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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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We though the Pastoral Column in this week's bulletin was worth repeating. To read Pope Francis vs. The Mafia, click here. |
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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 Fr. Raymond Igbogidi
in Nigeria.
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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penance - confession - reconciliation, the sacrament of God's love and mercy
"For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you...
But you, O Lord are a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in kindness and fidelity."
(Psalm 86:5,15)
My Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Faith,
Lent is a joyful season. It is a time of deep interior consolation when we prayerfully review the depth of our life in Christ and our faithfulness in living the Gospel of Jesus. It is a period in the Church's annual calendar when we pause to thank God for the graces and blessings of our lives and acknowledge the sins and transgressions of our heart's attitudes and actions.
Above all else, it is a moment to encounter Jesus once again in his love, his mercy and his forgiveness. Indeed, his compassion is uniquely experienced when we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) in which we encounter Jesus in his absolving and forgiving embrace of us. His love removes whatever wrongs we have done and restores the deep intimacy between us, the forgiven sinners, and himself, the loyal friend and faithful companion of our lives.
Encouraged, therefore, to celebrate this consoling sacrament during Lent, we will find various opportunities to do so at St. Ignatius Church. On a daily basis (except Sundays), there is a priest available 30 minutes before Mass begins. On Wednesday evening, March 18th, there will be six (6) priests available for Confession during the Annual Penance Service that is being held here in our Chapel of Grace beginning at 7:30 pm and finishing at 8:45 PM. On Friday, March 27th, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 PM there will be at least one priest available for the sacrament in every Catholic Church throughout the archdiocese (the program: The Light is on for You). Finally, during Holy Week there will be one or more priests available for the Sacrament from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
Mindful of God's immense love and mercy for each one of us, we hope everyone will accept this invitation to celebrate and experience that love and mercy during this Lenten Season by taking a moment to acknowledge our blessings and confess our sins so that Jesus may embrace us with his absolution and love.
Gratefully in Jesus,
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Lenten Pillar #2: PRAYER
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3 Reasons Why I'm Praying This Lent
by Eric Clayton
Prayer is the least flashy of the three Lenten pillars. Fasting, almsgiving - it's easy to count how many times you gave (or how many times you messed) something up. You can see, feel Lent happening. But prayer, I mean, what's the metric? How do you measure the impact of your prayer? That's why I've always found prayer to be the lazy pillar of Lent. What do you have to show for it? What really looks different to set your Lenten journey apart from your everyday one? And plus, prayer is something we're always supposed to be about, right? I mean, when that inevitable question comes around-"What are YOU doing for Lent?"-and all I say is praying more, doesn't that leave the questioner thinking, "Man, how little does this guy pray on an average day?"
Then again, Lent isn't meant to be a flashy journey. It's not a Broadway production; it's a contemplative walk through the desert. And while we're called to be in community-to support one another on our common journeys to God-it's not necessarily anyone's business what I'm giving up for Lent or what the impact of that sacrifice will be.
Obvious, right? So, let me say a few words on why I am erecting my Lenten scaffolding around the pillar of prayer. Contrary to previous years where I cobble together some Lenten intentions on the eve of Ash Wednesday-usually high minded fasts that make locusts and sand look appetizing-I believe God has laid three important invitations at my doorstep, beckoning me into a prayerful Lent, a Lent of quiet stillness, of journaling and spiritual reading. Wondering what they are? No? Well, I'm telling you anyway. - READ MORE
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Time Change is This Weekend!
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spring forward...don't forget to set your clocks forward next Saturday before you go to bed.
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Year of Consecrated Life
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Wake Up the World!
To read this week's reflection for the Year of Consecrated Life, click on the link below.
Week 14- March 2, 2015
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| Upcoming Events |
St. Francis Xavier Novena
- Wednesday, March 4 through Friday, March 13
 The centuries old NOVENA OF GRACE in Honor of Saint Francis Xavier starts tomorrow, March 4th, and ends nine days later on March 12th, the day on which both Francis Xavier and Ignatius Loyola were canonized in 1622. The novena prayers may be obtained by clicking here. To learn more about the fascinating history of the Novena of Grace, click here. To download a prayer card click here. Finally, we know a lot of you are fond of the Sacred Space blog, presented by the Irish Jesuits. They currently have a wonderful piece on the Novena of Grace. You can access it by clicking here. Enjoy!
Solidarity on Tap
- Thursday, March 5
 "SOCIALIZING MEETS 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. This gathering will be at "The Dizz" at 300 West 30th Street, Baltimore, MD. Solidarity on Tap will begin at 6:30 PM and end at 8:00 PM. Bar food and drinks are available for purchase. Speakers are Maureen Sweeney, who is the Director of the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Maryland School of Law, and Selvin Amador who is an Advocate Student at Loyola University Maryland.
Friday Night Lenten Observance
- Friday, March 6
 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 Short version: arrest, trial, execution, garden, betrayal, arrest. (Mark 14:32-52).
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.
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. Guide for Celebrating the Sacrament of ReconciliationResource
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| In the Media |
 Christians Risk Their Lives Retracing Jesus' Footsteps|
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Christians of all denominations risk their lives and safety to visit sacred places in Jerusalem associated with their faith. CNN's Elise Labott reports. |
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