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For food in a world where many walk in hunger;
For family and friends in a world where many walk alone;
For faith in a world where many walk in fear;
We give thanks to you, O Lord
Amen
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Issue: #11242015
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November 24, 2015
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ST. IGNATIUS WEBPAGE
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You can view or read last Sunday's Homily
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TRUTH SERUM
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This week's Truth Serum is entitled: The Leper's Thanksgiving. 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 Ignatian Volunteer Corps. - 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. 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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 Carissimi,
Last Sunday we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. This week we pause for Thanksgiving. This Sunday we begin a new liturgical year, preparing anew to welcome Christ into our lives more deeply, with changed and joyful hearts.
It is a good moment for gratitude and anticipation. I am so grateful for the privilege of being your pastor, for your unflagging generosity in giving yourselves for others. I'm grateful that you trust me enough to let me know when my ideas are a little goofy and when my tentative plans need more consultation and conversation.
I look forward to walking with you on the journey of faith we are making together and to welcoming others to walk with us.
A Blessed Advent.
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A SOURCE THAT HELPED ME THIS WEEK
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The Catholic Origins of Thanksgiving!
The history books will tell you that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the pilgrims in 1621. Not true.
by TAYLOR MARSHALL
An interesting bit of trivia is that the first American Thanksgiving was actually celebrated on September 8, 1565 in St. Augustine, Florida. The Native Americans and Spanish settlers held a feast and the Holy Mass was offered.
A second similar "Thanksgiving" celebration occurred on American soil on April 30, 1598 in Texas when Don Juan de Oñate declared a day of Thanksgiving to be commemorated by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The Catholic origins of Thanksgiving don't stop there. Squanto, the beloved hero of Thanksgiving, was the Native American man who mediated between the Puritan Pilgrims and the Native Americans. Squanto had been enslaved by the English but he was freed by Spanish Franciscans. Squanto thus received baptism and became a Catholic. So it was a baptized Catholic Native American who orchestrated what became known as Thanksgiving.- READ MORE
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FOR FURTHER GROWTH
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James Martin, S.J. on 'Lectio Divina'
James Martin, S.J., introduces readers to different ways to pray with the Bible. Here he talks about "lectio divina." Part of "The Living Word" series from America and the American Bible Society.
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James Martin, S.J. on Lectio Divina
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FOR FURTHER GROWTH
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Our "Day on the Hill"
by Vonetta Edwards
Members of St. Ignatius Immigration Sub Committee (ISC) of the Justice & Peace Committee met with Senator BenCardin and Bill Van Horne (Senior Council) to address the current state of immigration reform and ways to forge a path forward. We thanked the senator for his continuous positive stance and leadership on immigration. While there are no current bills to address comprehensive immigration reform, we urged him to continue casting votes that respect the dignity of our fellow immigrant brothers and sisters. We highlighted the work that the ISC has done in the last two years to educate and motivate St. Ignatius Parishioners on immigration issues, as well as provide avenues for them to actively respond to this ongoing crisis. We were commended on the breadth and scope of our work and encouraged to continue, especially our educational and advocacy endeavors. It was a very rewarding meeting and has set the foundation for more advocacy work.
Terry Cavanagh, Mike Duggan, Karen Kudelko, Vonetta Edwards, Toni Moore-Duggan, Candra Healy, Melody Gordon-Healy, Frank Richardson | 
Matthew Dolamore, Sister Pat Ash, Augusto Frisancho, Senator Ben Cardin, Vonetta Edwards
- click here to enlarge - |
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IT WAS A WONDERFUL EVENING OF TALENT AND CLASSICS
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Venez au Cabaret - Une soirée de Light Opera et normes.
(Come to the Cabaret - An Evening of Light Opera and Standards)
by Simone Thompson
Ignatian Hall was the sight of the second Ignatian Cabaret on Saturday, November 21. Nearly ninety guests were greeted by flickering candlelight, a glistening piano, and tables set with a variety of wine, cheese, and desserts. The music itself was even sweeter - a mix of standards and light opera performed by the St. Ignatius Quartet (Kyle Engler, Jim Li, Rebecca Rossello, and Paul Teie) and Cantor (Julie Kurzava) accompanied by Mathew Lane on piano.
Attendees learned, or were newly reminded, of the degree of professional expertise and talent represented among St. Ignatius Church's own "house band" that performs every Sunday. If you missed it, you can correct this misfortune - plan on attending the third Ignatian Cabaret next fall!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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Thanksgiving Mass
Start your Thanksgiving Day off with other St. Ignatius parishioners as we gather with gratefulness and celebrate with a Thanksgiving Mass! Mass begins at 9 AM.
My Sister's Place Meal Serving Opportunity
- Friday, November 27
 As Thanksgiving approaches, the church's social justice tradition inspires us to turn our gaze to meet Christ in our brothers and sisters deprived of access to the basic needs of life. Around 34% of Baltimore's homeless population is female. My Sister's Place is a Catholic Charities-operated center providing 3 daily meals as well as access to case management, education, and job training to women in need in our city.
The Bread for the World Subcommittee of the Justice & Peace Committee is planning to serve dinner to women gathered at the center on Friday, November 27th from 4:00-6:00pm. Casseroles and other meal dishes (lasagna, potato salad, etc.) can be prepared and brought for distribution to My Sister's Place - located at 17 W Franklin St, 21201. One casserole can serve around 8-10 women. Approximately 80 women are expected for dinner that evening. Interested parishioners are invited to join us as we respond to women and children who may not have enjoyed the privilege of a Thanksgiving dinner. For more information, please contact Phillip Clark at philclark31690@yahoo.com or 443-469-7348.
Ignatian Volunteer Corps
Third Annual Advent Evening of Joyful Anticipation
- Monday, November 30
 The Ignatian Volunteer Corps of Baltimore cordially invites you and your guests to attend the Third Annual Advent Evening of Joyful Anticipation at St. Ignatius Church on Monday, November 30 from 7 to 9 PM.
Our evening of prayer, reflection, and song features the Select Choir of the Institute of Notre Dame. Afterwards, guests are invited to enjoy food and fellowship in Ignatian Hall while learning more about opportunities within IVC.
Please RSVP by November 25th. This event is free; a free-will offering of $10 is suggested to keep IVC Baltimore growing. To RSVP and donate online click here.
Prayer Walk With Bishop Madden For Peace in the City - Tuesday, December 1  Please join Bishop Madden for his next prayer walk on Tuesday, December 1st at 5:30 PM at St. Wenceslaus Church (2111 Ashland Avenue). The evening will begin with a light meal and end before 7:30 PM.
This month there will be a candlelight walk, with strong symbolism as we begin the Advent season. Police escorts will assist will street crossings and along the way.
This is a critical time to help a pivotal East Side neighborhood. There have been many violent incidents around St. Wenceslaus this year. Yet there is hope for the neighborhood especially in light of partnerships with nearby Johns Hopkins Hospital. This continues to be a critical time to pray for our city, and for this East Side neighborhood in particular. The neighbors are always encourage by our witness, and we know that our prayers are heard.
If you are interested in participating and would like to go with other members of St. Ignatius, we will gather at our church at 740 N. Calvert no later than 5:00 PM and will drive to St. Wenceslaus Church. 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 Monday, November 30th by emailing parish@st-ignatius.net.
 Embracing God's Gifts - Wednesday, December 2 The final gathering for the year of Embracing God's Gifts, our Lesbian and Gay Ministry, will occur on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015 at 7 PM. There is no gathering for November or late December with the coinciding Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
December 2nd will be a wonderful opportunity to give thanks to God for the endless blessings we have received this year and for all that His Spirit has accomplished through each of you in our Embracing God's Gifts ministry. It will be a potluck celebration, so if you are able to bring something to share, please email Gordon Creamer at themissionbridge@yahoo.com.
 Ignatian Mornings of Reflection - Saturday, December 5 On the first Saturday of the month, Ignatian Mornings of Reflection are held. These mornings are excellent opportunities to pull away from the hustle and bustle of daily life in order to "dial down" and quiet our hearts before God. Morning of Reflection is under the direction of Father Bob Hamm, S.J., Director of the Xavier House. He will guide us in an experience of Ignatian Spirituality starting at 8:45 AM and concluding before the 12:10 Mass. This month's theme is "Esperanza! Waiting in Joyful Hope!" All are welcome.
Young Family Ministry Potluck Brunch
- Saturday, December 5
 The Young Family Ministry will hold a Potluck Brunch on Saturday, December 5, from 9:30 AM -12:30 PM at the home of the Holtz family. We will have an open house, so there is no pressure to arrive on time. Children are welcome! Please RSVP to Stephanie Holtz at srholtz@gmail.com by November 28. Directions will be given when you RSVP individually.
Cottage in the Church - Sunday, December 6  Cottage in the Church - a market place featuring goods made by low/no income women in Baltimore and beyond, and the organizations that serve them, takes place on Sunday, December 6 after every morning Mass in Ignatian Hall.
Sponsored by the St. Ignatius Justice and Peace Subcommittee, Justice Issues Especially Pertaining to Women, the idea came about as members discussed Pope Francis' recent comments disparaging women's pay inequity. While agreeing whole-heartedly with the sentiment, Women's Justice Subcommittee members wondered if pay inequity wasn't more of a big problem for women on Wall Street, but maybe the least of the problems for the women of Carey Street.Wanting to ease the pathway to earning power of local women, members came up with the idea of offering St. Ignatius space free of charge to women with hand created wares to sell - a way to gather the cottage industries existing in isolated row homes and apartments and share our warm, dry communal space with plenty of customers parading through after every Mass. - READ MOREFr. John Donahue, S.J. Lecture: "The Year of Mercy" - Monday, December 7  Pope Francis declared that this next year (beginning December 8) will be a Holy Year of Mercy: "I have decided to announce an Extraordinary Jubilee which has at its center the mercy of God. It will be a Holy Year of Mercy. We want to live in the light of the word of the Lord: "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful" (cf. Lk 6:36). And this especially applies to confessors! So much mercy!... I am confident that the whole Church, which is in such need of mercy for we are sinners, will be able to find in this Jubilee the joy of rediscovering and rendering fruitful God's mercy, with which we are all called to give comfort to every man and every woman of our time. Do not forget that God forgives all, and God forgives always. Let us never tire of asking forgiveness. Let us henceforth entrust this Year to the Mother of Mercy, that she turn her gaze upon us and watch over our journey: our penitential journey, our year-long journey with an open heart, to receive the indulgence of God, to receive the mercy of God."
This indeed is the good news of the Gospel! - and on Monday, December 7 at 7:30 PM in the Chapel of Grace, Fr. John Donahue, S.J. will once again join us for a lecture on The Holy Year of Mercy. Fr. Donahue was for many years Professor of New Testament at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA, and was the first Raymond E. Brown Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies at St. Mary's Seminary and University in Baltimore. He wrote "The Word" column in America magazine from 1998-2001. He has given workshops on biblical topics throughout the United States, and has taught in Africa and the Philippines. - There is no cost for this event.  Advent Penance Service - Wednesday, December 9 Justice & Peace Advent Prayer Service - Thursday, December 10  Advent is a time to reflect and refocus on the important areas of our faith. At a time of the year when schedules get hectic, it is helpful to slow down and contemplate the real message of Advent. Join us for a meditative evening of 'lessons and carols' highlighting the beautiful artwork located within St. Ignatius Church on Thursday, December 10th at 6:30 PM. Arranged to focus on five specific pieces, attendees will sing, pray, and process through the church taking time to reflect on a social justice issue associated with the artwork. Hosted by the Justice & Peace Committee, the evening will provide an opportunity for parishioners to intentionally and prayerfully reflect on the Advent season, the Holy Year of Mercy, and the important work we are called to do as Christians. The Justice & Peace Committee is organized through subcommittees with work that focuses on: developing diversity in our community; supporting immigration reform; advocating for economic justice through a paid sick leave initiative; promoting justice for women; and alleviating hunger and homelessness in Baltimore City. The emphasis of each subcommittee will be highlighted by a particular station during the event. All are welcome. A simple supper will be served following the prayer service. We hope you will join us!
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COMMUNITY EVENT IN MOUNT VERNON
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 2015 WORLD AIDS DAYCELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY From B'More Aware:
December 1st is World AIDS Day, and we invite you to join with us to celebrate and remember the lives of those we have lost to HIV/AIDS and to recommit to the common cause of a future free from HIV/AIDS. The day's events are as follows:
| 3-7 PM: | HIV Testing | | 3:30-6:30 PM: | Community Health Fair | | 6:30-7 PM: | Community-wide Candlelight Vigil | | 7:15-8:30 PM: | World AIDS Day Interfaith Service | | 8:30-9:30 PM: | Reception | | Location: | Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church
10 E. Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore
Across from the Washington Monument |
Admission is FREE. The event will be followed by a reception.
ASL Interpretation for the deaf / hearing impaired will be provided.
For more information, please contact: celebrationofcommunity@gmail.com (443) 421-9090
To download flyer for this event, click here.
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IN THE MEDIA
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Christ in the Clutter: Notre Dame Then & Now 
Watching the spillover crowd in Notre Dame de Paris at the Sunday evening vigil for the victims of the terrorist attack was a moving experience.
It's amazing how a brush with evil can turn people towards God. But it reminded me of a long ago personal experience, which also led to a deep spiritual turn.
One August day in 1968, I went ambling alone along the streets of Paris. I had a cheap hotel room in the Saint Germain area, and I took my time sauntering over to and across the Pont Neuf to the Île de la Cité and Notre Dame.
At that point in my life, I was a pagan college kid, and I'd been inside just two Catholic churches, both in Ohio: one in my neighborhood for the mysterious First Communion of an elementary-school classmate, pretty in her white dress and mantilla - that was pre-Vatican II; the other just a few months before - at a Mass my Catholic girlfriend took me to, held in a Quonset hut that was the temporary parish church on campus. In neither case had I paid the least attention to what was going on. It was just about the girls. The candles and statuary and crucifixes inside Our Lady of Paris - the sheer foreignness of it all - offended me, for I was used to the shark-like simplicity of the Methodist church of my youth, although I was, as a pagan would be, utterly indifferent to facile Protestant piety. Yes, I thought, Notre Dame is interesting architecturally, but it's too ornate. How could you find God in all this clutter, if there were a God to find? -READ MORE
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READER NOTIFICATION:
"Parish: the thought" is a publication of St. Ignatius Catholic Community, Baltimore. Each edition contains articles and news feeds that are included for awareness of current topics in our world today. The positions expressed by outside authors and news feeds are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of St. Ignatius Catholic Community or its staff.
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