June 12, 2018 Edition
Carissimi,

Gay Pride Week approaches, so I want to share some reflections of Fr. James Martin, S.J. on how we should treat one another as Catholics and as witnesses to the Gospel in our polarized society:

"My aim is to urge the church to treat the LGBT community with “respect, compassion, and sensitivity” (a phrase from the Catechism of the Catholic Church) and encourage the LGBT community to reciprocate, reflecting those virtues in its own relationship with the institutional church.

"I understand the difficulties that many LGBT people have faced in the church. They have shared stories with me about being insulted, slandered, excluded, rejected and even fired. I don’t want to minimize that pain.

"Still, I believe it’s important for the LGBT community—for everyone, in fact —to treat others with respect, even when their own church at times feels like an enemy. That is part of being a Christian, hard as it is. This does not mean that one cannot critique and challenge the church when it needs to be critiqued and challenged.

"…Not too long ago, in the larger world, opposing factions would often interact with one another politely and work together for the common good. …Now all one seems to find is contempt…

"For me, the “echo chambers” created by social media in which one’s worldview is barely challenged, news channels specializing in simplistic and sometimes false analyses of complicated political situations and civic leaders seemingly unconcerned about the division that their words and actions might cause are all developments that contribute to this disunity...

"In these times, the church should be a sign of unity…Yet many people see the church as contributing to division, as some Christian leaders and their congregations mark off boundaries of “us” and “them.” But the church works best when it embodies the virtues of respect, compassion and sensitivity. Because, in the end, for Jesus there is no us and them. For Jesus there is only an us."
A Father's Day Reflection
My Dad’s Sudden Outburst of:
‘I Love You’


By Wajahat Ali



“I love you.”

Those three simple words messed me up for an entire week. I asked my wife if she heard them, too, or if I was hallucinating. I couldn’t believe the man in front of me said them. It wasn’t the message, but the messenger: my father.

Who was this impostor? Could it be that this Pakistani-American immigrant, who grills halal lamb chops in boxers and sandals while listening to Sabri Brothers qawwali, had just said this to his almost-3-year-old grandson, Ibrahim?

I understand how fatherhood, and grandfatherhood, can profoundly change a man. The joyous burden forces some of us to adjust our career priorities, creates excessive anxiety for tiny people who don’t pay rent and inspires a lifelong goal of trying to become the only man in existence who looks cool driving a Toyota Sienna.

But this sentiment from my father was a drastic disruption of a life I had always known.

In my 36 years of existence, my parents have never said “I love you” to me or vice versa. We are not an “I love you” family. Years ago, my mother told me “I love you” was for “Amreekans” and “goras” (white people), which at the time were synonymous, until they realized South Asians and other immigrants had every right to claim the American label as well. READ MORE
Reclaiming Jesus - Part III
Editors Note: The past two weeks we have shared with you articles from Sojourners Magazine about an ecumenical move of Protestants and Catholics called, "Reclaiming Jesus." Today is our last installment on what has been occurring these past weeks.
by Jim Wallis 6-7-2018

It's Time to Respond. Answer the Call of Reclaiming Jesus


As I said last week, Reclaiming Jesus is not a statement to sign — it’s a call to answer.

When a small group of older church leaders, elders from across our Christian families, went on a retreat together over Ash Wednesday, we came to feel an obligation to speak as “followers of Jesus” into the moral and political crisis in which we find ourselves — where our faith values are being politically exploited while our democratic values are being dangerously threatened. We felt we had to respond but had no clear sense of how other Christians in our churches would react to any “declaration” from us. We were astonished as views of the video of Reclaiming Jesus declaration  signed by 23 elders were quickly climbing into the millions and have continued to climb.

As we launched Reclaiming Jesus at the Pentecost service on May 24 amid the voices of the elders and the beautiful sounds of the Howard University Gospel Choir, the crowd overflowed from two large downtown churches and then into the streets of Thomas Circle, with nearly 100,000 more people around the country following the live stream . As the early Christians were empowered by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost when they took their faith to the streets in the capital city of their nation, we flowed out of our worship space in a powerfully moving candlelight procession of almost 3,000 people (many of them clergy wearing their collars) to the White House to bring our Pentecostal prayers to power. With our candles passed out at the church, we established candlelight prayer vigils as the sign and symbol of this new Reclaiming Jesus movement in our country. First in the over-crowded church sanctuaries and then on the sidewalk outside the White House gates, we declared that “Jesus is our Light” and that the “light of Christ” is our way of pushing back the darkness. READ MORE
This Week
Thursday, June 14 - 7 PM

 The LGBTQ Ministries of Embracing God’s Gifts (St. Ignatius) & LEAD (St. Matthew’s Catholic Church) are inviting you to join them on Thursday, June 14th at 7 PM in the Chapel of Grace for our Annual Pride Prayer Service. This year’s theme is: Living the Life of the Beloved. We will give thanks to God for the gift of our LGBTQ sisters and brothers. Through music, readings, prayer and a spirit of gratitude, we will gather to celebrate being members of God’s family. All are welcome and please bring a friend!

A light reception will follow in Ignatian Hall.
Join Embracing God's Gifts Ministry to Walk in the PRIDE Parade on June 16

Our Embracing God’s Gifts ministry would love to have you walk with us in Baltimore's Annual LGBTQ Pride Parade which will begin at Charles and 33rd Streets at 1 PM on Saturday, June 16.  If you are interested in walking with us in faith and support, please contact Vanessa Ross at nessa1124@hotmail.com

An Event You Won't Want to Miss
On Sunday, June 24, the Immigration Subcommittee of the Justice and Peace Committee will be hosting  Walk-A-Mile In My Shoes: A Refugee Camp Simulation . By assuming the role of a refugee and engaging in hands-on activities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and frustrations refugees face upon arriving to a new country. Participants will also have a chance to learn about how to better support and advocate for the many refugees in need globally.

The United Nations refugee agency, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), estimates that violence, conflicts and other emergencies have pushed more than 65 million people to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere, exceeding all previous records for global forced displacement.

Seeking refuge is a complex process. Refugees most typically apply for resettlement through the UNHCR, which connects refugees with one of the 35 available countries. For a refugee to be admitted to the United States specifically, they must go through a series of background checks, several interviews, and medical examinations. Refugees must also complete a course on American culture. READ MORE

Bread For The World Sunday - Follow-Up
BREAD FOR THE WORLD SUNDAY FOLLOW-UP
On Sunday, June 10, 2018, St. Ignatius parishioners took time out of their routines to support lifesaving programs funded by our government to end hunger and poverty in the United States and famine-stricken countries abroad by taking part in letter-writing sessions following each Mass. As I sat in the Chapel of Grace at the 8 AM Mass I could not help but feel the presence of the Holy Spirit as we were about to engage in this day of contemplative action and after listening to an uplifting and insightful presentation by Leo Gafney, a former Jesuit priest, and author of the book,  Never Stop Praying: Mini Weekly Retreats To Grow Your Faith Each Day . Leo gave us a glimpse into the first chapter of his book which is titled, “Accept.” That is to say, acceptance of God’s love for us. For me, I interpreted this to mean acceptance of God’s love for  ALL  of us. And, for our own part, asking God to help us accept the work of the Spirit in our lives. Maybe Leo’s insight sparked something in other parishioners too this Sunday because the response we got to the letter-writing sessions throughout the day and evening was both amazing and also affirming! Fellow parishioners most frequently commented to us, “Thank you for doing this,” which lets us know our advocacy work is broadening its roots and gaining momentum in the St. Ignatius community we serve.

Before and following each Mass, our parishioners, in Ignatian style, rolled up their sleeves and put their letter writing skills into action by penning letters to Congressional legislators advocating for the protection of federally funded safety net programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, and WIC; and, international development assistance programs. A key feature of our parish campaign was the “Young Disciples” initiated last year by Prep Leader, Sherri Currie, who organized letter writing activities designed for our Prep students of all ages. We were able to collect 112 letters and we sent 52 personal emails. THIS IS A RECORD!

Many thanks for the support of the Parish and especially the young people; and the entire Parish Staff for their help with organizing the many details of the day. A special note of thanks to the Hospitality Committee and the 6 PM. Fellowship Dinner Committee for their support. I want to personally thank members of the Justice & Peace Subcommittees for their incredible and continuing support throughout this campaign. In wrapping up the evening, it was especially heart-warming to see the Loaves & Fishes direct service team arrive back on Sunday night from their work after an evening of supporting homeless Brothers and Sisters of Baltimore while parishioners of the 6 PM Mass were still vigorously writing their letters until 8 o’clock at night!

This week’s Poor Box Collection was reserved for Bread for the World. Contributions were made in the amount of $294. Thank you for this support!

Our advocacy and direct service activities to end hunger and poverty continue throughout the year. Look for opportunities to engage in this work by visiting our Justice & Peace Hunger and Poverty and Loaves and Fishes pages on the St. Ignatius website. Again, we thank you all!

See our pictures by clicking here

Your Advocacy in Action,
In the Reeves Gallery
Joseph Gilbert Exhibit Opens This Sunday!
Come visit the Reeves Gallery before or after Mass on Sunday, June 17 and view the works of artist Joseph Gilbert. The three artists who have inspired Joseph’s work are American Painter Jackson Pollack, American Artist Andy Warhol and American Painter Allan Kaprow. All three artist's styles included action painting, playfulness and a simple graphic quality that resonates in many of Joseph’s works. An action painter becomes fully physically involved in the paintings process in which paint is randomly applied, splashed and/or scraped on the surface. Action painting works best with large pieces of art because it allows more freedom and expression to play creatively. You will be able to see this technique in the works presented in the Reeves Gallery by Gilbert. Visit his website at joseph gilbert.weebly.com .
Worship with Offerings, Liturgy and Prayers for Others
POOR BOX 
Each weekend St. Ignatius specifies a Poor Box collection for a needful cause. This week's
support goes to the
Ignatian Spirituality Project.

MASS MUSIC   
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass. 
 
PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN REPORT
Weekly updates on Christian persecution around the globe. Keep a prayerful watch on what is
happening with your
brothers and sisters! 


Upcoming Events and Meetings
The Iñigo Book Group
Tuesday, June 12 - 6:30 PM
Click here for complete information
Justice & Peace Committee Meeting
Thursday, June 14 - 6:30 PM (June meeting is in Gonzaga Hall )
Click here for complete information

Pride Prayer Service
Thursday, June 14 - 7 PM
See box above for complete information

Women of the New Testament
Tuesday, June 19 - 6:45 PM
Click here for complete information
Young Adults: Local Beer Tasting
Thursday, June 21 - 7 PM
Click here for complete information

Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace in the Middle East
Friday, June 22 - 7:30 PM
See box below for complete information
Walk-A-Mile In My Shoes: A Refugee Camp Simulation
Sunday, June 24 - 9:45 AM
See box above for complete information
Respect for Life
Sunday, June 24 - 9:45 AM
Click here for complete information

Embracing God's Gifts
Tuesday, June 26 - 7 PM
Click here for complete information

Bishop Madden's Prayer Walk for Peace in the City
Wednesday, June 27 - 5:30 PM
Click here for complete information
Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace in the Middle East to be Held on June 22

An Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace in the Middle East will be held in the Chapel of Grace on Friday, June 22, at 7:30 PM. The Rev. Joseph L. Muth, Jr., will offer some reflections on his most recent trip to Israel, from which he returned June 5. Fr. Muth is pastor of St. Matthew Church, a faith community made up of people from over 40 different countries. Under his leadership, St. Matthew’s parishioners envisioned and founded the  Immigration Outreach Service Center  to serve immigrants regardless of immigration status, ethnicity or religious affiliation. He has traveled to Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Rwanda as well as Israel.
Take this opportunity to set aside one hour to pray with others for peace, justice and reconciliation everywhere, especially in the Holy Land and the Holy City of Jerusalem, sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike.

Participants will have the opportunity to join Fr. Muth for conversation and light refreshments following the service.
In the Area
Let's join our friends and collaborators in God's Care!
St. Vincent De Paul Church

hosts

Jonestown 
Neighborhood Clean-Up 

Saturday, June 16, 9 AM to 12 PM 
Meet in St. Vincent’s Parking Lot 
120 N Front St. 21202 (Fayette & President Sts.)

The Trip of A Lifetime
Autumn Pilgrimage to France
September 23 - October 4, 2018
Would you like to join Father Bill Watters and a group of our parishioners on a 12-day pilgrimage to France in late September and early October? We will travel to the Loire Valley, Avignon Provence, Taize’, Lyon, Paris and places in between. On our tour we will learn about French history, art, culture and spirituality and visit Jesuit sites. Our experiences will include from ancient Roman ruins to important artistic and historical places as well as time for spiritual refreshment and daily Mass. Comfortable walking shoes will be needed. 17 people have already signed up for 30 spaces. 13 more persons will be welcome. Deposit of 330€, refundable till August 15 th , is due by June 30 th . The remaining 1400€ ( approximately $2042. per person based on double occupancy) is due by August 15 th . Airfare is not included. However, a separate group airfare rate may be available by June 30 th . The cost includes each night’s four-star hotel, six dinners, tour travel in France and most entry fees for scheduled galleries and museums. For full itinerary and related information, please contact Michelevelazquez3@gmail.com
In the Media
Baltimore Catholics Can Now Have That Outdoor Wedding They’ve Dreamed Of
According to The Baltimore Sun , Charm City’s most beautiful wedding venues include the National Aquarium, where you can snap photos in front of a dolphin tank, the George Peabody Library, which costs a cool $7,500 to rent, no catering included, and The Cloisters, a castle-like venue that has been featured on “Homicide: Life on the Streets” and “The Wire.”

Couples in Baltimore who wanted to get married at any of those locations—or in a field, or on a beach—in a ceremony that included a Catholic priest or deacon would have been out of luck. Until now.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore recently launched (this past Valentine’s Day, as it happens) a 12-month trial period during which couples can seek permission to hold Catholic weddings outside churches and chapels. The new policy states that the preferred location for weddings is still the home parish of the bride or groom, but it allows for holding weddings at other locations, including outdoors. Couples must approach a priest at least six months before their desired wedding date, and the priest must then seek special approval from the archdiocese. READ MORE
Despite It All, RFK’s Legacy At 50 Still Packs a Punch

John L. Allen Jr. | Jun 10, 2018
EDITOR

ROME - I attended a small Catholic high school out on the high plains of Western Kansas in the early 1980s, and somewhere along the line I discovered Robert F. Kennedy. By that, I obviously mean not the man, but rather the mythic icon of unrealized greatness he had become.

As I delved into the RFK mystique, I found several aspects of the story resonated.

To begin, there was RFK’s fanatical loyalty to the people he loved. Even the fact he had a reputation for being utterly ruthless about it appealed to me, because it seemed to reflect great depth of feeling. (I admired his legendary work ethic too, always having been a bit of a workaholic myself.)

In addition, there was the profound spiritual streak that ran through RFK’s life and thought, that sense of always being somehow “haunted” by God, that I suppose was beginning to bubble in me too, however far less sophisticated it may have been. READ MORE