Photograph courtesy of Aaron Mello
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Dear Friends of LIS,
One of my favorite passages to contemplate is
The Healing of the Paralytic
found in Mark 2:1-4. After unpacking the rich elements of this story, I always come away with greater insight. The paralytic was being carried by four men who, when they couldn’t enter the house due to the crowd, hatched a plan of their own. After making an opening in the roof, the men lowered the paralytic down into the house right in front of Jesus. The scripture reveals that it was the faith of the paralytic and those who carried him that moved Jesus to forgive his sins and to heal his paralysis.
The man’s paralysis can be analogous to personal issues that appear too challenging to confront. If we don’t challenge ourselves to grow, we find ourselves comforting what’s wrong instead of confronting what’s wrong. When we ignore facing an obstacle head-on, we can feel paralyzed and trapped. Christ promises in John 10:10 “that he came so that we may have life and have it more abundantly.” The unexpected inconveniences and hardships in our lives mustn’t stop us in our tracks but move us to hope in a life of abundance in Christ Jesus.
The men carrying the paralytic didn’t let the crowded doorway impede their plan of bringing their fellow brother closer to Christ. This is radical faith! How far have we gone to bring others to Christ? Was it the faith of the four that emboldened the paralytic to pursue Christ or was it the paralytic’s faith that inspired the four men to push pass the crowded doorway and move in another direction? Like the paralytic, when our blessings are on the horizon, obstacles seem to surface from all angles. But there is nothing to fear when we surround ourselves with faithful men and women who encourage us to face our obstacles with a spirit of courage. Let’s choose to be around people who see our value and by their actions, inspire us to grow closer to Christ.
Peace & Blessings,
Lori Stanley
Executive Director
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Finding God in the Dark returns this month beginning on Friday evenings, January 11—February 15, 2019, 6:30–9:30 p.m. For more information click
here.
The LIS Office will be closed Monday, January 21, 2019 in observance of
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Join us for
BioSpiritual Focusing: An Exploration on Tuesday mornings, February 19 through March 19, 2019, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Click
here to learn more.
The LIS Speaker Series continues on February 24, 2019. Fr. Pat Howell, S.J., will present "Desire as an Avenue to Mystery: Mental Illness, Stigma, and Healing." Click
here for more information.
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LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY: An Ignatian Morning
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We invite you to explore a variety of meditative and contemplative methods of prayer. Br. Charlie will interweave stories from his own life into his lively explanations of each method. The Ignatian Morning will include time for participants to experience each method of prayer, reflect on their experience, and share their reflections with others in small groups.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
(followed by Mass in the Sacred Heart Chapel)
St. Joseph Center, Spirituality Building (Founder’s Hall)
434 S. Batavia St., Orange, CA 92868
Cost: No charge; but donations will be gratefully accepted.
To register or for more information, please contact Br. Charlie Jackson, S.J. at
714-768-2650 or email jackson@loyolainstitute.org.
Click
here for a printable flyer.
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WELCOME FR. JOHN GALVAN, S.J.
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The LIS Family welcomes Fr. John Galvan, S.J.
He brings a wealth of experience to LIS. In the fall of 2018, Fr. John spent time in Manresa deepening his knowledge of Ignatian Spirituality.
Fr. John will be working with the various programs that LIS offers, both in English and Spanish.
We are grateful to God for Fr. John's presence at LIS.
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May 5, 2019
5:00 p.m. Reception & Silent Auction
Followed by Dinner & Award Ceremony
Please note our new venue:
Hilton Anaheim
777 Convention Way
Anaheim, CA 92805
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Our Mission
The Loyola Institute for Spirituality, founded in 1997,
works to promote a faith that does justice, in the tradition of St. Ignatius.
We declare our mission to be:
Setting hearts on fire with love of God for the world.
We bring spirituality to life by:
inviting spiritual seekers to transformation.
fostering Ignatian formation and education.
nurturing discipleship.
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LOYOLA INSTITUTE FOR SPIRITUALITY
434 S. Batavia Street
Orange, CA 92868
714-997-9587
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