|
ST. IGNATIUS WEBPAGE
|  | |
|
|
TRUTH SERUM
|  |
As this weekend we celebrate Pentecost, Truth Serum is dedicated to:
What is the Meaning and Spiritual Significance of Pentecost - and how can it make a difference in your relationship with God. - click here
|
|
POOR BOX COLLECTION
|
 |
Each weekend
St. Ignatius specifies a Poor Box collection for a needful cause. This week's focus is on supporting the excellent work of the Helping Up Mission in East Baltimore. To learn more, click here.
|
|
MASS MUSIC
|
 |
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass. click here
|
|
WORLD WATCH
|
 |
Weekly updates on Christian persecution around the globe. Keep a prayerful watch on what is happening with your brothers and sisters! - click here.
|
|
ST. IGNATIUS CALENDAR
|  | |
|
|
JOIN OUR LIST
|  |
|
|
The Compelling Good News of Pentecost in the Face of the Pew Report
My Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Faith,
No one who takes seriously the Church's mission to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all peoples can easily dismiss the recent report published by the PEW research team that reveals the changing demographics and profile of "American Christianity." In a seven-year period from 2007 to 2014, an already declining Christian population (Catholics, Evangelicals and Protestants) in the USA has decreased even further by a net loss of almost 8%.
One of the very disturbing pieces of information in the report is that the "nones" or those who are, religiously speaking, "nothing in particular" or "not affiliated with any religious group," have grown in number by almost 19 million in the past seven years. Presently, there are approximately 56 million Americans who are identified as "religiously unaffiliated adults."
Perhaps the most deeply unsettling news is that the majority of those "nones" or unaffiliated are the younger people who are referred to as the millennials (those born after 1990). PEW research indicates that this group of Americans is on pace to become the nation's largest living population. Therefore, for many years to come they will be our nation's largest generation.
To us whose Christian faith is vitally important, the PEW report presents a real challenge. It calls us to ask what should we be doing that we are not doing to be genuine witnesses to the faith. It also calls us to review what we have been doing and ask whether we need to rethink how we are giving witness to our faith in Jesus Christ and his Gospel.
On a deeper level, is our parish being summoned to engage in an Ignatian examen in which we ask ourselves about our parish's vision and mission? Are we really a parish, a community, a people that truly reflects the face of Jesus to one another, to our city, and to our world? Are we a voice of solidarity on behalf of the poor, the immigrant, and the marginal? Are we a people of prayer and are we caring and supportive of one another? Do others who see us recognize us as a people who "love one another" in the spirit of the Gospel? Are we sensitive to the culture, language and style of those who are different than ourselves such that they feel welcome to our community, our liturgies and our ministries?
As we move toward the celebration of the Feast of Pentecost, we need to let the words in this Sunday's Acts of the Apostles be a catalyst for our parish reflections as we ponder the questions posed above and we reflect on the data published in the PEW report: "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim." Come, Holy Spirit!
Gratefully in the Risen Christ,
|
|
Our Newest Members at St. Ignatius...
|
Confirmation Sunday..
 This past Sunday morning (May 17th), seventeen of our young ones were confirmed into the Catholic Church by our vicar Bishop Denis Madden. Congratulations to: Mia Aversano, Stefan Babij, Chelsea Cole, Lily DeBell, Rene DeBrabander, Egan Gerrity, Tessa Greene, Ryan Hardy, Annabel Hennessy, Aiden Hrdlick, Neil Hrdlick, Isaac Inocentes, Fiona McManus, Amini Nkere, Aganze Nkere, Elias Jacob Shomali, Aria Smith. We offer congratulations to them and their families. Special thanks to Amy Petkovsek who has been their teacher and to Duarte Aguiar who is our PREP director. To view all the photos from that Mass, click here.
|
|
First Communion...
|
First Communion Sunday...
 May 3 was "First Communion Sunday" for twelve of our young parishioners. It was a special day for these young ones who had been preparing for the past year under the instruction of their teacher and guide, Faith Ward. We congratulate them and their families. May they grow in their love and devotion to Christ in the Eucharist. Those who received their First Communion were: Aurielle Bender, Juliette Bridges, Hugh DeBrabander, Dylan Graney, Eva Greene, Peter Hopkins, Roxy Hopkins, Devin Lee, Flannery Lee, Eliza Micciche, Ella Mitchell, Pete Kathryn Sheridan. To view photos from this Mass click here.
|
|
Prayer Request
|
 From the Vatican
On March 25, 2015, Pope Francis asked for prayers for the October 2015 Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Family. Pope Francis asked that Catholics renew the Prayer for the Synod of Bishops on the Family in preparation for the upcoming synod. He hopes that prayer will help the synod witness to "God's merciful love for all families." He asks that all-the pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, men and women religious, and lay faithful-pray for the synod. Make it part of your prayer life!
|
|
Help Ensure Food for Hungry U.S. Children
|
 Bread for the World "Offering of Letters" Weekend of June 6th & 7th
On the weekend of June 6th and 7th, the Bread for the World ministry of the Justice & Peace Committee will be conducting an Offering of Letters on the theme of Feed Our Children - focused on protecting federally funded childhood nutrition programs by writing letters to our Congressional representatives, urging them to continue funding these vital initiatives. Following all weekend Masses, letter-writing sessions will be held. Parishioners will be provided with fact sheets about childhood nutrition programs, sample letters, writing paper, envelopes, pens, stamps, and the addresses of respective legislators to contact. Please make a difference and join us for this important event.
Preparatory Documents: |
| | If you choose to email your letters as opposed to sending a snail mail letter: |
|
|
| Upcoming Events |
The Novena to the Holy Spirit
- Friday, May 15 through Saturday, May 23
The Novena to the Holy Spirit continues this week. It has a long and beautiful history. A novena is a nine-day prayer recalling the time the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Apostles spent in prayer between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday. When Christ ascended into Heaven, He told them He would send His Holy Spirit, and so they prayed for the coming of the Spirit. In the archdiocese of Baltimore - and many other dioceses - the solemnity of the Ascension is celebrated on the Sunday before Pentecost (May 17) rather than what was traditionally known as Ascension Thursday ten days before Pentecost.
Because of the connection between the original novena and Pentecost, this particular novena is very special. It is an expression of the desire of the faithful to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
In order for you to pray the Novena at home, work, or school we thought we would provide you with a copy of the Pentecost Novena (Novena to the Holy Spirit) that we are praying at each of the Masses at St. Ignatius - click here to access.
Pentecost
- Sunday, May 24 
It has been almost 50 days since we celebrated the Great Feast of Easter, and on May 24 we will rejoice in the coming of the Holy Spirit to the first disciples and to us. At the 10:30 Mass, parishioners from various countries throughout the world will wear their native dress and present intercessions in their native languages during the Prayer of the Faithful. What a special day it will be. Please join us. Everyone is invited to wear clothing representing the land of your ancestors, and to bring food from other cultures for a special reception after Mass.
Prayer Walk for Sandtown-Winchester
- Tuesday, May 26
 Join Bishop Denis J. Madden, Fr. Watters and many others from St. Ignatius and other churches as they walk through the streets of this struggling area of Baltimore praying and singing for God's blessings on its people, homes and institutions. Gather at our church at 740 N. Calvert no later than 5:00 PM and will drive to St. Gregory Church located at 1542 N. Gilmor Street. For those who need a ride, we will make the parish van available. So we can have a headcount for driving purposes, if you intend to participate, please notify us by emailing parish@st-ignatius.net.
Music in the Galant Style
- Friday, May 29
 On Friday, May 29 at7:30 PM, Michael De Sapio and Charm City Baroque will be returning to our church to present a baroque concert featuring elegant music of mid-century composers Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach, Johann Christian Bach, Domenico Gallo, Baldassare Galuppi and Carl Friedrich Abel. All are welcome. There is no charge but a free will offering will be acceptable.
Special Mass for Grandparents
- Sunday, May 31
 Our parish demographics show that St. Ignatius has become an ever younger community. That is a fact that should not only be mentioned, but celebrated! To that end, we are asking grandparents in our Parish to invite and bring their sons, daughters and grandchildren to a special Mass on May 31 at 10:30 honoring all grandparents. But let's not stop there. We're asking all grandchildren to invite their grandparents to this special Mass as well. Invite them whether they routinely attend Mass or not. This will be an opportunity for differing generations to show their families how a parish community may have assisted and brought support and spiritual health into their lives. Join us for a worshipful time with special music, and for a reception afterwards.
FAMILY PORTRAIT: As a special blessing, we will be taking portraits of grandparents and their families after the 10:30 Mass on this day - free of charge! We'll give you the details then.
Inigo Book Group
- Tuesday, June 9  Inigo Book Group will meet on Tuesday, June 9 in Ignatian Hall to discuss "Plain Song" by Kent Haruf. The meeting begins with social time from 6:30-7:00 and is followed by the discussion until 8:30. On July 14 and August 11 the book group will be discussing "The Warmth of Other Suns" by Isabel Wilkerson. Please contact Catherine Young at pianocate2@ gmail.com with any questions.
50th Anniversary Celebration of the Ordination of Father Bill Watters, S.J.
- Sunday, June 14
You are cordially invited to attend the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Ordination of Father Bill Watters, S.J. on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at the 10:30 AM Mass. Reception to follow in Ignatian Hall.
St. Ignatius Movie Night - "Anyone and Everyone"
- Friday, June 18
 Anyone and Everyone is a moving and beautiful portrayal of the love between parents and children, and the work some parents are willing to do for the sake of that love. Connected by having a son or daughter who is gay, parents across the country discuss their experiences in this documentary.
Filmmaker Susan Polis Schutz depicts families from all walks of life. Individuals from such diverse backgrounds as Japanese, Bolivian, and Cherokee, as well as from various religious denominations such as Mormon, Jewish, Roman Catholic, Hindu, and Southern Baptist, share intimate accounts of how their children revealed their sexual orientation and discuss their responses. The parents also talk about struggling with the pain of their sons and daughters dealing with not being accepted by relatives or friends, and being ostracized by religious congregations.
The showing of Anyone and Everyone is hosted by Embracing God's Gifts, the gay and lesbian ministry of St. Ignatius Catholic Community. 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. For Flyer, click here.
|
|
| In the Media |
The Redemption of Don Draper (COMMENTARY)
by Zach J. Hoag
Jon Hamm as Don Draper in "Mad Men." Photo courtesy of Michael Yarish/AMC
(RNS) In Sunday's finale of the critically acclaimed AMC series "Mad Men," Don Draper calls Peggy Olson collect from a pay phone in California.
"I broke all my vows. I scandalized my child. I took another man's name and made nothing of it."
It's a breathless moment of confession, one that confounds (and concerns) Peggy and leaves the rest of us waiting for some sign of personal redemption, however fleeting or thin. We've been waiting for the better part of eight years.
Whether the farewell episode redeemed Don Draper is, of course, a matter of interpretation. But here's what we know beyond a doubt. For seven seasons, Matthew Weiner's magnum opus has delivered some of the finest art the television medium has to offer. And it has done so by respecting the serial TV tradition and paying unrivaled attention to detail.
The result was a slowly unfolding period melodrama that should have been marginally successful but became a mainstream hit because it told a universally compelling narrative - a story about the tension between our consumeristic American existence and our deep-seated search for identity, meaning and fulfillment. - READ MORE
 |
Commonweal Magazine:
|  |
Relevant Magazine:
|  |
National Catholic Reporter:
|  |
|  |
Los Angeles Times:
|  |
|
|
|
|
