As promised, here is a link to all the reflections submitted so far on the parish, the archdiocese, and the Universal Church in preparation for the 2023 Synod.

There will be two opportunities to attend a zoom meeting for those who have responded. The primary focus will be on what we have heard about the parish. Where are we doing well? What is lacking or can be improved?

One will be on Tuesday 22 Feb. from 6:30 to 8:00. The other will be on Monday 28 Feb. from 6:30 to 8:00.

If you haven’t yet responded, there is still time. You can click here to share your reflections.

The zoom invitations will go out in mid-February.

As ever,

Editor's Note: Next weekend the Gospel reading is Luke 5:1-11 where Jesus is calls his first disciples by showing them the difference between their efforts at life, and what happens when they surrender their efforts over to him. Amazing!

Some Bible stories frustrate me.

You get the point, but there are so many more questions that I would love to have answered.

For instance, did anyone show up to Lazarus’ real funeral? I bet there were a lot of people who remembered when he died the first time and headed to his funeral only to find out Jesus had raised him from the dead. I’m sure when he died the second time, most of them said, “Not again! Is he going to stay dead this time?”

The same is true for the story related in the fifth chapter of Luke. The story tells of when Jesus called the first disciples. A few fishermen had been out all night and came back with nothing. They were cleaning and mending their nets, and Jesus showed up with a crowd of people wanting to hear him speak. READ MORE

If you are able to, please consider making a donation. You can click here to access a donation form. This link also has a list of needed items. If you prefer to make a cash donation so that volunteers can purchase new items to respectfully furnish an apartment for a new American family, you can do that it one of two ways. 

We are accepting donations until February 28th. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

Our newly formed Liturgy Committee will be providing a WORKSHOP for existing and new lectors and acolytes on Sunday, February 13th after the 10 am Mass.

We welcome additional lectors and acolytes to be of service in our communal worship. Whether adult, teenager or child, this ministry can bring more meaning to your worship experience.

Seamus Dockery, a former Jesuit and a theater instructor at Loyola University, is an excellent coach in how to proclaim the WORD from the ambo.

Each lector will receive a personal copy of the Lector’s Booklet, which will enable you to pray over the Word and practice proclaiming it well in advance. Father Jim will join me to provide training for anyone interested in serving as an acolyte.

If you plan to attend the workshop or would like more information, please contact Sue Cesar at [email protected] or 410-493-5908.

February 8 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

February 10 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

February 22 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

As part of a federal program, the United States Postal Service will deliver 4 FREE COVID-19 tests to individual homes. See link for more information and order form: https://special.usps.com/testkits

YEAR-END STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS –  Faith Direct will be sending a summary of 2021 contributions to everyone who has donated to the church through that organization. If you need acknowledgement from the parish for any single contribution of $250 or more for tax purposes, please send an email to [email protected], or call the parish office, (410) 727-3828.

Inner Peace in Divine Love An Ignatian Lenten Retreat 

Registration deadline: March 4; Register early as space is limited!

Loyola University Maryland is offering this introductory Ignatian Lenten retreat in daily life. The retreat consists of four weeks of prayer using the book, The First Spiritual Exercises, by Michael Hansen, SJ. Participants will pray 30 - 40 minutes a day at home 4-5 days each week, keep a prayer journal, and meet weekly for one hour with an assigned spiritual guide (either in person or via zoom).

During the retreat - Inner Peace in Divine Love, you will be invited to reflect on the Mystery of God’s love spilling over into creation; become aware of God’s comforting presence in your life; listen to God’s call to you to be a receiver and giver of Divine Love; and become God’s friend. In Ignatius’ words, this leads into movements of love, gratitude, and service.

To register, email [email protected]. Questions? Contact Sue Cesare, [email protected] or call 410-493-5908.

March 12 – Remembering Love

March 19 – Dwelling in Love

March 26 – Love at Work

April 2 – Love in Service

April 9 – Retreat Summary

ROME — Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych, Ukraine, major archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, knows his people are frightened.

"People are overwhelmed with a great fear, and this is normal in the face of such danger" as Russia continues to deploy troops all along its border with Ukraine and as the United States and other NATO countries place troops on notice for possible deployment, the archbishop told Catholic News Service Jan. 25.

At the same time, he said, "as Christians, we possess hope of the victory of good over evil. We especially pray for those who want to harm our people, that the Lord will avert their evil intentions and guide them to the path of peace." READ MORE

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.