This is my first official week as your new Pastor.  Here is a little background on the arranged marriage you and I have begun:

I was born in Altoona, PA in 1948 of 2nd generation Italian-American parents. My dad was a firefighter and my mom worked in a local factory. After college, I entered the Jesuits and was ordained a priest in 1978. Since then I have been a pastor three times and held a number of governance and administrative posts within the Order - the best one being a three-year stint at the Jesuit headquarters in Rome.

I love being a priest, especially preaching and being with all kinds of people, young and old. I love opera (the Italian repertoire) and like to cook. I am a firm believer in one martini a day ["nerve medicine". Sapphire. Olives. Up. NO vermouth].

I'm also so grateful for my Jesuit vocation, for all the people who mentored me and endured my various eccentricities-and respected me enough to offer constructive criticism when I [frequently] needed it. One of these people is Fr. Watters, my esteemed predecessor here at St. Ignatius.

 

Like Fr. Watters, I believe that diversity shared with love and respect enriches all of us and makes us more compassionate and creative. I see my role as deepening, extending, focusing what he has planted among us-and where necessary for increased fruit, pruning our ministries and established ways of doing things.

 

Discernment -creative adaptation-always involves choosing some things and not choosing others. Failing to do this in a humble and prayerful way always leads to burnout and superficiality.  

 

We begin by looking around us and reflecting on the wonderful things we are doing already. Mount Vernon is a neighborhood that:

• is home to a growing number of young adults, many of whom are married with young children.
• is literally between East and West Baltimore, in the midst of the African-American community.
• is the cultural center of Baltimore, near Center Stage, Peabody, the Walters, and the BSO.

These three groups are priorities for us. We are already actively building relationships and working closely with them, as you will see when you explore the website. We are committed to focusing and deepening our companionship with and service to our neighbors

 

I believe we have an incredible future awaiting us - and I look forward to knowing you, serving you, and discerning together where the Lord wants to lead our community in the coming years.

 

 By your side, In His Service.

  

 

 

Pastor

 

The Tradition of the "Negro Spiritual"

 

On Sunday Paul Teie sang a beautiful rendition of the song In Bright Mansions Above. This song comes out of the tradition of what is known as "negro spirituals."

  

In the early nineteenth century, African Americans were involved in the "Second Awakening". They met in camp meetings and sang without any hymnbook. Spontaneous songs were composed on the spot. They were called "spiritual songs" and the term "sperichil" (spiritual) appeared for the first time in the book "Slave Songs of The United States" (by Allen, Ware, Garrison, 1867).

 

As negro spirituals are Christian songs, most of them concern what the Bible says and how to live with the Spirit of God. For example, the "dark days of bondage" were enlightened by the hope and faith that God will not leave slaves alone.

 

By the way, African Americans used to sing outside of churches. During slavery and afterwards, slaves and workers who were working at fields or elsewhere outdoors, were allowed to sing "work songs". This was the case, when they had to coordinate their efforts for hauling a fallen tree or any heavy load. Even prisoners used to sing "chain gang" songs when they worked on the road or on some construction project.

 

But some "drivers" also allowed slaves to sing "quiet" songs, if they were not apparently against slaveholders. Such songs could be sung either by only one soloist or by several slaves. They were used for expressing personal feeling and for cheering one another. So, even at work, slaves could sing "secret messages". This was the case of negro spirituals, which were sung at church, in meetings, at work and at home.

 

The meaning of these songs was most often covert. Therefore, only Christian slaves understood them, and even when ordinary words were used, they reflected personal relationship between the slave singer and God.

 

The codes of the first negro spirituals are often related with an escape to a free country. For example, a "home" is a safe place where everyone can live free. So, a "home" can mean Heaven, but it covertly means a sweet and free country, a haven for slaves.

 

The ways used by fugitives running to a free country were riding a "chariot" or a "train".

 

The negro spirituals "The Gospel Train" and "Swing low, sweet chariot"  directly refer to the Underground Railroad, an informal organization which helped many slaves to flee.

 

The words of  "The Gospel Train" are "She is coming... Get on-board... There's room for many more".  This is a direct call to flee from the bondage of slavery, by riding a "train" which stops at "stations".

 

Then, "Swing low, sweet chariot" refers to Ripley, a "station" of the Underground Railroad, where fugitive slaves were welcome. This town is atop a hill, by the Ohio River, which is not easy to cross. So, to reach this place, fugitives had to wait for help coming from the hill. The words of this spiritual says,"I looked over Jordan and what did I see/ Coming for to carry me home/ A band of angels coming after me."

 

The spirituals have a great place in American History, again called upon in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's. To learn more about the history and different applications of the spiritual, click here.

Here is a modern testimonial to the spiritual Paul sang on Sunday, In Bright Mansion's Above. It is from NPR's The Story Behind the Song. - Listen to NPR's The Story Behind the Song: In Bright Mansions Above.  

It's time to register your children

The days are getting shorter and September will be here before we know it. Have you registered your children for PREP (Parish Religious Education Program)? If not, please do so now so that we can plan for the new academic year. Register online through our website by clicking here,  or pick up a registration form from the narthex or gallery.

RCIA Classes begin in September! 

Do you know a person who might like to become a Catholic? Or do you know someone who would like to find out more about the Catholic Church? Or perhaps you yourself are a Catholic who has never been confirmed? The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) will be starting in September. For more information or to register, contact Ted or Mary Jo Wiese at tedwardwiese@gmail.com or maryjowiese@gmail.com.  

Orioles Tickets!

The Ignatian Volunteer Corps is selling Orioles tickets as a fundraiser for the Baltimore region. For every $13 ticket they sell, the Orioles return $5. The game between the Orioles and the Royals will be at Camden Yards on Sunday, September 13, at 1:35 PM. For tickets, contact Steve Eberle, IVC Regional Director, at 410-752-4686 or seberle@ivcusa.org.  

 Follow in St. Ignatius' Footsteps on the Camino Ignaciano 

Part Time at Parish Offices 

Are You Able To Help Us With A Brief Project?

- 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.

  

  

 

Nick Vujicic, Man Without Limbs, Speaks at One Voice Student Gathering  

  

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