

Mary Pimmel-Freeman, 2010 IPS MASJ grad, contributes art honoring the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador

From the Ignatian Solidarity Network website:

Commemorate the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador and their companions with a special 25th anniversary poster. The paintings were originally created by Mary Pimmel-Freeman (Rockhurst University ’07) as an undergraduate thesis project. Since then, the paintings have been displayed at the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice as a reminder of the martyrs’ witnesses. Mary graduated from the MA in Social Justice program at IPS in 2010 after serving in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. She currently lives and works in Milwaukee, WI.

Order your posters today at: http://bit.ly/1trO7Qv

Be sure to visit IPS at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice November 15-17 in Washington, D.C.

8-22-2014 | Comments Off

Dr. M. Therese Lysaught promoted to Associate Director of the Institute of Pastoral Studies

We are very proud to announce that Dr. M. Therese Lysaught has been promoted to Associate Director at IPS. Dr. Lysaught joined IPS last year as a Professor and also as Graduate Program Director of the MA in Pastoral Studies and the MA in Healthcare Mission Leadership. At Loyola University Chicago she also holds a joint appointment with the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics. Click on this link to learn more about Dr. Lysaught. And join us in congratulating her on this new position!

6-27-2014 | Comments Off

IPS Director Participates in Dialogue with Council on Foreign Relations on Pope Francis’ First Year

IPS Director, Dr. Brian Schmisek, participated in a conference call last week with the council on foreign relations regarding the first year of pope Francis. A question he asked around the 30 minute mark sparked a provocative response about the pope’s leader of the council of 8 cardinals. Listen to the audio here:

http://www.cfr.org/religion/pope-francis-vatican/p32800

5-02-2014 | Comments Off