Resident Ministry
The Resident Ministry program is comprised of lay and religious adults, known as “Resident Ministers,” as well as "Jesuits-in-Residence," who live in the residence halls to help foster a supportive community rooted in the university's Jesuit values.
Contact a Resident Minister or Jesuit-in-Residence any time to schedule an appointment for spiritual conversation and/or the sacrament of Reconciliation.
Resident Ministers
Mr. Ken Weber
Associate Director of Ministry
Biever 346
kweber@loyno.edu
504-865-3167
Ken has served in Jesuit ministries for over 30 years. Ken's academic training is in opera performance, having obtained a Bachelor of Music degree from Boston College and a Master of Music degree from New England Conservatory. His ministry leadership experience began by directing music for Masses in high school (Loyola High School in Los Angeles) and brought him to Spring Hill College in the early 2000's to direct liturgy and music. After spending several years freelancing as a professional opera singer, he came to Loyola New Orleans in 2009. Ken also spent time as the Coordinator of Vocal Studies at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and as a music teacher at Ursuline Academy. Ken enjoys helping students discover the value of Ignatian spirituality and the joy of living a values-centered life.
Meet and chat with Ken at his weekly "Sweet-n-Greet" in his Biever Hall apartment every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Ms. Judy Fontenot Lavergne
Manager of Student Services and FaithActs, Loyola Institute for Ministry
Biever 246
jflaverg@loyno.edu
504-865-3399
Judy is a lifelong spiritual seeker committed to the ministry of religious education. She is inspired by sacred wisdom found in creation, everyday mystics, and spiritual masters. Judy is from Louisiana, deeply grateful for family heritage, cultural richness, and spiritual rootedness. She treasures the rich offerings of interfaith and interreligious sharing and expression and in a unity that is stronger than distinctions we have carved among ourselves. She holds a BA in Educational Psychology Guidance and Counseling and earned a Master of Religious Education from the Loyola Institute for Ministry. Judy has shared faith formation with all ages in various settings throughout her vocation; learning, listening, teaching, praying, encouraging and advocating.
Meet and chat with Judy at her "sweet-n-greet" on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in her Biever Hall apartment.
Mrs. Lindy Brasher
University Minister for Social Justice
Blanche and Norman C. Francis Family Hall, Room 415
Lindy Brasher earned her master’s degree in religious education from Loyola New Orleans in 2020 and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Spirituality at Fordham University. With over 15 years of dedicated ministry experience, Lindy has served as a youth and young adult minister and currently works as a spiritual advisor to individuals living on death row in the Louisiana State Penitentiary. In her free time, Lindy enjoys finding peace and inspiration in nature, driving her VW Jetta across the country, and immersing herself in the writings of the mystics.
Meet and chat with Lindy at her weekly "sweet-n-greet" every Thursday at 7 p.m. in her Francis Family Hall apartment.
Ms. Negina Khalili
Visiting Professor and Director of the Women's Resource Center
Blanche and Norman C. Francis Family Hall, Room 315
nkhalili@loyno.edu
Negina khalili was Chief Prosecutor for the Attorney General's Office of Afghanistan. She was the first female prosecutor in Ghor province where she grew up. She is a renowned lawyer focused on gender and the elimination of violence against women. Negina is an EVAW law expert with over 6 years of experience in the field of prosecution, legal affairs and international law practices in Afghanistan. Negina was a law professor at Rana and Fanos University at Kabul Afghanistan. She earned her law degree from the Herat University of Afghanistan and her Master’s degree LLM (Rule of Law and Good Governance ) from Ohio Northern University, United States of America. She has participated in several legal trainings abroad. Her professional areas of interest include the promotion of women rights; good governance and women; gender equality; elimination of violence against women; women, peace and security; legal affairs and women in leadership in Afghanistan. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work.
Meet and chat with Negina at her "sweet-n-greet" on Fridays at 6 p.m. in the Francis Family Hall lobby.
Ms. Sarah Mernaugh
Graduate Assistant for Communal Reflection
Buddig 612
sbmernau@my.loyno.edu
504-865-2141
Sarah Mernaugh graduated from the University of Portland in 2020 with a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology and English. Following graduation, she joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and spent two years in service to Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School in Atlanta, Georgia and St. Katharine Drexel Academy in San Diego, California. She has worked as a bread baker, high school English teacher, and K-8 PE teacher. She is excited to bring her passion for community, retreats, and social justice to Loyola.
Meet and chat with Sarah at her weekly "Sweet-n-Greet" in her Buddig Hall apartment every Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Mr. Elliot Raphel
Office Manager, Department of Student Life and Ministry
Cabra Hall, First Floor
earaphel@loyno.edu
504-865-7356
As a Tulane University graduate with a degree in Humanities, Elliot Raphel is thrilled to serve as a Resident Minister. During his collegiate career, Raphel served as President of the Canterbury Club, where he organized service trips and retreats, deepening his commitment to community and faith. Since graduating, he has been part of the Student Life and Ministry team at Loyola University, where he has enjoyed developing his leadership and community engagement skills. Raphel believes that fellowship is one of the most important values and is excited to connect with students.
Come meet and chat with Elliot at his weekly "sweet-n-greet," where coffee, tea, and pastries will be provided every Monday at 8:30-10:30 p.m. in his Cabra Hall apartment. Stick around or come over for Compline (night prayer) from 10:30-10:45 p.m.
Jesuit-in-Residence
Fr. Gregg Grovenburg, S.J.
University Minister
Buddig 1205
ghgroven@loyno.edu
504-865-2328
Fr. Gregg is from Kansas City. He has earned degrees from Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA, Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, MA, Heythrop College at the University of London, and Boston College. He taught at the high school he attended (Rockhurst) in Kansas City, and also at St. John's College in Belize. He was ordained a priest in 1988.
Gregg has worked in youth ministry/adolescent spirituality, retreat ministry, and campus ministry at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland and Fairfield University, and with the Jesuit International Volunteers. He has also served as director of a retirement facility for Jesuit Priests and Brothers in St. Louis. He currently works in Sacraments and Faith Formation at Loyola.