Villanova’s Augustinian heritage embraces the search for meaning at the heart of the human journey. We seek to deepen the identities and practices of people of all faith backgrounds, as well as those who do not identify religiously, through open, honest dialogue and interaction.
Fill out this quick multifaith survey to let us know how we can support you in your journey.
In addition to filling out the survey, please feel free to contact one of our advisers. We are happy to answer questions, address concerns or just chat about religious opportunities on and off campus.
Rev. Dr. Julie Sheetz
Campus Minister for Ecumenical and Interfaith Outreach
julia.sheetz@villanova.edu
Travis Vermulm
Graduate Resident Minister—Interfaith Outreach
TVermulm@Villanova.edu
Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart
Ecumenical Advisor
naomi.washingtonleapheart@villanova.edu
Asheq Fazlullah
Muslim Student Adviser
afazlu01@villanova.edu
Dr. Kerry SanChirico
Orthodox Student Advisor
kerry.sanchirico@villanova.edu
The IAC envisions a Villanova community that is a welcoming home for people of all faith traditions, as well as for those who identify as non-religious. It draws on partners from across campus to guide university policies and practices around four focal areas:
Sheryl Bowen, Intergroup Dialogue Program
Joseph Citera, Student Involvement
Asheq Fazlullah, Muslim Student Adviser
Brian McCabe, Campus Ministry
Terry Nance, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Kerry San Chirico, Theology and Religious Studies
Julia Sheetz, Campus Ministry
Asher Sofman, Jewish Student Adviser
Cathy Toner, School of Business
The council was established in 2018 as an outgrowth of University initiatives to promote interfaith engagement, including
Creation of position of Campus Minister for Ecumenical and Interfaith Outreach
Creation of faculty line for interreligious studies in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies
Selection of five Villanovans to participate in first Institute for Interfaith Excellence, sponsored by the Interfaith Youth Core and the American Association of Colleges and Universities
Integration of interfaith engagement into student experience through leader trainings
Regular component of the RISE training for student organization leaders
Regular component of School of Business student leader training
Interfaith sessions with RAs, Blue Key, Peer Ministers, ACT facilitators and IGR students
Initiatives with Student Government
Advocacy and support for diversifying of Theology and Religious Studies offerings and faculty
Retooling of TRS program structure led to the creation of 3 tracks for THL 1000:
Catholic Studies
Faith and Reason
Global Religious Experience
Faculty lines increasing religious diversity:
Dr. Ethan Schwartz, Hebrew Bible, Jewish Studies
Dr. Stephanie Wong, Comparative and Systematic Theology, Chinese Religions
Dr. Jaisy Joseph, Systematic and Practical Theology
Kerry San Chirico and Julie Sheetz co-authored chapter on “Interreligious Studies and Interfaith Engagement at the Catholic University" for the Georgetown Handbook of Interreligious Studies
Support for diverse religious practice
Weekly Jummah (Muslim congregational prayer) on campus
Establishment of advisers for Muslim Students Association and Hillel
Research and development of multifaith prayer space (to be included in St. Rita Hall renovation)
Academic and dietary accommodations (e.g., Ramadan and Eid during final exams)
Transportation to religious services and other support
Addressing religious bias, discrimination and violence
Vigils in wake of Tree of Life synagogue and New Zealand mosque attacks
Public response to antisemitism
Continuing work with ODEI on campus climate
Multifaith experiential learning
Interfaith Human Library held every semester
Interfaith retreats
Religious site visits
On-campus events (prayer practices, interfaith dinners, Ramadan iftars, Holi celebration, Passover seders)
We offer students of different faith backgrounds many ways to pray, worship and interact with each other and with faculty, staff and community leaders. Multifaith events include dinners, retreats and our popular Human Library.
The area surrounding Villanova is home to many wonderful communities offering prayer and worship. For info about transportation and other opportunities, please contact the Rev. Julie Sheetz.
You’ve never read a book like this before! At the Human Library, check out a “human book”—faculty, staff and community leaders of diverse faith backgrounds (Muslim, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Sikh, Baha’i)—to learn about their beliefs and practices. Held every semester in Falvey Library.
Join with students of diverse faith and ethical backgrounds to explore our differences and common threads. The Interfaith Coalition meets throughout the academic year to learn about diverse faiths, engage in dialogue, plan and lead events, and develop the skills of interfaith allyship.
Students of different backgrounds gather to share food and friendship as we learn from one another about diverse faith, spiritual and ethical perspectives on core values and contemporary issues.
Typically held in the spring semester, this retreat offers a unique chance to learn firsthand about the beliefs and practices of different religious traditions through site visits to area faith communities. Participants will also begin to develop skills in interfaith dialogue. Students of all faith backgrounds, as well as those who do not identify as religious but are interested in learning, are welcome to attend.
Throughout the year, members of the Villanova community are invited to join in celebrating holidays of diverse faith traditions, including the Jewish High Holidays, Diwali (Hindu), Purim (Jewish), Holi (Hindu) and Ramadan (Muslim) Iftars.
Meets on Mondays, 6:30–8 PM, in St. Rita Hall's Community Room. For more info, contact Destiny Humphrey.
Jummah Prayer is held every Friday during the school year at 1:45 PM in St. Rita Hall's Community Room. For more info, contact Asheq Fazlullah, the Muslim Student Adviser.
We invite you to join us for Mindfulness Mondays. For details, including the time and Zoom link, see the Spirituality web page. Each session is facilitated by a member of the Villanova community. Everyone is welcome. No registration is required.
We invite you to join us for Centering Prayer, which cultivates a place of rest and attentive presence in the midst of our busy and distracted lives. For details, including the time and Zoom link, see the Spirituality web page. All are welcome. No previous experience is necessary.
See the Sunday and daily Mass schedule and other opportunities on the Catholic Worship web page.
Bethel AME Church of Bryn Mawr
50 South Merion Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
[610] 527–6674
Sunday 11:00 AM
Bethel AME Church of Ardmore
163 Sheldon Lane
Ardmore, PA 19003
610-642-8966
Central Baptist Church
106 West Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
610-688–0664
Sunday 10:45 AM
Lower Merion Baptist Church
911 New Gulph Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-525-1855
Sunday 10:30 AM
Church of the Good Shepherd
1116 E Lancaster Ave
Rosemont, PA 10910
610-525–7070
Sunday 8:00 AM Low Mass, 10:00 AM Solemn High Mass
Soka Gakkai International - Philadelphia
2000 Hamilton St.
Suite 210
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-569- 2144
Won Buddhism of Philadelphia
423 Abington Ave.
Glenside, PA 19038
215-866-8443
Six:Eight Vineyard Church
1116 Lancaster Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-733-8856
Resurrection Philadelphia
123 S. 17th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Sunday 9:30 AM
Church of the Saviour
651 N. Wayne Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
[610] 688–6338
Sunday 8:05 AM & 9:30 AM (Classic)
Sunday 11:00 AM (Contemporary)
Sunday 6:00 PM (Postmodern)
Hope Community Church
150 East Beidler Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
[610] 265–4981
Barry.Selinksy@villanova.edu
Sunday 9:00 AM, 10:45 AM
St. George Coptic Orthodox Church
411 Dekalb St.
Norristown, PA 19401
[610] 272–7615
stgeorgephilly@gmail.com
Sunday 9:00 AM
For more information, please contact Dr. Kerry SanChirico, Orthodox Student Fellowship Adviser (kerry.sanchirico@villanova.edu) or Father Joseph Loya, OSA of the Theology & Religious Studies Department at ext. 9-7243.
Christ Church Ithan
536 Conestoga Rd
Villanova, PA 19085
(610) 688-1110
Sunday 8:30 AM & 10:00 AM
Church of the Redeemer
230 Pennswood Road
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
[610] 525–2486
Sunday 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM
St. David's Episcopal Church
763 South Valley Forge Rd
Wayne, PA 19087
610-688-7947
Sunday 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 5:00 PM
Saint Mary's Episcopal Church
104 Louella Ave.
Wayne, PA 19087
[610] 688–1313
Sunday 7:45 AM & 10:30 AM
Saint George Antiochian
8210 West Chester Pike
Upper Darby, PA 19082
[610] 853–1171
Saturday 5:30 PM—Orthodox Vespers
Sunday 9:30 AM—Matins
Sunday 10:30 AM—Divine Liturgy
For more information, please contact Dr. Kerry SanChirico, Orthodox Student Fellowship Advisor (kerry.sanchirico@villanova.edu) or Father Joseph Loya, OSA of the Theology & Religious Studies Department at ext. 9-7243.
Bharatiya Temple
1612 County Line Road
Chalfont, PA, 18914
215-997-1181
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
1561 Woodbourne Road
Levittown, PA
610-525-7070
Please contact Villanova’s Hindu Interfaith Advisor, Shivam Gosai, for more information: shivamgosai@gmail.com
Temple Beth Hillel Beth El (Conservative)
Lancaster Avenue & Remington Road
Wynnewood, PA
610-649-5300
Friday 6:00 PM, Saturday 9:30 AM
Temple Brith Achim (Reform)
481 South Gulph Road
King of Prussia, PA 19087
610-337-2222
Main Line Reform Temple
410 Montgomery Ave.
Wynnewood, PA 19096
610-649-7800
Please visit the official website of Villanova Hillel for more information.
Wayne United Methodist Church
210 S. Wayne Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
[610] 688–5650
Sunday 10:30 AM
Radnor United Methodist Church
930 Conestoga Road
Rosemont, PA 19010
610-525–6962
Sunday 11:00 AM
St. Luke United Methodist Church
568 Montgomery Ave.
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-525-2396
Islamic Society of Greater Valley Forge
958 N Valley Forge Rd
Devon, PA 19333
610-688-2209
The Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship (Sufi)
5820 Overbrook Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
215-879-6307
Please contact Villanova’s Muslim Advisor, Asheq Fazlullah, for more information: afazlu01@villanova.edu
Grace Covenant Church
275 S. Ithan Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Alejhandra.taraquino@villanova.edu
Sunday 9:45AM (Pickup at Bartley Hall at 9:30 AM)
Renewal Presbyterian Church
4633 Cedar Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19143
[215] 727–7200
Sunday 9:30 AM & 11:30 AM
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
625 Montgomery Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
[610] 525–2821
Sunday 8:00 AM & 10:00 AM
Wayne Presbyterian Church
125 E. Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, PA 19087
[610] 688–8700
Sunday 8:30 AM, 9:30 AM, & 11:00 AM
Ardmore Presbyterian Church
5 W. Lancaster Ave.
Ardmore, PA 19003
610-642-6650
Sunday 10:30 AM
Radnor Friends Meeting
610 Conestoga Rd.
Villanova, PA 19085
[610] 293–1153
Sunday 10:00 AM
Main Line Unitarian Church
816 S Valley Forge Rd
Devon, PA 19333-1825
610-688-8332
Sunday 10:00 AM
Gulph United Church of Christ
100 Matson Ford Road
Gulph Mills, PA 19428
[610] 525–6593
Sunday 10:30 AM - Services
Friday 11:00 AM - Prayer Service
We supports and oversee all faith-related student groups, as well as Campus Ministry student service groups.
All of these organizations also are registered with Student Involvement.
