St. Ignatius of Loyola Parish is a non-territorial parish mandated to support and develop the faith life of students, faculty, staff and visitors on the campuses of the University of Sudbury and Laurentian University. The parish supports the faith of its member in all dimensions of their faith life by offering the following opportunities.
- Liturgical services and other shared prayer
- A space for quiet inidividual prayer
- Pastoral services such as confession and sacrament of anointing
- Seminars, workshops and studies on aspects of the Catholic faith
- Opportunites for service
- Time and space for fellowship and camaraderie
Our Pastor – Fr. Raymond Akor
Fr. Raymond Akor, originally from Nigeria, is a dedicated priest known for his warm presence and commitment to the community. His journey began as a missionary through the Society of African Missions, where he gained extensive experience in various capacities. Akor’s dedication to his faith and his community was evident in his participation in the Polar Plunging Priests event in February of 2023, which aimed to raise funds for the replacement of the front stairs at Christ the King Church in Sudbury. His legacy continues through his good works and the impact he had on those around him.
History and Background
The university was founded as the Collège du Sacré-Cœur (Sacred Heart College) in 1913 by the Jesuits. Exclusively French from 1916, Sacred Heart College was the centre of education for young Franco-Ontarians for decades since it was the first, and for a long time, the only institution of higher learning in Northern Ontario. In 1957, it changed its name and became the University of Sudbury. In 1959, it became a bilingual university. In 1960, it formed the Catholic component of the Laurentian federation.
Programs offered at the University of Sudbury included Regilious Studies, Philosophy, Indigenous Studies and Folklore. The University also hosted a parish to serve its students, faculty and staff. Over the years, the University has actively supported young adult ministry on campus and beyond.
Beginning in 2021, the University was reorganized once again as an exclusively French instituion. It is no longer a Catholic institution but it has expressed its desire to honor its Catholic heritage. It has maintained its chapel (shown above) and will coninue to host Ignatius Loyola parish on site.
