February 27, 2018 Edition
When the student's get involved... watch out!
Carissimi,

Today I reprise an article by Sufjan Stevens. It reminds us what it means to follow Christ and rebukes religious and political demagogues. 

"You cannot pledge allegiance to a nation state and its flag and the name of God, for God has no political boundary. God is love, period. God is universal, nameless, faceless, and with no allegiance to anything other than love.

"A "Christian Nation" is absolutely heretical. Christ did not come into this world to become a modifier…

"Jesus said you must hate your mother and father and love your enemies… true identity…no longer resides in skin color combination, ideology, genealogy, name, people, places and things, but in the brotherhood and sisterhood of all humankind, which is ruled by love at any cost.

"Love your neighbor as yourself…To gain access to true love and true self, you must die to yourself, to your family, to your heritage, your narrow-minded ideology, your ego, your ill-conditioned consciousness and your false identity.

"You must eradicate all the corrupt, theological fear-mongering they preach from the pulpit and from behind the political podium. Get real and get right with God. Go in your closet and pray for your enemies. You must take up the cross and follow that narrow path of sacrifice and love and service.

"You must love your neighbor, love your enemies, serve the poor, give everything away and put yourself last. This goes against everything the world has taught you, and it goes against your instinct and it most certainly goes against the laws of free enterprise and corporate interests…

"We must acknowledge that the real substance of life has nothing to do with money or power or prestige or greatness…To gain your life is to lose it. To lose your life is to gain it. The life you live is not your own. Give your life away."
Lenten Progression
As we continue our Lenten progression, I thought we'd share two reflections. The first is a reflection from Jesuit USA Northeast Province of Fr. AJ Rizzo, SJ, who was ordained last June and currently serves here at St. Ignatius. Fr. Rizzo reminds us that Jesus chose to remain hungry and powerless in the desert during his 40 days, and thus He stands in solidarity with all those in our world who are hungry, fearful and powerless. We are invited to do the same.
Video: Fr. A.J. Rizzo, S.J. - Lenten Reflection
Secondly, I wanted to share something quite beautiful from Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. Homeboy Industries is the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world. It serves high-risk, formerly gang-involved men and women with a continuum of free services and programs, and operates several social enterprises that serve as job-training sites. This organization is founded by a Jesuit priest named Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J. I think it is worth reading his bio on the Homeboy Industries' website ( click here ).

What I'm really leading you toward is the video (below) featuring Jim Carrey, who is a supporter of Homeboy Industries.

Jim has become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood with a net worth of around $150 million. But fame, money and power cannot heal what only love can. And Jim has been open and honest about his legitimate struggle with depression in the past.

He has also learned something along the way of Jesus – of Christ on the cross – of embracing suffering – of choosing hope – and finally, of forgiveness.

As we progress in our Lenten journey…I thought you would enjoy hearing what he shared of these issues at a recent gathering at Homeboy Industries. Enjoy!
Director of Communication
Video: “Suffering Leads to Salvation”
Jim Carrey Preaches the Hope of Jesus to Former Inmates
This Week's "Main Events"
The St. Ignatius Justice & Peace Committee is hosting this month's Prayer Walk for Peace in the City with Bishop Madden . This Lenten walk, on Wednesday, February 28, beginning at 5:30 PM, will begin here at St. Ignatius (740 N. Calvert Street).

The evening will begin with the meal downstairs in the parish hall, which is accessed through the doors to the lower church. Signs will clearly point the way. (If you are able to bring a Lenten soup, salad or bread, please contact Diane White at dwhite718@comcast.net or Rose Ann D'Alesandro at rdalesandro@jesuits.org . Your contribution to the Lenten "lite supper" will be greatly appreciated.)

During the walk, we will pray at specific locations that have been affected by physical violence and the violence of social injustice, and for all those individuals who have been so terribly affected by violence, and for a change of heart in those given to violence.

We hope you will join us as we continue to step out in faith to reclaim our city for Christ.

Parking: There is some metered street parking nearby. You can also use the Sun Paper Garage, which is only about a block away on Calvert and Monument. This facility requires payment

Parish phone: (410) 727-3848
39th Annual Social Ministry Convocation Saturday, March 3
Join us for the 39th Annual Social Ministry Convocation (SMC) on March 3, 2018, for a day of prayer, education, and solidarity to inspire and renew us in living out Catholic Social Teaching and working for a peaceful and just society.

The theme Justice and Mercy: NOW! exemplifies the sense of urgency we all feel and is a call to act now. Start with attending the SMC and let it inspire your next steps towards justice for all.

Workshops will be available in English and Spanish, and include topics such as exploring parish social ministry, finding common ground between Pro-Life and Pro-Peace advocates, immigration, tools for advocacy, and more!

To download event flyer, click here
To register for event, click here .
Lenten Events and Mass Schedule
Below are various Lenten Events and Masses happening in and around St. Ignatius Parish


Upcoming Events and Meetings

Embracing God's Gifts
Tuesday, February 27, 7 PM
Click here for complete information.


Lenten Prayer Walk with Bishop Madden
Wednesday, February 28, 5:30 PM
See box above for complete information.


Interfaith/Ecumenical Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 1, 7 PM
Click here for complete information.


39th Annual Archdiocesan Social Ministry Convocation
Saturday, March 3, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
See box above for complete information


Ignatian Morning of Reflection
Saturday, March 3, 9 AM
Click here for complete information


Baltimore Harp Chapter presents Helen Gerhold
Sunday, March 4, 4 PM
Click here for complete information.


Justice & Peace Committee
Thursday, March 8, 6:30 PM
Click here for complete information.


Maryland March For Life
Monday, March 12
Click here for complete information.


Iñigo Book Group
Tuesday, March 13, 6:30 PM
Click here for complete information.


Green Team Meeting
Thursday, March 15, 7 PM
Click here for complete information.


Director of Women's Care Center Talk
Sunday, March 18, after 10:30 Mass
Click here for complete information. (PUT ON CALENDAR)


Viva House Collection is upon us
Once again we will be collecting groceries for the neighbors of Viva House, the Catholic Worker community in southwest Baltimore. Each month Viva House distributes bags of groceries to those in need. Three times each year the community of St. Ignatius supports them in this good work. When you come to Mass on March 10 or 11 to celebrate, please bring to Ignatian Hall a doubled brown paper bag (or, better still, a reusable bag) filled with:
  • 1 box Cheerios
  • 1 box spaghetti
  • 1 spaghetti sauce
  • 2 cans meat (chicken or chili)
  • 2 boxes macaroni and cheese
  • 1 jar peanut butter
  • 2 cans soup 
  • 1 can vegetable (collards are a favorite)
  • 1 jelly/jam
  • 2 cans beans (without pork)
Worship with Offerings, Liturgy and Prayers for Others
POOR BOX 
Each weekend St. Ignatius specifies a Poor Box collection for a needful cause. This week's
support goes to the
Dreamers Reapplying
For DACA

MASS MUSIC   
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass. 
 
PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN REPORT
Weekly updates on Christian persecution around the globe. Keep a prayerful watch on what is
happening with your
brothers and sisters! 

In the Media
Feb 21, 2018

Billy Graham died this morning, Feb. 21, in Montreat, N.C., at the age of 99. Given his long life, it is easy to forget how young Mr. Graham was when he first emerged in the public eye. At an age that today marks a point when many adults are just feeling confident in a career and starting a family, Mr. Graham was, at 31, leading his first major crusade in downtown Los Angeles. “Crusade” was the somewhat unfortunate name given to nightly religious services highlighted by a long sermon that included an invitation to the crowd to make a public decision to convert to faith in Christ. By luck, providence or charisma, that first big crusade was a hit, and went on for eight straight weeks. It is nearly impossible to imagine the American public remaining focused on one thing for so long today.

The success was in no doubt due in part to the influential newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst. Since the 1930s, Hearst had transformed from avowed progressive to reactionary conservative—even to the point of promoting Hitler in his papers in the years leading up to World War II—and he instructed his editors to cover Mr. Graham’s Los Angeles crusade of 1949 and to actively promote it. READ MORE
Servants of the NRA
Why Do so Many Politicians Refuse to Talk about Gun Control?


The surest sign a political regime is failing is its inability to do anything about a problem that is universally seen as urgent and has some obvious remedies. And it’s a mark of political corruption when unaccountable cliques block solutions that enjoy broad support and force their selfish interests to prevail over the common good. On gun violence, the United States has become a corrupt failed state.

This is the only conclusion to draw from the endless enraging replays of the same political paralysis, no matter how many children are gunned down at our schools or how many innocent Americans are slaughtered at shopping centers and other public places. Whatever happens, we can’t ban assault weapons, we can’t strengthen background checks, we can’t do anything.
Jesus always prepares us for the trials we face, Pope Francis says

by Elise Harris

Vatican City, Feb 25, 2018 / 11:05 AM ( CNA/EWTN News ).

On Sunday Pope Francis said Jesus never leaves his followers alone, but always prepares them for the trials they will face, just as he did during his transfiguration, which helped his disciples to understand and cope with his Passion and death.

“In the transfiguration, Jesus makes himself seen as he is in heaven, glorious, luminous, triumphant,” the Pope said Feb. 25. Jesus did this, he said, “to prepare for the scandal of the cross, because the disciples couldn't understand that Jesus could die as a criminal.” READ MORE