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ST. IGNATIUS WEBPAGE
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You can read or view last Sunday's Homily by clicking on link below:
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TRUTH SERUM
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This week's Truth Serum
is called "Putting Celebrities and Saints
on Pedestals"
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POOR BOX COLLECTION
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Each weekend
St. Ignatius specifies a Poor Box collection for a needful cause. This week's focus is Ignatian Volunteer Corps.
To learn more click here
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MASS MUSIC
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Attached is the listing for the music selections
at next Sunday's
10:30 Mass.
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WORLD WATCH
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Weekly updates on Christian persecution around the globe. Keep a prayerful watch on what is happening with your brothers and sisters!
click here
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ST. IGNATIUS CALENDAR
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JOIN OUR LIST
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The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World
AT LAST-----
A RECOGNIZED MARTYR FOR THE FAITH
My Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Faith,
On March 24, 1980, Oscar Romero, the much beloved and heroic Archbishop of San Salvador in Central America, was gunned down as he stood at the altar celebrating Mass for a group of religious sisters. Last Wednesday, almost thirty-five years after his assassination, the Vatican announced that Romero will be beatified as "a martyr for the faith." At long last, the official Church has finally caught up with the vox populi (voice of the people) and has declared him a martyr.
The people of El Salvador who first heard the news of Romero's death on that sad day in 1980 immediately proclaimed him a martyr and a saint. He had been their great inspiration and outstanding spokesperson in the midst of the war and violence that prevailed everywhere in that small country. Henceforth, he would be their special patron saint who, time and again, had stood up to defend them and their human rights in the face of the terrible oppression perpetrated against them by the wealthy, the government and the armed forces. There was no hesitation in the minds and hearts of the poor and peasants to name Romero who he was: El Santo.
In the wake of the Vatican's announcement, the world press has released numerous articles about Romero. For those who are younger and are not very familiar with who he was, as well as for those who have a clear recollection of this charismatic leader, I am recommending several articles for your reading. If your time is limited, I suggest that you especially click on to the articles by Father Tom Reese, SJ and Rocco Palmo.
I hope that reading about Romero's beatification will be inspiring for you and renew your own deep commitment to live the Gospel with courage and hope as he did.
Gratefully in Jesus Christ,
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Who Was St. Valentine?
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St. Valentine,
The Real Story
by David Kithcart
Flowers, candy, red hearts and romance. That's what Valentine's day is all about, right? Well, maybe not.
The origin of this holiday for the expression of love really isn't romantic at all -- at least not in the traditional sense. Father Frank O'Gara of Whitefriars Street Church in Dublin, Ireland, tells the real story of the man behind the holiday -- St. Valentine.
"He was a Roman Priest at a time when there was an emperor called Claudias who persecuted the church at that particular time," Father O'Gara explains. "
He also had an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers because married soldiers might be afraid of what might happen to them or their wives or families if they died." - READ MORE
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A Personal Invitation to Friday Night's Film Showing
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My Dear Fellow Parishioners,
 I warmly invite you to join us on Friday for the screening of Franco Zeffirelli's film Brother Sun, Sister Moon. I saw it first as a boy of 7 and it swept my little mind into the heavens and dreams of priesthood. Puberty eventually tamed those desires - until the Jesuits rekindled them in college. It is admittedly a very 70's film - but one that captures the true joy Francis knew in relinquishing everything to follow Christ. It's the film we've chosen to usher us into the Lenten season as we consider what it means to really live for Jesus. Our world at times pushes us to be very pragmatic, hard-headed people. Jesus offers a different path - and Francis drank the cool-aid big time. Our first Jesuit Pope took the name Francis in regard for the poor - but I think we've all been spellbound by the way he lives the joy of the Gospel that Zeffirelli's film so beautifully portrays. To see detailed flyer for event, click here. I will be at this showing, and will facilitate the evening. I hope to see you there! 
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Archbishop's Annual Appeal
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 We're glad for your enthusiastic support
Last weekend at the various Masses you received material about the Archbishop's Annual Appeal (AAA). You heard how this appeal is for funds to support Catholic Charities and its 70+ ministries; and multiple other organizations serving those with AIDS; Afro-American and Hispanic Ministries; Scholarships for Baltimore area lower income students who attend Catholic Schools; Campus ministries; parishes in economic need - and much, much more.
These funds are dispersed solely and only to the ministries that service the poor and the needy. An example is Our Daily Bread that feeds 700 a day - 365 days per year. That's why we feel it is so important to rally everyone around this unique drive. We are looking for 100% participation - with everybody contributing as they are capable.
One of the great blessings of the AAA is its rebate allocation. Each Parish will receive back 25% up to the amount of the goal (ours is $44,500), and 50% of every dollar above that goal. In last year's campaign we received back over $70,000 of which $40,000 went to our sister parish in East Baltimore (St. Wenceslaus). Many of you voiced how glad you were for the opportunity to give. We wanted to remind you to please bring back your pledges when you come to Mass this weekend - or mail them in to the office. We believe in this because we all believe it's the "Gospel in Action."
To learn more about this appeal, and what your contributions go towards click here.
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Our Own Personal Forum on The Vocation and Mission of the Family in the Church and Contemporary World
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Upcoming Forum - Sunday, February 22
 Last week Father Watters updated our Parish about the Vatican's request for input from parishioners across the world as they prepare for the next Synod of Bishops in the coming October. The original document was called the Lineamenta, and contained 46 questions for consideration. Our own Archbishop Lori, with the help of his staff, has put together a summary of the questions, making it much easier for parishioners to respond. There are seven questions for your response. You will find a copy of the Archbishop's letter and the seven questions here. The questions that are pertinent to your consideration are highlighted on the last page.
 In conjunction with these questions, we want to remind you of the special forum in the Chapel of Grace on Sunday, February 22nd, after the 9:00, 10:30, and 6:00 PM Masses. Facilitated by Deacon Paul Weber, this will be an opportunity to ask questions, and let your opinions be known. All are invited. If you are unable to attend, but would like to respond to the questions, you may do so by directing your answers to Carolynn Kendall by way of her email (carolynnkendall@st-ignatius.net), or drop off your written responses at the parish office. Our deadline for all responses will be February 23rd in order to collate and send them to Archbishop Lori. He must have all responses by February 27th.
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| Ministry Spotlight: Embracing God's Gifts | Embracing God's Gifts Ministry invites all interested persons to join our gay and lesbian community at their monthly meetings. This group is open to anyone interested in creating opportunities for spiritual growth, fostering support, maintaining communications, and encouraging social activities among diverse members of our parish. To download a flyer on this ministry, click here. Contact: Gordon Creamer at themissionbridge@yahoo.com. To learn more about the Embracing God's Gifts Ministry, click on video below.
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Ministry Spotlight: Respect for Life
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The Mission of the St. Ignatius Respect For Life (RFL) Ministry is to promote church teaching on the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death both in the parish and in the community. To learn more about this ministry, click here. We need your help! People interested in helping in this ministry can contact Jerry Lawler at Jlawler0@gmail.com or 410-804-1413.
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WE'RE STARTING SMALL FAITH SHARING COMMUNITIES FOR THE LENTEN SEASON Building on the enthusiastic response to our Advent series, St. Ignatius Young Adult Ministry is again forming small faith sharing communities for the Lenten season and inviting all young adults, ages 21 - 35, to join! Groups meet in members' homes to both share a meal and reflect on the week's Gospel. Interested in joining?
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It's not too late to sign up for the
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 Igniting Our Values
It's not too late to sign up for Igniting Our Values, the Jesuits' prayer program for Lent 2015. If you want to know more about it or to sign up to get a daily emailing during lent, click here.
If you would like to join a small prayer group to share your Lenten experience - Click Here.
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A Memorial Mass for Judith WIlcox
|  A Memorial Mass for Judith will be celebrated in the Chapel of Grace on Monday, February 16th at 12 Noon.
Judith was a liturgical minister at the 6 PM Mass for many years, and exhibited her artwork in the Reeves Gallery four years ago. Judith was 73 years old when she passed away on February 5th.
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Pre-Cana Weekend
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 Culminating on Sunday
At the 10:30 Mass on Sunday you will see the engaged stand before the church. They are the couples who will be married over the course of the next year. They are going away this weekend for what we call the Pre-Cana Weekend Retreat. The design of the weekend is to bond with other premarital couples, receive input about many different aspects of marriage from the staff and several married couples within our parish, and to have good fun and food. At Sunday's Mass we will all extend our hands and pray God's blessing upon them. If you are planning to be married at St. Ignatius, a similar experience can happen for you! For more information about preparing to be married, contact Deacon Paul Weber at paulweber@st-ignatius.net.
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| Upcoming Events |
Iņigo Book Group
- Tuesday, February 10
 The Iņigo Book Group will meet on Tuesday, Feb.10 in Ignatian Hall to discuss "The Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline. The meeting begins with social time from 6:30-7:00 and is followed by the discussion until 8:30. All are welcome! On March 10 the group will be discussing "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese. Please contact Catherine Young at pianocate2@gmail.com with any questions.
Justice & Peace Committee
-Thursday, February 12
 The Justice and Peace Committee is dedicated to the service of faith and the promotion of justice. Please join us on Thursday evening, February 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Ignatian Hall. For more information contact the committee chair, Candra Healy, chealy@loyola.edu.
Movie Night - "Brother Sun, Sister Moon"
- Friday, February 13
In conjunction with the start of the Lenten Season, St. Ignatius Catholic Community is presenting Brother Sun, Sister Moon. Stunning visual metaphors irradiate this 1972 production about a man who gave up everything - wealth, rank, and the pleasures of the flesh - to wear rags, beg food, and seek God in a leper or a field of flowers. More a poem than a biography, the film exalts Francis of Assisi's spirit and message. For more information click here.
Women of the New Testament
- Tuesday, February 17
 The Women of the New Testament is now reading the book, Lost Women of the Bible. The Women We Thought We Knew by Carolyn Curtis James.
Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday, February 17 at 7 p.m. in Ignatian Hall We will discuss Chapter 6 - Hannah and Chapter 7 - Esther. Hope you will join us. For more information contact the committee chair, Melody Gordon-Healy, mghealy@att.net
Ash Wednesday Masses
- Wednesday, February 18
 The time has now come in the Church year for the solemn observance of the great central act of history, the redemption of the human race by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In the Roman Rite, the beginning of the forty days of penance is marked with the austere symbol of ashes which is used in today's liturgy. The use of ashes is a survival from an ancient rite according to which converted sinners submitted themselves to canonical penance. The Alleluia and the Gloria are suppressed until Easter. To learn more about the practices of Ash Wednesday, click here. To view Mass schedule click here. Lenten Retreat in Daily Life - February 19 through March 19 
Loyola University's Office of Mission Integration and The Jesuit Collaborative are offering an Ignatian Lenten retreat open to all. This retreat has as its goal finding the inner peace that comes through a direct relationship with our God. The retreat consists of five weeks of prayer using the book, The First Spiritual Exercises, by Michael Hansen, SJ. Each Thursday evening for five weeks beginning on February 19, we will gather at Loyola. Each two hour meeting will include a guided prayer exercise, time for personal reflection and journaling, spiritual conversation in small groups and instruction for the coming week's prayer. In addition to the weekly gatherings, participants will pray 20-30 minutes a day at home 4-5 days each week, and keep a prayer journal. To download retreat flyer, click here. Questions? Please contact Kevin O'Brien at kobrien@jesuitcollaborative.org Young Family Social Event - Saturday, February 21  We are kicking off the Young Families Ministry this year with a potluck get together on February 21 at 3pm at Jack & Jenny Linehan's home in Hampden. All young couples and families (including children) are welcome. If you would like more details or just want to RSVP, please email Jack directly at jlinehan02@yahoo.com. Please propose any drinks (juice, soda, beer, wine) or food (finger food or snacks) you intend to bring. Father Steve Spahn will join us as well for a lovely afternoon to connect, commune, and celebrate marriage and family. Synods, Yesterday and Today: So What? - Lecture by Fr. John O'Malley, S.J. - Monday, March 9  What's a synod? A synod is a gathering of bishops tasked with a matter for reflection - to aid the Pope in his decision-making. Pope Paul VI revitalized this tradition and Pope Francis is using it now to consider the Church's approach to matters regarding the family. A preliminary session was held several months ago - which generated quite a media stir. The final session of this Synod on the family will be held in October. To help us make sense of these Synods and this particularly important one, St. Ignatius is pleased to welcome Fr. John O'Malley, S.J. of Georgetown University. Fr. O'Malley is a renowned Church historian and the author of many books about the history of the Society of Jesus and the Church. He's also a fabulous storyteller. Come hear his take on this important Synod and its place in the life of the Church today. This lecture will be held in the Chapel of Grace at 7:30PM. There is no cost for admission.
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| In the Media |
Mark Wahlberg On Changing His Life  | |
Mark Wahlberg on Faith, Family, Hard Work, and What He Prays For
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