November 26, 2019
A Prayer for Advent 


Carissimi:
As Advent begins, I share this prayer by Scott Cairns:

As this season of preparation continues, Holy God, who is with us, may we lean into every moment of our days to redeem the time, to make the most of our every moment. 

May we prepare the visible Body of Christ, our community, to receive your eternal approach and your loving embrace.

With our faces turned to you, we await your holy descent, and ask, Lord, that you hear our prayer, offered in humility:

That despite the roar of our days, our hearts might grow still.
That glimpsing the quiet Cove, we may seek you in that stillness.
That resting in your presence, our hearts might be prepared to hear you.
That the angel of God might visit the chambers of our hearts.
That the angel of God might say to us, “Rejoice.”
That we might hear, and truly respond in joy.
That the angel of God might say to us, “Receive.”
That the servant of God might respond, “Let it be as you say.”
That our hearts might become fertile wombs in which new life begins.
That we may apprehend the infant life within.
That we might embrace that infant life.
That we may walk with care to bring about new birth.
That we may witness the seed of God bearing Holy Fruit.
  
As the season of Incarnation approaches, as we prepare to receive Life himself, may we taste and see how our own lives, the life of the world, and the very breath of the universe flow to us from the Holy One made Flesh.
P.S. - An update on Pastoral Council elections...

The Pastoral Council was in need of three new members [two elected and one appointed] to succeed Gordon Creamer, Patrick Range, and Kate Walsh, who was completing the term of Gwelan Sheridan. Two fine candidates accepted nomination, Barbara Ipsaro and Ted Engelke. After consulting the members of the Council, I have decided to forego balloting for these two elected positions and to appoint Kate Walsh for a three-year term of her own.
 
How grateful I am for all who have served, are serving, and will serve all of us in discerning the future of our parish community.

To view Barbara and Ted's bios, click here .
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.
Survey is ready for you!!!
Fill Out Survey Now!

We've shared why we are asking you to take this Member Engagement Survey: To help us identify areas of strength in our parish, and areas where we can improve; To guide the direction of the parish; and to determine how to best implement the gifts and talents of the people who are a part of our parish.

Now what we need is YOU! Anyone who considers themselves a part of the parish and has reached the age of 18 is now able to share his or her opinions about some of the key aspects of our parish life together.

Important notes:
  • This survey is administered and tabulated by Gallup, an independent research company.
  • Your individual responses are anonymous. 
  • The Pastoral Council will receive the aggregated results and use them to start a dialogue about how we can more effectively accomplish our mission.
 
Thank you, in advance, for your willingness to take part in the upcoming Member Engagement Survey . 
For Your Consideration
The drawing above illustrates the work we will do to improve access to the church, chapel, and hall. The project has two parts:

  • A major renovation of our seventy-year-old elevator to keep it working and to make it more wheelchair accessible. Currently the elevator door opens out into the corridor, making it quite cumbersome to navigate a wheelchair into the cab. New doors that slide out of the way will be installed on each floor to improve ease of access.

  • An ADA-compliant entrance to the annex, church, chapel, and hall. A ramp will be installed along the front of the annex building that will allow us to lower the current door sill twelve inches. This in turn will allow us to lower the interior ramp to be ADA compliant, making it possible for wheelchair-bound parishioners and visitors to enter the building and use the elevator safely and unaided. READ MORE
PREP News
All-Day Retreat for 7th-9th Graders

On Sunday, November 17, 7-9th graders had a full-day retreat at St. Ignatius!

Children “offered themselves” at the foot of the cross with collages in the art gallery. They ate pizza at Iggies, and then walked to Our Daily Bread to serve others. They got a sneak peek at our Loaves and Fishes program, in preparation for our November 30th participation. Children then made rosaries and prayed the rosary just before Mass. The 5:00 pm Mass solidified understanding of the gospel, followed by fellowship in Ignatian Hall with dinner. Lastly, the Confirmation candidates watched “The Way,” a story about a man’s experience on the Pilgrimage to Saint James ( Camino de Santiago).  
Worship with Offerings, Liturgy and Prayers for Others
POOR BOX 
This weekend's Poor Box support goes to help our
Loaves & Fishes Ministry.
MASS MUSIC   
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass.
THE DAILY EXAMEN
Spiritual and Faith opportunities to deepen
your relationship with Christ.
Upcoming Events
Sunday, December 1 - 3 PM
Julia Martin Frazier & Friends Concert
See box below for complete information.
Tuesday, December 3 - 7 PM
Advent Prayer Service
See box below for complete information.


Saturday, December 7 - 9 AM
Saturday Retreat in Ignatian Spirituality
For complete information, click here .

Sunday, December 8 - 2:30 PM
Baltimore Mandolin Concert
For complete information, click here .


Thursday, December 12 - 6:30 PM
Justice & Peace Committee
For complete information, click here .

Tuesday, December 17 - 6:45 PM
Women of the New Testament
For complete information, click here .

Wednesday, December 18 - 7:30 PM
Advent Penance Prayer Service
For complete information, click here .
Sunday, December 22 - 9:45 AM
Respect for Life
For complete information, click here .
Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Eve Mass Schedule
For complete information, click here .
Wednesday, December 25
Christmass Day Mass Schedule
For complete information, click here .
Tuesday, December 31
27th Annual New Year's Eve Interfaith Prayer Service
For complete information, click here .

Wednesday, January 1 - 9 AM
Mary, Mother of God Mass
For complete information, click here .
Events Within The Next Week
A Resource For You
Based on conversations with community leaders across the US, many aging adults are unaware of the available care options and programs that can help maintain their independence and quality of life. Below is a free resource that provides information on topics like financial support and care options that are available in Baltimore. It is a comprehensive database of senior living communities which also includes thoughtful and honest reviews from residents in the community. Hope it is helpful. CLICK HERE

In the Media
Bishops attend the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Nov. 11 in Baltimore. (CNS/Bob Roller)

Nov. 22, 2019

Editorial: The Failed Leadership of US Bishops is Clear

What a mess.

It doesn't take an ecclesiologist to arrive at that conclusion about the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops after witnessing its dysfunction during the group's recent meeting in Baltimore.

If there is an upside to the proceedings, it is that neither the bishops nor the faithful need any longer pretend that the church is being led competently or that the bishops are acting in unity. 

What has become clear is that too many of the bishops still are captives of the political culture wars; that the conference as a whole has been drained of authority and credibility because of the ongoing sexual abuse scandal; and that the bishops have been frozen in place by their inability to collectively and honestly examine the secretive, privileged culture that was the pathway to the current mess. READ MORE
11 Mr. Rogers Quotes Every Christian Should Read


A few thoughts from our favorite neighbor

by Tyler Huckabee

Editor’s note : This piece originally ran in 2014. This week, a biopic about Fred Rogers called A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood releases to theaters.

If you haven’t seen it, Fred Rogers’ acceptance speech for a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1997 Emmys is a fascinating watch. After being introduced as “the best neighbor any of us has ever had,” by Tim Robbins, Mr. Rogers takes the stage amidst uproarious applause. A humble, gray Presbyterian minister being heralded as a hero on television’s flashiest night—he sticks out, not just by virtue of his age, but also a sort of sheepish grace. This man does not have a false bone in his body.

What happens next is probably singular among award shows. Mr. Rogers steps up to the microphone, and issues an order. “Would you just take, along with me, 10 seconds to think of the people who have helped you become who you are? Those who have cared about you and wanted what was best for you in life. I’ll watch the time. READ MORE