Our History and Mission

The Loyola Spirituality Center began in response to two requests in the fall of 1976 for directed retreats for clergy.  The experience of those two retreats led the Jesuit Wisconsin Provincial to request the development of a ministry of spiritual direction in the upper Midwest.  That ministry began July 1, 1977.  The ministry quickly expanded beyond clergy, answering the growing interest from the laity for spiritual support, growth, and education.  The initial staff of clergy and religious grew to include lay men and women.   The current staff has two members of women’s religious orders and no clergy. 

Though Loyola emerged from a need in the Catholic community, it now draws spiritual seekers from many traditions, and some from the non-churched.  Loyola is financially independent from the Catholic Church.  As a 501 C3 nonprofit organization, we rely on fees from our directees and donations.  

Our Vision
Transforming the world, one person at a time

Our Mission

• To help people notice, name, and respond to the experience of God in their lives
• To be rooted in the spiritual tradition of Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556)
• To serve those who seek God through our ministries of spiritual direction and other outreach
• To welcome all regardless of faith tradition, age, race, sexual and gender orientation or economic means

The nautilus symbolizes what we are about

Loyola’s logo is the chambered nautilus.  This beautiful spiral shell contains a series of chambers.  The animal occupies the outermost one and must create a new, larger chamber into which it moves in order to grow and keep living.

The spiral itself symbolizes movement into the center or still point where we encounter God, or find our true selves and discern our call.  From there we spiral out into the world of relationships, work, and nature, where we also encounter God.

Consultants and volunteers who aid our mission
The ministry of Loyola is aided with the help of hard-working volunteers that help to sustain our ministry.  Our community includes the Resource Development Council, the Creativity Council and a dedicated group of volunteers.

The Loyola Resource Development Council (RDC)
The RDC members are commissioned to assist Loyola in areas of resource development through fundraising, and by creating and strengthening relationships that promote the growth of an extended and diverse Loyola community.

Loyola recognizes our need for benefactors to materially sustain our mission.  We believe that the faith and spiritual experience of our benefactors and RDC members are crucial to our future by helping us to imagine and grasp possible ways for our evolving ministry.

Loyola invites the RDC members to mutually discern their gifts in order to assist Loyola’s mission.

Resource Development Council Members: Chuck Denny, Ernie Dorn, Bill Marsella, Susan Sands, Deborah Chernick, Fr. Kevin  McDonough, Debbie Fee and the Loyola Leadership Team.