Philosophy instructor, co-director of faith formation for the Catholic Studies program, and a former Jesuit in residence, Joshua Hinchie is leaving Loyola to pursue further education at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, Spain.
He currently holds a masters degree in philosophy and is seeking a graduate degree in theology to further his education
In Hinchie’s three years at the university, he taught a variety of philosophy and religious studies courses. As the co-director of faith formation, he plans faith-based programming in the Catholic Studies program for Catholic Studies nights.
He also coordinates the Sodalities which he describes as, “groups of students committed to living in a more intentional form of Christian life.”
He recalls his time at Loyola as being “beautiful” and “transformative.”
As a Jesuit in residence, Hinchie worked for a year-and-a-half in Biever Hall assisting with the resident ministry program.
The Resident Ministry program has two components. The first is the Jesuits in Residence, made up of members of the Society of Jesus, and the second is the resident ministers who all work together to “bring home our Jesuit values” as their slogan states.
Ken Weber, associate director of ministry said, “The foundation of that mission is in offering ourselves as relational resources to residential students. In other words, we want to get to know our neighbors so that we can help them.”
To bridge the gap between those in the department and the student body, the Jesuits in residence and resident ministers often look towards the Catholic heritage to guide their works in the ministry.
Weber said, “Whatever our thoughts on religion, faith, spirituality, or any other views, all of us are made for connection among one another. We are all made for love. Resident Ministry works to facilitate contexts for growing in charitable love among students in the res hall communities.”
Upon his departure from Loyola, Hinchie plans to attend university for three years. After which, he will return to the U.S. and be ordained as a priest, possibly in New Orleans at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church. After becoming a priest, he could be missioned anywhere depending on where the Jesuits choose to send him.
He was sent to New Orleans by the Jesuits and regards it as one of many places he would’ve been happy to have been assigned to.
Although he is leaving the Big Easy, he knows that students will still have “big questions” and to those students he says, “don’t lose those opportunities if you have those big questions.”
Hinchie said, “Don’t let anything hold you back from [going] to someone, people who are eager to help you discuss those big questions and help you explore and find what you’re looking for.”
While he didn’t expect the amount of responsibility that he would have in the Catholic studies department or with students coming to him regarding their lives and struggles, Hinchie said, “I also did not expect the amount that I would see students grow and change in the last three years.”
