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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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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 The Franciscan Center.
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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MISSIONARY CHURCH-----A MISSIONARY PARISH
My Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Faith,
It seems to me that one of the more urgent questions in today's Church is whether or not "Church" is a noun or a verb. Obviously, it is both. However, where is the emphasis? Is the primary focus on "Church" as institution and structure or on "Church" as mission, action, and movement? Pope Francis speaks strongly about "Church" as a "field hospital" that is taking care of the wounded in the midst of a battle.
In light of the tremendous cultural, sociological and demographic changes taking place in today's world, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops published a Pastoral Letter this past December addressing the challenges facing the Church and its need for a whole new dynamic, a fresh mission if the Church is to be true to its calling. Drawing on the words of Jesus at the close of Matthew's Gospel, the bishops remind their fellow Catholics that they are to "Go out, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." (Matt 28:19-20)
The bishops wrote, "Spreading faith in Jesus Christ, the redeemer of humanity, is the Church's fundamental and primary mission. We have been commissioned by the Lord to "go" and bring Him to our world. But we do not receive this mission alone; we are sent forth as members of Christ's body, which is the Church." Speaking to each parochial Church, the bishops emphasized that "The focus of a parish community must always give priority to persons over material goods such as parish buildings and facilities. 'An evangelizing community gets involved by word and deed in people's daily lives; it bridges distances; it is willing to abase itself if necessary; and it embraces human life, touching the suffering flesh of Christ in others'."
To assist the parishes to engage in the new dynamic as a Missionary Church, the bishops ask the question: How Can the Parish Carry Out Its Call for the New Evangelization? They respond by discussing what missionary activity entails in three fundamental dimensions of a parish's life: social, catechetical and pastoral. They offer some very valuable insights.
In closing, the bishops offer the key to carrying out the mission of the Church: prayer. "Without prayer, no community can succeed in its mission. As Benedict XVI stated, 'Apostolic and missionary fruitfulness is not principally due to programs and pastoral methods that are cleverly drawn up and efficient but is the result of the community's constant prayer'." The bishops immediately add the salient words of our present Pope. "Francis has more recently declared that 'a Church that evangelizes must always start with prayer, with asking, like the apostles in the upper room, for the fire of the Holy Spirit. Only a faithful and intense relationship with God makes it possible to get out of our own closedness and proclaim the Gospel with parrhesia (openly, frankly and candidly). Without prayer our acts are empty and our proclamation has no soul; it is not inspired by the Spirit."
Our own Archbishop of Baltimore, William Lori, is presently engaged in calling all the parishes and the Catholics of the diocese to engage in the new evangelization, to become Disciples on Mission. We at Saint Ignatius welcome this summons by our archbishop to bring the good news of Jesus to others in our city. In the weeks and months ahead, as we work together with our four sister parishes in the downtown area, we will come to know more clearly what this "new evangelization" will entail for us as we dedicate ourselves to a new dynamic of being A Missionary Church-----A Missionary Parish. Meanwhile, to read the Canadian bishops' helpful pastoral letter, please click here.
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Lenten Pillar #1: FASTING
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"Umm, I didn't ask you to give up coffee or chocolate...I asked you to surrender you life." - God
We are now in the Lenten season. Let me begin by sharing initially the conclusion of my post - Lent isn't about you or about what you're giving up. But we'll get to that soon.
For those that might not be familiar with Lent, it is the 40 day period (not including Sundays) between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday that has traditionally been a time of preparation for those who were preparing for baptism and later expanded to include the larger Christian community. It marks a time of prayer, penance, repentance, humility, self-denial, and soul searching as one draws closer to the Passion of Christ and ultimately, culminating in the celebration of the Resurrection. Lent started (likely) as a 2-3 day event and eventually became a 40 day rhythm by 325 AD at the Council of Nicaea.
But let's ask the question: Do you observe Lent? - And if so, are you giving something up for Lent? What and Why? I appreciate the Lenten season for many and various reasons. In fact, the Lenten season is important to me because it helps me create rhythm in my life - something especially helpful when busyness, chaos, randomness, clutter, and lots of noise inundate my life. I deeply appreciate Lent because it helps me prepare for Passion Week - the final week of Christ. And while we know Easter brings upon us the celebration of the resurrection, I am grateful that the Lenten season more thoughtfully and deeply prepares me for Good Friday. This year, I'm choosing - along with some other things - to give up "coffee" during the Lent season. Trust me, for someone that runs a cafe, has his offices in a cafe, and has access to free Stumptown coffee whenever I want, this will certainly be a "test" of self-denial. - READ MORE.
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Due To Last Weekend's Weather...
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Because of the weather, many of our parishioners were unable to attend the Masses on Sunday thereby missing out on an opportunity to give their comments on the questions asked that would provide input for the Vatican Synod on the Family. Unfortunately, we need to submit the responses by the end of this week.
Attached is a list of the issues that the synod will be addressing. Also attached is a list of questions that the Archdiocese has condensed from the 46 questions in the original Vatican document, the wording of which made it difficult to answer. (If you would like to access the original Vatican document, you can do so by clicking here). There are three other questions that will afford people an opportunity to give their general comments on the synod issues.
- What are the main joys and hopes of marriage and family life today?
- What are the most pressing struggles and fears that challenge marriage and family life today?
- Do you have any other comments that would assist the bishops in their Family Synod discussions?
Please submit your input to the parish office by close of business on Wednesday, February 25.
Thank you for your understanding.
ISSUES THE SYNOD WILL BE ADDRESSING - CLICK HERE
LIST OF QUESTION THE ARCHDIOCESE HAS CONDENSED - CLICK HERE
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Retreat Review
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A Weekend Odyssey Toward Godby Jerry Lawler
At the secluded and beautiful St. Gabriel's Retreat House in Catonsville this last weekend, it was my privilege to work with a team of other Catholics helping seven post-abortive women work through their pain and reconcile with their baby, while getting closer to God. It was my third retreat. In our society, it is not politically correct for women or men who are wounded by abortion to talk about such things. The secular culture tells women to put the abortion behind them and get on with their lives. It was just a "medical procedure" and the tissue was just a "fetus." Certainly, they are told, it was the sensible thing to do. But in the privacy and confidentiality of my consulting room as a psychologist and in the safety of a Rachel's Vineyard retreat, talk about it they do. Tears flow, confessions gush out, and anger is vented. Through tears, a woman will talk about thinking of her aborted child every day, how old he or she would be, and what he or she might look like today. Another will speak about the rage she still feels for the boyfriend that did not want to be trapped and who bullied her into getting rid of "it." Others describe how their post-abortive lives were filled with denial and attempts to escape the negative feelings by promiscuity, addiction, or workaholism. Still others describe depression and a pervasive sense of worthlessness that has dogged them, sometimes for decades. "After I did it, I just didn't care about anything," was a sentiment I heard again and again last weekend. Of course all the participants are petrified at the beginning. They must feel that no one can understand the pain they have experienced or must worry that they will be judged for poor choices. It is gratifying to see them over the weekend gradually open up and begin to trust each other. The cold and snow outside Saturday only seemed accentuate the warmth and bonding that was taking place within. One of my personal heroes is Etty Hillesum, a Jewish social worker and therapist in the Netherlands who died at Auschwitz. At one point in her diaries she talks about her work as cleaning a client's house so there is room for God to enter. Tied up with shame, anger, depression, there is little room for God to enter under our roof. The Rachel's Vineyard retreat allows for this house cleaning. The retreat is structured around many beautifully guided living scriptures from the Gospels integrated with a time for sharing about personal journeys and anguish. I don't want to describe the weekend in such detail that the foreknowledge of some of it might dilute the in vivo experience. I can say that women and, in some cases husbands started a courageous journey of seeking and accepting forgiveness for the abortion, working through and discarding the baggage they have been carrying about it, and in the process getting closer to God - as well as reconciling and reuniting with their baby. I wonder how many women and men who are sitting in the pews of St. Ignatius are carrying the same burdens I saw in these women this past weekend. Local RV retreats are held twice yearly but are held at different times in different areas. Parishioners interested in inquiring about a retreat for themselves, a family member or friend can contact the Archdiocese Respect For Life Office by clicking here, or by contacting myself at 410-804-1413. In Christ,  Parishioner
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This Just Released From Archbishop Lori...
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Letter to All Priests and Pastoral Life Directors
Dear Fathers and Pastoral Life Directors:
Legislation has been introduced before the Maryland General Assembly (HB 1021/SB 676) to allow doctors to legally prescribe a lethal dose of medicine at the request of a patient who has been deemed mentally competent and who has received a terminal diagnosis. The legislation, referred to by its proponents as "death with dignity" is unnecessary, flawed, and lacks safeguards. It is being aggressively promoted throughout the country by the former Hemlock Society, a group currently called "Compassion and Choices." READ MORE
Download Document: Know The Facts "Physician-Assisted Suicide"
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Operation Rice Bowl
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Just wanted to remind you not to forget to pick up your CRS Rice Bowl after Masses this weekend. It's not too late to bring Lent to life! They are available in both the narthex and in Reeves Gallery.
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Stations of the Cross
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Stations of the Cross - A Practice During Lent
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Stations of the Cross are observed on Friday Evenings During Lent. Join us for Mass in the church at 5:30, followed by Stations of the Cross, then a simple Lenten meal of soup, salad and bread in Ignatian Hall before we hear (and then discuss) a presentation on scripture by Dr. John Pilch.
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During the season of Lent we take a journey with Jesus. We start in the wilderness where he overcame the economic ("turn these stones into bread") temptation, the religious ("throw yourself off the temple") temptation, and political ("give you all the kingdoms of this world") temptation. Then we walk with him on the way to the cross.
It is during this time in the Christian Calendar that we take some time to examine our life in light of the cross.
One of the ways we can do this is by observing an ancient practice where we meaningfully connect with Jesus in the last moments of his life. This ancient practice is called The Stations of the Cross.
It started with St. Francis of Assisi and has continued to our day. It is being practiced by an increasing number of Christ followers all around the world. Walking through the Stations of the Cross is a devotional exercise. During this time we affirm our solidarity with Christ. We experience his love afresh as we consider what he went through on our behalf, and we not only meditate on what it means to carry our crosses, but use this time to engage in habits that help us live sacrificial cross-shaped lives. For Jesus said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it" (Luke 9:23-24 NIV). READ MORE
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Radio Mass Changes
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Effective March 1, 2015, Radio Mass will be heard live Sunday Morning at 9:00 on two radio stations. WQLL 1370 AM and WCBM 680 AM.
Radio Mass will still be recorded and rebroadcast Sunday evening at 6:00, but only on WCBM 680 AM.
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| Upcoming Events |
Friday Night Lenten Observance
- Friday, February 27
 Join us for Mass in the church at 5:30, followed by Stations of the Cross, then a simple Lenten meal of soup, salad and bread in Ignatian Hall before we hear (and then discuss) a presentation on scripture by Dr. John Pilch. This week's topic is Long version: anointing, supper, plots, Last Supper (Mark 14:1-31).
If you are able to help with the meal by making soup or salad, or bringing bread or beverages, please contact Diane White at dwhite1@jesuits.org, or call the parish office. Please join us. And invite a friend.
St. Vincent de Paul to Host Half-Day Lenten Retreat
- Saturday, February 28 
St. Vincent de Paul Church will sponsor a morning of recollection and reflection, led by Dr. Bob Wicks, to help us prayerfully enter into the season of Lent and prepare for Easter. Held at the Shrine of St. Anthony in Ellicott City (directions) from 9 AM to 1 PM, the retreat is open to all - parishioners and non-parishioners alike - until full. For more information and registration, click here.
Morning of Ignatian Reflection
- Saturday, March 7
 On Saturday, March 7, in Ignatian Hall, Father Bob Hamm, S.J., Seamus Dockery, and Toni Moore-Duggan will guide us in prayer and reflection into the joy of encountering Jesus Christ through the sacraments of Reconciliation and Confirmation. The program begins at 8:45 AM and concludes with the 12:10 Mass. Please join us.
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 including The First Jesuits and What Happened at Vatican II. 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 7:30 PM. There is no cost for admission.
March For Life
- Monday, March 9
 Parishioners are invited to join hundreds of others in Annapolis on Monday evening, March 9th for the annual Maryland March For Life. The event will begin with a youth rally at 4:30 PM followed by a Catholic Mass at St. Mary's at 5:15 and a march through Annapolis to a 7 PM rally at Lawyers Mall. Kristan Hawkins, president of Students For Life will be this year's keynote speaker. Shuttles will take marchers back to the starting point for Chick-fil-A and fellowship. Join other Marylanders to be voices for the vulnerable in Maryland! For more details visit www.marylandmarchforlife.org. Parishioners needing rides can contact our RFL ministry coordinator Jerry Lawler at 410-804-1413 or email jlawler0@gmail.com.
Iņigo Book Group
- Tuesday, March 10
 The Inigo Book Group will meet on Tuesday, March 10 in Ignatian Hall to discuss "Cutting for Stone" by Abraham Verghese. The meeting begins with social time at 6:30 and is followed by the discussion until 8:30. All are welcome. On April 14 the group will discuss "The Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr. Please contact Catherine Young at pianocate2@gmail.com with any questions.
Economic Justice Sick Leave Advocacy Event
- Wednesday, March 11
 Over 700,000 of our sisters and brothers working in Maryland have NO paid sick days. If they are sick or a child is sick, they work while sick or send sick children to school, or stay home and lose much needed pay.
Working Matters, a coalition of more than 130 organizations - many of whom represent the faith community - has reintroduced the Healthy Working Families Act (SB 40 / HB 385). The proposed legislation would allow workers to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, up to a maximum of seven days per year for full-time workers. Now that the House and Senate hearings are complete, it is imperative that members of the Senate Finance and House Economic Matters committees hear from Marylanders who agree that no one should have to choose between their job and the well-being of their family. Legislation is currently pending in Annapolis that would address this problem.
We have until April 14 to pass legislation by persuading our elected representatives, through meetings, petitions, phone calls, letters and reaching out to others. To that end our Justice & Peace Committee is planning an Economic Justice Sick Leave Advocacy Event on Wednesday, March 11 from 7-9 PM. Please join us in Ignatian Hall as we tackle the task of passing this legislation that will help so many in our community! For more information contact: Terry Cavanagh at tcavanagh@seiumddc.org.
Lenten Reconciliation Service
- Wednesday, March 18
Communal reconciliation service for parishioners of St. Ignatius, St. Vincent de Paul, & Corpus Christi will be held at St. Ignatius Church at 7:30 PM on Wednesday, March 18. Several priests will be available for private confession.
Embracing God's Gifts Lenten Retreat
- Saturday, March 21
 All are welcome to join us for a Lenten Retreat experience sponsored by the Embracing God's Gifts Ministry! The theme of the retreat is All Are Welcome At The Table.Through prayer, meditation and various spiritual exercises, we will journey with this theme and its application to our experience of Christ in everyday living. There will be special consideration of Pope Francis and his wake up call to all Christians about the Gospel standard of mercy and compassion. This event will be held in Ignatian Hall. Schedule is as follows: 9:00 AM Coffee & Light Refreshments; 9:30 AM-3:00 PM Retreat; Mass at 12:10 PM in the Chapel of Grace. For more information contact Gordon Creamer at themissionbridge@yahoo.com.
The Light Is On For You
- Friday, March 27
Reconciliation...Confession...Penance...Mercy...Forgiveness
For the past several years, the parishes of the Archdiocese of Baltimore have participated in a program aimed at promoting the value of participation in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance). That program is known as The Light Is On For You. By participating in the Sacrament, whether our first time in days, weeks, months or years, we are experiencing God's individual and unwavering love for us and one of the true graces made available to us by our Catholic faith. God loves us just the way we are, but he loves us too much to leave us that way. Parishes in the archdiocese, including St. Ignatius, will be offering this Sacrament of Mercy and Forgiveness on Friday, March 27 from 3:00-8:00 PM. In addition, at St. Ignatius, the Sacrament is available one-half hour before the Mass. Guide for Celebrating the Sacrament of ReconciliationResource
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Special Event: "Solidarity on Tap" - Thursday, March 5
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SOCIAL JUSTICE
Jesuit Volunteer Corps and Ignatian Solidarity Network
welcome those connected to the Jesuits and the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola (FJV's, Jesuit school alumni, Jesuit parish members, etc.) to join us for a simple gathering for socializing and social justice.
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Thursday, March 5, 2015
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
the dizz 300 West 30th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
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speakers
Maureen Sweeney
Director, Immigration Law Clinic,
University of Maryland School of Law
Selvin Amador
DREAM Act
Advocate Student
Loyola University Maryland
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Bar food and drinks are available for purchase.
bit.ly/sontapBALT
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| In the Media |
 Hundreds of babies are abandoned in Seoul, South Korea every year, but one brave pastor has made it his mission to save them.|
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In June of 2011, the Los Angeles Times published an article with the intriguing headline, "South Korean pastor tends an unwanted flock." At the time, director Brian Ivie and co-producers Will Tober and Bryce Komae were students at the University of Southern California. Ivie read the Times article and was touched by its account of Lee Jong-rak, a pastor in Seoul who had set up a "drop box" at the front of his church to rescue babies that would otherwise be abandoned. The children suffered from various disabilities, but according to the Times, "To Pastor Lee Jong-rak, they are perfect. And they have found a home here at the ad hoc orphanage he runs with his wife and small staff." "The Dropbox" is a documentary theatrical event coming to theaters March 3-5. To learn more about the film and how to view it, CLICK HERE.
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