About
St. Ignatius of Loyola, Chestnut Hill is a Jesuit parish rooted in the tradition of Ignatian spirituality. Located just next to Boston College's main campus, St. Ignatius Parish serves a center of spiritual life for both residents of Chestnut Hill and Newton as well as students from the BC community.
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Our parish, part of the Archdiocese of Boston, blends diocesan life with the richness of the Jesuit tradition. At our founding, care for our church was assigned to priests in the Jesuit community of Boston College. We have been continually blessed by this close relationship over the years.
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As a Catholic community, we welcome all to share in the joy of the Gospel as we grow in knowledge, love, and service to God and each other.
A Jesuit Parish
As a parish in the care of Jesuit priests, our Catholic identity is shaped by the spirituality of the Society of Jesus. St. Ignatius' mission reflects the mission of the Jesuits as expressed in their Universal Apostolic Preferences.
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Saint Ignatius' motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam "For the Greater Glory of God" guides our parish, and we strive to follow our patron's example of finding God in all things.
Vision Statement
March 2024
from the Parish Pastoral Council
Thank you to all parishioners who participated in the parish-wide survey conducted in November to develop a “vision statement” for St. Ignatius Parish. We are also very grateful to the team of parishioners who volunteered to execute the survey, compile the feedback, and articulate the statement. They are: Mike Pratt, Denny Martin, Paulina Bustamante, Kathy Maher, Barbara Deck, Pat Casey, and Raymond Janario.
A vision statement describes what an organization hopes to be in the long term. It sets a course for the future. The team noted that the St. Ignatius parishioners articulated a vision that aligns nicely with the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) set forth by the Jesuits.
St. Ignatius Parish Vision Statement
We, the Parish of St. Ignatius Loyola Chestnut Hill, aspire to be a welcoming Ignatian community, and spiritual home, by:
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Actively engaging in vibrant liturgies
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Journeying with our youth
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Walking with the excluded
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Caring from our common home and
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Discerning our response to God’s vision for peace, justice, and reconciliation for us and the world
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We invite you to prayerfully consider this vision statement. Be on the lookout for
initiatives over the year ahead as the Parish embarks on a pilgrimage, guided by this
vision. Comments and feedback are welcome at pastoralcouncil@bc.edu.
Parish Mission Statement
As a Jesuit parish community, animated by the spirit of St. Ignatius, we welcome ALL to share in the joy of the Gospel and to come to know, love, and serve God and one another.
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We value:
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Nourishing Liturgy​ – We aspire to provide forms of worship, through word, music and sacraments, that feed the heart, mind, body, and soul.
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Inclusive Community​ – We strive to build a community of faith that is welcoming to all.
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Ignatian Spirituality​ – As a Jesuit Catholic parish, we are guided by the practices of the Society of Jesus, in which we seek “God in all things.”
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Education​ – We facilitate the formation of our people’s faith through their lifespan.
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Social Justice ​– We act in the world as people with and for others by promoting human dignity, seeking to right injustices, and protecting our shared home.
Misión de la parroquia
Como comunidad parroquial jesuita, animada por el espíritu de San Ignacio, acogemos a TODOS para que compartan la alegría del Evangelio y lleguen a conocer, amar y servir a Dios y a los demás.
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Valoramos:
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Liturgia integral – Aspiramos a proporcionar formas de culto, a través de la palabra, la música y los sacramentos, que alimenten el corazón, la mente, el cuerpo y el alma.
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Comunidad inclusiva – Nos esforzamos por construir una comunidad de fe que sea acogedora para todos.
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Espiritualidad Ignaciana – Como parroquia católica jesuita, nos guiamos por las prácticas de la Compañía de Jesús, en las que buscamos a "Dios en todas las cosas."
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Educación – Facilitamos la formación de la fe de nuestra gente a lo largo de su vida.
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Justicia Social – Actuamos en el mundo como personas con y para los demás, promoviendo la dignidad humana, buscando corregir las injusticias y protegiendo nuestro hogar común.