Churchgoers were able to see several options for volunteer and service work affiliated with Loyola in at this year’s ministry fair.

At the fair, 16 programs were represented in order to provide the community with information about the programs’ efforts and involvement in the New Orleans area.

Among the programs were Hagar’s House, Habitat for Humanity New Orleans, Ignacio Volunteers and Ursuline Links.

Psychology Junior Madeline Janney worked at the Ignacio Volunteers booth in order to raise awareness for their upcoming trips to Belize and South Africa and said that the networking experience was invaluable.

“I loved sharing my stories about working with the kids in Belize and showing them pictures. They were excited to see their support in action,” Janney said.

The approximately 90 people that attend the weekly 10:30 a.m. mass at Ignatius Chapel offer support and funding to the Ignacio Volunteeers program.

The ministry fair gave them a chance to see the programs and their contributions in action. According to the Ignacio Volunteers Program’s webpage, there are “a number of international and domestic immersion programs for the Loyola University New Orleans community.”

Sister Theresa Pitruzello, graduate of both Loyola’s undergraduate and pastoral graduate schools, said she was thrilled to get word out about the many volunteer programs who do work around New Orleans and abroad.

“Ignatius Chapel volunteers are involved in all communities, and we want to share that experience with others and put their faith in action,” Pitruzello said.

Pitruzello explained how different people have different callings. She said that people are involved in several different communities and support the efforts of programs that engaged people with their faith through volunteering, such as Ignacio Volunteers.

The Loyola Honors Program is also involved with a variety of Loyola’s service and engagement activities, according to their webpage. The Honors Program collects books and tutors disadvantaged children through the aid of the 10:30 a.m. mass community.

Beth Aldolph, correspondent for the Honors Program, said that children take the books home and read with their families.

Community member Paula Tsuckart, organizer of the ministry fair, said that the community is thankful for Loyola’s support.