| JIM WALLACE BLOG | 
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For further reading from the blog God's Politics:
5 Myths About the Minimum Wage
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| POOR BOX COLLECTION | 
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Each weekend St. Ignatius specifies a Poor Box collection for a needful cause. To learn about next weekend's collection
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| WORLD WATCH | 
Weekly updates on Christian persecution around the globe. Keep a prayerful watch on what is happening with your brothers and sisters!
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The Watters' Edge
Biblical Justice and the Minimum Wage
"Here is my servant whom I uphold...He shall bring forth justice to the nations...I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice." (Isaiah 42:1,6)
My Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
These words form part of this past Sunday's first scripture reading for the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. The feast celebrates the identity of Jesus as "the Son of God in whom the Father is well pleased." (Matthew 3:17) It also celebrates the mission of Jesus, the purpose for which he was sent, namely "to establish justice on the earth." (Isaiah 42:4).
We who have been baptized into Christ share in his identity and his mission. We are sons and daughters of God who are called to bring forth justice to the nations.
Among the many issues demanding justice and fairness is a minimum wage, especially for the working poor. Presently, the federal wage is $7.25 per hour. In terms of a yearly salary based on that hourly wage, a worker would take home just over $15,000 a year. That income level means the person earns almost 20% below the federal poverty level for a family of three people. As a nation that is the wealthiest in the world, this fact is scandalous and cries out to heaven for justice.
At the federal level two Congressmen have introduced legislation to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour and to index it to the future increases in the cost of living. In Maryland, the General Assembly will be debating this same issue for the next several months. Currently, Maryland's minimum wage is the same as the federal government's. The $7.25 figure has been holding steady for the past four years. The fact of the matter is that every year that we fail to raise the minimum wage, low-paid employees automatically are dealt a de facto "pay cut" in light of inflation.
As disciples of Jesus who share in Christ's identity and mission, we have the responsibility to investigate the facts about the minimum wage within our own state of Maryland, as well as at the federal level.
Keeping in mind Pope Francis' frequent admonitions about financial inequality that has led to an ever-increasing gap between the rich
and the poor, we need to support a minimum wage that is just and fair to millions of American workers who are living lives of desperation as are their families. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness." (Matthew 5:6)
If you would like to have some "talking points"regarding the unfairness of our present minimum wage, the Ignatian Solidarity Network has put together the following document - click here
P.S. - I know it's late notice but there is a rally late this afternoon in order to increase Maryland's minimum wage. The rally will be start at 5:45 PM in Lawyers' Mall, in Annapolis (on the east side of the Maryland State House). The proposed legislation calls for raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour over the next few years and indexing it to inflation. Consider showing up and bringing a friend! For Rally Registration and Information, click here.
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AN OPEN INVITATION TO ALL PARENTS OF GAY OR LESBIAN CHILDREN
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Deacon Paul Weber
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As a deacon along with my wife, we have served the gay and lesbian community and their families for over 25 years. I would like to invite any parent of a gay or lesbian son or daughter to contact us. We know the anxiety, pain and questioning that such parents can experience. We also know that talking about the situation with others who understand and have had similar experiences will help. Each and every child is a gift from God and deserves to be loved. Be reassured that any and all contact will be held in strictest confidence. We will be happy to come to you if that is preferred. Please contact Deacon Paul or Meg Weber at 410 747 2452 or webermp@verizon.net .
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Upcoming Events
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Marylanders Rally To Raise Minimum Wage
-Tuesday, January 14
 Come join the rally to increase Maryland's minimum wage. The rally will be start at 5:45 PM in Lawyers' Mall, in Annapolis (on the east side of the Maryland State House). The proposed legislation calls for raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour over the next few years and indexing it to inflation. Consider showing up and bringing a friend! For Rally Registration and Information, click here.
Iņigo Book Group
- Tuesday, January 14
 IŅIGO BOOK GROUP will meet on Tuesday, January 14 to discuss "The Cellist of Sarajevo" by Steven Galloway. The meeting is in Ignatian Hall and begins with social time from 6:30-7:00 p.m., followed by the book discussion and choosing of other 2014 books from 7:00-8:30. ALL ARE WELCOME. Any questions? Please email Catherine Young.
To order a copy of "The Cellist of Sarajevo" or to view book details click here.
International Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity
- Saturday, January 18 - Saturday, January 25
The 2014 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) will take place from January 18-25 under the banner of the theme: " Has Christ Divided Us?" (cf. 1Corinthians 1:13).
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years, in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. By annually observing the WPCU, Christians move toward the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper "that they all may be one." (cf. John 17:21).
To learn more about the Week of Prayer and Christian Unity please click here.
Radio Mass Time Change
- Sunday, January 19
Due to availability of air time over WBAL-AM 1090, as of January 19 the Radio Mass will be broadcast live at 9:00 a.m. instead of 9:30 a.m. every Sunday. Please pass on the information to anyone you know who is an avid listener. Thank you.
Reeves Gallery: A Venue with Bart O'Reilly
- Sunday, January 19
The Reeves Gallery invites you to a special screening of a short video made by artist Bart O'Reilly on Sunday, January 19 at 11:45 AM in the Chapel of Grace. The video has the roots of a contemplative expressionist who is open to time and the subtle nuances within a place. Bart is a native of Dublin, Ireland and received his MFA from Maryland Institute College of Art. Bart will be sharing his work and will answer questions after the screening. To learn more of Bart and his work visit his website by clicking here.
Prayer Walk for Peace
- Monday, January 20
Join Bishop Denis Madden, Father Bill Watters, S.J., and many others to remember Msgr. Ed Miller, who died suddenly last month, and to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his feast day, commemorating the life of a man who dreamed of a future filled with hope & peace, and who actually worked to break down the barriers to achieving that future. The Prayer Walk will begin with a simple meal at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 20 at St. Bernardine's Parish, 3812 Edmondson Avenue. Please let us know (parish@st-ignatius.net) if you are able to join us, to pray for an end to violence in our City of Baltimore.
Women of the New Testament
- Tuesday, January 21
The next meeting for Women of the New Testament group will take place on Tuesday, January 21 at 7 p.m. in Ignatian Hall. Women of the New Testament explores the diverse roles of women in the early church by studying and discussing the New Testament, other writings and practices of the early church, and scholarly commentary on these sources. In the light of this process, the group-women and men-pray to discern the roles to which women (and men) are being called in the contemporary church. Contact: Melody Gordon-Healy, mghealy@att.net. Current reading is: Women in the Old Testament, by Irene Nowell. You can purchase the book from her or it is also available at Amazon.com.
March For Life
- Wednesday, January 22
Wednesday, January 22 is the 41st annual March For Life in Washington DC. The march will take place following a rally on the National Mall between 7th and 9th Sts. at noon and will proceed up Constitution Ave to the Supreme Court building on Capitol Hill. The event brings together hundreds of thousands of people from across the country at around the time of the US Supreme Court decision in Roe vs. Wade to advocate for pro-life. Those interested in busing to DC with other parishes can find transportation information at the Archdiocese's web site http://www.archbalt.org/family-life/respect-life/march.cfm. For carpooling information, call our parish's Respect For Life Coordinator Jerry T. Lawler at 410.804.1413.
Christian Unity Prayer Service
- Friday, January 24
Please join us for the Prayer Service for Christian Unity on Friday, January 24 at 7:30 p.m. at The Cathedral of the Incarnation, 4 East University Parkway, at the intersection of St. Paul, Charles, and University. This annual ecumenical service will include participants, including our own Father Bill Watters, from several Christian faith traditions. The St. Ambrose Children's Choir will sing, under the direction of Betty (Roy) Butler, a former soloist at our New Year's Eve Interfaith Service. A reception following the service will be catered by Sofi's Crepes. All are welcome. For information card click here.
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In the News
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Pope Names 19 New Cardinals, Puts Emphasis On Poor
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Pope Francis waves to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican as he leads his Sunday Angelus prayer on Jan. 12, 2014.
By Philip Pullella, Reuters
VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis put his first stamp on the group at the top of the Roman Catholic hierarchy on Sunday, naming 19 new cardinals from around the world. Sixteen of them are "cardinal electors" under 80 and thus eligible to enter a conclave to elect a pope. They come from Italy, Germany, Britain, Nicaragua, Canada, Ivory Coast, Brazil, Argentina, South Korea, Chile, Burkina Faso, the Philippines and Haiti.
- to continue on click here.
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Pastoral Council Election Updates
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Congratulations to Christopher Kuczynski who was elected Chair of the Pastoral Council, Yara Cheikh as Vice Chair and Amanda Malone Klink as Secretary. Father Watters and members of the Council expressed great gratitude to the three departing members of the Council for their years of devoted service: Chair Candra Healy, Dan D'Orazio and Anne Haddad.
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Our Communication Efforts Take Another Step Forward
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 Last summer and fall began our efforts to become more proficient in communicating with the members of our Parish. We published our new website with continually updated lists of events within the church. We now send out our weekly e-zine entitled "Parish: the thought" in which we provide further faith growing articles and videos, as well as information about what is happening in and around St. Ignatius, and news reports on the Catholic Church around the world. We are excited to announce that we are about to take another leap forward with our communication efforts. Over the next couple of months we are going to install a new video system, which will enable us to show the weekly homilies online. It will also give us the opportunity to film lectures and do interviews that encourage others in the Parish. We think this will help us better connect with one another and be very useful in spotlighting differing ministries and groups within the church.
We could use some help as we enter this next phase.
- If you have an interest in media, photography, writing and communication, we'd like you to consider becoming part of our efforts.
- Please contact our Communications Director, John Odean by email at johnodean@st-ignatius.net and see how you can become part of the Communications Team.
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e-zine compiled by John. C. Odean
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