August 13, 2019
Carissimi:
This week we reflect on the 4th and final Universal Apostolic Preference for the Society of Jesus over the next 10 years. The words are Fr. General’s. The italics are mine:

To collaborate in the care of our Common Home.

…The damage done to the earth is also damage done to the most vulnerable , such as indigenous peoples, peasants forced to emigrate, and the inhabitants of urban peripheries.

…The environmental destruction being caused by the dominant economic system is inflicting intergenerational damage: not only does it affect those now living on earth, particularly the very young, but it also conditions and jeopardizes the life of future generations.

…We resolve…to collaborate with others in the construction of alternative models of life that are based on respect for creation and on a sustainable development capable of producing goods that, when justly distributed, ensure a decent life for all human beings on our planet.

…Our collaboration should include both participating in efforts to analyze problems in depth and promoting reflection and discernment that will guide us in making decisions that help to heal the wounds already inflicted on the delicate ecological balance.

…Caring for nature in this way is a form of genuinely worshipping the creative work of God. Bold decisions are required to avoid further damage and to bring about lifestyle changes that are necessary so that the goods of creation are used for the benefit of all.

…A model of human life reconciled with creation will not be possible if we are not able to break out of individualism and inaction . 
On Spiritual Growth...
Knowing Jesus: How Catholics experience the Son of God
The first step to developing a relationship with Jesus is figuring out which Jesus you're looking for.

By Ruth Graham

The first step to developing a relationship with Jesus is figuring out which Jesus you're looking for.
 
There’s a certain diagnosis you will hear over and over if you start to ask Catholics about Jesus—particularly about other Catholics’ relationships with Jesus. “I think for some people, Jesus is a Facebook friend who you sometimes want to block from your newsfeed,” says Jake Braithwaite, who attends a Jesuit parish in Manhattan. “I have friends who I imagine have yet to find a way that makes sense to them and meets them where they are. At this point, maybe he’s an acquaintance rather than a close friend.”
 
Braithwaite and his friends aren’t alone. “Catholics often have an easier time talking about the church than they do about Jesus,” says Jesuit Father James Martin, author of several popular books including his most recent, Jesus: A Pilgrimage (HarperOne). “Catholics can talk ’til the cows come home about Pope Francis, their own parish, and Mass. But when you ask them about their relationship with Jesus, they’re tongue-tied.”
 
Historically—and stereotypically—Catholics have not been as comfortable as some Protestants using the language of “friendship” with Jesus. Even referring to a “relationship” with Jesus can sound too intimate and casual. But that seems to have been changing in recent decades, as the Catholic Church has formally encouraged laypeople to open their Bibles and encounter Jesus directly. So, after decades of cultural and theological changes piled on top of centuries of tradition, what is the state of the American Catholic relationship with Jesus in 2015? How do Catholics talk about Jesus, conceive of him, and connect with him? READ MORE
From the Archdiocese...
Video Above: Baltimore
The Archdiocese is proud to call Baltimore its home since 1789. The Church works every day to lift up the City and the citizens of Baltimore to make it a better place to live, work and worship God.
Rendering of Mother Mary LangeCatholic School-the first Catholic school to be built in Baltimore City in more than 60 years. Opening: Fall 2021. For more information on Mother Mary Lange Catholic School or to make a donation, visit http://bit.ly/AOB-MMLCS

United. Undaunted.
Undiminished.

We are the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Since 1789, Baltimore has been home to the Catholic Church in America –the nation’s first diocese. It is here we have built churches and schools, hospitals and universities, and where we work every day to serve those among us most in need.

Representing over a half-million residents –from every walk of life, age, race, economic level and ethnic background –we worship, educate, heal and serve. We strive to represent Jesus Christ and his spirit of humility, acceptance and compassion.

We succeed, but at times, we fail. We will not relent, nor falter in our determination to improve our City and the lives of our neighbors and to make our communities stronger, healthier and better for all.
Growth Opportunity
Loyola University’s Office of Mission Integration is happy to offer the Baltimore community the opportunity to pray the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola beginning this Fall.

Our approach will be one that Ignatius himself proposed for busy people – a way to make a prayerful and potentially transformative retreat in everyday life . Over the course of nine months of daily prayer with Scripture, journaling and regular conversation with a guide, one can experience the same graced movements and discoveries that a privileged few get to make in 30 days of secluded silence.

This long retreat is undeniably a commitment of time and resolve – one that may or may not be right for everyone or perhaps not right at this time. Fortunately Ignatius offers many other practical tools for spiritual growth that we can all enjoy. Loyola University will offer these as well – including weekend Ignatian retreats, 4-week Advent and Lenten retreats, evenings of prayer, spiritual reading groups and lectures.

If you’d like to learn more about the Spiritual Exercises and Ignatian spirituality – and how YOU might experience them, please join us!

For more information, contact :   LUMspiritualexercises@gmail.com
PREP Notice
PREP Registration is now!
Parish Religious Education Program, Grades K-8:
Registration for returning children was held in April. New children entering PREP should ideally be registered and paid for. Please preview our program and register online by visiting our PREP website here . 9:30 Sunday PREP classes begin September 15th, 2019. Email questions to Sherri at  sherricurrie@st-ignatius.net , or phon e 410-719-7559 or 410-220-9141. Thank you. 

PREP Confirmation Ages and Groupings:
Our PREP program prepares children for the sacrament of Confirmation in a 2-year program, combining two grades. This September will be year 1 of the preparation. For more information, please pick up the green flyer in the Narthex. Thank you.  
Worship with Offerings, Liturgy and Prayers for Others
POOR BOX 
This weekend's Poor Box support goes to support our
Loaves & Fishes Ministry.

MASS MUSIC   
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass.
 
THE DAILY EXAMEN
Spiritual and Faith opportunities to deepen
your relationship in Christ.

Upcoming Events...
Our parish continues to generously support the Loyola Early Learning Center, a child-centered, developmentally appropriate program for children ages 2-5, born of Jesuit principles, and located right around the corner from our church. The children who attend the learning center are from Baltimore families of limited means, and are fully “scholarshiped”. 

If you are able to assist, please fill a bag with the items listed below and return it to the church when you come to Mass on the weekend of August 24-25.

Thank you for your kind generosity!
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, August 20 - 6:45 PM
Women of the New Testament
Click here for complete information.





Thursday, August 22 - 6:00 PM
Movie Showing & Discussion: Stonewall Uprising
See box above for complete information.



Thursday, August 22 - 6:45 PM
Interfaith & Ecumenical Committee
Click here for complete information.



Sunday, August 25 -9:45 AM
Respect for Life
Click here for complete information.
In the Media
Children of Undocumented Immigrants Arrested in Mississippi Rely on Strangers for Food and Shelter

by:  Alex Love
Posted:  Aug 7, 2019 / 10:52 PM UTC / Updated:  Aug 8, 2019 / 12:33 PM UTC

FOREST, Miss. (WJTV) — Following a  massive undocumented immigration enforcement operation resulting in more than 650 arrests, many children of those taken into custody were left temporarily homeless.

Community leaders in Forest, Mississippi brought the children to a community gym to provide care and comfort. 12 News reporter Alex Love was granted permission to talk to community leaders and the children.

Children relied on neighbors and strangers to pick them up outside their homes after school. They drove the children to a community center where people tried to keep them calm. But many kids could not stop crying for mom and dad.  READ MORE
On another note...