The Second Vatican Council (1962-65), whose vision gave birth to IREPM, inaugurated a "new Pentecost" in the Catholic Church. The IREPM has prepared students academically and spiritually for various roles in Christian ministry for over 35 years. Through theological reflection and conversation, we have encouraged our students to integrate their personal faith journeys with the demands that face the church and the world. During its early years, the IREPM primarily served priests and vowed religious women and men from throughout the New England region to study religious education and related forms of service. Today the majority of students served by IREPM are laypeople and they come from all over the U.S. and the world.

1971	The Institute of Religious Education and Service was founded by Director, Jack McCall as a graduate program for priests, sisters and laity to study theology in light of Vatican II Documents.
1973	A Certificate of Advanced Educational Specialization (CAES) degree program was introduced.
1974	An academic-year program of study was offered as a second option to compliment its summers-only programs of study and Gabriel Moran was appointed as director.
1975	Richard P. McBrien was appointed Director and the MEd and CAES degrees were added.
1977	The IREPM Interdisciplinary Doctorate in Religion and Education was introduced.
1978	A Master's in Pastoral Ministry degree program with concentrations in Pastoral Care and Counseling, Liturgy and Worship, Church Management, Social Justice/Social Ministry and Religious Education was added.
1984	Philip J. King, Professor of Hebrew Scripture, Theology Department, appointed Director.
1985	During the 1985-1986 academic year, a Sabbatical Renewal program was launched, and MA concentrations in Spirituality and Hispanic Ministry were added. The Hispanic Ministry concentration was made possible through a partnership with the Mexican-American Cultural Center in San Antonio, Texas.
1987	Robert P. Imbelli, priest of the Archdiocese of New York, appointed Director.
1989	A dual Master's in Pastoral Ministry/Master's of Social Work degree program was introduced during the 1989-1990 academic year, and the Sabbatical Renewal program was expanded to become the IREPM Continuing Education Program.
1993	Claire E. Lowery appointed first woman Director.
1996	A Continuing Education Certificate in Collaborative Leadership began to be offered in 1996.
1997	A dual Master's of Pastoral Ministry/Master's in Counseling Psychology was launched in January 1997. A Continuing Education Certificate in Liturgy was first offered in September 1997.
1998	A Youth Ministry Concentration within the MA program was added in 1998.
1999	A Post-Master's Certificate in the Practice of Spirituality was introduced during Summer Session 1999.
2000	Claire Lowery retired as Director after 28 years at Boston College. A Dual Master's in Pastoral Ministry/Master's in Nursing was added in September and Mary Ann Hinsdale, IHM became Director of the IREPM.
2002	Dual Master's of Pastoral Ministry/Master's of Educational Administration was launched.
2003	In September Thomas H. Groome became Director of IREPM. The Parish Nursing concentration was added to the MA.
2004	The IREPM received a $275,000 award from Henry Luce Foundation to launch a new MEd concentration in Total Community Catechesis and separately implemented the High School Religion Teaching concentration in collaboration with LSOE. Scholarship awards were received in excess of $400,000 from the Amaturo Family Foundation, Mary J. Donnelly Foundation, Koch Foundation and the Raskob Foundation.
2005	The MA in Hispanic Ministry concentration was redesigned to address the growing diversity of the Catholic Church and to enable students to complete the degree in Boston.

Updated: November 26, 2007
Maintained: Institute of Religious Education and Pastoral Ministry
© 2007 The Trustees of Boston College. Legal