March 10, 2020
Carissimi:

Here are some thoughtful observations by Jim Wallis published in Sojourners. There is a link to the full article under my signature line below.
  
Economic, social, and political inequality affect  everything  — including how we handle the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19: who gets it, how they are treated, the chances for recovery, job security, etc….

...those who are in poverty, those suffering from illness, immigrants, and/or refugees are the most likely to be severely impacted. These are, obviously, all groups of people Jesus calls on us to protect in Matthew 25 — always a core Gospel text for us that clearly relates to this growing health threat…

Can anyone seriously doubt there will be people who contract the coronavirus and pass it on to others  because  they are afraid of medical bills they cannot afford to pay?...

How many minimum wage workers and those in the service sector will go to work despite being sick because they don’t get any paid sick leave?...what will working class families with children do if schools close and they are without affordable childcare? What happens to their jobs?...

While it’s true that you might be at low risk for hospitalization or death if you get the virus, especially if you are young and healthy, I can guarantee you that there are people in your life, on the street, at your office, at your church, and so on who are not so fortunate…

Loving your neighbor as yourself in this moment also means doing what you personally can to protect not just yourself but your neighbors.  It is time for all of us, including the president, to look after each other and not just ourselves.
Reflections
Every Lent I Think of This Native American Parable: Do Not Forget Who You Are!
By Christopher Alt, SJ
March 4, 2020

Not a Lent goes by that I do not think of this Native American legend. It goes like this:

A mighty wind shook the mountain upon which the nest was perched, causing the single eagle egg resting there to tumble through the air until – poof – it landed on the canyon floor below, miraculously intact. Shortly after, a pack of prairie chickens wandered through the canyon, doing what prairie chickens are wont to do: pecking at the dirt, clacking all-a-frenzy, flying only a couple of feet off the ground. Not the brightest of birds, one of the prairie hens confused it as her own and nudged it onto her nest where it eventually hatched.

The eaglet was the ugliest thing that chicken pack had ever seen. It couldn’t spread its wings; it couldn’t get all the food it needed for its large body; it was gangly trying to fly just 18-inches off the ground. The eaglet was perfectly miserable.

 One day, a fantastic shadow spread over the canyon floor, startling the eaglet. “What is that?!” it cried. 

“Oh, that’s an eagle,” responded one of the prairie chickens. 

“Wow, how I’d love to be one of those!” said the eaglet. 

“Well, you’re a prairie chicken,” scoffed a prairie chick, “and you scrounge for food down here on the ground. That is the king of birds, and you ain’t the king!” READ MORE
Funeral Announcement
Leo's Celebration of Life Service & Reception is this Saturday, March 17th! Please note details below.
by Dan D'Orazio

Leo Garrett D’Orazio, born January 5, 2017, went home to the Lord peacefully, and pain free on January 8 th , 2020, with his parents by his side.
 
Leo was born with a random gene mutation that stunted his normal brain development. Initially, medical professionals believed that Leo could not sustain life on his own; thus care was removed on January 23, 2017. Through God’s grace, Leo’s will, the loving care of a fiercely dedicated mother, amazing medical professionals, sibling, family, and friend love, along with a bevy of other support, Leo lived three mostly healthy years—in the comfort of his home.
 
While his life was short in years, Leo ‘s impact will endu re—he embodied the gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love—with Love absolutely being the greatest. He taught us new depths of pure, unconditional love—the type that Jesus offers to all of us.  
 
We miss Leo dearly, but we know Leo is at Peace. And so too are we. For he enriched our lives in so many ways — his spirit and enduring love will continue to bring us and many that he touched, peace and joy.

Funeral: On March, 14 th  at 2 PM at Saint Ignatius, we will have a Celebration of Life full of prayer and song, followed by a reception at the parish.  If you do plan to come, drop us a note at dgdorazio@gmail . The Italian in me would be beyond embarrassed to fall short of enough food!

Contributions: Many have asked how to contribute in Leo’s honor. We are picking three organizations near and dear to Leo and us. We have no preference whom you select if you decide to donate—they have all been instrumental in our journey, and each one continues to support families with the greatest of care and love. If one speaks to you, go with it!

  • Johns Hopkins Children’s Center: Leo began and ended his journey in the care of Hopkins. Three specific areas where funding will be directed: Child Life, the Chaplain, and Palliative Care. To contribute: https://support.hopkinschildrens.org/radiothon/leosgift
  • Kennedy Krieger: A world class institute that provide so much developmental support for Leo through specialized pediatric care. Lucky to have them in our back yard. On-line: kennedykrieger.org/tributes. Checks can be made to Kennedy Krieger Foundation with a note that it’s in memory of Leo D’Orazio and mailed to: Kennedy Krieger Office of Philanthropy, 707 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205.
  • Gilchrist: Our home hospice team: nurses, docs, chaplains, social workers, child life etc. made it possible for us to care for Leo, 99% of his days, in the comfort of our home. On-line: gilchristcares.org/donation. Contributions can be mailed to: Gilchrist, 11311 McCormick Rd., Ste. 350, Hunt Valley, MD 21031.
In the Reeves Gallery
Xavier Cortada and Honoring the Future

Beginning this weekend, the Reeves Gallery will exhibit a series of artworks by Miami-based artist Xavier Cortada with  Honoring the Future . The show will be based on a series of paintings during his residency in Antarctica in 2006 – 2007. Included will be images based on Brother Sun and themes related to climate change. In recent years, he did artistic work which was created to welcome  Pope Francis’s Climate Change Message  and U.S. visit. We are grateful to Mrs. Fran Dubrowski for partnering with the Reeves Gallery for this special exhibit opening on March 15, 2020 after the 10:30 Mass. For more information, visit  www.honoringthefuture.org .
Lenten Season & Holy Week at St. Ignatius
We invite you to join us each Wednesday in March for  Lent: Wednesday Evenings of Reflection  from 6 to 7:30 PM.  The second one is tomorrow!

We will celebrate Mass at 6 PM in the Chapel of St. Peter Claver, then share a simple supper in Ignatian Hall with a brief reflection and discussion to provide spiritual nurture in Ignatian tradition. Mass will be presided over by Fr. Jim and Deacon Andrew.

The evening is co-sponsored by The Justice and Peace and The Hospitality Committees.

We have created a Lenten Portal that will take you to each Wednesday evening’s focus, readings, and questions, which will be part of that week's discussion. You will also be able to RSVP for each session, which will allow us to plan for the necessary printed materials and the food for our simple suppers we will share together. Our hope is that this portal will allow you to prepare yourself before you arrive. If you don't get to the readings...come anyway! To enter the Wednesday Evenings of Ref lection portal, click here .
The following are various Lenten Events and Holy Week Masses happening in and around St. Ignatius Parish.

Wednesday, March 11 –  Lenten Evening of Reflection
Wednesday, March 18 –  Lenten Evening of Reflection
Wednesday, March 25 –  Lenten Evening of Reflection
Monday, March 30 –   Lenten Penance & Reconciliation
Saturday, April 4 – Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 5 – Palm Sunday
Wednesday, April 8 – Tenebrae Service
Thursday, April 9 – Holy Thursday
Friday, April 10 – Good Friday
Saturday, April 11 – Solemn Easter Vigil Service
Sunday, April 12 – Easter Mass Schedule
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, March 10 (6:30 PM)
St. Ignatius Reading & Discussion Group
For complete information, click here .


Thursday, March 19 (6:30 PM)
Interfaith Committee Meeting
For complete information, click here .
Sunday, March 22 (9:45 AM)
Respect for Life
For complete information, click here .
Lenten Growth Opportunities

L G B T Q + M I N I S T R I E S

L E N T E N P R A Y E R
S E R V I C E

In the Wilderness with Christ: Becoming Who You Are

Wednesday, March 25
St. Vincent de Paul Church
120 N. Front St.
Baltimore, MD

Soup, Bread & Salad dinner at
6:00pm
Prayer Service at 7:00pm
RSVP: ALIVE@stvchurch.org
Father Tim Brown, SJ, Sue Cesare and
Father Steve Spahn, SJ cordially invite you to attend 

“THE LENTEN BEATITUDES” 
WEEKEND RETREAT 


  • Friday, March 27 – Sunday, March 29,
  • Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth in Wernersville, PA 
  • Web info: www.jesuitcenter.org


The Weekend Retreat, facilitated by Father Brown and Father Spahn, will include meditational talks, silent time for Prayer & Reflection; Daily Mass, Evening Social, and an optional opportunity for Spiritual Direction. 

For details and registration please contact 
Anita Podles: APodles@loyola.edu  
Great Resource!
Aging Americans are struggling to pay for assisted living, home care and other forms of long term care. Our mission is to solve this puzzle by providing tools, information and creative ideas which help families and caregivers discover the means to care for their elderly loved ones.

The mission at  PayingForSeniorCare.com  is to help the elderly and their families fully understand the cost of long term care and the programs that can provide financial support. We have an online database of tools, references, and articles that cover topics like available care options, and free resources that are available in Baltimore. You can review their guides here: 
Worship with Offerings and Liturgy
POOR BOX 
This weekend's Poor Box support goes to support the Loaves & Fishes Ministry.
MASS MUSIC   
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass.
In the Media
Social Justice is not a Spectator Sport

It involves personal reflection on how far its insistence on respect for the dignity of persons and of the natural world are embodied in our personal relationships

by Andrew Hamilton

It is both tempting and risky to name significant events as watersheds in their effect on public attitudes. Tempting, because they have such immediate impact; risky because in many cases nothing seems to change.

With that qualification, later Australian historians may see the bushfires as a turning point in people's attitudes to the environment and to what they demand of politicians. 

At a more abstract level, too, they may mark a shift in the way we think about social justice. As we commemorate the International Day of Social Justice on the 20th of February, leading to the Catholic Social Justice Council  conference , this bears reflection.

Thought about social justice has developed over many centuries, as can be seen even in a broad and vastly over-simplified summary. READ MORE