Carissimi,
As Martin Luther King Day approaches, this is the 2nd of three excerpts from the Bishop’s recent pastoral letter against racism. It calls all of us to personal conversion and public advocacy.
Racism can also be institutional, when practices or traditions are upheld that treat certain groups of people unjustly. The cumulative effects of personal sins of racism have led to social structures of injustice and violence that make us all accomplices in racism.
We read the headlines that report the killing of unarmed African Americans by law enforcement officials. In our prisons, the number of inmates of color, notably those who are brown or black, is grossly disproportionate. Despite the great blessings of liberty that this country offers, we must admit the plain truth that for many of our fellow citizens, who have done nothing wrong, interactions with the police are often fraught with fear and even danger.
We have also seen years of systemic racism working in how resources are allocated to communities that remain
de facto
segregated.
Some may believe that racism is no longer a major affliction of our society—that it is only found in the hearts of individuals who can be dismissed as ignorant or unenlightened. But racism still profoundly affects our culture, and it has no place in the Christian heart.
What is needed, and what we are calling for, is a genuine conversion of heart, a conversion that will compel change, and the reform of our institutions and society…Moving our nation to a full realization of the promise of liberty, equality, and justice
for all
is even more challenging…All of us are in need of personal, ongoing conversion.
Our churches and our civic and social institutions are in need of ongoing reform. If racism is confronted by addressing its causes and the injustice it produces, then healing can occur.
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Pastoral Council Election Results
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Well here's a wonderful thing!
Over a two week period in December we held the St. Ignatius Pastoral Council Elections for the ensuing year. There were 3 candidates for 2 elected positions, but also the need for a 3rd 'appointed' position. Guess what? They all won!
We are pleased to announce newest members of our Pastoral Council:
- Barbara Lazzati
- Joseph Hillery
- Len Heckwolf
Congratulations to you all!
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Origins
A Saxophone & Piano Concert Featuring Tae Ho Hwang & Michael Sheppard
Sunday, January 13 - 3 PM
In the Church
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A passionate performer and educator, Tae Ho Hwang is dedicated to advancing the saxophone repertoire by exposing new works to audiences and inspiring future generations. The remarkable technical abilities that Tae possesses on the instrument combined with his inventively beautiful interpretation of the music generate innovative performances that create special experiences for the audience. For complete information,
click here
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Tuesday, January 8 - 6:30 PM
Iñigo
Book Group
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Thursday, January 10 - 6:30 PM
Justice & Peace Committee Meeting
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Sunday, January 13 - 3 PM
"Origins" - a Saxophone & Piano Concert Featuring Tae Ho Hwang & Michael Shepherd
See box above for complete information
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Tuesday, January 15 - 6:45 PM
Women of the New Testament
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Friday, January 18 - 7:30 PM
Film Showing: "Rosewood"
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Saturday, January 19 - (9 AM - 1 PM)
Film Showing & Discussion: "Healing Justice"
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Sunday, January 20 - 10:30 AM
Special MLK Commemorative Mass at St. Ignatius
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Monday, January 21 - Noon
Bishop Madden's Prayer Walk for Peace
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Tuesday, January 22 - 7 PM
Roxane Gay Lecture & Book Signing at Loyola
- Event is free but tickets must be reserved by January 16
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Tuesday, January 22 - 7 PM
Embracing God's Gifts
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March for Life is Next Week!
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2019 March for Life to be held on January 18
The 2019 March for Life will be held on Friday, January 18, in Washington DC. It has been held each year near the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision
Roe v. Wade
which declared a legal right to abortion in 1973.
This year’s theme will be “Unique From Day One: Pro-Life is Pro-Science.” The theme was chosen as science continues to reaffirm the scientific fact, and the truth, that life begins at fertilization/conception.
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If you are interested:
The Respect for Life Ministry of St. Ignatius Church has been working to get a group from the parish together to travel to and attend the 2019 March for Life. We have spoken with RFL Ministry Members at Saints Philip & James Church, who will have a 7:15 AM Mass prior to traveling conveniently to Washington DC via Marc Train (if we decide to go with this option, you will need to arrange to purchase a Marc Train ticket). In addition, Immaculate Conception Church (ICC) in Towson is sponsoring their annual bus trip to the 2019 March for Life. ICC will have a March for Life Mass at 8:30 am, followed by a Novena praying for the success of the March, then breakfast afterwards. The bus will board at 10:30 am. If you are interested in joining us for this important event, please contact Frank Richardson at 443-326-5833 or via email at
franktaiyo2@gmail.com
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You Really Helped A Lot....
The Respect for Life Ministry, the Angel Moms & the Angel Babies would like to reach out and extend a very big Thank You to the St. Ignatius Parishioners for their most generous gifts to the Christmas time Angel Tree. When the many gifts were delivered by the RFL Ministry members, we saw a whole lot of big smiles and we received a ton of Thank You's from all of the Angel Moms. God Bless you for adding a little more joy to their Christmas this year!
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When you come to church...
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New Parking Information
We are no longer allowed to park in the lot behind the State Highway Administration’s 707 Building when going to Mass or at any other time. The construction that is going on there is expected to last for two years. In the interim, the SHA has given us permission to park in their Lot A under the JFX (but not in Lot B and not in the lot connected to the building) when coming to St. Ignatius for Sunday Mass only. The entrance to Lot A is on the north side of Madison Street between Fallsway and Guilford Avenue.
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Worship with Offerings, Liturgy and Prayers 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 our Loaves & Fishes Ministry.
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MASS MUSIC
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass.
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PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN
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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Celibacy Debate Gains Momentum in Germany
Cardinal calls for progressive measures to deal with society's evolution
German bishops are planning to debate the issue of celibacy for priests.
German Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising called for change in this and some other long-standing Catholic Church traditions ahead of a workshop to discuss reforms.
In his homily at the New Year's Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady in Munich, Cardinal Marx said the Church must, in light of failures surrounding the clergy sex abuse crisis, modify traditions.
His comments were reported in an article published by Catholic News Service.
"I believe the hour has come to deeply commit ourselves to open the way of the Church to renewal and reform," Cardinal Marx said.
Evolution in society and historical demands had highlighted the urgent need for progressive measures.
The cardinal, who is president of the German bishops' conference, said current measures to address clerical sex abuse were insufficient.
READ MORE
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Analysis: How the Vatican is preparing for its February abuse summit
Preparations in the Vatican are underway for a summit of the bishops to discuss the problem of clerical sexual abuse. The meeting, which will involve the leadership of bishops’ conferences from around the world, seems to follow Pope Francis’ methodology for addressing abuse by clerics
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READ MORE
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How many members of the new Congress are Catholic?
Hours before being sworn in, many senators and representatives of the 116th Congress gathered inside St. Peter’s Catholic Church, just steps from the U.S. Capitol, for a multi-faith, bipartisan prayer meeting Thursday morning.
Patrick Conroy
, S.J., the chaplain to the House of Representatives, offered an opening prayer, which was followed by a number of spiritual readings from new and returning members.
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German bishop says Church must examine episcopal power
One of Germany’s youngest and more recently appointed bishops has called for a thorough examination of how Church leaders exercise their authority, saying too often it does not conform with the model St. Paul demanded of early Christian leaders.
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.
- This e-zine was compiled by John C. Odean
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