Baltimore Begins a New Ministry at Immaculata University, Pennsylvania
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January 26, 2023Campus Ministry at Immaculata University has seen quite the change over the last few months as the Redemptorists joined the team this past fall semester.
This new partnership is one that shares a common charism between the Redemptorists and the sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM Sisters), who founded Immaculata in 1920.
The connection between the Redemptorists and the IHM sisters can be traced back to 1845 and Fr. Louis Gillet, C.Ss.R., who co-founded the institute with Mother Teresa Maxis in Monroe, Michigan. From the humble beginnings in a log cabin, the Sisters continued to grow, and at the request of then-bishop St. John Neumann, came to the Philadelphia area. Since its founding, IU has strived to be a place of learning and faith in the IHM tradition.
The addition of Redemptorists Fr. Royce Thomas and Br. Ken Stigner has been a welcome one this semester, especially considering the link between our Congregation and the IHM Sisters. Our arrival here is part of a larger project of “Alphonsiphication” of the programs that Campus Ministry does.
This idea was begun by Sr. Laura Downing, IHM, the Director of Campus Ministry as a means of tapping into the Redemptorist roots that Immaculata has and providing greater exposure to St. Alphonsus and his spirituality through various talks and retreats during the year.
At IU, Campus Ministry has served as a place in which students can come to enhance their overall university experience while growing in their faith. Whether they come seeking spiritual direction, need to talk about things they are going through in their lives, or simply to have a place to study or spend time with one another, the space at Campus Ministry has been a place where all can feel welcome, regardless of their denomination.
With the presence of the Redemptorists on campus there is hope that the students will be able to have a greater experience of Campus Ministry through the infusion of Alphonsian spirituality and experience the redeeming love of God in their lives.