Carissimi,
Below are a few quotes from Rex Tillerson’s graduation address at the Virginia Military Institute on 15 May. It bears serious reflection:
An essential tenet of a free society, a free people, is access to the truth…If our leaders seek to conceal the truth or we as people become accepting of alternative realities that are no longer grounded in facts, then we as American citizens are on a pathway to relinquishing our freedom…
A responsibility of every American citizen to each other is to preserve and protect our freedom by recognizing what the truth is and is not, what a fact is and is not, and begin by holding ourselves accountable to truthfulness, and demand our pursuit of America’s future be fact-based, not based on wishful thinking; not hopeful outcomes made in shallow promises, but with a clear-eyed view of the facts as they are and guided by the truth that will set us free to seek solutions to our most daunting challenges.
It is also that foundational commitment to truth and facts that binds us to other like-minded democratic nations, that we Americans will always deal with them from the same set of truths and facts. And it is truth that says to our adversaries, we say what we mean, and we mean what we say.
When we as people, a free people, go wobbly on the truth, even on what may seem the most trivial of matters, we go wobbly on America. If we do not as Americans confront the crisis of ethics and integrity in our society, and among our leaders in both the public and private sector, and regrettably at times even the nonprofit sector, then American democracy as we know it is entering its twilight years.
|
|
Reclaiming Jesus
by Jim Wallis 5-15-2018
Just recently, a Washington lawmaker asked me a question over breakfast that has stayed with me ever since. The national legislator is a Christian, but genuinely was having a hard time understanding the message and motivation of the evangelical “advisers” to President Donald Trump. He posed the sincere query, “What about Jesus?” It is exactly the right question and I have thought about it since our conversation: “What about Jesus?”
What do these evangelicals do with that question as they listen and talk with and for Donald Trump? Would Jesus talk this way about immigrants, act this way toward women, use such divisive language of racial fear and resentment, show such a blatant disregard for truth, prefer strong-man to servant leadership, and really say that one country should be “first?” What do we do with Jesus? That is always the right question, including when it comes to politics, and especially if we say we are followers of Jesus Christ.
I ask you to watch this short four-minute video in which several Christian elders from across many traditions and racial lines ask that vital question in their message of
Reclaiming Jesus in a Time of Crisis
. Listen to their voices and the core teachings of Jesus they are raising.
|
|
Bread for the World - Offering of Letters Campaign
|
|
For Such a Time as This: A Unique Struggle for Women
|
|
For Such a Time As This:
As of this moment, there are
2.2 million people
in our nation’s prisons and jails. Additionally, there are more than
42,000 immigrants
being held by our government in detention centers across the United States. In such a time as this, we cannot think about hunger as a stand-alone issue. We must acknowledge the reality that the United States has not only the largest prison system in the world, but the largest immigrant detention system in the world as well. These two systems, each so massive, have far-reaching ramifications. The broad view of the intersection of gender, hunger, and imprisonment in the United States reveals a dire emergency for women and families in our nation. As Catholics, we are called to respond with compassion and action.
According to the
ACLU
, more women are being imprisoned in the nation’s overlapping criminal justice systems than ever before. Women experience the criminal justice system differently than men, and the impact on their families and communities is unique as well. For example, women are
disproportionately stuck in jails
where they are awaiting trial, not even yet convicted of any crime. Unable to work, they risk losing their jobs, and thus their homes and ability to obtain food. When 80% of women in jail are mothers, this means a large number of
children are suffering too
, lacking the care and financial support of their primary caregiver. This is a major cause of hunger among children. It also increases their risk for mental health problems and poor performance in school, which is directly tied to their ability to support themselves in the future, creating cycles of hunger and poverty. A similar phenomenon occurs to immigrant families in the face of
detention and deportation
. Within immigration detention centers, women suffer unique hardships, such as being denied access to safe food and menstrual products and being
separated from their families
. After having already endured great trauma in moving from their home country to the United States, that trauma is exacerbated in these situations. If such detention leads to deportation, families are separated, and put at risk in a similar way children with incarcerated parents are when their emotional and financial support systems are so ruthlessly shattered.
|
|
In the 2018 Bread for the World Offering of Letters, themed
For Such a Time as This
, we have the power to advocate for these most vulnerable people among us. By writing to Congress and demanding criminal justice and immigration reform out of concern for the women and children who are especially impacted by excessive sentencing and detention, we can help reduce hunger and honor the dignity of each person and family. Stay tuned for more information on this campaign next week. If you would like to learn more about Bread for the World at St. Ignatius, check out our
Hunger and Poverty Subcommittee Page
.
|
|
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
Loaves & Fishes Ministry.
|
|
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!
|
|
Sponsored by the St. Ignatius Respect for Life Ministry
Juno
is the story of how the 16-year-old title character and her best friend, Paulie Bleeker, start dating. First they’re friends. Then they have a baby. Then they decide to go out.
The journey, which is primarily Juno’s, takes her from a convenience store bathroom stall, where she takes her pregnancy test, through nine months of ups and downs. Telling her other best friend, Leah, about her pregnancy. Telling her parents. Weathering strange side effects like “heartburn radiating to [her] knees.” Ultrasounds. Growing out of her clothes. Not getting asked to prom.
After a brief stop at an abortion clinic—which Juno decides is not for her—she sets about finding adoptive parents for her baby. She chooses Mark and Vanessa Loring, a yuppie couple with a huge house in the suburbs. Vanessa is a high-strung career woman. Mark is an aspiring musician. They’ve got their own set of issues.
Shouldering the quirky mix of utter cluelessness and the premature maturity that teenage pregnancy brings, Juno keeps Mark and Vanessa in the loop about doctor appointments and the baby’s health. And that leads to a deepening, sometimes awkward, relationship between this young mom and her baby’s future parents.
There is no charge for this event.
Popcorn, snacks and beverages will be provided.
|
|
Upcoming Events and Meetings
|
|
|
|
"Gaudete et Exsultate" Study Group
Wednesdays, May 30 and June 6, 7:30 PM
|
|
|
|
Film Showing: "Juno"
Friday, June 8, 7:30 PM
See box above for complete information
|
|
|
|
Bread for the World Offering of Letters
Sunday, June 10 - After all Masses
|
|
Put it on Your Calendar...
|
|
Meet Author and Former Jesuit Leo Gafney
After each Mass on the weekend of June 9-10, author and former Jesuit Leo Gafney will be at St. Ignatius with copies of his newest book "Never Stop Praying."
Where do busy people find the time each day to set aside for prayer? So often we start off with great intentions...and then the busyness of life takes over.
Gafney has a better idea: stretch your prayer and reflection over the odd moments of a normal week, such as when driving or walking or doing dishes. Such an arrangement makes it easy to pray always, as St. Paul instructs us. Over 26 weeks, Gafney invites us into a series of mini-retreats devoted to themes like acceptance, peace, faith, forgiveness, work, Eucharist, and many more. Each week he offers a mental image to ponder, a Scripture passage to read, a Scripture verse to meditate on, and a weekly practice to deepen not only one's personal prayer life, but to engage with others in experiencing and sharing the faith.
Handy, simple, and yet profoundly life-changing, this book will bring you closer to God...and God closer to you.
Leo is a former Jesuit priest and director of the RCIA program at St. Mary's parish in Lakeville, CT. He's written several articles on faith in
America
magazine and a book of reflections on the
Our Fathe
r (Paulist Press). Come meet Leo, and his new book. Copies of the book will be available for $15.
|
|
Thursday, June 14 - 7 PM
The LGBT 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 LGBT 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.
|
|
Embracing God's Gifts Ministry to March in the PRIDE Parade on June 16
Embracing God's Gifts from St. Ignatius will be marching in the PRIDE parade on Saturday, June 16th. Embracing God's Gifts is also holding a prayer service in honor of PRIDE week on Thursday, June 14th at 7:00pm in the Chapel of Grace. If you are interested in more information, please e-mail Vanessa Ross at
nessa1124@hotmail.com.
|
|
The Oblate Sisters of Providence Are Hosting an Open House
The Oblate Sisters of Providence are hosting an Open House on Saturday, June 9, 2018 from 3-5 PM at the Motherhouse(701 Gun Rd.) The Open House will feature tours, information tables and chats with the Sisters. The day will end with a mass at 5:00. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Servant of God, Mary Lange, see artifacts from her life, explore the stained glass windows in the Chapel, visit the oratory containing the remains of Mother Lange and join your prayers with others who are working towards the beatification and canonization of Mother Lange.
I write today to ask that you contact your parish representatives regarding this information. Some parishes in the Baltimore area are car pooling to the motherhouse for this event. This is a good suggestion without arranging for a bus. If you are not in the Baltimore area and plan to attend, busses and carloads are most welcome. Please send this notice to family and friends so that we all have the pleasure of joining in fellowship and prayer on June 9th.
Christ's Peace to You,
Dr. Camille Brown
|
|
Movies at the Charles Theater
|
|
From Fr. Ray at St. Vincent's
|
|
There are two movies that I would like to bring to your attention. The first,
Pope Francis – A Man of His Word
,
is now showing. The reviews are excellent, and it provides an opportunity to listen to him speak the Gospel in his own very unique way. One major reviewer describes the movie: “Whether he's washing the feet of prisoners in America, visiting sick children in Africa, or praying with hurricane victims in Asia, Pope Francis doesn't merely preach empathy, responsibility, and accountability, he lives it.”
The second movie,
First Reformed
,
will begin showing on June 1st. It is about a Dutch Reformed Church clergyman and his profound spiritual struggle amid his growing awareness that God seeks humanity’s care for the natural world God created. Again, reviews are excellent. Here’s a sample, again from a major critic: "An act of spiritual inquiry, a coolly assured example of cinematic scholarship in subtly deployed motion and one of the strongest pictures of 2018.”
I would encourage us all to attend and then, perhaps, to arrange a time where we can gather and have a thoughtful discussion regarding the impact the respective movies have had on us and then explore some of the implications.
-- Fr. Ray
|
|
As Fear Permeates Immigrant Communities, US Bishops' Responses Vary
|
|
Immigrants just released from detention via a U.S. immigration policy known as "catch and release" stand at a bus station April 11 before being taken to the Catholic Charities relief center in McAllen, Texas. "Catch and release" allows immigrants in detention for entering the U.S. without legal permission to be released while they wait for their cases to be processed. (CNS/Reuters/Loren Elliott)
Trump's central campaign pledge was to build a wall on the southern border paid for by the Mexican government. While the wall has not been built, the heat on immigrants has not let up. Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions have publicly been at odds over other matters, but they agree that immigration, both legal and illegal, should be curtailed.
|
|
Religious leaders, scientists of Massachusetts together declare climate change is an emergency
More than 500 sign appeal to press the state to act
Religious and scientific leaders in Massachusetts, led by Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley, joined forces Wednesday to press the state to increase its actions on climate change to "protect our communities from the catastrophic impacts" of a warming planet.
|
|
Editorial: Francis should seize momentum of Chile resignations
Recent weeks have seen several milestone events in the Catholic Church's decades long struggle to come to terms with the scandal of clergy sexual abuse and its cover-up by the hierarchy. The headline event was the
mass resignation
of the Chilean episcopate May 18. While at press time Pope Francis had not yet formally accepted any of the resignations and the full implications of the resignations are still being sorted out, the significance of the event cannot be in doubt.
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
