Loyola Jesuit Center, Morristown, NJ Loyola Weekly Newsletter

March 10, 2022 | Issue #10 Thursday of the First Week of Lent

Jesuit Military Chaplain in Ukraine   The mission of the Society of Jesus is often described as, "to help souls" by doing, in St. Ignatius' words, "any ministration whatsoever of the Word of God." Fr. Andriy Zelinskyy, SJ, is a Ukrainian Jesuit priest carrying out the Society's mission by serving as the coordinator of military chaplains for the Ukrainian Catholic Church.    Click the images below for an article about Fr. Zelinskyy, and please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and for peace in our world!

Fr. Andriy Zelinskyy, SJ, a Ukrainian Jesuit priest ministering to the Ukrainian troops during the battle for Ukrainian freedom. Jesuit Father Andriy Zelinskyy, S.J., third from left, coordinator of military chaplains for the Ukrainian Catholic Church, is pictured with colleagues in a 2018 photo. Father Zelinskyy said the threat of a war with Russia isn't news and that "the war started eight years ago." (CNS photo/courtesy Father Andriy Zelinskyy)

This past weekend, Linda Baratte and I presented a weekend, “I call you friends…” on holy and sacramental camaraderie starting with the Book of Genesis and going right down to our present day. It was an example of one of our hybrid retreats. We had some people from the New York Labor group that have sponsored the weekend for many years, along with some older and newer friends. This particular hybrid resulted in a blending of some of our traditional elements [the Sacraments of Reconciliation & the Sick, the Stations of the Cross and the Rosary] with a few new approaches. It was a co-ed retreat; we didn’t ask for silence at meals, and we served wine and beer at dinner on Saturday. Covid has changed many things at Loyola Jesuit Center, and we are experimenting with as many formats as we can in the hope that the numbers coming to us for retreat will recover. [Loyola still offers many traditional silent retreat weekends.]          We have begun new sessions of our Spiritual Book Club led by Karen Florance [joined by Tom Marciniak] and our ever-popular 8 Week Spiritual Exercises led by Marie Santana and Kirk Reynolds. If you haven’t already taken advantage of these offerings, think seriously about signing up the next time they are offered.          Finally, I want to mention two special Masses that are coming up. On Sunday 13th March at 11:30am, at the end of the weekend retreat, we will celebrate a special Mass in honor of the 400th Anniversary of the canonization of Saints Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier [along with St. Philip Neri and St. Isidore the Farmer!] Then, on Sunday 27th March at 3:00pm we will have our annual Mass for Jesuit Alumni. If you’d like to join us for either of these events, please sign up on our website. -- Paul Brian Campbell, S.J.

Loyola Has Good News

This past weekend & on Ash Wednesday, Loyola hosted two of its largest groups since the start of the Pandemic 2 years ago. The Fr. Shealy Retreat Group was at Loyola for their annual silent retreat weekend on February 25th - 27th & brought 65 men to Loyola. The retreat was led by Fr. Steve Pugliese, S.J. The group also added 8 men who attended the retreat virtually. We pray that many more Loyola sponsored weekend retreats will reach those numbers in the upcoming months. On Ash Wednesday, Fr. Tom Marciniak, S.J., led a Day of Prayer which was attended in-person by over 60 men & women. There were also 4 who attended the Day of Prayer virtually. What a great gift to Loyola to witness a full house on Ash Wednesday. We pray the upcoming Days of Prayer in Spring might also fill the house.

Loyola's Main Dining Room was full on the Ash Wednesday Day of Prayer Photo taken by Jeff Simon

Retreat Recap "I Call You Friend" Retreat Weekend - New Format This past weekend, March 4th - 6th, Loyola sponsored a coed retreat weekend which included all of the traditional elements of a Loyola retreat, but added an option to have conversations at meals and sharing in small groups during the retreat. The retreat was led by Linda Baratte, PhD, Loyola's Mission Committee Chair, & our very own Director of Loyola, Paul Brian Campbell, S.J.

New York Labor Retreat Group posing in front of the statue of St. Francis Xavier in Loyola's main entranceway, which their group donated. They shared their traditionally sponsored weekend with a number of others on the March 4th - 6th "I Call You Friend" Weekend Retreat Retreatants praying the Stations of the Cross outside during Loyola's "I Call You Friend" New Format weekend retreat.

Linda S. from New Providence, NJ who attended her first ever Loyola retreat on the March 4th -6th "I Call You Friend" weekend retreat Testimonial "I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat. It was a wonderrful combination of meeting others and discussion coupled with time for solitude & reflection. There was an ability to choose from various options which I appreciated. I completely enjoyed the entire experience and cannot wait to come back again. When you don't want to leave a place you have been, you know you'll be back again."

Click Here to View more Retreat Testimonials on Loyola's website

IGNATIAN YEAR EVENTS - March, 2022

THIS Sunday, March 13th, 2022 - 11:30AM  Sunday Commemoration Mass Loyola Jesuit Center will offer Mass commemorating the 400th anniversary of the canonizations of both St. Ignatius Loyola, S.J. & St. Francis Xavier, S.J. We will join the closing Mass for the Retreat Weekend March 11th - 13th & celebrate with the Jesuit Community at Loyola the momentous occasion of the 400th anniversary of the canonization of both St. Ignatius & St. Francis Xavier. Please consider joining us for this Signature Ignatian Year Event. Click Here to RSVP for the 400th anniversary commemoration Mass

There is no suggested Free Will Offering for this Ignatian Year Mass, however you are always welcome to donate to Loyola. We ask that you will RSVP so we can have an idea of how many will be attending. Thank you.

2022 Lenten Resources from Jesuits USA East The USA East Province has gathered a collection of Lenten resources that we hope will help you on your journey to Easter.

Resources - Click on any Bolded Resource Midwest Jesuits Way of the Cross – Reflections on the 14 Stations of the Cross written by Jesuits and lay colleagues from the Midwest Province. Available in written or audio format. Jesuit Prayer – Receive the daily Scripture reading, an Ignatian reflection, and a short prayer each day through the app, on the website, or by signing up for the daily email. We also offer personal responses to prayer requests; all are remembered in Masses celebrated by the Jesuits. An Ignatian Guide to Lent – This Lent, the Jesuit Conference invites you to use Ignatian spirituality to breathe new insight into these sacred rituals. Learn about Lent and about Ignatian spirituality through the lived experiences of fellow practitioners. As I Have Done For You – This online Lenten retreat is offered by Becky Eldredge and her Ignatian ministry team. This Lent, the Jesuit Conference invites you to use Ignatian spirituality to breathe new insight into these sacred rituals. Learn about Lent and about Ignatian spirituality through the lived experiences of fellow practitioners. Stations of the Cross by Jesuit Refugee Service USA – Pray these Stations of the Cross to accompany Jesus on his journey, as we watch and pray over displaced people around the world. Growing in Friendship with God this Lent – This Lent, grow in your friendship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit with this series from the dotMagis blog. Find Fr. William Barry’s meditations for Lenten Wednesdays and reflections inspired by the mediations on IgnatianSpirituality.com. From Ashes to Glory (Lenten Examen by Fr. Joe Tetlow, SJ) – From Ashes to Glory invites you to take up the practice of reflecting on your day, its gifts and graces, and the progress you are making in life with Christ. It’s a way of praying the Examen through Lent, with materials by Fr. Joseph Tetlow, SJ. 3-Minute Retreat – Loyola Press offers a short daily retreat in English and in Spanish, online or through an app. Living Lent Daily – Inspired by Fr. Joe Tetlow, SJ’s new book of prayers, You Have Called Me by My Name, we’ll explore the Examen and direct our attention to Jesus’ experience of the Passion. Seven Last Words – Online prayer meditations commemorating each of the seven last words that Jesus uttered from the cross. Arts & Faith: Lent – Each week you’ll find a video commentary about a work of art inspired by the Sunday Scriptures. Use these videos to take a new look at this season of spiritual renewal through the lens of sacred art. Alpha Sigma Nu Lenten Series – Sign up to receive weekly emails focusing on the traditional themes of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in community with fellow ASN members. Explore these themes with history, prayer, resources, and reflections from ASN alumni members, and watch weekly video reflections from Jesuit ASN members on the Sunday readings. Lenten Resources from Xavier University – A variety of resources and prayers for Lent.

Holy Week Directed & Preached Retreats

Holy Week Directed Retreat Sunday, April 10 - Sunday, April 17, 2022 Retreat includes individual daily meeting with a spiritual director, daily Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Sacrament of the Sick, and plenty of time for private prayer. Retreatants should arrive after 4:00pm on Palm Sunday; departure after breakfast Easter Sunday, around 10:00am. Reconciliation Thursday – 3:00pm Solemn Liturgies Holy Thursday – 7:30pm Good Friday – 3:00pm Easter Vigil – 8:00pm Easter Sunday – 7:30am Click Here to Register for the Holy Week Directed Retreat Holy Week Sacred Triduum Preached Retreat Wednesday, April 13 - Sunday, April 17, 2022 During these holiest days of the Christian year we enter more deeply into the saving events that have given us abundant new life in Christ. In an atmosphere of retreat silence there will be presentations for your prayer and reflection. We will celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week as a community of Easter faith. There will be an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as an invitation to walk the outdoor Stations of the Cross. What wondrous love is this!!!  Retreatants should arrive after 4:00pm on the Wednesday before Easter; departure after breakfast Easter Sunday, around 10:00am. Reconciliation Thursday – 3:00pm Solemn Liturgies Holy Thursday – 7:30pm Good Friday – 3:00pm Easter Vigil – 8:00pm Easter Sunday – 7:30am Click Here to Register for the Sacred Triduum Preached Retreat

Summer Week-Long Directed & Preached Retreats

Sunday, July 31st - Sunday, August 7th & Sunday, August 14th - Sunday, August 21st A directed retreat is an individually guided silent prayer experience in which the retreatant follows the dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius while listening for God’s personal word spoken through the Sacred Scriptures.  The retreat begins with dinner at 6pm and ends after breakfast and Mass on the last day, approximately 10am. The retreat includes individual daily meeting with a Spiritual Director, daily Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Sacrament of the Sick and plenty of time for private prayer. Click Here to Register for one of the two Summer Directed Retreats Sunday, July 10th - Sunday, July 17th Preached retreats consist of individuals who are on their own personal retreat, but are given group talks by a retreat director each day to prepare and orient them for their own prayer and reflection. They follow the themes of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Preached retreats include daily Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Sacrament of the Sick and plenty of time for private prayer. Loyola offers preached retreats during Holy Week and in the summer. Preached retreats are open to all without prior experience of spiritual direction. Click Here to Register for the Summer Preached Retreat

Loyola Sponsored Winter/Spring Weekend Retreats All Weekend Retreats are being offered in-person & virtually

Please click on any of the below retreats and offerings for more information and to register. 2022 Winter/Spring Weekend Retreats 03/11 – 03/13 – Weekend Retreat Traditionally sponsored by: Garibaldi, OLM Retreat directors - Thomas R. Marciniak, S.J. & Karen Florance 03/25 – 03/27 – Weekend Retreat Traditionally sponsored by: St. Catherine, Holmdel, Justin Martyr Retreat director - Steve Pugliese, S.J. 04/01 - 04/03 – Weekend Retreat Traditionally sponsored by: Joseph M. Byrne, Georgetown Alumni Coed Retreat directors - Kirk Reynolds, S.J. & Marie Santana 04/08 - 04/10 – Weekend Retreat Traditionally sponsored by: Dineen, St. Christopher’s Retreat directors - Thomas R. Marciniak, S.J. & Karen Florance 05/06 - 05/08 – Weekend Retreat Traditionally sponsored by: Lovett, Lourdes, Jesuit Alumni, et al Retreat director - Steve Pugliese, S.J. 05/13 - 05/15 – Weekend Retreat Traditionally sponsored by: St. Catharine's/Mt. Carmel Retreat directors - Thomas R. Marciniak, S.J. & Karen Florance 06/03 - 06/05 – Women's Weekend Retreat Traditionally sponsored by: Women's June Retreat Group Retreat director - Judith Schiavo

Living the Universal Apostolic Preferences Click on any of the preferences below to read more. #1 Showing the way to God Show the way to God through the Spiritual Exercises and discernment #2 Walking with the Excluded Walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice #3 Caring for our Common Home Collaborate, with Gospel depth, for the protection and renewal of God’s Creation #4 Journeying with Youth Accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future

Click here to view a brief video on the Society of Jesus' Universal Apostolic Preferences

Pope Francis' Corner Pope Francis is a Jesuit. "Defending fundamental human rights demands courage and determination." POPE FRANCIS ANGELUS Saint Peter's Square Sunday, 6 March 2022 Angelus Address: Sunday, March 6, 2022 "May this time of Lent also be a time of the desert for us. Let us take time for silence and prayer – just a little, it will do us good – in these spaces let us stop and look at what is stirring in our hearts, our inner truth, that which we know cannot be justified. Let us find inner clarity, placing ourselves before the Word of God in prayer, so that a positive fight against the evil that enslaves us, a fight for freedom, may take place within us." After the Angelus "Dear brothers and sisters, Rivers of blood and tears are flowing in Ukraine. It is not merely a military operation, but a war, which sows death, destruction and misery. The number of victims is increasing, as are the people fleeing, especially mothers and children. The need for humanitarian assistance in that troubled country is growing dramatically by the hour. I make a heartfelt appeal for humanitarian corridors to be genuinely secured, and for aid to be guaranteed and access facilitated to the besieged areas, in order to offer vital relief to our brothers and sisters oppressed by bombs and fear. I thank all those who are taking in refugees. Above all, I implore that the armed attacks cease and that negotiation - and common sense - prevail. And that international law be respected once again!" Click Here to read Pope Francis' full Angelus Address this past Sunday, March 6, 2022 Pope’s prayer intention: March, 2022 "For a Christian response to bioethical challenges" The progress of bioethics presents us with challenges, and we Christians, Pope Francis tells us, “must respond” with “an even more profound and subtle discernment,” without “hiding our head like an ostrich.” This Christian response has an essential starting point: “Applications of biotechnological must always be used based on respect for human dignity.” It’s no use to oppose inevitable progress; we must seek to protect “both human dignity and progress,” fight against “the throw-away culture,” and avoid “allowing financial gain to condition biomedical research.”

Click Here or on the above image to watch the Pope's Video for March, 2022

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