Carissimi,
This week I share with you a statement signed by an ecumenical group of religious leaders confessing—
giving witness to
—what our common faith requires of us at this time of our national history. I've placed the document below.
I urge you to prayerfully consider it.
A Blessed Easter!
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Reclaiming Jesus:
A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis
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n the last few days, an ecumenical group of Christian leaders from across the country issued
Reclaiming Jesus: A Confession of Faith in a Time of Crisis.
It is a response to the current state of the country and an effort "to renew our theology of public discipleship and witness." "When politics undermines our theology, we must examine that politics. … It is often the duty of Christian leaders, especially elders, to speak the truth in love to our churches and to name and warn against temptations, racial and cultural captivities, false doctrines, and political idolatries – and even our complicity in them."
To read the document, click image on left.
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Some Resources and Thoughts on Passion Week
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Editor's Note: A Facebook friend sent this to me this past weekend...it's one of my Facebook posts from Good Friday two years ago that I wrote on Good Friday. The credit goes to Fr. James Martin, S.J. I thought you would enjoy reading a reflection about our St. Ignatius Community and Good Friday. - John Odean
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Friday, March 25, 2016
I know that it's Good Friday…but I can't wait for Holy Saturday! I think it's because the church Kevin and I attend has one of the most beautiful Masses of the year (Easter Vigil Service). Frankly it is the beautiful rendition of the Litany of the Saints that wipes me out each year...If you're around tomorrow night (Saturday…7:30…you should experience it at St. Ignatius…hey, you can sit with us!) But that's not really the observation I wanted to make here…what I really wanted to share is something that Fr. James Martin, S.J. has written about.
"Most of our lives are spent in Holy Saturday. In other words, most of our days are not filled with the unbearable pain of a Good Friday. Nor are they suffused with the unbelievable joy of an Easter. Some days are indeed times of great pain and some are of great joy, but most are…in between. Most are, in fact, times of waiting, as the disciples waited during Holy Saturday. We’re waiting. Waiting to get into a good school. Waiting to meet the right person. Waiting to get pregnant. Waiting to get a job. Waiting for things at work to improve. Waiting for diagnosis from the doctor. Waiting for life just to get better.
"But there are different kinds of waiting. There is the wait of despair. Here we know—at least we think we know—that things could never get better, that God could never do anything with our situations. This may be the kind of waiting that forced the fearful disciples to hide behind closed doors on Holy Saturday, cowering in terror. Of course they could be forgiven; after Jesus was executed they were in danger of being rounded up and executed by the Roman authorities. (Something tells me, though, that the women disciples, who overall proved themselves better friends than the men during the Passion, were more hopeful.) Then there is the wait of passivity, as if everything were up to “fate.” In this waiting there is no despair, but not much anticipation of anything good either.
"Finally, there is wait of the Christian, which is called hope. It is an active waiting; it knows that, even in the worst of situations, even in the darkest times, God is at work. Even if we can’t see it clearly right now. The disciples’ fear was understandable, but we, who know how the story turned out, who know that Jesus will rise from the dead, who know that God is with us, who know that nothing will be impossible for God, are called to wait in faithful hope. And to look carefully for signs of the new life that are always right around the corner--just like they were on Holy Saturday."
May the joy and reality of knowing and experiencing Jesus, the risen Christ, be yours again or for the first time this Easter - and forever m
ore.
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As we move through the Easter Triduum this week, we will encounter "Good Friday." Did you ever wonder why this darkest moment in history is called "good"? The video below gives a great insight into that question.
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Video: Why We Call It "Good" Friday
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Video: Bishop Robert Barron - "The Meaning of Easter"
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The Impact of the Empty Tomb
by
HENRY MORRIS, PH.D.
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There are “many infallible proofs” of the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, but the testimony of the empty tomb is the most conclusive of all. Jesus had been buried, with the tomb sealed and guarded by a watch of Roman soldiers. Yet on the third day of His burial, on the morning of the first day of the week, the body was no longer there, and the empty tomb still stands today as an unanswerable proof that the Lord Jesus rose from the dead.
There are other proofs, of course. The ten or more recorded appearances of the resurrected Christ to His disciples, the amazing change of demeanor of the disciples from that of fearful hideaways to fearless evangelists, the worldwide spread of the Christian faith as founded on the resurrection, and so on. But the
impact of the empty tomb was the foundation and bulwark of all the rest. As we consider its impact on the world, and on us today, it is instructively fascinating to consider first its impact on those who first encountered it.
READ MORE
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From now until Easter....
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Below is the Mass and Event Schedule for Holy Week
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Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
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Holy Thursday, March 29
- 7:30 PM – Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by adoration in the chapel until 10 PM
Holy Thursday is the most complex and profound of all religious observances, saving only the Easter Vigil. It celebrates both the institution by Christ himself of the Eucharist and of the institution of the sacerdotal priesthood (as distinct from the 'priesthood of all believers') for in this, His last supper with the disciples, a celebration of Passover, He is the self-offered Passover Victim, and every ordained priest to this day presents this same sacrifice, by Christ's authority and command, in exactly the same way. The Last Supper was also Christ's farewell to His assembled disciples, some of whom would betray, desert or deny Him before the sun rose again. (To learn more about Holy Thursday,
click here
)
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Good Friday, March 30
- Stations of the Cross: Noon
- Sacrament of Reconciliation: Noon – 3 PM
- Passion of the Lord: 7:30 PM
On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.
The Church - stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare, and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning. In the fourth century the Apostolic Constitutions described this day as a 'day of mourning, not a day of festive joy,' and this day was called the 'Pasch (passage) of the Crucifixion.' (To learn more about Good Friday,
click here
)
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Holy Saturday, March 31
- Solemn Easter Vigil Service at 7:30 PM, followed by fellowship in Ignatian Hall
Holy Saturday...anticipation! Holy Saturday is the period of Holy Week when Catholics remember Jesus' entombment. It is a preparation day. Today is a day of quiet and prayerful reflection on the true gravity of the crucifixion and Jesus' redemptive sacrifice. Throughout the world our Churches are empty of the Blessed Sacrament and quiet in anticipation of Easter's triumph over darkness and evil, sin and death.
The quietness of the day permits us to ponder the implications of physical death and how each of us in life and death, affects others. The day before Easter also permits the Elect, and the Catechumens a period of solitude and reflection as they prepare to participate in a most meaningful manner in the Sacraments of Initiation. After the activities of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday & Good Friday, Holy Saturday is a pregnant pause before the resurrection is realized on Easter Sunday morning. To learn more about Holy Saturday,
click here
*** The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church. This Easter Vigil includes the the Exsultet. Although celebrated Holy Saturday evening, it is the dramatic Easter Vigil liturgy that marks the beginning of Easter. We are awaiting our master's return with our lamps full and burning, so that he will find us awake and seat us at his table (cf. Luke 12:35ff). All Catholics should try to attend this beautiful service. The Vigil is divided into four parts:
1.
Service of Light,
2.
Liturgy of the Word,
3.
Liturgy of Baptism, and
4.
Liturgy of the Eucharist.
To learn more about the Easter Vigil,
click here
.
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Easter Sunday, April 1
- Masses: 8:00, 9:00, 10:30 AM, 6:00 PM (9:00 Radio Mass will be a full hour long)
- Reception in Ignatian Hall after 9:00 and 10:30 Masses
- There will be an Easter Egg Hunt in for the young children after the 10:30 Mass.
Easter is the greatest feast in the Christian calendar. On this Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. For Catholics, Easter Sunday comes at the end of 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving known as Lent. Through spiritual struggle and self-denial, we have prepared ourselves to die spiritually with Christ on Good Friday, the day of His Crucifixion, so that we can rise again with Him in new life on Easter. (To learn more about Easter,
click here
)
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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
SS James & John
Catholic School
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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 REPORT
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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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Embracing God's Gifts
Tuesday, March 27, 6:30 PM
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Office Closed
In observance of Easter - the Parish offices will be closed Friday, March 30th and reopenagain on Tuesday, April 2nd.
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Ignatian Morning of Reflection
Saturday, April 7, 9 AM
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Ignatian 5K Run (or Walk)
Saturday, April 7, 9 AM
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Iñigo Book Group
Tuesday, April 10, 6:30 PM
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Ecumenical and Interfaith Prayer Service
Thursday, April 12, 7PM
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Dr. Greer Gordon and "Racism in the Catholic Church"
Saturday, April 14, 8:30 AM
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Film Showing: "Roadtrip Nation - Beyond the Dream"
Sunday, April 15, Following the 6PM Mass
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Parishioner Vonetta Edwards Chosen for "Beyond the Finish Line" Award
by Anne Haddad
We are proud to announce that the Runners for Others: An Ignatian 5K will present the 2018 “Beyond the Finish Line” Award to Vonetta Edwards, PhD!!
This annual award celebrates Ignatian service and commitment to others by honoring an individual possessing the vision, courage, humility and stamina to make great things happen.
In choosing Vonetta for this award, the committee considered her leadership at St. Ignatius Church to connect parishioner mentors with refugee families and to develop relationships with the local organizations that are serving these refugees.
In nominating her for this award, Father James Casciotti, SJ, pastor of St. Ignatius, said, “I admire Vonetta, not only for her hard work and dedication to immigrants and refugees, but also for her leadership style. She is soft-spoken and brings others in as partners, parishioners as well as networking with other groups serving and advocating for this population. That mix of direct service, partnering and advocacy is what makes our whole Justice and Peace Committee so effective.”
She moved to Baltimore in 2012 as a researcher in women’s health. She is a post-doctoral fellow at the Institute for Genome Sciences at University of Maryland School of Medicine. She joined St. Ignatius in 2013 and soon joined the Justice and Peace Committee, and is now the chair of the Immigration Sub-Committee. This year, she was elected to the St. Ignatius Pastoral Council.
The mission of the Immigration Sub-committee is to educate the community about challenges faced by immigrants and to advocate on their behalf. This advocacy work is a growth from the outreach work that Vonetta did in her previous parishes -- Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Georgetown, Guyana; and St. Mark the Evangelist in Hyattsville, Md.
At St. Ignatius, Vonetta has found a home to continue her work, joined by many compassionate parishioners. She hopes to bring novel proposals to engage fellow parishioners and move strategically forward to assist those most in need.
Thank you Vonetta for accepting this award!!
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Copperplate Calligraphy Workshop
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A Hands-on Beginner Class in Calligraphy
For those who want to learn this beautiful script, this class will teach you how to use a flexible dip pen, taking you from basic exercises to letters and words. Instructor, (and parishioner), Deborah Basel will provide all supplies, including handouts, practice sheets, an oblique holder, a selection of dip pen nibs, and ink.
No calligraphic experience is necessary. It’s all about the practice – If you’re willing to put in the time, you will master these graceful letters!
Dates: Six Classes: Tuesday evenings April 10, 17, (not the 24
th
due to prior obligation), May 1, 8, 15, and 22
Location: Gonzaga Hall
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: $100 plus $25 for supplies per person
– Please pre-register as there is limited seating. You may pre-register and pay through Paypal (
MRSBAZ@comcast.net
) through Wednesday, April 4
th
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Deborah Basel
has been doing calligraphy for over 30 years. She is a past President of the Washington DC Calligraphers Guild and Contributing Editor for Pen World Magazine. She has taught classes at Bertram’s Inkwell, The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC), Roland Park Country School’s Kaleidoscope program in Baltimore, Maryland, and at Pen shows all over the United States.
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Students outside St. Patrick's Church in Washington, D.C. March 24 (Photo: Teresa Donnellan)
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Catholic Groups Join Protest Against Gun Violence at March for Our Lives
Hundreds of thousands of protesters, including many Catholic groups, flooded Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., on Saturday to show solidarity with those working for gun control. The March for Our Lives turned into more of a rally here because of the large number of participants. People of all ages came to listen to victims of gun violence call for a ban on assault weapons, among other measures. Parishes in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia sent large contingents to the rally. The Associated Press has reported that the crowd in Washington “rivaled the women's march last year that drew far more than the predicted 300,000.” There were other March for Our Lives events on Saturday across the United States.
Renewed support for gun control has been driven by students across the country, inspired by survivors of the
mass shooting
at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., that claimed 17 lives. While the March for Our Lives was spearheaded those survivors, many participants had their own stories to tell about how gun violence had affected their lives.
READ MORE
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"Keep Shouting, Don't Become Anesthetized," Pope Tells Young People
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, starting Holy Week services leading to Easter, urged young people on Sunday to keep shouting and not allow the older generations to silence their voices or anesthetize their idealism.
Francis spoke a day after hundreds of thousands of young Americans and their supporters answered a call to action from survivors of last month’s Florida high school massacre and rallied across the United States to demand tighter gun laws.
He did not mention the demonstrations. Catholic News Service (CNS) said Gabriella Zuniga, 16, and her sister Valentina, 15, both students from Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, where 17 people were killed in February, attended the service with their parents.
CNS posted a photo of the two holding up signs in St. Peter’s Square, with one reading, “Protect Our Children, Not Our Guns.”
READ MORE
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Video: Jim Caviezel of Paul Apostle of Christ hits the red carpet
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Saint Paul film highlights Christian hope in the face of persecution
Dallas, Texas, Mar 23, 2018 / 01:48 pm (CNA).- Actors and filmmakers at the red carpet premiere of “Paul Apostle of Christ” said the film’s portrayal of Christian persecution in ancient Rome is a timely reminder that people around the world continue to suffer for their faith.
“I know about the Christian persecution that is happening to this very day … I want the world to know … the Coptic, the Chaldean, the Assyrian Christians who were murdered,” Jim Caviezel, who plays Luke in the film, told CNA at the premiere.
“Here we are. We are on a red carpet, we are making a movie. It’s very nice, but right now there are people that are struggling and suffering,” reflected T.J. Berden, one of the film’s producers.
The film is dedicated to people who are persecuted for their faith. Berden told CNA that he hopes the film’s dedication helps audiences to “remember that there are people right now going through this. Send up a prayer. Think about them. Offer something up.”
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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