ST. IGNATIUS WEBPAGE
| |
You can view or read last Sunday's Homily by clicking on links below:
|
| SYNOD OF BISHOPS | 
|
Fr. John O'Malley's observations on the upcoming Synod of Bishops entitled: The Moment of Truth.
|
| ST. IGNATIUS CALENDAR | 
| |
View Full Calendar
|
| POOR BOX COLLECTION | 
|
Each weekend St. Ignatius specifies a Poor Box collection for a needful cause. This week we are collecting for the work of John Lurangwa
Sezikeye. To learn more
|
| xMASS MUSIC | 
|
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass.
|
| WORLD WATCH | 
Weekly updates on Christian persecution around the globe. Keep a prayerful watch on what is happening with your brothers and sisters!
|
| JOIN OUR LIST | 
|
|
|
The Extraordinary Synod on the Family
 | | A little humor - Video: Pope Francis Advice to Married Couples |
My Dear Sisters and Brothers:
In October 2013 Pope Francis announced that he would convene an Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in October 2014 in order to seek their advice about pastoral issues and questions affecting marriage and the family. Now the time is fast approaching for the Synod of 253 delegates (cardinals, bishops, priests, married couples, religious men and women, and non-Catholics who represent other religious traditions) to gather at the Vatican from October 5th to 19th.
With the Synod convening in less than three weeks several journals have begun to speculate about what might happen at this unusual event. Father John O'Malley, SJ, the erudite Professor of Church History at Georgetown University and author of numerous books, including What Happened at Vatican II?, has written the first of a series of articles that are appearing in the London Tablet (9-6-14). Titled a "Moment of Truth," the article delves into the history and background of Synods and their role and significance in the governance and teachings of the Church from the earliest centuries of the Church until the present time.
Father O'Malley projects that what is decided will be less important than how the decisions are actually made. In his mind, the Synod and how it conducts its affairs will be a key test for Pope Francis and his vision of the Church and its governance. All eyes will be intent on how the Synod handles its proceedings and who the primary figures are in the interactions that take place. Click here for O'Malley's reflections.
In a very different and lengthy, but intriguing, article, John Wilkins, the former editor of the London Tablet, observes that Francis, "a reforming pope," started his celebrated reform of the Church in the place most needed, namely, the family and the many critical issues facing the family across the world by convening a Synod of Bishops. In doing so, Francis is restoring to the bishops of the world their rightful voices in making their minds known regarding one of the many questions impacting God's People (the proper Vatican II title for the Church). Wilkins weighs in on the fractious question of change regarding the Church's teaching about marriage by reminding his readers about Cardinal Newman's position on the question of "change of doctrine." To read further Wilkins' fascinating article please click here.
Gratefully in Christ,
|
|
A Parishioner We Wanted to Point Out...
|
An Extended Look at This Week's Poor Box
 | WYPR Video: "Starting From Scratch: Refugees Rebuilding Lives in Baltimore."
The Story of John Lurangwa Sezikeye |
Many of you are aware of Parishioner John Lurangwa Sezikeye. John is a USA citizen from Rwanda, and has founded seven houses in West Baltimore to provide shelter and care for newly arrived asylees from overseas. He has been doing this work for more than ten years while holding down a full-time job at Hopkins. For those who know him, he is "Mother Teresa" in the flesh. John and his work are the focus of this week's POOR BOX collection (click here). We wanted to show you a little bit more about what he is doing, and so we included the 2011 WYPR video (above), and wanted to link you to a WYPR article about him entitled A Congolese Refugee Helps Other Refugees Find Homes In Baltimore.
Recently the city informed John that he needs to put new windows in one of the houses. He wants to comply, especially before winter sets in yet has no ready money on hand to procure these windows. He will be grateful for whatever amount of money we can put together to help him begin the work of installing the windows. We're glad that John is part of our church family. He's an inspiration to us all! Let's follow him as he follows Jesus!
|
|
The Celebration Baltimore Just Had....
| |
With all of the fireworks, Blue Angels, crowds and festivities in Baltimore this past weekend, you surely all know that September 14th marked the 200th anniversary of the US national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." What you may not have known is that the song has a special connection for the United Brethren Church.
Francis Scott Key, who wrote the song, was a United Brethren member. He and a United Brethren preacher named John Snook organized a Sunday school in Keysville, Md. Key donated songbooks and led the singing. Snook and Key also went on evangelistic tours together, with Key handling the music.
Francis Scott Key, as most people know, penned the lyrics during the War of 1812 as he watched the British bombard Fort McHenry in Baltimore. He was 35 years old when he wrote the four-stanza poem on September 14, 1814. It was published a few days later under the title "Defense of Fort M'Henry."
"The Star Spangled Banner" became the national anthem by a Congressional resolution in 1931.
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
Women of the New Testament
- Tuesday, September 16
The group 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. This month, the group will begin reading the book Lost Women of the Bible: The Women We Thought We Knew by Carolyn Curtis James. On Tuesday, September 16, at 7 PM the group will meet in Ignatian Hall to discuss the introduction and Chapter 1. Please join us. For more information, send an email to: Kay Haddon,
PREP Begins this Sunday!
- Sunday, September 21
PREP starts on Sunday at 9:30 AM in the Chapel of Grace with a parent meeting. If you have not registered your children for PREP (Parish Religious Education Program), please do so now. Register by clicking here.
Embracing God's Gifts
- Tuesday, September 23
You are invited to join members of our gay and lesbian community in the Parish Offices at 805 N. Calvert Street at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 23rd. This group is open to anyone interested in fostering support, maintaining communications, and encouraging social activities among diverse members of our parish. We are currently reviewing a piece of literature, discussing it and being nourished by some faith sharing/dialogue. Contact Gordon Creamer at themissionbridge@yahoo.com. To learn more about the Embracing God's Gifts Ministry click here.
RCIA First Meeting of the Year
- Tuesday, September 23
The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) starts on September 23rd. If you are interested in Catholicism, know a person who might be, or you yourself are a Catholic who has never been confirmed - RCIA is for you! For more information or to register, contact Ted Wiese at tedwardwiese@gmail.com or Mary Jo at maryjowiese@gmail.com.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
- Wednesday, September 24
Prayer Shawls are knitted or crocheted blankets for those that are most in need of extra prayer (i.e. sick or homebound parishioners, retreatants, etc.) So far 8 have been given out, 3 are ready to be distributed, with others in process. These are practical and welcomed blessings for those who are "wrapped" in the prayers and love of their brothers and sisters. Join us on Wednesday, September 24th at 6:00 PM at the parish office. MEN ARE WELCOME TOO!!! Please contact Duarte Aguiar at DuarteAguiar@st-ignatius.net or 410.727.3848 if you can't make the meeting but would still like to participate or if you have questions about what a Prayer Shawl Ministry is or does.
St. Ignatius Movie Night - "The Mission"
- Friday, September 26
In commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Jesuits, we are showing "The Mission", a film that deals with this turbulent time in Jesuit history. Father Watters will give a short history of how the film background ties into this 200th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Jesuits Celebration. "The Mission" will be shown on Friday, September 26th, at 7:30 PM in the Ignatian Hall. Admission is Free. To download a flyer with information about the showing click here. To read a review from "Decent Films Guide", click here. For a historical context of this time period,click here.
Ignatian Spirituality Project Team Meeting
- Sunday, September 28
Since 2007, the Baltimore Ignatian Spirituality Project at St. Ignatius has delivered 'Spiritual Retreats to End Homelessness' to nearly 350 Baltimore City men and women in transitional housing and addiction recovery programs. ISP Retreats are specially adapted from Ignatian Spiritual Exercises and the 12 Step Recovery model. BISP ministers are offered training and developmental formation experiences to serve as spiritual accompanists, an excellent prelude/preparation to undertaking the Spiritual Exercises. All interested parties are invited to the BISP Team meeting on Sunday, September 28, in Gonzaga Hall, directly after the 10:30 Mass. For more information on this important ministry and how we plan to expand our offerings, visit the Parish website at http://st-ignatius.net/ignatian-spirituality-project/; the National ISP website at www.ignatianspiritualityproject.org; or contact Matt McErlean at mcerlean417@verizon.net.
Lecture: Reflection on the Jesuits
- Thursday, October 2
Father Matt Malone, S.J., editor-in-chief of America magazine, will be presenting A Reflection on the Jesuits from the Suppression to the Papacy of Francis, a talk in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the restoration of the Society of Jesus, on Thursday, October 2, at 7:00 PM in the Andrew White Student Center at Loyola University Maryland. All are welcome. Because space is limited, please RSVP to pmckibbin@loyola.edu by Tuesday, September 30.
Immigration Crisis: What Are the Issues and How Can We Help?
- Monday, October 6
This panel discussion is presented by the St. Ignatius Justice and Peace Committee. The panel will include Sister Patricia Ann Rogucki, SFCC, a Baltimore resource for immigration issues, particularly those surrounding Central America which was her home for many years, and Rosemary Thompson, long-time Catholic peace activist and Executive Director of the P. Francis Murphy Peace and Justice Initiative. In this panel discussion we will look at: * Which organizations are already working for the children? * What are they doing? * What are their priorities? * How can Saint Ignatius help? Meeting from 7:30 - 9 PM in Ignatian Hall. There will also be a variety of finger foods inspired by the cuisine of Central America. There is no charge for this event.
|
|
In the Media
| |
Pope's Marriage Celebrations Hint At Coming Changes for Church
Pope Francis celebrates the wedding of 20 couples in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on Sept. 14, 2014.
Pope Francis dropped a big hint this weekend.
The Holy Father presided over the wedding of 20 couples Sunday in St. Peter's Basilica. From a distance, the group seemed fairly typical: the couples ranged from ages 25 to 56 and were all from the Diocese of Rome. But the underlying storyline is far more telling: one bride was already a mother, some of the couples had already been living together, and others had previously been married.
Popes rarely preside over public marriage ceremonies, but when they do, they tend to be linked to moments when the Church is trying to make a bigger point about the place of the family in society. Pope John Paul II performed the last public marriage ceremony in 2000 as part of the Jubilee for Families, an event that focused thematically on the gift of children and the harm of abortion. Before that, in 1994, he presided over a public wedding ceremony for the International Year of the Family, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. - READ MORE
|
|
|
Follow us by clicking on the appropriate icon!
e-zine compiled by John. C. Odean
|
|
|
