October 9, 2018
Amoris Laetitia Part I

Carissimi,
This is the first of three weeks of short quotations from Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on family life, Amoris Laetitia . They merit your reflection. He calls for a pastoral theology built on accompaniment, respect for conscience, and discernment:

  • Discernment must help to find possible ways of responding to God and growing in the midst of limits. By thinking that everything is black and white, we sometimes close off the way of grace and of growth and discourage paths of sanctification which give glory to God.

  • We also find it hard to make room for the consciences of the faithful, who very often respond as best they can to the Gospel amid their limitations and are capable of carrying out their own discernment in complex situations. We have been called to form consciences, not to replace them.

  • The Church possesses a solid body of reflection concerning mitigating factors and situations. Hence it can no longer simply be said that all those in any 'irregular' situation are living in a state of mortal sin and are deprived of sanctifying grace.

  • It is reductive simply to consider whether or not an individual’s actions correspond to a general law or rule, because that is not enough to discern and ensure full fidelity to God in the concrete life of a human being. 

  • It is possible that those living in an objective state of sin ... can be living in God’s grace, can love and can also grow in the life of grace and charity, while receiving the Church’s help to this end.

More next week…
Hope in God!
When days are tough and we feel low what do we do?

by Scott Hunt | Anglican Network, Canada

When the day’s been long or hard or annoying or frustrating, what do we do? When we feel like we didn’t do well, aren’t amounting to much and don’t measure up, how do we respond?

Maybe we try distracting ourselves with TV or books or games or food. Or maybe we try boosting our sense of accomplishment through some hobbies, odd jobs or working late into the night.

When the evening comes and we think “what can I do to feel better, more content, less dissatisfied with this day and myself,” how do we answer?

In the Psalms we have the perfect answer. And it starts with a question:"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? (Psalm 43:5). READ MORE

Voter Registration Information
Just a reminder that Election Day is Tuesday, November 6. If you are not registered to vote, here are a couple of things to note.

Maryland offers online voter registration . You can register to vote by mail in Maryland by printing a voter registration form ( Spanish version ), filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Pertinent Dates

  • Election day is Tuesday, November 6.
  • The deadline to register online is Tuesday, October 16.
  • The deadline for registering to vote by mail is Tuesday, October 16.
  • The deadline to register to vote in person is Thursday, November 1.
Get Your Tickets Now
A Cabaret Evening of Light Opera and Standards will be presented by the Saint Ignatius Musicians on Saturday, October 20, starting at 7:30 PM in Ignatian Hall. The musicians of St. Ignatius Church will treat us to a night of light opera, Italian tunes, and some greats from Broadway.

  • Jim Li will treat us to a duet with Rebecca and romantic ballads by the Neapolitan composer Francesco Paulo Tosti, and Leonard Bernstein.

  • Rebecca Rosselló will render a lovely aria from Puccini’s Rondine, a treat from Once Upon a Mattress, as well as a duet with Kyle.

  • You will enjoy the song stylings of Julie Kurzava in amusing tunes by Styne, Comden & Green, Rogers & Hammerstein and Jake Heggie.

  • Paul Teie will offer the jazz tune Devil May Care by Bob Dorough of "Schoolhouse Rock" fame and, with Jim, will sing O Mimi tu piu non torni, the opening duet of La Boheme’s fourth act.

  • Kyle Engler will deliver everything from the beloved Mexican bolero Besame Mucho and a Verdi aria to a quirky duet with Paul, originally sung by Tom Waits and Bette Midler.

  • And the entire company of singers will swing a capella jazz arrangements of standards by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, and Jerome Kern.

  • Ably providing piano artistry will be Mathew Lane and Tim Murphy.

  • The evening will conclude with Nella Fantasia by the great film composer Ennio Morricone, a song that has become a popular part of the Saint Ignatius New Year's Eve Interfaith Service.

We hope you will join us for this delightful evening of song.
While you're enjoying the concert, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy some wine, cheese, crackers and dessert. Tickets are $25.00, and are on sale at all Masses. For those who would like to purchase tickets outside of Mass times contact:

Simone Thompson 443-629-8343
Renee Coshin Coolbaugh 215-205-0858
Cultural Diversity at St. Ignatius!
The Immigration Subcommittee of the Justice and Peace Committee invites all parishioners, family and friends to celebrate the rich diversity we’re blessed to encounter at St. Ignatius and throughout our city.

We are grateful to enhance our event by showcasing art and serving cuisine from around the world. The art will be displayed throughout Ignatian Hall, and food will be available.

Sunday, October 21, 2018
After the 10:30 Mass
Ignatian Hall

If you have art you are willing to lend us—which will be returned after the event—please contact Brendan Cassidy at bcassidy1916@gmail.com to make arrangements.

If you can please provide a brief explanation (3 to 4 sentences) describing the artist meaning or historical era. If that information is not available, please simply provide the nation or culture of origin. If you are willing to prepare an ethnic dish to share at the event, please contact Isabelle Garcia at isabellemicaela@gmail.com .

For more information contact Vonetta Edwards – immigration@st-ignatius.net .
Upcoming Events and Meetings
Iñigo Book Group 
Tuesday, October 9 - 6:30 PM
Click here for complete information
Young Adults Fall Social and Cider Tasting
Wednesday, October 10 - 7 PM
Click here for complete information

Justice & Peace Committee
Thursday, October 11 - 6:30 PM
Click here for complete information

Women of the New Testament
Tuesday, October 16 - 6:45 PM
Click here for complete information
Come to the Cabaret
Saturday, October 20 - 7:30 PM
See box above for complete information


Young Family Pumpkin Decorating Eent
Sunday, October 21 - 9:30 - 11:30
Click here for complete information


International Food And Cultural Arts Festival
Sunday, October 21 - After 10:30 Mass
See box above for complete information

Embracing God's Gifts
Tuesday, October 23 - 7 PM
Click here for complete information


Young Adults Ministry Sponsoring Film: "G-Dog"
Thursday, October 25 - 7 PM
Click here for complete information
Advent Learning Experience
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 support the
Ignatian Spirituality Project

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
Cardinals and bishops arrive in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican for a meeting marking the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Synod of Bishops, on Oct. 17, 2015. (AP/Alessandra Tarantino)

Four Challenges for the Bishops at Synod on Young People

The future of the Catholic Church is with the young, which is why Pope Francis has called bishops from all over the world to meet in Rome Oct. 3-28 for a synod on young people. If the church cannot attract and keep young people, it has no future.

This is the 15th general synod since Pope Paul VI called the first one in 1967 as a way to get advice from bishops. Earlier synods have dealt with topics like the family, priesthood, the laity, evangelization, the Eucharist, religious life, and justice and peace. The process involves speeches and small group discussions and usually concludes with nonbinding recommendations.

The church's future, especially in the developed world, does not look bright. In the United States, great numbers of people are leaving the church and other religious institutions in their teens. Young people are turned off by scandals in the church, the patriarchal and homophobic attitudes of many in the clergy and the involvement of church leaders in conservative politics. They also find the church irrelevant to their lives and frankly boring. READ MORE
Jesus’ feeding the 5,000 was about authentic care for the hunger of the crowd, but He also wanted to engage their hunger in a way that transcended their need for physical food. Luke and John both show us that Jesus cared for the crowd physically and spiritually. He fed them (Luke 9:13–17); He preached the kingdom to them and did works that pointed to the eternal kingdom He would one day bring (v. 11); and He presented Himself as the true bread of life (vv. 22–59). We are called to follow Jesus’ example of caring for the physical needs of others in order that the Gospel witness of the kingdom might saturate the earth. READ MORE
‘King Lear’ Returns to Film, Prophetic as Ever

It is tempting to imagine a viewer tuning in by accident at random points in the new BBC/Amazon film of “King Lear,” which sets the classic tragedy in a contemporary world of S.U.V.s on rain-slick roads and troops in fatigues, in which a climactic battle involves a hail of bombs and anti-aircraft fire and an ultimate duel becomes a bruising extreme-fighting contest. Would this imaginary viewer even know she was watching Shakespeare unless she listened closely to the poetic dialogue? READ MORE