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
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Spring 2026 Ignatian Programming opportunities that engage the head, heart and hands. Faculty, staff, and students are all welcome!
Questions? Contact Robert Parmach ([email protected]), Senior Director of Ignatian Mission & Education.
JANUARY
Program: Winter Reflection & Spirituality Discussion (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 1/27 | 2 - 3 p.m.
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall community and discuss practical Ignatian links to daily spirituality. Meet at 1:45pm at Bathgate Avenue security gate (Near Finlay Hall).
FEBRUARY
Program: School Supply Service Project at St. Ignatius Middle School (SIS), Bronx (RH)
Date & Time: Friday, 2/6 | 1 - 3:30 p.m.
Description: We meet at the Ram Van area at RH and take a short drive to SIS where we collaborate with their students to make school supply packs for neighborhood children in NYCHA and conclude with an Ignatian reflection.
Program: St. Valentine’s Day Reflection & Spirituality Discussion (RH)
Date & Time: Wednesday, 2/11 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall community and discuss practical Ignatian links to daily spirituality. Meet at 2:20 pm at Bathgate Avenue security gate (Near Finlay Hall).
Program: Storytime with Neighborhood Kids (LC)
Date & Time: Friday, 2/13 | 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Description: Over snacks, we mentor and read stories to neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses. Meet in Lowenstein Lobby at 3:30pm, and we’ll walk a few blocks to the community center.
Program: Learn & Lunch: Intro to St. Ignatius Loyola & Jesuit Education (LC)
Date & Time: Thursday, 2/19 | 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. | Chapel (2nd Floor, Lowenstein 221)
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: Learn & Lunch: What Kinds of Things Do Jesuits Do on a Daily Basis? (RH)
Date & Time: Monday, 2/23 | 1 - 2 p.m.
Description: A pizza lunch discussion at Spellman Hall where we meet Fordham Jesuits and learn about the variety of their daily lived experiences and backgrounds.
MARCH
Program: Xavier Welcome Table Food Panty Service Project (LC)
Date & Time: Sunday, 3/1 | 11:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Description: We meet in Lowenstein Lobby and take a short subway ride to Xavier Parish in Chelsea where we share in a reflection and serve hot meals to those experiencing houselessness in NYC.
Program: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making at St. Ignatius Middle School (SIS), Bronx (RH)
Date & Time: Friday, 3/6 | 1 - 3:30 p.m.
Description: We meet at the Ram Van area at RH and take a short drive to SIS where we collaborate with their students to make 200 peanut butter & jelly meal packs for a community fridge and share in an Ignatian reflection.
Program: Staff & Faculty Day Retreat (LC & RH)
Date & Time: Thursday, 3/12 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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: St. Patrick’s Day Reflection & Spirituality Discussion (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 3/17 | 2 - 3 p.m.
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall community and discuss practical Ignatian links to daily spirituality. Meet at 1:45pm at Bathgate Avenue security gate (Near Finlay Hall).
Program: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (LC)
Date & Time: Thursday, 3/19 | 1 - 2:15 p.m.
Description: Members of our Fordham community make 200 meal packs for community fridges and share in an Ignatian reflection. Meet in Lowenstein Lobby (Near Escalators).
Program: Storytime with Neighborhood Kids (LC)
Date & Time: Friday, 3/27 | 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Description: Over snacks, we mentor and read stories to neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses. Meet in Lowenstein Lobby at 3:30pm, and we’ll walk a few blocks to the community center.
APRIL
Program: Spring Reflection & Spirituality Discussion (RH)
Date & Time: Tuesday, 4/7 | 2 - 3 p.m.
Description: We meet Jesuits from Murray-Weigel Kohlmann Hall community and discuss practical Ignatian links to daily spirituality. Meet at 1:45pm at Bathgate Avenue security gate (Near Finlay Hall).
Program: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (RH)
Date & Time: Thursday, 4/9 | 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Description: Members of our Fordham community make 200 meal packs for community fridges and share in an Ignatian reflection. Meet in McShane Student Center Lobby (nearest gym side of building).
Program: Storytime with Neighborhood Kids (LC)
Date & Time: Friday, 4/10 | 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Description: Over snacks, we mentor and read stories to neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses. Meet in Lowenstein Lobby at 3:30pm, and we’ll walk a few blocks to the community center.
Program: Ignatian Day of Service (LC)
Date & Time: Saturday, 4/11 | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Description: With Fordham alumni, we clean up a nearby neighborhood park in partnership with the NYCHA Harborview Terrace community. Meet in Lowenstein Lobby (in comfortable work clothes) at 10:00am, and we’ll walk a few blocks to the community garden.
Program: Learn & Lunch: Stories of Leveraging Failure in Life (RH)
Date & Time: Friday, 4/17 | 1 - 2 p.m.
Description: A pizza lunch discussion at Spellman Hall where we meet Fordham Jesuits and listen to some stories about how seeming failures have been transformed into meaningful life lessons.
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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