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Issue # 03102016 May 10, 2016
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Carissimi,
With Pentecost coming, here are some excerpts from a homily Pope Francis recently gave commenting on the Council of Jerusalem. The question in Acts is if Gentiles must first be circumcised and become Jewish before being Baptized:
There was great confusion over all of this, but there was also the Holy Spirit, who breathed....who is always the advocate of the Church, who from the first moment gave strength to the Apostles to proclaim the Gospel and who carried the Church forward with all of its problems, even when persecution broke out. The Spirit gives strength to believers to remain in the faith, even in face of the resistance and hard-heartedness of the doctors of the law...
The Apostles found themselves living with situations they would never have expected. How to deal with them? How to respond to this force of the Spirit that pushes us to move ahead, ahead, ahead towards certain things that were never done before. Never. They were never even imagined - like that pagans could receive the Holy Spirit, for example.
The disciples had a hot potato in their hands and didn't know what to do. Because of this they called a Council at Jerusalem where each one could recount his own experience, of how the Holy Spirit came upon even the pagans. And at the end, they came to agreement.
The solution for undoing every knot is this: meet together, dialog, and listen. This is the path for the Church right up to today-meet together, be united, listen to one another, argue things out, pray, and decide...
Listen, don't be afraid to listen. When people are afraid to listen, they don't have the Spirit in their hearts. Listen: "What do you think and why?" Listen with humility.
This is the so-called synodality of the Church, which shows forth its communion. And who makes this communion? It's the Spirit!..And what does the Lord ask of us? Docility to the Spirit. Not to be afraid when we see that the Spirit is calling us forward. Don't be afraid when the Spirit surprises us with something that seems new or "was never done before."
Vai avanti così, O Santo Spirito!
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During Sunday's homily, Fr. Casciotti quoted the saying that: "God will not look you over for medals, degrees, or diplomas, but for scars." What a brilliant thought. As important as education is, degrees and diplomas are about what you have studied. Scars are about how you lived. In the long run, that is what Jesus cares most about.
Here's a wonderful article from the Jesuit Post that reminds us of what Fr. Casciotti was talking about when he said God is looking us over for scars. It's entitled, With Scars and All. We thought you might enjoy it. by Eric Immel, SJ On the right side of her chest just below the clavicle, she has a 1" scar. 12 years ago, it was a freshly stitched incision and beneath it, bulging and unnatural, was a port with tubes twisting into the dark depths of her insides. She was diagnosed over Christmas break during her freshman year. Against her will, she took the spring semester off. I was a sophomore at the time. I got a note from her in the mail scribbled on construction paper in blue crayon. I can't remember what it said, but I knew she was bored. We never wrote letters to each other. My sister wanted dorm rooms and late night pizza, not her childhood bedroom and home cooked meals. Bi-weekly chemotherapy took its toll-the port served as an entry point for the toxic chemicals that were supposed to save her life. She rested, read, prayed. My parents did their best, which was more than enough. We lopped off her thinning hair sometime shortly after her birthday in late January; just before that, she had dyed it purple. My mom, I think, was unhappy, but, "it was going to fall out anyway." When we got down to the last of it, mom took over. We all watched silently as she made firm but tender passes with the clippers. She did the job right. She made sure my sister knew that she was still beautiful. Read More
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If You've Got It...Wear It.
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Clothing Representing the Lands of Our Ancestors
Sunday we will rejoice in the coming of the Holy Spirit to the first disciples and to us. Notice our church's banners at the corner of Calvert and Madison. There find Jesuit sunburst with the name of Jesus at the center.
Notice the colors of the rays. They represent our parishioners-men, women, children, young and old, of differing races, nationalities, and sexual orientations.
The Holy Spirit unites us with Christ in all of our diversity and through our diversity sends us out to invite others to walk with us in adoration and service.
One side of the banner says, "One in Christ", for so we are. The other side says "A People for Others," for so we must strive to be.
As part of our celebration at the 10:30 Mass, everyone is invited to wear clothing representing the lands of their ancestors, and to bring food from other cultures for a special reception after Mass.
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Loaves and Fishes Volunteer Orientation
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Video: Loaves and Fishes Ministry
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Gearing Up For Summer
Sunday, May 22, is the Loaves & Fishes Volunteer Orientation/Training Meeting. As you may know Loaves & Fishes feeds the hungry of Baltimore on weekends. We are now gearing up for the summer program, and reorganizing so that it will go smoothly this year. We've provided the video above to give you a brief overview of how the program works. We are in great need of more volunteers. If you are interested, or would just like to know more about how Loaves & Fishes works, we would love to have you on May 22nd at 5 PM in Ignatian Hall. For more information contact Amy Petkovsek at amy.petkovsek@gmail.com.
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The Passing of Archbishop Lori's Brother, Frank Lori
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On behalf of Bishop Madden we write to inform you of the sudden death of Archbishop Lori's older brother, Frank Lori, on Tuesday of last week. Frank was laid to rest on Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky. Archbishop Lori celebrated the funeral Mass at the chapel of the home where his parents reside.
Please remember in prayer the Archbishop and his parents, Frank and Margaret, as well as his younger brother, Joe, and join them in praying for the repose of the soul of their beloved son and brother, Frank.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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Worship with Offerings, Liturgy, and Prayer for Others
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POOR BOX
Each weekend St. Ignatius specifies a Poor Box collection for a needful cause. This week's support goes to
Vulnerable Families in Crisis
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MASS MUSIC
Here is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's10:30 Mass.
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PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN REPORT
Weekly updates on Christian persecution around the globe. Keep a prayerful watch on what is happening with your brothers and sisters!
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Tuesday, May 10 - 6:30 PM
The Inigo Book Group - will meet on Tuesday, May 10 at the parish offices at 110 E. Madison Street to discuss "The Sense of an Ending" by Julian Barnes. The meeting begins with social time at 6:30 PM which is followed by the discussion from 7:00 until 8:30. All are welcome. On June 14 the book group will be discussing "The Power of Myth" by Joseph Campbell. Any questions? Please contact Catherine Young atpianocate2@gmail.com.
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Tuesday, May 10 - 7:00 PM
Young Adult Movie Night - The Young Adult Ministry is kicking off its Summer Movie Series with the film Of Gods and Men, a drama about Trappist monks in Algeria facing life-threatening conditions, who must decide whether to stay or leave. Showing begins at 7:00 PM in Ignatian Hall. For the schedule of other young adult ministry movie showings, click here.
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Thursday, May 12 - 6:30 PM
Justice & Peace Committee - is dedicated to the service of faith and the promotion of justice. We are organized through subcommittees that identify particular programs to more effectually: serve the poor and focus on hunger and homelessness in Baltimore City; support Immigration advocacy and projects; advocate for economic justice and legislative initiatives, e.g. paid sick leave and affordable housing; and provide an environment that supports and advocates for racial justice, and develops diversity in our community. Read More
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Sunday, May 15 - 4 PM
An Afternoon of Poetry - The Cultural Arts Committee of St. Ignatius Catholic Community will present an afternoon of poetry featuring Nina Carey Tassi. The day's event is called "Spirit Ascending."
Nina Tassi's poems speak eloquently to men and women who seek deeper meaning in life on this Earth - even though perfection eludes us. As the poet ranges over time and space, she speaks through the voices of towering yet flawed Old Testament figures such as Moses, Sarah and Naomi, revealing their spiritual gains and losses. Read More
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Monday, May 16 - 7:30 PM
A Readers Theater Evening: "Human Life and Human Love' - Join Rev. John J. Conley, SJ, for an evening of Readers Theater on Monday, May 16th in Ignatian Hall. The event begins at 7:30, is free, and is open to the public. For more information, click here.
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Tuesday, May 17 - 6:45 PM
The Women of the New Testament group, which meets on the third Tuesday of the month, is currently discussing 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. For more information,click here.
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Thursday, May 19 - 7 PM
Young Adults Paint Night - The young adults are invited to a Paint Night on Thursday, May 19th at 7 PM! Join us for snacks, drinks, and art, where you get to create your own canvas painting. Cost is $10 to attend, to cover art supplies. Please RSVP to Alli Clayton, alliclayton@st-ignatius.net. Location: Gonzaga Hall.
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Sunday, May 22 - 3 PM
Concerto Pastorale: Music of Springtime - On the Feast of the Holy Trinity, Charm City Baroque presents an uplifting program of 18th-century music redolent of the feast day and the delights of Spring. Sacred cantatas by Bach and Telemann commemorate the mystery of the Trinity while instrumental sonatas by Tartini, Pergolesi, Boyce, and Scarlatti evoke the rustic and pastoral life. Join Charm City Baroque for this delightful musical celebration in our church! Concert is free of charge but donations will be gratefully accepted.
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Sunday, May 22 - 5 PM
Loaves & Fishes Volunteer Orientation/Training Meeting - See information box above for more information.
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Tuesday, May 23 - 7 PM
Young Adult Movie Night - The Young Adult Ministry is holding its second film showing in its Young Adult Summer Movie Series. This film is Sin Nombre. Sin Nombre is a 2009 Mexican-American adventure thriller film written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, about a Honduran girl trying to immigrate to the U.S.A., and a boy caught up in the violence of gang life who also needs to escape. Filmed in Spanish (with subtitles), the film's title means "Nameless". It won several awards, including the prizes for directing and cinematography at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. To learn more, click here.
Showing begins at 7:00 PM in Ignatian Hall. For the schedule of other young adult ministry movie showings,click here.
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Tuesday, May 24 - 7 PM
Embracing God's Gifts - You are invited to join members of our gay and lesbian community in the Parish Offices at 110 E. Madison Street at 7:00 PM on the 4th Tuesday of each month. This group is open to anyone interested in fostering support, maintaining communications, and encouraging social activities among diverse members of our parish. For more information, click here.
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Screening & Discussion of Ismaël Ferroukhi's film
Thursday, May 12, at 7:00 PM, or Friday, May 13, at 9:30 AM
ICJS will screen Ismaël Ferroukhi's film Le Grand Voyage "The Great Journey," (2004, 108 minutes, rated NR) as the fourth installment of the Religion & Film Series at the ICJS. Homayra Ziad will introduce the film and lead the discussion following.
About the movie (from Film Movement): "A few weeks before his college entrance exams, Reda (Nicolas Cazale), a young man who lives in the south of France, finds himself obligated to drive his father to Mecca. From the start, the journey looks to be difficult: Reda and his father (Mohamed Majd) have nothing in common. The wide cultural and generational gap between the two is worsened by the lack of communication between the two. Reda finds it hard to accommodate his father, who demands respect for himself and his pilgrimage. From France, through Italy, Serbia, Turkey, Syria, Jordan to Saudi Arabia, the two will embark on a road trip to Mecca that will change their lives."
R.S.V.P
This event is FREE and open to the public.
This event will be held in the ICJS Study Center (956 Dulaney Valley Road, Baltimore, MD 21204).
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All Church Parish Picnic - Saturday, August 6
It's a little early...but we wanted you to place it on your calendars. This year's picnic will be held on Saturday, August 6. Come away for a day of hiking, nature walking and swimming. A wonderful time of fun and fellowship awaits you. This is a perfect way for those who don't yet know many people at St. Ignatius to begin new friendships...and for those who do to deepen your already existing relationships.
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Pope Francis' May Prayer Intention: Honor the Dignity of Women
| Video: Pope Francis Prayer Intentions for May 2016 |
Vatican City, May 3, 2016 / 11:48 am (
In his May prayer video Pope Francis issued a global petition that women in all countries would be respected and valued, asking rhetorically if the mere recognition of their role is enough, or if more can be done.
"The contribution of women in all areas of human activity is undeniable, beginning with the family. But only to recognize it - is that enough?" the Pope asked in the video, published May 3.
"We have done little for women who are in very difficult situations: despised, marginalized, and even reduced to slavery," he said, stressing that "we must condemn sexual violence against women and remove the barriers that prevent their full integration into social, political and economic life." Read More
How Daniel Berrigan Helped Save My Faith
Peacemaking is biblical, theological, and political. Sojourners has certainly learned that over the years. But peacemaking is also personal - and a personal commitment at the heart of the gospel.
When we lose a Christian peacemaker like Daniel Berrigan, it gets very personal for many of us. To our readers from a generation who may not know of him, I implore you to read some of the best historical accounts of Daniel Berrigan's life as a Jesuit priest, renowned poet, incredibly prolific author, and continual offender as a peacemaker.
My colleague Rose Berger, in the accompanying Sojourners piece today, shares her story as a Catholic peacemaker and how Daniel Berrigan influenced her life. Berrigan shaped and motivated a Catholic peace movement that became a fundamental and foundational influence on Sojourners - and one of the core constituencies of our work from the earliest days.
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Crux
Trump v. Clinton Matchup Has Catholic Leaders Scrambling - With the general election matchup coming into focus, some Catholic leaders in the U.S. find themselves scrambling to figure out what to make of a race between one candidate whose views on immigration clash with decades of Catholic pro-immigration work, and another who supports same-sex marriage and expanded access to abortion and contraception.
For Communications Reform, the Vatican Looks to Walt Disney - Seeking inspiration for a reform of the Vatican's communications operations, Italian Monsignor Dario Edoardo Viganò says he and his team have turned to an unlikely source: Walt Disney. Read More
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America Magazine:
Bridging a Racial Divide: The Catholic Church and the Black Lives Matter Movement - When I was a senior at Quigley Preparatory Seminary studying to be a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago, I was the only person of color in my class of several hundred seminarians. A group of us saw the film version of Harper Lee's brilliant novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. It is the story of Tom Robinson, set in Maycomb, Ala., during the Great Depression.
Read More
Daniel Berrigan (1921-2016) -
Jesuit priest, poet, activist, scholar, writer, fugitive and inmate, Daniel J. Berrigan was one of the most influential Catholics of our time
Read More
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National Catholic Reporter
When Did We Confuse Freedom of Speech With the Freedom to be Rude? - I've written or spoken a good many times about the incivility that unmonitored social media sites have generated in this country. Someplace along the line we have managed to confuse freedom of speech with the freedom to be rude, crude, mean, hurtful or brutal - anonymously. Secretly. Behind some silly moniker like "Darth Vader 2." Or worse. Read More
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Sojourners Magazine
Pope Francis Tells Europe to 'Tear Down the Walls'
Pope Francis is calling on Catholics to play a part in the "rebirth" of a united Europe that opens its doors to refugees. The Argentine pontiff, who has been critical of European countries' handling of the migrant crisis, made the comments as he picked up the prestigious Charlemagne Prize. Read More
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Catholic News Agency
Why Many Women in China Won't Celebrate Mother's Day
- Mothers across the globe are celebrating Mother's Day today with their husbands and children. But for many women in China, Mother's Day is a haunting reminder of the cost of their country's harsh reproductive laws.
Read More
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Relevant Magazine
Nine Reasons Harriet Tubman is a Perfect Choice for the New $20 Bill - About a year ago, the US Treasury announced that a woman would replace Andrew Jackson as the face of America's $20 bill. Last week, we found out that woman would be Harriet Tubman. The news of her taking Jackson's spot attracted some backlash ( ahem, Donald Trump), and rejoicing from others. Read More
What C.S. Lewis Teaches Us About Losing Faith and Finding It Again - The 20th-century journalist and Christian apologist G. K. Chesterton once said, "There are two ways of getting home; and one of them is to stay there. The other is to walk round the whole world till we come back to the same place." Read More
The Church Needs Your Humility, Not Your Criticism - Asked what is wrong with the world today, G.K. Chesterton allegedly responded with just two words: "I am." The famous writer's response offers a powerful lesson to a generation of Christians who grew up watching their churches stumble through the culture wars, neglect social justice, or bungle questions about marriage and family. Read More
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The Jesuit Post
Seven Practices the Catholic Church Can Learn from Ikea -
Whenever I told someone I was a double major in theology and economics, the response was almost always the same: "Oh, that's an interesting combination." Of course, businesses are interested in profits, not prophets; the Church is concerned with souls, not sales. Still, with due respect for the obvious differences, the Church and the business world actually have much in common. Read More
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| St. Ignatius offers religious education to the children of the Parish from Kindergarten through the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation. The Parish Religious Education Program ("PREP") is provided from September through April and meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:20. We need catechists for the program beginning in September.
Note: If you are interested in participating in this critically important ministry... please contact the PREP Director, Trudy Bartel, at TrudyBartel@st-ignatius.net or call her at 410-235-1177.
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|  | Video: Faith Direct - Donor Site Tour |  |
If St. Ignatius is the church you call home, we ask you to prayerfully consider committing to a regular financial contribution in order to support the ministries of this church. If you're already familiar with the benefits of electronic giving, you know how Faith Direct provides a steady means of budgeting for the ongoing ministries here in our church. Following is a short video that will tell you how it all works.
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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.
- This e-zine was compiled by John C. Odean
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