The Ignatian Year and The Ignatian Volunteer Corps |
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Jesuits around the world are celebrating an "Ignatian Year" from May 2021 through July 2022. May 20, 2021 marked the 500th anniversary of a traumatic but important event in the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. On that day, he was struck by a cannonball while fighting in the Battle of Pamplona. He was housebound for months, recuperating from his injury.
That date marked the beginning of a slow conversion in the life and mindset of Ignatius. He began to reassess his life goals and commitments. He moved from seeking his own glory, as he had through years as a soldier and man of the world, to seeking God's glory. He became a pilgrim. Pamplona was what we now call his "cannonball moment."
Those who work in Jesuit and Ignatian ministries, such as the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC), are taking advantage of this time to think about our goals and priorities, and to ask about our own cannonball moments. Members of the IVC are reading and reflecting upon Pope Francis' Let Us Dream and excerpts from the Autobiography of St. Ignatius in our monthly meetings and retreats.
There are many resources available for those who want to participate in the Ignatian Year. Among them are the following:
- an array of options from the Jesuit world-wide community including a well-written weekly email reflection, an action platform for renewing the earth, and much more. Click here to explore these resources.
- a delightful, original "stop-motion" video with LEGOS® showcasing the life of St. Ignatius, created by staff at St. Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill (MA). It uses the narration from the children's book, Audacious Ignatius. Click here.
- Or, try reading "Cannonball Moment Stories" on the Ignatius500 Global Project Jesuit website. Click here.
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Some Openings Remain with IVC New England |
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Cheryl Letson is a mainstay at the St. John's Worcester Food Program |
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Though our IVC year is underway, there are still some options available for late-comers. Check the following to see if something is calling you.
A Faith That Does Justice (Boston) - an interfaith organization working to put faith into action by showing how societal structures marginalize those in need. There are virtual opportunities available.
Hearth, Inc (Boston) - HR support is needed in its South End office.
Nurtury Early Education (Boston) - special projects assistants, development and marketing opportunities, onsite work at childcare centers, nursing roles.
St. John's Church (Worcester) - more volunteers are needed in its morning food program.
For a list of all current openings, click here. |
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Consider a Saturday, October 16th morning retreat on Learning to Compose Photos in Nature. Bring your phone or camera to learn principles of composing photographs at the wooded landscape of Campion Renewal Center in Weston (MA). This retreat is led by IVC New England spiritual reflector John Predmore, SJ. Register here.
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Dare to Dream: the Zach Presutti, SJ Story is about a Jesuit's journey from service in a local Syracuse jail to the founding of the Thrive for Life Prison Project. Hear him tell his story on an IVC webinar, noon ET on Thursday, November 11th. Register here. Free, but donations are welcome to support the work of IVC Milwaukee.
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Sign up now for the annual Archdiocese of Boston Social Justice Convocation - a virtual gathering on Saturday, November 13th, from 10 am - 12:30 pm. The theme, based on Pope Francis' recent book, is Let Us Dream; The Path to a Better Future. For more information or to help with the planning, click here.
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IVC Omaha invites us to join them for their 2nd annual Morning of Ignatian Inspiration with Larry Gillick, SJ and Greg Carlson, SJ from 11 am ET to 12:15 ET on Saturday, November 13th. Approaching Thanksgiving, this will be an hour of reflection, prayer, and discussion. This will be a virtual event and is free of cost. To learn more and register, click here.
- IVC New England spiritual reflectors Debbie Notarianni and Sue Geraghty will be leading an Advent Day of Reflection and Prayer at Enders Island (RI) on Thursday, December 2nd, from 9 am to 2 pm. Mass and meal will be part of the day. For more information, contact Debbie: notariannideborah@gmail.com.
- Former IVC national staff member Tom Ulrich has recently written a book focusing on organizing social justice ministry in faith communities. It is entitled On Earth as it is in Heaven, and is available at Amazon.com. Click here for more information.
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And - hot off the press - the Fall issue of Holy Cross Magazine with a major article on the Ignatian Volunteer Corps: Service and Spirituality/ Purpose. Friends and members of the IVC New England community will recognize many familiar faces. Search out a hard copy. As we write, this issue is not yet available on line. Click here to access Holy Cross Magazine on line.
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31 Fairview Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
617-571-3838
newengland@ivcusa.org
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