NEWS & UPDATES | June 2020
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Dear Friend,
My colleagues and I at the Office of Ignatian Spirituality are deeply troubled by the recent deaths of unarmed people of color—George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and far too many others—and we stand in solidarity with all those voicing outrage. The racism and injustice behind these tragedies is further laid bare by the ongoing suffering caused by the pandemic, which we know affects people of color disproportionately.
For those of us who are white, now is a time for prayer, learning, reflection, and action. Racism is a soul sickness, as Fr. Bryan Massingale,
writes
. It warps the way we see our brothers and sisters and how we and our society treat one another. Racism as a soul sickness is not so much something we either "are" or "are not." It requires ongoing conversion of heart, wherein we hear the cry of the oppressed more loudly and respond in greater love. We all have work to do.
It is important that we turn to God in prayer during difficult times. St. Ignatius reminds us in the Spiritual Exercises that we can recognize the voice of God in how we are drawn beyond ourselves toward others. I encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities for prayer, reflection, and action listed below.
May God continue to heal us, fill our hearts with love, and make us instruments of God's justice and peace.
Sincerely In Christ,
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Rev. George M. Witt, SJ
Executive Director
Office of Ignatian Spirituality
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WORKS OF LOVE
Racism in America
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Last fall, we launched our
Works of Love campaign to draw attention to how tightly intertwined Ignatian spirituality is with justice, and we specifically considered the issue of racism in America. We have updated and added to this chapter, and we encourage you to prayerfully revisit these resources.
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JESUITS IN BRITAIN
Pray with Us: Sacred Heart Novena, June 11-19
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Leading up to the Feast of the Sacred Heart on June 19, we are praying this Sacred Heart
Novena, which was written by Fr. David Stewart, SJ, and published by the Jesuits in Britain.
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POPE'S WORLDWIDE PRAYER NETWORK
Pope Francis' Prayer Request For June 2020
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This month Pope Francis is asking us to join him in praying for The Way of the Heart. "We pray that all those who suffer may find their way in life, allowing themselves to be touched by the Heart of Jesus."
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MARYLAND AND USA NORTHEAST PROVINCES
A Prayerful Message from the Jesuit Provincials
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"So much apprehension and uncertainty has consumed our lives this year already. We are aware of so many who are struggling, and we pray that a new dawn is on the horizon, one that brings us back together physically and spiritually."
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COMUNIDADES HISPANAS IGNACIANAS
An Open Letter to Our
Comunidades Hispanas Ignacianas
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In this moment in which so much seems to be in turmoil, the demands of our faith take on deeper significance. In addition to the coronavirus, we are faced with the horror of the death of George Floyd at the hands of police, his pleas ignored as he struggled to breathe. We must remember that we can and should express our faith by fighting for our rights and those of our sisters and brothers who are suffering and are oppressed.
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WERNERSVILLE, PA
Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth to Close August 2021
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Effective August 2021, the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth in Wernersville, PA, will be closed. Fr. Robert M. Hussey, SJ, the Provincial of the Maryland Province announced this decision on May 29, 2020, in
a letter to the Province.
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June 10, 2020, 8:00 PM (EDT)
CONTEMPLATIVE LEADERS IN ACTION
Ignatian Leadership Today
Online Conversation
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CLA participants and alumni are invited to “Ignatian Leadership Today," a one-hour, online conversation featuring special guests Chris Lowney and Mary Novak.
This will be the first-ever virtual gathering of the entire CLA community. CLA participants and alumni may
register for free here.
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June 19, 2020, 12:30 PM (EDT)
Examen Live! with the Ignatian Volunteer Corps
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Join us for our next Examen Live! event on Friday, June 19, at 12:30pm (
note that the time has changed). The
Ignatian Volunteer Corps will be with us to lead our prayer.
Whether you're new to the examen or have prayed it for years, take a few minutes to pause, reflect, and pray with us.
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IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY ON LONG ISLAND
Upcoming Events at Tabor House–St. Anthony's
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- Wednesdays in June, 10:00 AM, Book Discussion: "Gift of the Red Bird" by Paula D’Arcy, facilitated by Karen Silver.
- Friday, June 12, 9:30 AM, "Speech and Silence," with Irene Rush and Sister Thomas More.
- Friday, June 19, 9:30 AM, "Heart to Heart," with Irene Rush and Sister Thomas More.
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IGNATIAN YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES
Calendar of Online Events
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OIS's Ignatian Young Adult Ministries has put together a calendar of online events and programs being offered across the Ignatian community. There is a wide range of online opportunities to connect with others during these tumultuous, uncertain and anxious times. Many of these events are open to everyone, not just young adults.
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FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Programs and Resources...
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Office of Ignatian Spirituality | Maryland and USA Northeast Provinces of the Society of Jesus
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