June 3, 2025 – In a pivotal moment for Jesuit ecological leadership and action, approximately 100 delegates from across the United States and Canada will convene at Loyola University Chicago for the Jesuit Integral Ecology Assembly, which will take place June 17–20, 2025.
The Assembly is organized by all the provinces across the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States—Canada, USA Central Southern, USA East, USA Midwest, and USA West—in partnership with the Ignatian Solidarity Network and the Jesuit Conference Office of Justice and Ecology. Together, they will bring ecology leaders from Jesuit works across the provinces to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and deepen the Society of Jesus’ commitment to caring for our common home.
“This Assembly is an opportunity to celebrate the ecological leadership already alive across our apostolates,” said Nicholas Napolitano, provincial assistant for justice, ecology and reconciliation of the USA East Province and one of the organizers of the assembly. “But even more, it is a moment to build deeper relationships, discern shared pathways, and act in new ways together for the protection and healing of God’s Creation.”
Napolitano is one of the 19 delegates from the USA East Province who will be in attendance:
- Shannon Berry- Gonzaga College High School- Washington, DC
- Marissa Blackett- Fairfield University Center for Climate, Coast and Marine Studies Advisory Council Member – New York, NY
- Brian Carney- Fordham Prep- Bronx, NY
- Lou Charest- Loyola Blakefield- Townson, MD
- Jim Croghan, SJ- BCHS- Boston, MA
- Jennifer Eagleton- Georgetown University- Washington, DC
- Strad Engler- St. Ignatius Chestnut Hill- Boston, MA
- Bryan Galligan, SJ- BC CSTM- Boston, MA
- Madeline Gangnes- University of Scranton- Scranton, PA
- Joe Griffin- Loyola University Maryland- Baltimore, MD
- Lauren Hoade- St. Thomas More Parish- Decatur, GA
- Sheri Kemp- Loyola on the Potomac- Faulkner, MD
- Ashley Klick- Holy Trinity Parish- Washington, DC
- Nancy Lorence- Church of St. Francis Xavier- New York, NY
- Bill Kuncken- St. Joe’s Prep- Philadelphia, PA
- Rob McDowell- Ignatius Retreat House- Atlanta, GA
- Nick Napolitano- USA East Province- New York, NY
- Canny Rojas- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel-St. Benedicta- Staten Island, NY
- Jean Santopatre- St. Ignatius UES- New York, NY
Initially timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’ and the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, the Assembly will now also celebrate the life of Pope Francis and his call for an integral ecology. Framed by the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs) and the seven goals of the Laudato Si’ Action Platform (LSAP), the Assembly will explore how Jesuit ministries can more boldly respond to the call to ecological conversion through prayer, dialogue, and sharing experiences. Centering hope and gratitude, participants will discuss the Ignatian spiritual foundations of caring for our common home while honestly examining the barriers to action.
Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, will welcome participants to the bi-national assembly via a brief video address from the Jesuit headquarters in Rome. Fr. Sosa recently invited the Society of Jesus and collaborators across all ministries to deepen the commitment to care for creation and build a more just and sustainable future.
