Ignatian Education Initiatives
Uniting Head, Heart and Hands
Fordham University's educational and spiritual philosophy stems from the legacy of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order. Our shared mission is centered on the person's holistic development of body, mind and soul. My role is to help our University community better understand, animate and operationalize this distinctive mission as contemplatives-in-action. Through workshops, training, shared meals, conversations, community service engagements, reflections and varied and diverse programming, we follow the nearly 500-year-old Jesuit tradition of engaging the head (intellect/curiosity/imagination), heart (beliefs/character/values) and hands (on-the-ground actions). This Ignatian charism of educating women and men for others works to transform the world by integrating intellect, spirituality, ethics, and public service for the betterment of all - one soul at a time. Check out our offerings below as a partner in our shared mission. Thank you.
Employees may find out more about how to participate in Employee Voluntary Opportunities through Mission Leave —> Mission Leave for Administrators
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Fall 2026 Ignatian Programming opportunities that engage the head, heart and hands. Students, staff and faculty are all welcome!
Questions? Contact Robert Parmach ([email protected]), Senior Director of Ignatian Mission & Education.
SEPTEMBER
Program: Kayaking & Ignatian Reflection on the Hudson River (LC)
Date & Time: Saturday, 9/5 from 1:30-4pm
Description: Kayaking session and reflection on NYC’s Hudson River to begin the school year.
Program: Storytime with Neighborhood Kids (LC)
Date & Time: Friday, 9/18 from 3:30-5pm
Description: Over snacks, we mentor and read books to neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses.
Program: Ignatian Day of Service (RH)
Date & Time: Saturday, 9/12 from 9:30am-2:30pm
Description: With Fordham alumni, we clean up a neighborhood park in partnership with Bronx is Blooming.
Program: Autumn Reflection & Spirituality Discussion (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 9/15 from 2-3pm
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall nursing home and discuss practical Ignatian links to daily spirituality.
Program: School Supply Service Project (LC)
Date & Time: Monday, 9/21 from 2-3pm
Description: We make school supply care packages for neighborhood kids, write notes of affirmation and share in an Ignatian reflection on gratitude and perspective.
Program: Learn & Lunch: Intro to St. Ignatius & Jesuit Education (LC)
Date & Time: Thursday, 9/24 from 12-1pm
Description: This session introduces key themes in the life and work of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and the fundamentals of the Jesuit educational experience at Fordham University. Lunch sandwiches provided.
Program: St. Ignatius Middle School: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (RH)
Date & Time: Friday, 9/25 from 1-3:30pm
Description: We take a Ram Van to St. Ignatius Middle School in the Bronx, partner with their students to make 200 meal packs for a neighborhood food pantry and then share in an Ignatian reflection.
OCTOBER
Program: Learn & Lunch: Intro to St. Ignatius & Jesuit Education (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 10/6 from 12:30-1:30pm
Description: This session introduces key themes in the life and work of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, and the fundamentals of the Jesuit educational experience at Fordham University. Lunch sandwiches provided.
Program: Public Speaking Workshop for Students & Staff (LC)
Date & Time: Wednesday, 10/7 from 4-5pm
Description: Learn strategies and participate in exercises to improve your public speaking and Jesuit soft skills in daily professional and personal life.
Program: Storytime with Neighborhood Kids (LC)
Date & Time: Friday, 10/9 from 3:30-5pm
Description: Over snacks, we mentor and read books to neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses.
Program: Halloween Social & Fordham Trivia (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 10/13 from 2-3pm
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall nursing home and enjoy a game of small group Ignatian-based trivia.
Program: Tour & Discussion at Central Synagogue NYC (LC)
Date & Time: Wednesday, 10/14 from 10:30am-12:30pm
Description: We visit Central Synagogue in midtown Manhattan for a personalized tour and discussion with Fordham’s Rabbi Katja Vehlow (campus ministry) and Michael Taylor (GSE).
Program: Meet the Spellman Hall Jesuits: Basics of Ignatian Spirituality (RH)
Date & Time: Thursday, 10/15 from 1-2pm
Description: Meet Fordham Jesuits, enjoy pizza and learn ways to explore Ignatian spirituality in daily life.
Program: Xavier Welcome Table Food Pantry Service Project (LC)
Date & Time: Sunday, 10/18 from 11:30am-4pm
Description: At Xavier Parish in Chelsea, we begin with a reflection and then work in teams to serve hot meals at the Welcome Table food pantry.
Program: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (LC)Date & Time: Thursday, 10/22 from 11:30am-12:45pm
Description: We make 225 meal packs for NYC community fridges and share in an Ignatian reflection.
NOVEMBER
Program: Staff & Faculty One-Day Retreat (LC & RH)
Date & Time: Friday, 11/13 from 9am-4pm
Description: At Fordham's Westchester Campus, take time to nourish your interior life and reflect on your personal development and purpose as a member of our University community. Through individual, partner and large group reflections, connect with nature, the transcendent and Fordham's Ignatian mission.
Program: Storytime with Neighborhood Kids (LC)
Date & Time: Friday, 11/13 from 3:30-5pm
Description: Over snacks, we mentor and read books to neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses.
Program: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 11/17 from 11:30am-12:45pm
Description: We make 225 meal packs for NYC community fridges and share in an Ignatian reflection.
Program: Pedro Arrupe Birthday Celebration & Discussion (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 11/17 from 2-3pm
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall nursing home and celebrate the global leadership and spiritual legacy of Pedro Arrupe SJ.
Program: Meet the Spellman Hall Jesuits: Live A Cappella Performance by the Fordham Ramblers (RH)
Date & Time: Thursday, 11/19 from 1-2pm
Description: Meet Fordham Jesuits and the Ramblers, enjoy pizza and experience how music connects to your daily spiritual self.
DECEMBER
Program: Advent Prayer & Winter Reflection (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 12/8 from 2-3pm
Description: Advent prayer and winter reflection with Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann nursing home.
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I also offer tailored Ignatian workshops and talks for a variety of Fordham University audiences (student groups, administrative departments, faculty, staff, alumni).
Some examples include:Ignatian Public Speaking Theory-in-ActionProfessional & Personal Development: Our Shared University MissionJesuit Leadership & Soft SkillsThe Ignatian Charism in Daily LifeNourishing the Interior Life: Some Life Lessons from Ignatius of LoyolaCivil Discourse & the Ignatian WayLeveraging Failure in Daily Life: Some Ignatian PerspectivesIgnatian Fitness & Mindfulness SessionIgnatian Practices for Good TeachingHead, Heart, Hands: Jesuit Education EssentialsFeel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions. Thank you.
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Here are a few short articles that you might find interesting.
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"That which makes you feel the most alive in what you do is where God is."
- St. Ignatius of Loyola