Click on video above: 'The Thought' - May 16, 2022 | |
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We are facing the strong possibility that the Supreme Court will overturn Roe v Wade. I have three articles to share with you.
The 1st is by Fr. Sam Sawyer, SJ. I agree with his analysis of the polarization around this issue. I am persuaded by it to doubt that overturning Roe is either a necessary or effective step toward better public policy for the protection of human life.
The other two are the writings of two pro-life Catholic women who believe that overturning Roe would be ineffective in making abortion less chosen and further inflame raw emotions and bitter divisions. I agree with them for the reasons they offer.
Two comments:
- The current uproar is enflamed by the posturing of nihilistic politicians who, to gain and stay in power, will take any position that exploits the fears and resentments of their base and then turn on a dime when the wind changes. Brazen, shameless examples of demagoguery abound.
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All three articles agree that no person or party is truly pro-life, truly pro human thriving, that blocks every attempt to build a society in which abortion is less chosen because social inequities are addressed in keeping with the Gospel and Catholic social teachings: a living wage, equal pay for equal work, mass incarceration, the death penalty, immigration reform, access to housing, clean water and air, affordable health and childcare, paid maternity leave, and—yes—systemic racism.
So much is being done in our archdiocese and by our own community to walk along side of, care for, and support expectant and new mothers. This is the strongest witness we can give. Just sayin’
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Editor's Note: As we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter next weekend, the gospel reading will be John 14:23-29 in which we find Jesus giving his 'going away' instructions to his disciples. It is here that Jesus says: "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with (abide with) them” (Jn. 14:23). Read Alyce McKenzie's Gospel Reflection below on what it means to make our home in God. | |
Home Alone? Reflections on John 14:23-29 | |
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by Alyce McKenzie
“Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with (abide with) them” (Jn. 14:23).
Biblical scholar Andre Brower Latz points out that “abide” (“make our home with”) is John’s “preferred and primary” way to characterize discipleship. This abiding is based on the relationship between Jesus and the Spirit and the Father.
This verse from the Gospel of John describes how we are to prepare our homes to host a guest who is going to take up residence within our lives: Jesus, in relationship with the Spirit and the Father. John indicates that the Spirit of truth is already present within the disciples. John tells us that we know him because he abides with us (Jn. 14:17). But at the same time, there is also a push to prepare for a future move-in date. We are charged with preparing for his taking up residence. READ MORE
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Our First Communicants of 2022 | |
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First Holy Communion
Congratulations to second graders in our Parish Religious Education Program, PREP! They received the sacrament of First Holy Communion Sunday, May 8th, at the 10:00 am Mass: Luke Brown, Josephine Cadd, Jack McLane, Jay Molino, Luke Owsianny, Peter Owsianny, and Jane Stanley. We equally congratulate classmate Hudson DaSilva, who was unexpectedly unable to attend May 8th. We are proud of you, and grateful that you receive Jesus in this way with us. It was a very special Mother's Day, indeed!
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What "Jesuit" is all about... | |
Jesuit 101: Are We Ready to Be “People for and with Others”? | |
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This year I am graduating for the fourth time from a Jesuit school. Throughout the past fifteen years, I often heard encouragement from teachers or other students to be “a man for others.” When I was in high school, the phrase often meant having an other-oriented attitude of service, as in, “go on this service trip and be a man for others.” When I was in college, I heard it more often as a call to dedicate my education to the betterment of others. These understandings reflect some of the ways that Jesuit schools have internalized this language of being “for others.”
But the phrase originally was meant to highlight a failure of Jesuit schools. Being a “man for others” was offered as a lofty goal of providing a Christian education that prepared our students to work for justice. Both Jesuits and our alumni were asked to admit humbly that we had not yet achieved that goal. To better understand this common Jesuit mantra, this article will provide a brief history and explore some more recent adaptations that seek to respond to a modern context. READ MORE
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From the Environmental Justice Subcommittee | |
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Native Plant Sale
Hosted by the Justice & Peace Committee’s Environmental Justice Subcommittee
The Environmental Justice Subcommittee is hosting a native plant sale on May 21 after the 5:00 PM Mass and May 22 after the 10:00 AM Mass. Tables will be set up in the Narthex on May 21 and in the Reeves Gallery on May 22. There will be a variety of plants available and information about native plants. CASH SALES ONLY.
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Why purchase native plants? It is an easy, economical step for caring for our environment. Planting native is an environmental responsibility that affects the world around us. By planting native we maintain the biodiversity of an area. Our native wildlife, especially birds, butterflies, pollinators, and other organisms have evolved with the plants here. If the plants are not present, much of the wildlife is unable to survive. Conserving and reintroducing our native plants can help us recapture our regional character, with plants that are naturally adapted to the local environment. These plants are often more disease resistant than non-natives. They are attractive landscaping that provides food and shelter for wildlife. Native plants protect our natural resources by requiring fewer chemicals, less water and lower maintenance.[1] And if that is not enough, native plants are just beautiful.
[1] Home and Garden Mimeo HG#120 3/2005.
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Hearts, Eyes and Prayers toward Ukraine
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A Concert of Beauty to Assist in the Horror of War...Put it on your calendar! | |
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Bios
Nicholas Bavani, a graduate from West Chester University’s Masters in Music Education program and Shepherd University’s BME program, Bavani performs regularly through-out the region as a pianist. In addition, he is heavily involved in music education as a teacher and adjudicator throughout the Northeast. Known for his bold performances, and artistic touches Bavani has built a reputation to be a true performer while educating his audience. His strong passion for Russian classical music has not gone unnoticed and performances often are accompanied by an education on the different styles within the Russian tradition. Utilizing both his domestic and international influences on music education, Bavani has created a neurodiverse piano studio ranging from beginners to award winning pianists at a regional level. Both Wardell, and Bavani have been recently granted the “Rubinstein Award” from the “Triumph International Russian Competition” based out of Philadelphia. While he has a strong love for Russian Classical Music, Nicholas condemns the Russian invasion fueled by Vladimir Putin and wants to use his art to promote peace.
Hannah Wardell is an emerging artist known throughout the greater Baltimore area for her unique timbre and enchanting stage presence.She received her undergraduate degree from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV and completed her master’s degree at the Peabody Institute where she studied under baritone, Steven Rainbolt.
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We Need A Spanish Teacher!
The Loyola School Kindergarten is seeking a part time Spanish teacher to work with the students once (or perhaps twice) per week for an hour.
The class is from 1:10-2:10 once weekly on Tuesday (this could be flexible)
If you know of anyone who would like to teach Spanish starting in late May through mid-June please contact Erica Meadows emeadows@lelc-balt.org or call 443- 563-2589. Pay is an hourly rate (to be discussed).
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Sending it your way again... | |
We posted information about the "Building A Bridge" Documentary featuring our own St. Ignatius Catholic Community in last week's e-zine. As there are continuing platforms of release every few weeks, we wanted to let you know about them... | |
Click on video above to view trailer for: "Building a Bridge". | |
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Dear Fr. Jim:
The peace of Christ!
Just wanted to let you (and your parishioners) know that your parish is prominently featured in a new documentary called "Building a Bridge," about LGBTQ ministry, now available on video on demand (Amazon, iTunes, YouTube etc), soon to be streaming on AMC+ and then on Sundance TV. We filmed at your parish a year or two ago, and it's a wonderful testimony to all the great work you do.
Peace,
James Martin, S.J.
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Concert for the Children of Ukraine
June 5 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
More Information
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POOR BOX
This week's collection: "Ignatian Spirituality Project"
Learn More
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HOW TO GIVE
How to contribute to
St. Ignatius.
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PRAYER LIST
Pray for those who are sick
and on our Prayer List.
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by Natalie Patton
I got entangled in the messy business of loving my neighbor about seven years ago, and I had no idea what I was getting into. Whether it’s referred to as social justice, economic justice or humanitarian outreach, I just saw it as fulfilling a desire to love marginalized people who had been dealt an unfair hand. I had my own bouts of overcoming personal shame, and I wanted to love because I had been loved.
I felt the call to move my Christian theology out of my head and into my hands, feet and mouth, but I was naïve in regards to the pushback I would get, especially from the Church. Little did I know, it would become the most awkward, controversial and sometimes heartbreaking part of my Christian journey.
This work of mine has involved everything from confronting my own racist leanings from growing up in the American South, tutoring at a disadvantaged public school, being a voice for the peacemaking between Israelis and Palestinians after living in the Middle East for two years, and now being an advocate for Somali refugees who are in a state of limbo in Bangkok, Thailand.
I try to restrain from lashing out angrily on social media. I don’t play the name-calling games. But anything that advocates for helping vulnerable people, I’m all over it. The pushback I’ve gotten by doing this stretches across a wide spectrum of dissent and disapproval. READ MORE
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READER NOTIFICATION:
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.
- This e-zine was designed and compiled by John C. Odean
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