Initiatives

The Theological Studies Department is engaged in a number of initiatives and ongoing partnerships. These include collaborative ventures with the Huffington Ecumenical Institute, the Latino Theology and Ministry Initiative, and the Mary Milligan R.S.H.M., endowed lectureship in spirituality (see links for detailed information). The department is also engaged in forging relationships with high schools as part of its “Don’t Take It On Faith” (see link for detailed information).

In addition, The department recently received a $600,000 grant from the Lilly Foundation as part of its Youth Theology Institute initiative. The grant will allow us to host 100 high school students for a week during the summer at LMU (beginning in summer, 2016 for four consecutive summers). We proposed the program as a summer leadership institute that invites students to think about their roles in the world (vocation), to discern the ways that they might be ethical and spiritual leaders, to discuss life's big spiritual issues, and to make a film together that examines these issues. It will emphasize the multicultural and interfaith context of Los Angeles and draw upon resources from the Catholic tradition. There will also be site visits to community service organizations and different faith communities. THST majors and minors as well as graduate students will serve as mentors in the program.