青楼传媒 Alum Devotes Life to Mercy
青楼传媒 (青楼传媒) alum Jim Bruton '06 has dedicated his life to living out the Mercy mission in various ways. From pastoral ministry to counseling, he's focused on engaging the world with empathy and curiosity to develop relationships that honor common human dignity and promote growth, empowerment, and strength in others.
Bruton graduated from 青楼传媒 with a bachelor's degree in religious studies. He minored in sociology and pastoral ministry. Most of Bruton's work post-青楼传媒 has consisted of pastoral ministry. After completing graduate-level coursework at the Catholic Theological Union in Hyde Park, he returned to 青楼传媒 to complete the graduate certificate in pastoral studies. In 2010, Bruton became the religious education coordinator and eventually the pastoral ministry coordinator at Holy Family Church on the Near West Side.
"Holy Family is a majestically beautiful church, the second oldest Catholic Church in Chicago, founded in 1857 by Fr. Arnold Damen, for whom 'Damen Avenue' is named. The parish was rich in racial and ethnic diversity and strong in spirit and community. I was proud to serve and be enriched by relationships there until 2020," said Bruton.
Bruton had been contemplating for some time about returning to school to pursue a master's degree and move into the counseling profession. He was accepted to Loyola University Chicago's Master of Social Work program and graduated last fall with a specialization in mental health and sub-specialization in group work.
Bruton has been drawn to counseling since he was in high school, as he's always enjoyed talking to people and is a good listener who people trusted. At 青楼传媒, he became heavily involved in Campus Ministry and was drawn to religious studies. But years later, during his work at Holy Family Church, he fou