Tag : catholic

Student Feature: Amanda Thompson

Our latest student feature is about Amanda Thompson, a returning IPS student who has a lot to share about her unique journey and some good advice for those just beginning theirs. See what she has to say below.

Amanda Thompson, Director of Catholic Campus Ministry, Student Affairs, DePaul University, is pictured in a studio portrait Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2015. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)
Amanda Thompson, Director of Catholic Campus Ministry, Student Affairs, DePaul University. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

I am very excited to be back at IPS! Twenty-two years ago I began my Masters of Pastoral Studies through the internship program at Loyola’s University Ministry. I graduated in 1996, got a full-time job as a campus minister and residence hall chaplain at the Lakeshore Campus and began my Masters of Divinity. I met my husband, Chuck at Loyola and we decided in 1999 to leave and start a family on the Northwest Side of the Chicago in Jefferson Park. I left not knowing if I would ever return to complete my degree.

In the meantime, Chuck and I had 3 beautiful children, Maggie (15), Hannah (14), and Leo (11). After 11 years of running a licensed daycare in my home and working in our parish, I got a job with the Archdiocese. I continued to pray that God would help me find a way to return to school. Then I applied for a scholarship and got it! My dream of finishing the Divinity degree was coming true…God was blessing me with this opportunity. So I began classes in the summer of 2014.

I am so thrilled to be back in the classroom that every class I have taken is a joy! I took my first three classes online and loved the Sakai platform. The classes were surprisingly interactive with the professors and my other classmates. Now I am in the classroom this semester and am enjoying the face to face interaction.

I was hired this August as the Director of Catholic Campus Ministry at DePaul University and I am enjoying working with the students and staff at DePaul. The students have such a passion for life and faith that gives my hope for the future of the Church. I am also the part-time youth minister at my parish, St. Mary of the Woods. Working with the teens is pure delight as well.

My favorite Bible verse has always been 2 Cor. 12:10, “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” Always reminding me to trust that God is working through my weaknesses. I can only be my true self when I am being vulnerable in my relationship with God and those around me.

My favorite book that I just read over the Christmas is “The Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. It is a beautiful story of a cranky old man who is loved back into the world by the most unlikely characters around him. It made me laugh out loud and cry real tears. I highly recommend it.

My recommendation to future students is to develop a friendship with Jesus and through that relationship don’t be afraid to put yourself into situations that you don’t feel qualified for. Trust that with time and openness, God will bring into your life people who will mentor you along the way. What might seem crazy in the beginning, usually turns out to be an amazing journey, if you stay open and pay attention!

 

Join the conversation by following @BrianSchmisek on Twitter and @LoyolaIPS on Instagram! Also, network with the Loyola Chicago IPS community on LinkedIn.

2-24-2016 | Comments Off on Student Feature: Amanda Thompson

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.

Hospitality2  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 on Speakers Bureau Explores Hospitality in the Church

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!

Bishop Blase Cupich, 65
Bishop Blase Cupich, 65

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 on Loyola Looks to the Future with New Archbishop