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diocese raises awareness about classes in ministry available through distance learning at loyola university in new orleans

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

All who are baptized live their faith through that baptismal call to live the Gospel.

In the Diocese of Belleville, ministry offers a way to live the baptismal call. One program offers advanced degrees or certificates in pastoral studies and religious education through distance learning with Loyola University in New Orleans, La.

Classes are offered in the diocese with a local facilitator, certified by the university.

Called LIMEX (Loyola Institute for Ministry Extension), this program has been on-going for a number of years here, first through pastoral services and now through the diocesan Office of Education and its catechetical office.
Dr. Tom Ryan, director of the Loyola institute, gathered graduates, present students and those interested in enrolling in the LIMEX program Jan. 7 at St. Clare of Assisi in O’Fallon to discuss the program among a range of topics.
About 15 people, a number of them graduates of the program, participated in a short discussion at the conclusion of his presentation.

Russell Peterson, diocesan liaison to the program, said the diocese presently has one group of seven people in a LIMEX program facilitated by Cheryl Sommer of St. Clare.
The diocese would like to begin a second program in the southern part of the diocese, but a minimum of 12 people must apply to begin.

Students gather in a community setting, to “support, encourage, listen to and challenge one another as they reflect upon their own life and ministerial experiences in light of course content and Gospel values,” according to the program prospectus.

The program takes one course per semester over a period of four years.
One graduate, Deacon Doug Boyer, complete graduate studies through LIMEX. “What made the process work was that everyone was faithful to doing all the reading and questions before
coming to class each week,” Boyer said.

Dr. Ryan said students also learn about Ignatian spirituality, since Loyola is a Jesuit university.
“Ignatius spoke about hospitality,’ Dr. Ryan said.

Through prayer and being open to practicing hospitality, conversations develop and expand about how to practice the Catholic faith, how to respond.

“Conversation results in action,” Dr. Ryan said. “Faith is not just about talking; hopefully it ends with action.”
The action this group took was to enroll in, and graduate with a degree or certificate from the university.
For Boyer, “the study I did in the area of Christian Spirituality has enriched not only my ministry, but my personal prayer life as well.”

Peterson said he wanted to raise awareness about LIMEX in the diocese and encourage people to find out more about it.

For more information about the program please call 235-9601, ext. 104 or e-mail rpeterson@diobelle.org.