I’m writing this on Easter Monday, in my business, a day to rest after the exertions of Lent and Holy Week, a day to make notes about Holy Week next year—before my little gray head forgets—and above all, a day of quiet gratitude for all of you.
So many of you commit
yourselves
—with Loaves and Fishes and other ministries to the poor, in advocating for social change, with hospitality, religious education at all levels, care for the sick, the ministry of the Spiritual Exercises, and liturgical service.
Some of you are retired. Some of you work behind the scenes, counting collections, keeping up the database, and filling in wherever needed in a steady stream of quiet generosity and kindness.
You made Lent and Easter this year a real joy, helping with our Wednesday night suppers and programs, decorating the church, and preparing wonderful receptions for Easter Eve and Day.
I am especially grateful to our young singles and young families. You are at a time in your lives in which your finances and busy schedules rightly limit your participation, yet you are here and are generous in so many ways.
God love you all; you’re the joy of my life [just sayin’].
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On Next Weekend's Gospel Reading
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This next weekend, as we gather for Mass, our Gospel reading will be
John 20:19-31
- such a remarkable passage of scripture in which we find the disciples gathered together, fearfully hidden away, thinking that if the authorities have killed Jesus, perhaps their attachment to him makes them next in line. It is in this setting that we will witness the encounter Jesus has with Thomas – a man whose hopes have been dashed to the degree that the ages have dubbed him "Doubting Thomas." Yet he ends up being the one who utters the greatest faith statement of any in the shuttered room: "My Lord and my God."
I have always marveled at this passage of scripture and how Jesus comes to those who have put their trust in him – yet have had their faith and lives seemingly devastated. He restores their peace and faith individually, in ever so personal ways:
"Peace be with you.”
Such an important statement and reality - let's not miss the fact that this is the first utterance of the phrase that we impart to each other every time we gather together in his name at Mass.
The impartation of Jesus' peace and presence has so many times been the sole factor that has carried me through dark and difficult times – the times that happen in every one of our lives. For me, it is enough if I can sense his presence with me, that he is in the midst of my loneliness, difficulty or pain and is essentially saying, "Be at peace, I'm here with you." The peace that he gives is tangible.
"I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn't like the peace this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid."
(John 14:27 – CSB)
Of course, Thomas wasn't with the rest when they had found their way back to hope, faith, peace and sanity. Which also speaks to me of the times in my life when I've felt like everyone else is having this wonderful experience with God, and somehow, I've missed out – "I'm not feeling what everyone else is feeling." Call it hardheartedness, lack of faith, whatever – sometimes I've just not nurtured my spiritual innards in a while, resulting in my feeling like a dried discarded potsherd.
How caring and loving Jesus is to seek out the one who feels not included or as spiritually alive as everyone else. Thomas exemplifies those who are not 'buying in' again until they've had a personal encounter with Jesus for themselves. That's Thomas, and Jesus meets him in that condition. That's been me at innumerable junctures in my life – where, "Your presence here Jesus is the only answer to the longing of my heart." How does that tangible peace come? It says in the reading,
"…when he(Jesus) had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit."
The presence and peace of God is readily available to us via the Holy Spirit any time we begin to refocus our fear, disappointments and pain on the internal reality – that he is with us, and in fact in us. He's come into our inner room to always assure and affirm that.
Peace be with you!
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Still Doubting: Two Paintings Compared
a blog repost by MICHAEL WELSCH
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About two weeks ago I included
Caravaggio
‘s
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
in a
post
. The painting, included above, shows Thomas investigating Christ’s wounds following the resurrection. While the encounter is mentioned in John 20, the author does not say whether or not Thomas actually took Jesus up on his offer. Jesus merely invites Thomas to touch him and Thomas responds by declaring, “My Lord and my God!”
I love this piece for a number of reasons. In the style typical to Caravaggio, the interplay between light and dark here is incredible – I particularly like the way Thomas is depicted as literally emerging from darkness into light as the reality of Christ’s resurrection is made plain to him. I also find it incredibly touching that Caravaggio depicts Christ as actually guiding Thomas’s hands to his wound, highlighting the both intimacy and the intentionality behind his inviting Thomas to touch him.
READ MORE
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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
Loaves & Fishes.
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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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Ignatian Morning of Reflection
Saturday, April 7, 9 AM
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Iñigo Book Group
Tuesday, April 10, 6:30 PM
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Events, Workshops and Classes in the Next Few Weeks
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Run (or Walk) for Others THIS Saturday
Online
registration
continues through Wednesday, after which you can still show up to register at 8 AM Saturday for
Runners for Others: An Ignatian 5K
. The 3.1-mile race and 1-mile walk kick off at 9 AM Saturday, April 7, in Patterson Park. To register for the event, go to
CharmCityRun.com.
Registration on race day begins at 8 AM
at the park entrance near the corner of Eastern Avenue and S. Linwood Avenue. Tots in strollers and dogs on leash are welcome, and children 10 and younger register for free.
Proceeds will go to the 10 Jesuit schools and organizations in the Baltimore area to support a variety of initiatives that directly help people in need.
This year, the Ignatian 5K committee will present the “Beyond the Finish Line” Award to St. Ignatius parishioner and pastoral council member
Vonetta Edwards
, for her work leading the parish in refugee and immigrant advocacy and mentoring. 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.
Registration fee for adults is $30 online, or $35 the morning of the event, and FREE for children 10 and under, members of religious orders and teachers at Jesuit schools, and discounted by $5 for those 11-22.
Volunteers are always welcome and needed. Send a message to
anne.haddad1@gmail.com
or show up at the park by 7:30 AM.
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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). Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 4, is the registration deadline
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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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Saturday, April 14 - 8:30 AM
Pope Francis said, “Racism today is the ultimate evil in our world.”
Dr. Greer G. Gordon’s back by popular demand following the Call to Action Conference this past October. Greer will continue our exploration of Racism in the Catholic Church, specifically here in Baltimore. This event will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Saturday, April 14.
We invite you to join us for a prayerful, closed-door (confidential), conversation on the ways in which the Roman Catholic Community can be active in addressing racism and discrimination. We welcome every interested person to this conversation, and hope that each parish, and academic institution of the Archdiocese of Baltimore will send at least two representatives to participate. Rooted in the Social Teachings of the Church, the day will offer insights into: the nature of discrimination and racism; the Church’s understanding of racism as a sin; tools for identifying and addressing racism; and the development of a practical action plan.
Included in the day will be a presentation by Baltimore’s Racial Justice Circle.
Click here
for complete information, and to register for event.
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Showing on April 15, following the 6 PM Mass
Roadtrip Nation: Beyond the Dream
brings to light the stories of those confined to the darkest shadows in American society: undocumented immigrants. The film follows Alexis, Rachel, and Pratishtha, who were each brought to the U.S. at a young age by their parents. They all have temporary relief from deportation, but not legal status. An immigration policy called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has allowed them to temporarily live and work in the U.S. Now in their twenties and without long-term protections, they are faced with the question: Will I be able to stay in this country?
Determined to clarify their futures, they set out on an unforgettable journey travelling cross country from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. to interview fellow immigrants who have forged productive lives as Americans, despite being denied the right to call themselves such.
Their interview subjects are diverse, including: a staunch Republican who champions immigrant rights, a former Goldman Sachs VP who outed herself as undocumented, award-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, and “Orange is the New Black” actress Diane Guerrero.
Brought to the U.S. from Mexicali at age five, Alexis is grateful to be afforded the opportunities people across the world wish for. But being torn between two worlds has made him feel overwhelmingly alone, and he seeks a community he can relate to.
Rachel has never considered herself anything but American. Like other 23-year-olds, she loves fast food and pop culture. But since her brother was forced to return to their birthplace of South Korea, she is reminded that the place she considers home might not be permanent.
Pratishtha comes from an Indian family who instilled in her the value of contribution. When her father died as an undocumented immigrant and thus without any record of his existence, she felt inspired to make her story, and others like hers, visible.
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- There is no charge for this event.
- Wine, cheese and popcorn will be provided!
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The St. Ignatius Green Team is engaging with community groups throughout Baltimore to partner in environmental efforts including tree plantings and neighborhood clean up. Join us on April 18th for our first effort with Blue Water Baltimore to plant trees in the Druid Heights Neighborhood. Blue Water Baltimore's mission is to restore the quality of Baltimore's rivers, streams and Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy and thriving communities.
Wednesday, April 18, 9AM to 12PM
(Corner of Bloom and Division Street)
Contact Jessie Hillman with any questions:
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If Music Be The Food
A Concert Series to Help the Food-Insecure
Third Season Finale on April 18th, 2018 at 7:30pm
Baltimore’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Baltimore, MD (March 29th, 2018)
-
If Music Be the Food
presents the final concert of its third season on April 18th at 7:30pm at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. World-class musicians from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Peabody Conservatory volunteer their talents for this concert to increase awareness and support for the hungry.
If Music Be the Food
continues its hunger relief efforts, having raised thousands of meals for those in need. In a family-friendly evening of chamber music, featured performers are the Vernon String Quartet, competitively selected as a Peabody Conservatory honors ensemble, Syzygy, an eclectic quartet comprising of saxophone, electric guitar, piano, and percussion, and the Witches, a Baltimore-based experimental duo of flute and violin and vocals who will present original works. Baltimore Symphony musicians and Peabody musicians join together in the second half for Dvorak’s exuberant Piano Quartet in E flat major.
Advance tickets are available up till three days before the concert and are $12 for general admission and $7 for students. Otherwise, tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for students. All proceeds from the series benefit the Maryland Food Bank. Audience members are also invited to bring non-perishable food items for donation. If you would like to make an additional donation, please visit
https://www.mdfoodbank.org/music
.
If Music Be the Food
Local musicians offer their talents to increase awareness and support for those struggling with food insecurity in our community. All tickets sales benefit the Maryland Food Bank. Audience members are also welcome to bring non-perishable food items for donation.
Program Details:
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 18th, 2018; 7:30 PM
Location: Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 811 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD. 21201
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Theology on Tap Fells Point
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Greene Turtle - 722 S. Broadway
Tuesday, April 3: Prison Ministry: Encounters with the Holy Spirit
Laura Johnston, Prison Ministry Volunteer
Tuesday, April 10: The Church and the Pill - Humanae Vitae 50 Years Later
Fr. Michael DeAscanis, Pastor St. Philip Neri
Tuesday, April 17: Totally Yours, Mary: How Our Lady Leads Us to Her Son
Sr. Maris Stella, O.P.
Tuesday, April 24: Relentless Pursuit of Christ in the Other
Jackie Range, Executive Director, Back On my Feet and St. Ignatius parishioner
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John Legend in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ (photo: NBC)
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Why ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ was live TV at its best
Why did “Jesus Christ Superstar” work so much better on TV on Easter Sunday night than I have ever seen it work onstage? (I include, perhaps unfairly, the Brophy College Preparatory production of the mid-1980s, in which I appeared as a disciple.) We have to give credit to the cast, of course—John Legend as a silky, sulky Jesus, Sara Bareilles as a sensitive Mary Magdalene, Brandon Victor Dixon as an anguished Judas—and to the director, David Leveaux, who staged the show on a multileveled runway between scaffolds in a Brooklyn warehouse, making maximum use of the setting in three interlocking guises: as concert stage, theatrical playing area and live television studio.
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by Daniel Whyte |
April 2, 2018
Recently, hundreds of thousands of people took part in the March for Our Lives, the student-led anti-gun violence protest that held demonstrations in 800 cities in the U.S. and numerous sibling marches around the world. Most of the leaders and participants in this massive protest belong to a segment of the population known as “Generation Z.” According to demographic researchers, Gen Z is comprised of people born from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s, so somewhere from high school freshmen to mid-20s
.
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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