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ST. IGNATIUS WEBPAGE
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You can view or read last Sunday's Homily by clicking on links below:
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TRUTH SERUM
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This week's
Truth Serum looks at
What Amazes God?
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 support goes to
Global Health Volunteers. Dr. Mary Gorman and Dr. Larry Fitzpatrick of Mercy Medical Center, who are parishioners at St. Ignatius, will once more be traveling to Peru this fall with GHV to serve the needy.
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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. click here
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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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 Welcome, Father Casciotti --- Thank You, Parishioners
My Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Faith,
As I complete my mission and ministry as your pastor on July 31st, the Feast of St. Ignatius, I want to take this special moment to offer a very warm welcome to our in-coming pastor, Father Jim Casciotti, SJ, on his return to St. Ignatius Church where he was our pastoral leader from October 2005 to May 2008. We are greatly blessed to have him return on August 1st to begin his second term as pastor. A skilled administrator, compassionate pastoral minister, and a superb preacher, he will serve exceptionally well in the years ahead. Welcome back, Father Casciotti! In this my final message to you as your pastor, I am full of joy and gratitude to all of you for almost 21 years of being with you and of laboring together as Friends in the Lord in our community life, prayer, mission and ministry. We have had quite an amazing and phenomenal journey together. God has indeed blessed us beyond measure. Thank you for all you have done for me and our parish community these many years. I extend a special word of appreciation to my staff who have supported me in countless ways. Finally, please know that my prayers are with all of you, the remarkable parishioners of St. Ignatius Church. Kindly pray for me. In fondness and gratitude for all of you, 
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The Feast Day of St. Ignatius Loyola
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A Retrospect of Sunday's Jazz Mass and AMDG Awards
By Anne Haddad
During a unique and memorable Mass last Sunday (July 26) marking the feast day of St. Ignatius Loyola, the parish community welcomed its new pastor, honored a beloved pastor who is (mostly) retiring, and applauded the five parishioners selected for this year's AMDG Awards.
The Mass featured musical selections from Mass of Hope: A Mass in the Jazz Idiom, by Pittsburgh jazz guitarist and educator Joe Negri. Led by our own organist Tim Murphy, who played piano, and music director Paul Teie, the St. Ignatius Quartet was joined by guest musicians on vocals, bass, drums and electric guitar.To view the Mass in it's entirety, click here.
The Mass was the first to be celebrated by the parish's new pastor, James Casciotti, SJ, in his new assignment, though he is no stranger to St. Ignatius Church. Father Casciotti served as pastor from 2005, when he succeeded William Watters, SJ, until 2008, when Father Watters then succeeded Father Casciotti, who left to take an appointment as the Socius of the Maryland Jesuit Province. Both priests have been instrumental in the parish's resurgence - both in membership and in the life and cultural landscape of the city - after the archdiocese considered closing it in the early 1990s.
"I am not here to replace Father Watters, but to succeed him," Father Casciotti said during the homily. "I've asked him to continue to be active in the parish because I believe he still has much to contribute, not only by what he does, but by who he is. Together, we are going to hand on, deepen, and focus what he has begun."
At this point, the Mass attendees stood and gave a sustained applause.
"We will discern whether to continue ministries or accept new ones according to our vision for the parish's future-young adults, the African-American community, and the cultural life of the city," Father Casciotti continued. "Of course, we will still care for our elders, advocate for social justice, and do all the things a parish needs to do, but we will focus and deepen our efforts in these three areas. You will be hearing this again-and again."
The text of the homily can be read in its entirety HERE. Father Casciotti described the distinctive qualities that set apart a Jesuit-run parish and the mission of its members "to witness in our own frail humanity to the love of God, which every person struggling to believe at once longs for and fears."
He continued, "This love both attracts and frightens. We are afraid of what it will do to us and what it will require of us. We can all use the practice of religion to keep the living God at a safe distance."
2015 AMDG Awards
Since 1993, the parish has presented the Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (AMDG) award annually on Ignatius' feast to individual members who have enabled the parish community to work more consciously, effectively and generously in furthering the work of the Gospel to the greater glory of God and the good of all people. The recipients of the 2015 AMDG Awards, who were all surprised at the end of Mass to learn they had been selected, are:
- Mary Murphy and Dan Seal, a husband-and-wife team active in planning the 10:30 Mass
- Annette Argall, a member of the Interfaith Committee and a regular lector and sanctuary minister at the 6 PM Mass.
- Pam Babij, who helped reorganize the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) as it expanded to meet the need as more families enrolled
- Adele-Ethel Reidy, who has been a greeter at the 10:30 Mass, a PREP teacher and an ambassador who informally reaches out to new parishioners and visitors to welcome them and introduce them to others.
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On Being A Jesuit
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Eat, Pray, Doubt: Temptation and the Call to Love
 by Eric Immel, SJ I do, at times, consider leaving the Society of Jesus. Like when I hear a baby cry right at the end of the Eucharistic prayer, or unlock the doors of a neglected community car that isn't mine, or wake up alone. I was reading Eat, Pray, Love. I am not ashamed to admit reading the book, nor to enjoying it, nor to finding within its pages a beautiful tale of discernment and discovery. Early in the book the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, describes her experience of family reunions, confused by the process everyone around her is engaged in. Everyone is seemingly on the same path. She says, "First, you are a child, then you are a teenager, then you are a young married person, then you are a parent, then you are retired, then you are a grandparent - at every stage you know who you are." I recreated that same list for myself. "First, you were a child, then you were a teenager, then you were a young, confused, unmarried person, then you were a young Jesuit, then you were a middle-aged Jesuit, then you were an old Jesuit." There, in my lumpy twin bed, pillow clutched between my legs, headlamp on high beam, reading a pop-culture contemporary classic, I began to cry. Something about my life story felt empty and fleeting. It felt like my life was already over. There was no, 'what next?' Just Jesuit. - Read More
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How Sweet The Sound
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The Story Behind A Beloved Hymn
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A WRETCH LIKE ME. Josh Young, center, with the cast of "Amazing Grace"
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In June President Barack Obama concluded his eulogy at the memorial service for the victims of the shootings in a Charleston, N.C., church by singing the first verse of the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace." The choir and indeed the entire congregation-and perhaps even the millions watching the service on television-joined the president in singing a hymn that has special meaning for the African-American church. It was a remarkable moment.
The hymn is commonly associated with the many other spirituals that emerged from the hundreds of years of slavery in the Americas and elsewhere. It may come as a surprise, therefore, to find out that "Amazing Grace" was composed in 1772 by a former English slave trader, John Newton, who after renouncing his past activity became a major advocate for the end of the African slave trade in England.- READ MORE
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Parish Picnic Photos
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From the Parish Picnic Weekend of July 17-19
 A wonderful weekend where some camped, some stayed in cabins, and some just came up for the picnic, trail hiking, swimming, and fellowship on Saturday. Check out the photos! - CLICK HERE
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Our own Firmin DeBrabander TONIGHT!
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 Firmin Speaks on "Do Guns Make Us Free?: Democracy and the Armed Society"
by Alli Clayton
Obama has called it his "most frustrating" part of his presidency. In light of the too many recent shootings--Charleston, Chattanooga, Lousiana, just to name a few--gun control has been on the mind of many Americans. As Obama reported to BBC last week, "the United States of America is the one advanced nation on Earth in which we do not have sufficient common-sense gun-safety laws."
If you want to learn more about the connection between guns and freedom, hear Firmin DeBrabander tonight at the library as he discusses the ways that guns impact freedom. DeBrabander is a St. Ignatius parishioner and an assistant professor of philosophy at MICA. It will be an intriguing lecture, apt in light of recent events and the upcoming political elections.
 Writers LIVE: Firmin DeBrabander, Do Guns Make Us Free?: Democracy and the Armed Society
In the wake of the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre, many expected a broad strengthening of gun control laws and a reconsideration of America's gun culture. Yet the gun rights movement, headed by the National Rifle Association, has gained ground in its fight against gun control laws. Gun rights advocates argue that firearms are essential in maintaining freedom. In Do Guns Make Us Free?, Firmin DeBrabander examines the ways that proliferation of guns impacts freedom and finds that a heavily armed citizenry diminishes core freedoms for all of us.
Firmin DeBrabander is an associate professor of philosophy at Maryland Institute College of Art.
Writers LIVE programs are supported in part by a generous grant from PNC Bank.
The Ivy Bookshop will have copies of the author's book for sale at a book signing following the program.
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JOB OPPORTUNITY
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Part Time at Parish Offices
St. Ignatius Parish in Baltimore has a need for a bookkeeper for processing invoices and deposits. The time involved would be about two days a week. Applicant must be totally familiar with QuickBooks systems and Microsoft Word and Excel. Anyone interested is asked to e-mail Deacon Paul Weber at paulweber@st-ignatius.net or call 410 727 3848.
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Upcoming Events
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Prayer Walk With Bishop Madden For Peace in the City
 Join Bishop Denis J. Madden, Fr. Casciotti 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 we will drive to St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church located at 3301 Windsor Ave, Baltimore, MD 21216. 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.
Young Families Reflection (Madison Gardens) after 10:30 Mass
- Sunday, August 9
 On Sunday, August 9, Fr. Steve and the Young Families Ministries group will gather for a light lunch and reflection in the Prayer Garden (behind 104-108 East Madison Street, just opposite the north side of the church) at 11:45. This will be a time to discuss finding God in our marriages and families despite our busy lives/ often corrupt society. Some young adults in our parish have kindly offered to be available to care for the children while the adults have a chance to share reflections. A light lunch will be provided in exchange for donations at everyone's discretion.
Iņigo Book Group
- Tuesday, August 11
 Iņigo Book Group will meet on Tuesday, August 11 in Ignatian Hall to discuss The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson. The meeting begins with social time at 6:30 PM which is followed by the discussion from 7:00-8:30. All are welcome. In September the group will discuss "The Language of God" by Francis Collins. Please contact Catherine Young at pianocate2@gmail.com with any questions.
Unbound Prayer Morning
- Saturday, August 15
 Have you ever longed for freedom but felt unable to receive it? Do past sins, hurts, or memories keep weighing you down? On Saturday morning, August 15th there will be teams available to provide prayer ministry using the Unbound Model of Prayer at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in Ellicott City. Unbound Prayer is based on 5 simple, Scriptural keys that will help you unlock areas of your life where you feel "stuck" or that have held you back in your spiritual growth. This Unbound Prayer Model provides compassionate listening without judgment to help you attain greater freedom in Christ. If you are interested in receiving this kind of prayer, or wish to learn more, please contact Dan Gahagan by Saturday, August 10th, 2015 via email at unboundministrymaryland@gmail.com and we can schedule you.
Women of the New Testament
- Tuesday, August 18
 On Tuesday, August 18 we will continue our discussion of Reading the Women of the Bible: A New Interpretation of Their Stories by Tikva Frymer-Kensky. This book addresses two of the most significant intellectual and religious issues of our day: the experiences of women in a patriarchal society and the relevance of the Bible to modern life. Both men and women are invited to participate in these fascinating discussions. The meeting will be at 7 PM in Ignatian Hall.
Embracing God's Gifts
- Tuesday, August 25
 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, August 25th. This group is open to anyone interested in fostering support, maintaining communications, and encouraging social activities among diverse members of our parish. We will be continuing with our reading of the Fortunate Families boo. For more information, contact Gordon Creamer at themissionbridge@yahoo.com.
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| In the Media |
 WATCH - We Asked, They Answered: Presidential Candidates on How They Would Address Poverty
Sojourners is a founding partner in the Circle of Protection, a broad and diverse coalition of Christian leaders working together to protect the poor - and the programs that sustain them - in the budget debates. This year we asked all the presidential candidates - Democrat and Republican - to submit a brief video answering the question: "What would you do as president to offer help and opportunity to hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world?" So far the candidates below have responded with videos. Others, including Hillary Clinton, Lindsey Graham, Rand Paul, and Marco Rubio have pledged to produce one soon. - View Videos
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