April 20, 2020
Click on video above: Weekly Update - April 20 2020
Casserole Help for Our Daily Bread

These are challenging times for all of us, but are extremely hard for our homeless neighbors. For safety reasons we have temporarily suspended our Loaves and Fishes ministry, which is a significant source of sustenance for our downtown homeless citizens. Many parishioners have asked us what they can do to help.

We have organized a casserole collection program for Our Daily Bread to take place twice a month on Saturday mornings. Here’s how it works.
For recipe and pertinent instructions
Use the macaroni and cheese recipe attached to this article. Follow the instructions closely as casseroles are combined at Our Daily Bread, and make sure the casserole is fully frozen in an aluminum pan.

Bring your frozen casseroles to the front of St. Ignatius Church at 740 N. Calvert Street on Saturday morning between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM. The first collection is this coming Saturday, April 25th between 9:00 and 10:00 AM. We will collect every other Saturday, (that is Saturday May 9th and Saturday May 23rd ).

Put your casserole in the trunk of your car and pop the trunk when you arrive. A volunteer will get it and you don’t need to get out of your car. We will deliver all the casseroles to Our Daily Bread.

If these times don’t work for you, please check the Our Daily Bread website for different recipes and options for delivering casseroles.

If you have any question please contact Len Heckwolf at lenheckwolf@gmail.com . Jesus calls us to help our neighbors in these difficult times. Thank you for taking this opportunity to do God’s work.
Parishioner Insights
Editor's Note: As we maneuver through this COVID-19 season you may have spiritual thoughts, helpful hints, suggestions for coping, or just a message of hope and hello. Send them to us. Please be brief, encouraging, and not preachy or political. If we can, we will squeeze them in here. Email them to me at johnodean@st-ignatius.net.

Today's contribution is from Julia Martin Frazier, fellow parishioner and harpist par-excellence - hence the musical insight.
Director of Communications

I'm thinking about how this moment in the Coronavirus Era feels like a majestic, and hopeful and fruitful Grand Pause.

We are solidly in the midst of a new Coronavirus Era, and we've been at home now for about one full month now. There are so many different ways to deal with this strange and uncomfortable time - sometimes I need 10 different coping mechanisms within one day ...
Today I'm trying to stay positive, and fully allow myself to sit still in this moment. It's not easy, to say the least! I'm reflecting on parallels between this time we find ourselves in, and an element we find in music and poetry - the idea of the GRAND PAUSE. This can be a magical moment where anything can happen - and the anticipation during the wait can be a thrilling experience.

We're there - now.

I believe that during this Grand Pause, there are endless possibilities for creativity, quiet, reflection, reconnection, and self-care. I'm actually quite curious to see what will come out of this time of focused contemplation and reevaluation. I've been doing some writing about these kinds of opportunities, and it has been a helpful tool, to put some thoughts down, and I've had some fun documenting this new and uncharted territory.

May this Grand Pause be time of clarity and peace for you and yours. Good, luck - these days are long and tricky. We're all in it - love the ones you're with.

PEACE!
Video: "The Grand Pause" by Julia Martin Frazier - click on video above.
An Ignatian Pandemic Retreat Conclusion
This past Sunday was Easter. But when we rolled away the stone, things looked much the same. Many of us, it seems, remain hidden in our own tombs.

This Easter is unique. But perhaps we have more in common with that first Easter week than we realize. Let’s not forget that the disciples locked themselves away in fear, and it was the risen Christ that sought them out behind lock and key.

Let us make ourselves ready and available, then, to encounter Jesus in our homes, to welcome him into this moment of uncertainty and fear. To help, we’ve prepared a brief digital retreat – “Shelter in Hope” – to follow our popular “Into the Cave” retreat.
Do you want to continue receiving reflection emails and resources like this? Add your name to our list now: Jesuits.org/email-sign-up .

Praying with you in Easter hope,
Eric Clayton
Senior Communications Manager,
Ignatian Spirituality & Vocation Promotion
Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States
Did We Remember to Mention?
We want to thank you for your continued support of our Parish family. As you can imagine, St. Ignatius Catholic Community needs faithful contributions now more than ever! There are a few ways to accomplish this…
Faith Direct
Join the parishioners who are using Faith Direct for automated giving to St. Ignatius Catholic Community. Faith Direct offers a safe and secure way to donate to our parish in this time of uncertainty. There is no cost to you, and the program provides a great benefit to our parish. Sign up today by clicking here .
Venmo
Venmo is an app that instantly allows you to move money from your checking account or credit card to St. Ignatius by using your mobile phone. It’s incredibly easy to set up, and incredibly easy to use. To set up an account, click here . Find us on Venmo at Saint Ignatius Baltimore.
Pay by Check
Of course, you certainly can send in a contribution by check. Send checks directly to St. Ignatius.
·        Payable to: St. Ignatius Catholic Church
·        740 N. Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Worship, Offerings and Prayer
HOW TO GIVE   
How to contribute when we are not gathering together during this season.
POOR BOX 
This weekend's Poor Box support goes to help Vulnerable Families in Crisis
PRAY FOR THE SICK
A list of those who have been added to our
weekly prayer list.
In the Media
Baltimore Archdiocese Offers Memorial Page for Victims of Coronavirus


The Archdiocese of Baltimore launched a page on its website April 13 for people throughout the archdiocese to memorialize loved ones who have died of the coronavirus and to offer the prayers and support of the entire Catholic community.

“At a time when funeral Masses aren’t safe to celebrate and when people aren’t able to gather, even for something as important as the death of a loved one, I pray this will allow people to express their prayerful love and support in a way that is safe, but also very meaningful to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one at this time,” Archbishop William E. Lori said.

Bishop Adam J. Parker, vicar general for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, said the initiative – “One Church – One Family” – is in keeping with the Catholic Church’s long tradition of praying for the dead.

Traditional rituals include wake services, funeral Masses, graveside services, Mass intentions, enrollments and other commemorations, Bishop Parker said. Families also preserve memories of loved ones in other ways, such as with tombstones and monuments, plaques on columbaria and in places of worship, and with photographs in their homes, he said.

“Given our inability to gather for our traditional rituals, it is all the more urgent to unite in prayer as one church family for those who have died,” Bishop Parker said. “Knowing that many of the victims of the coronavirus are dying without the presence of their loved ones, our ability to unite in prayer for them is even more significant.”

Bishop Parker noted that three days before Christmas, Paul Parker, his brother, died of cancer at 52.

“In addition to my faith, the greatest source of consolation came from the support and prayers of countless people who reached out with condolences and words of encouragement,” Bishop Parker said. “Whether that was through cards, texts and emails or in person at the funeral home or church, the very knowledge that so many people were praying for him was of great comfort to me and my family. I’m hoping that the prayers of those who use this memorial page will likewise be a source of comfort to those who are grieving the loss of coronavirus victims.”

Bishop Parker highlighted Pope Francis, who in his Urbi et Orbi message two weeks ago said everyone is “in the boat together” in dealing with the pandemic.

“That compels us to support one another and pray for one another including those who have died, even those we don’t know,” Bishop Parker said. “We are one church and we are one family united in Christ.”

Click here to submit the name and information about a loved one who died of the coronavirus. The memorial page may be viewed here.

Email George Matysek at gmatysek@CatholicReview.org.