Ignatian Mission 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
-
-
Share in Fall 2025 Ignatian Programming opportunities that engage the Head, Heart and Hands. All are welcome!
Any Questions? Contact Robert Parmach ([email protected]), Senior Director of Ignatian Mission & Education.
AUGUST
Program: Kayaking & Ignatian Reflection on the Hudson River (LC)
Date & Time: Saturday, 8/30 from 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Description: Kayaking session and reflection on NYC’s Hudson River to begin the school year.
SEPTEMBER
Program: Ignatian Day of Service (RH)
Date & Time: Saturday, 9/13 from 10:00am-3:00pm
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, 9/16 from 2:00-3:00pm
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall nursing home and discuss practical Ignatian links to daily spirituality.
Program: Learn & Lunch: Intro to St. Ignatius Loyola and Jesuit Education (LC)
Date & Time: Friday, 9/19 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.
Program: Semester Check-In: What Does Your Daily Spiritual Life Look Like? (RH)
Date & Time: Monday, 9/22 from 1:00-2:00pm
Description: A pizza lunch discussion at Spellman Hall Jesuit Residence where we learn about the different ways students, staff and Jesuits approach their spiritual lives.
Program: Learn & Lunch: Intro to St. Ignatius Loyola and Jesuit Education (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 9/23 from 12:00-1:00pm
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.
Program: School Supply Service Project (LC)
Date & Time: Wednesday, 9/24 from 3:00-4:00pm
Description: We make school supply care packages for neighborhood kids and include notes of affirmation.
Program: Storytime with Neighborhood Kids (LC)
Date & Time: Friday, 9/26 from 3:30-5:00pm
Description: Over snacks, we read moral lesson books to neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses.
OCTOBER
Program: Learn & Lunch: Public Speaking Session for Graduate Students (RH)
Date & Time: Wednesday, 10/1 from 12:00-1:00pm
Description: Interactive exercises and strategies to improve public speaking and Jesuit soft skills in daily professional and personal interactions.
Program: Xavier Welcome Table Food Pantry Service (LC)
Date & Time: Sunday, 10/5 from 11:30am-4:00pm
Description: At Xavier Parish in Chelsea, we participate in a brief reflection and then serve hot meals at the Welcome Table food pantry.
Program: Xavier Mission Clothes Sorting in Chelsea (LC)
Date & Time: Thursday, 10/9 from 3:30-5:30pm
Description: At Xavier Parish in Chelsea, we sort donated clothes for NYC infants and toddlers experiencing immigration, migration, and refugee challenges.
Program: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (RH)
Date & Time: Wednesday, 10/15 from 11:30am-12:45pm
Description: We make 225 meal packs for community fridges and share in a brief Ignatian reflection.
Program: Learn & Lunch: Public Speaking Session for Graduate Students (LC)
Date & Time: Thursday, 10/16 from 12:00-1:00pm
Description: Interactive exercises and strategies to improve public speaking and Jesuit soft skills in daily professional and personal interactions.
Program: Caring for Our Common Home Discussion at Murray-Weigel Hall (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 10/21 from 2:00-3:00pm
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall community and discuss practical ways in which we Care for our Common Home as related to Pope Francis' Laudato Si.
Program: Museum Field Trip with Neighborhood Kids (LC)
Date & Time: Thursday, 10/30 from 3:00-5:00pm
Description: We mentor neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses on a field trip and workshop at the nearby Art & Design Museum.
NOVEMBER
Program: Professional & Personal Development: 5 Ignatian Life Lessons To Embrace (RH)
Date & Time: Monday, 11/3 from 1:00-2:00pm
Description: A pizza lunch discussion at Spellman Hall Jesuit Residence where we learn some Ignatian based insights to approach our daily professional and personal development.
Program: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (LC)
Date & Time: Monday, 11/10 from 11:30am-12:45pm
Description: We make 225 meal packs for community fridges and share in a brief Ignatian reflection.
Program: Pedro Arrupe Birthday Celebration & Discussion (RH)
Date & Time: Friday, 11/14 from 2:00-3:00pm
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall nursing home and celebrate the global leadership and spiritual legacy of Pedro Arrupe S.J.
Program: Storytime with Neighborhood Kids (LC)
Date & Time: Friday, 11/14 from 3:30-5:00pm
Description: Over snacks, we read moral lesson books to neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses.
Program: Staff & Faculty Day Retreat (LC & RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 11/18 from 9:00am-5:00pm
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.
DECEMBER
Program: Advent Prayer & Reflection (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 12/2 from 2:00-3:00pm
Description: Advent prayer and winter reflection with Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann nursing home.
-
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.
-
Here are a few short articles that you might find interesting.
-
"That which makes you feel the most alive in what you do is where God is."
- St. Ignatius of Loyola