Loyola to start new program in North Mississippi

By Kris Ivancic
TUPELO – What is your ministry? This is the first question students in the Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension Program (LIMEX) are asked.  It is not always an easy question to answer. LIMEX can lead to a master’s degree or certificate in Pastoral Studies or Religious Education. There is also an opportunity to earn undergraduate credit, but is also an opportunity for personal growth.
In Mississippi, we are well aware of the need for laypersons to be prepared to assume ministry in their parishes. Tupelo St. James Parish will be sponsoring another LIMEX learning group, which will begin this fall.
There will be an information session on Sunday, Aug. 9, at 2 p.m. in Mary’s Room of the Catholic Life Center at St. James.  Call Lee Oswalt at 662-322-3741 or Kris Ivancic at 662-791-9643 if you have questions. You can also go online to http://lim.loyno.edu.
In “Called and Gifted,” the U.S. Bishops stated, “Baptism and confirmation empower all believers to share in some form of ministry. Although the specific form of participation in ministry varies according to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, all who share in this work are united with one another.” This document really speaks to the call to all the faithful to participate in the ministry of the church in some way. LIMEX is designed to equip everyone to respond to God’s call in their life. Ministry is not just about teaching religious education or being a lector at Mass. Certainly, those are ministries, however; ministry does not just exist within the liturgy or even the parish.  Ministers function in the workplace, with certain groups, in volunteer organizations — everywhere. Christianity is not a spectator sport.
Here are some former students’ reflections on their LIMEX experience:
“The LIMEX course, especially the group setting, provided the opportunity for service which has made a major life difference for me. It was fun getting a masters degree from a university before setting foot on the campus, but the important factor was the opening for deeper ministry and service to God.”
“I began the LIMEX process for my own self-edification and maybe to help with my role as catechist. I was expecting a completely ‘college-like’ experience, but LIMEX is more than that. It is a faith-sharing experience that has deepened my understanding of ministry and, hopefully, has made me a more effective minister.”
If you are feeling God calling you to deeper participation in His work, maybe LIMEX is for you.  So—what is your ministry?
(Kris Ivancic is a lay minister at Tupelo St. James Parish)

Theology program to offer new degree session

By Fran Lavelle
The Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension Program (LIMEX) of Loyola University in New Orleans will present an information session on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 10 a.m. at Madison St. Francis of Assisi Parish. The information session will discuss the formation of a graduate ministry education learning group in the Jackson area.
Lay, religious and ordained persons who are engaged at a professional or paraprofessional level in the church’s works of education and pastoral ministry, or laity who want to address themselves to their ministry in the world are encouraged to attend the information session.
Loyola, in cooperation with church-related sponsoring agencies responds to the needs of ministry and education personnel who have limited access to Catholic educational resources by offering this on-site extension program leading to the master of religious education and master of pastoral studies degrees or non-credit continuing education certificates.
The theological core courses and capstone course are taken in learning groups led by a Loyola-certified facilitator. Sessions for each course employ a learning design in which downloadable class lectures and other required and suggested readings are correlated with the participant’s experience by means of reflective processes.
Additionally, each session provides opportunities for prayer, reflection and faith sharing based on the themes and graces of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Students also choose five additional courses in Christian spirituality, pastoral life and administration, or religious education. In these courses, a multimedia course packet is provided to students.
The packet guides the students through a learning process that combines independent study and peer group sharing. Youth ministry, religion and ecology, and marketplace ministry courses are offered through the LIMEX online program giving extension students flexibility in course offerings.
For more information about Loyola and the information session, contact Fabvienen Taylor, 601-960-8470, fabvienen.taylor@jacksondiocese.org.
(Fran Lavelle is the Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Jackson)