Dear Friends,
My heart is heavy as I write this message to you. As if the pandemic death reports weren’t painful enough to absorb, the extreme unrest that has surfaced due to George Floyd’s death is numbing. All of the ensuing events playing out in front of a backdrop of the COVID-19 outbreak has exponentially increased emotions throughout our nation. And yet we believers are reminded that we mustn’t give up on God’s protection because “hope does not disappoint.”
Regardless of where we are and what we’re experiencing right now, God is asking us to courageously trust in his sovereignty over every one of our struggles. God’s ability to correct injustices in our lives is outlined in Ezekiel 17:22-24 with the analogy of “bringing low the high tree and bringing high the lowly tree” so that God’s will AND peace are restored.
My prayer is that we may all receive the graces needed to fulfill our call on this earth while we are able. May we grow to trust in God’s providence and to prayerfully support each other through these crises. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love.
Peace and Blessings,
Lori Stanley
Executive Director
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¡Felicidades! Congratulations!
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El domingo 31 de mayo se realizó una ceremonia virtual de graduación de los 28 participantes de nuestro Programa de Formación Espiritual Ignaciana (PFEI). Aplaudimos su dedicación al proceso de formación de 3 años.
¡
Felicidades
a todos!
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A virtual graduation ceremony was held on Sunday, May 31st for 28 participants of our Programa Formación Espiritual Ignaciana (PFEI). We applaud them for their dedication to the 3-year formation process.
Congratulations to all of you!
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Esthela Bahena, Martha Alicia Caro, Dcn. Efrain Calderón, Dolores Calderón,
Virginia Rivera Carrillo, Genoveva Fabiola Catón, José Chávez, Ana Maria Devora, Irma Rita Diaz, Carlos Espinosa, Mayela Esparza, Natalia Falcón, Emiliano Reyes Franco, Raquel Fuentes, Silvia Inzunza, Mayra P. Jiménez, Alma Angelina Loera, Dcn. Antonio Luna, Elsa O. Luna, Julieta Sanchez Morales, Magdalena Rebolledo Nieto, Rosa V. Rama, Maria de Los Angeles, Berrospe Ramos, Adriana Rangel, Dcn. Miguel Sanchez, Maria Elena Vázquez, Coco Veloz, Ramona Zuno
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On Sunday, May 17th, 25 families gathered to share in a morning of reflection and connection based on the "three essential phrases" for families identified by Pope Francis in 2015:
May I? Thank you. I'm sorry.
Participants enjoyed personal reflection and discussion time for each question - including a "gratitude scavenger hunt" - and experienced the Examen Prayer in community.
Here's what participants had to say about this virtual retreat:
- It's always an honor to hear the presenters/speakers share their story. I was able to relate with the "May I" and reflected on how I automatically parented my kids from what I experienced growing up. And how it shaped my adult years. And wondered why I assumed that being demanding has more power vs innate peacemaking. Both my parents carried the balance - Thank God!
- Loved it! It is a very good reminder, especially during these times of isolation - to keep mutually honoring habits. And forgive ourselves, and be kind to ourselves.
- The content provided some good tips and reminders on how to better handle myself while in lockdown with my husband and enabled my husband to share his feelings with me on the areas of kindness to one another as well as forgiveness to one another.
- It was excellent; It felt like a little family even though I just knew [one family in attendance.]
Thank you again to all of our families. We look forward to hosting another virtual Ignatian Morning this fall.
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Ignatian Discernment
This Spring's Ignatian Discernment course provided us with an opportunity to try something new. In addition to the online format which allowed participants to join from around the country in the comfort of their own homes, we were able to invite several instructors to teach each week of the class. This diversity of perspective and experience enhanced the material, providing a unique and deep experience to the nearly 50 registrants.
The class represented a diverse group of experience themselves. Some were spiritual directors while others were completely new to Ignatian spirituality. Here's just a portion of what they had to say:
- I didn’t think that I would enjoy Zoom and breaking up into groups. I actually enjoyed both and found that the groups were very helpful and enjoyed meeting all the new people. Zoom was really quite easy to use and I feel like we can have the best teachers right in my own home.
- I enjoyed having different instructors who I feel were excellent and exuberated enthusiasm and knowledge in their own rootedness in the Ignatian Experience. It seemed to help deepen and broaden my own understanding of discernment. I really liked the course! I also liked online classes.
- Presenters were wonderful. Especially appreciated their diversity of viewpoints. Including non-catholic woman's perspective was refreshing and eye opening. Access to materials very easy. Small groups was surprisingly fruitful.
- Love that all the instructors made themselves available to help us if needed.
- I enjoyed the variety and was stunned you could put something so thoughtful and far-reaching together so quickly during a pandemic.
Thank you to all for trusting us on this journey. We certainly learned a lot. We are looking forward to having our instructors back this fall - more details to follow.
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How we respond together makes a difference.
COVID-19 has brought many changes to how we normally operate. Some of what we do has seamlessly translated into an online format. We've also been able to expand what we offer and reach new audiences thanks to our remote learning structure. One area that could not be replicated virtually is our annual awards dinner and fundraiser, Hearts on Fire. We will be honoring our awardees, Monty Williams, S.J. and Ann Holmquist, EdD, at a later date and will continue to share with you about their lives and their work.
In addition to being disappointed at the loss of this celebration, we find ourselves challenged to make up for the loss of funding that the event provides for our organization. We realize you, too, might be struggling with loss at this time. Know that we are offering scholarships and programs at no cost and we hope you will take advantage. If you are able to provide a financial gift in any amount, do so knowing that when you give to LIS, you give everyone the opportunity to experience freedom through a stronger personal relationship with our Lord. Thank you!
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Since they were first developed, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola have changed the lives of millions of men and women.
Loyola Institute for Spirituality invites you to experience the full Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola from September to early June. In addition to daily prayer and monthly faith-sharing sessions with other retreatants, you will be matched with an individual spiritual director who will guide you through this profoundly transformative retreat experience.
The application will be available online June 15.
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Registration for the Fall opens
July 1. Those seeking to enrich their understanding of the Bible may now register for either
individual sessions
of our Catholic Bible Institute or the full Fall Semester.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Daniel Smith-Christopher of Loyola Marymount University will be the instructor for all 2020-2021 classes.
Click below for registration and more information on each online meeting.
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Grupos de Oración sobre el Examen
Parte grupo de oración, parte grupo de apoyo, estas reuniones semanales están destinadas a introducir la práctica de incorporar la “oración simple que cambia la vida” en la rutina diaria, profundizar la práctica a través del intercambio de fe y establecer apoyo social durante momentos difíciles.
Los grupos se reúnen durante aproximadamente 45 minutos, están limitados a 10 participantes y son moderados por un miembro del equipo de liderazgo de LIS.
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Reflections, prayers, inspiration, information and opportunities to connect are shared daily.
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