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Vision Statement Implementation Project: 3rd Update

Feb 5, 2026

February 4, 2026

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

This letter marks the Parish Council’s third update to you regarding the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola’s Vision Statement Implementation Project. As you recall, the Vision Statement and its initiatives are rooted in the Parish’s Mission Statement, whose inspiring words are the very foundation upon which our Parish’s future is being built.

The initiatives are structured across four pillars, namely: (1) We Welcome All; (2) We Worship with Joy; (3) We Walk Together with Those in Need; and (4) We Reverence God in the Wonder of Creation.

The Parish Council can happily report that substantial activity has occurred across the initiatives since my last correspondence in June 2025. As a direct result of parishioners’ time and talents, much has been accomplished over the past six months. The dedication to the Implementation Project’s initiatives has been inspiring. The Council extends our deepest gratitude to the individuals who advanced these important programs by virtue of their time, generosity, and skilled efforts. Unquestionably, they have shone a great light.

I wish to highlight that the Implementation Project is, by design, a work-in-progress. At its heart, the Project is an open invitation to you and for you to co-build your Parish and to live out our Mission Statement. I strongly encourage you to learn more about and, to participate in, these varied opportunities to serve others, to expand our community, and to enrich the vibrancy of our Catholic faith and Jesuit heritage.

To learn more about how you can participate, please send an email to [email protected]

We Welcome All:

  1. Community-Themed Holiday Gatherings:
    1. Numerous successful events were held in Fall 2025, including the annual Snowball Dance.
    2. Coordination has started for several exciting Winter and Spring 2026 programs.
    3. Scheduled events include a Celtic Night Party and an Easter Egg Coloring Social for Adults.
  1. FaithQuest: Journeying into Catholic Identity
    1. Tours of Parish
      1. Over two hundred individuals enjoyed the Parish tours in the Fall 2025.
      2. There are currently six volunteer tour guides conducting the monthly tours.
  1. Video Testimonials: “What inspires you to worship at our Saint Ignatius Loyola Church?”
    1. Nine video testimonials have been recorded.
    2. These beautiful video testimonials are available for viewing on the Parish website.
  1. Buddy System for our Senior Community:
    1. The Council continues to seek one or more volunteers to advance this important program designed to assist seniors in need of companionship and assistance.

We Worship with Joy:

  1. Festival Masses: two Festival Masses were held in 2025.
  2. A joint 11:00 am Mass was held which brought together the congregations of the Solemn and Wallace Hall Family Masses
  3. Monthly Jazz Mass – last Sunday of every month at 7:30 pm.
  4. The attending parishioners have shared positive feedback.

We Walk Together with Those in Need:

  1. Outreach to the Homeless:
  2. Monthly outreach to the unhoused continues, in partnership with City Relief.
  3. Lenten Service:
  4. Building off last year’s tremendous success, this year, from February 18 through March 1, the Parish is offering numerous opportunities for parishioners to engage in services that show the love that God has for all of us.
  5. The services will provide much needed relief to the vulnerable, hungry, and unhoused., as well as providing opportunities to learn about social justice issues.
  6. Programs include Lenten food drive, homeless awareness for kids, meal packing, and court accompaniment training.
  7. Family Accompaniment Program:
    1. Four families have joined the Family Accompaniment group.
    2. The Program hosted a Fall 2025 clothing drive and a 2025 Christmas Party.

We Reverence God in the Wonder of Creation:

  1. Partnership with Organizations
    1. The Laudato Si’ Care of Creation Ministry continued active environmental service through partnerships with the Environmental Justice Alliance (EJA), New York Restoration Project (NYRP), Central Park Conservancy, and Scouting America.
    2. East Harlem Park and Carl Schurz Park Service Days
      1. Parishioners, youth participants, and Fr. Mark Hallinan took part in conservation efforts focused on removing invasive plant species and planting native species.
      2. These projects support biodiversity, improve local ecosystems, and advance environmental justice in underserved communities.
    3. Central Park Educational Walk and Talk
      1. George Rudenauer of the Central Park Conservancy led parishioners on a guided ecological and historical walk through Central Park. Highlights included The Dairy (near the 65th Street underpass), The Mall, Bethesda Fountain, The Lake, Bow Bridge, Cherry Hill, Mineral Springs, Sheep Meadow, the Carousel, Kinderberg, and the Dairy.
      2. This program deepened participants’ understanding of land restoration, urban ecology, and the spiritual connection between faith and care for creation.
  1. Awareness Campaign – Adopt a Simpler, More Sustainable Lifestyle
    1. The Ministry has invited Parishioners to eat at least one vegan meal a day, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves water, and decreases deforestation associated with animal agriculture.
    2. Jean Santopatre invited parishioners to participate in environmental learning opportunities, including an event through The Environmental Forum and a Beyond Plastics training in Fall 2025.
    3. Additional educational events are in the works for Spring 2026.
  2. Upcoming Faith and Ecology Formation – March 26, 2026
    1. Field Trip: Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood
      1. Participants will learn from the Sisters’ long-standing commitment to sustainability and land stewardship.
    2. Meetings of the Laudato Si’ Care of Creation Ministry
      1. Meetings have been held to expand awareness and increase participation in the ministry’s mission.
      2. The ministry continues to welcome new members from across the parish community.
      3. To receive meeting links and join the ministry, please contact Jean Santopatre at [email protected]

We hope that you will join with your fellow parishioners and participate in upcoming initiatives!

Sincerely,

Kenn Kern, on behalf of the Parish Council