Sister Laura Downing, IHM, STL

BIOGRAPHY:

Sister Laura joined the theology faculty at Immaculata University in June 2018. She is a proud 2002 graduate of Immaculata’s theology program. Her most recent work focuses on ecclesiology and the theology of ministry.

Prior to joining the faculty at IU, Sister Laura taught in middle and high schools for 11 years, including several years in the double role of high school theology teacher and campus minister/retreat director. This two-fold ministry awakened in her a passion for training and forming young adults for ministry in the Church. To this end, Sister Laura established the Spiritual Life Leadership Council during her tenure at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, NC.

In addition to her work as a teacher, Sister Laura also serves as a spiritual director. Sister Laura is participating in a Templeton World Charity Foundation grant entitled “Spiritual Direction and the Moral Life.”

Teaching

• First Year Experience
• First Year Seminar: Wholeness and Holiness in My Life Choices
• THE 109 Introduction to Theology
• THE 110 Introduction to the Bible
• THE 200 Journey through Catholic Church History
• THE 211 Jesus Christ (formerly Christology)
• THE 328 Saints Rediscovered

Research Interests

• Alphonsian Spirituality
• Church History
• Discipleship for the 21^st Century
• Formation for Ministry
• Fostering Biblical Literacy
• Lay Ecclesial Ministry
• Teresa of Avila
• The History and Theology of Religious Life
• The Universal Call to Holiness

Recent Work

Publications

• December 2018, “A Simple Formula to ‘Do’ Advent Well: Jesus, Others, You,” CatholicPhilly.com
• June 2019, “Three Young Adults are Source of Hope Amidst Rise of ‘Nones,’” CatholicPhilly.com

Presentations

• May 2016, “Moral Medical Decision Making Workshop,” Camilla Hall, Malvern, PA
• November 2018, “Catholic Social Teaching Workshop,” St. Gabriel Parish, Philadelphia, PA
• March 2019, “Religious Life,” St. Peter-Marian High School, Worcester, MA
• March 2019, “The Universal Call to Holiness and the Vocation to Religious Life,” St. Cecelia Parish, Boston, MA
• March 2019, “The Eucharist,” Saints Philip and James Parish, Exton, PA
• October 2019, “Young Nuns in Their Own Words,” The Basilian Spirituality Center

Professional Memberships

• College Theology Society
• American Academy of Religion
• National Association for Lay Ministry

Dissertation

Licentiate in Sacred Theology: Apostolic Religious: Lay Ecclesial Ministers?