The Loyola Institute for Ministry launched their inaugural first Tuesdays spirituality series in partnership with the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate
Conception and the Catholic Bookstore.

The first installment of the series began Oct. 6 and runs the first Tuesday of every month until May in the downtown area at the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception.

The series addresses spirituality in Downtown New Orleans and allows people of all religions to come and reflect on spirituality in the city.

“Religions mix in this city, and it has a special place for dialogue and conversation,” said Tom Ryan, director of the Institute for Ministry and one of the directors of the series. “This city is a special place for talking about spirituality and religion because many people in New Orleans come from different and unique walks of life.”

This year’s theme for the series is “Spirituality in the City,” and Ryan said this came about because the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception is the only Catholic church between Poydras and Canal Streets and it is now a place where people of all religions can come and reflect on spirituality and religious feelings.

Ryan said everyone involved is excited about the range of the eight speakers attending this year’s conference, but they are especially excited about Sister Helen Prejean, who wrote the novel “Dead Man Walking” about the death penalty in New Orleans. The novel was made into a movie starring Sean Penn and Susan Surandon, who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Prejean.
              Ryan says that he hopes this series achieves two goals.
“I want there to be a better understanding across religious lines in New Orleans, and I would also anticipate it would raise Loyola’s profile in the city,” he said. 

The Rev. Susan Gaumer, rector at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, will host the next event on Nov. 3, presenting “The Luminous Web: Essays on Science and Religion.” The Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception is located at 130 Baronne St.  Speakers begin at 12:30 p.m. and admission is free.

Allison Baznik can be reached at [email protected]