August 2017 E-Newsletter
Table of Contents
Letter from the Executive Director
Days of Change
As the sunset meets our eyes earlier in the evening, and the trees settle into their late summer sheen, we stand perched once again at the edge of seasonal change, and the move toward harvest months and winter rest. Here at Loyola Institute, we are certainly celebrating the fruits of a year filled with new programmatic adventures, and a new geography on the St. Joseph campus. However, our gaze is toward the future, symbolized by the arrival on August 21st of our Interim Director, Pat Howell, S.J., who will help to shepherd us in the coming year, as we search for a long-term director, and work toward a firm financial base for the Institute’s continued growth. Fr. Pat has served as professor, dean, and Jesuit rector at Seattle University in a career spanning over thirty years. He is a respected author and teacher in the areas of spirituality, ecumenism, the Second Vatican Council, and the teachings of Pope Francis. His intellectual gifts are equally matched by his pastoral wisdom and inclusive leadership style. We at LIS are truly delighted that he has made himself available to help us in our next stage of growth and development.
It has been an intriguing 2017, with moves, adjustments, and reaffirmation of our mission focus, as we continue to discern the ways in which the Spirit urges to walk as companions with so many who are seeking a richer and deeper walk with God in their lives and works. Please join us in welcoming Fr. Pat to our community, and stay tuned for the next exciting chapter in the LIS saga of spirituality in daily life.
Blessings on the remaining days of summer.
Blessings to all.
David C. Robinson, S.J.
Acting Executive Director
New Courses and Programs Starting Soon:
Finding God in All Things
The Spiritual Exercises in Daily Life (SEDL) is a nine-month retreat experience that uses guides the retreatant toward a life richer in awareness of the work of God in his or her life. The retreat invites participants to commit to daily prayer, weekly meetings with a spiritual director, and participation in monthly group gatherings with fellow retreatants.
SEDL is ideal for
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Anyone who seeks to grow in awareness of the divine in his or her life.
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Anyone who wishes to grow in their spiritual life.
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Anyone who wants to explore Ignatian prayer methods and discernment.
We are accepting applications for 2017-2018 cohort. To register, please contact Br. Charlie Jackson, S.j. at 714-997-9587 ext. 109 or by email at jackson@loyolainstitute.org. For more information, click here.
Desafío
Un programa de oración y reflexión basado en los Ejercicios Espiritualies de San Ignacio de Loyola y en el libro Desafío del Padre Mark Link, S.J.
Este programa es para personas que buscan una amistad más intima con el Señor. El programa es de diez meses y requiere un compromiso de oración y reflexión diaria y participación en las reuniones de grupo cada dos semanas.
Ofrecemos el programa de Desafío en los siguientes lugares:
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Tercera y Grand), Santa Ana, los martes de 7-9 p.m.
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Orientación: martes, 8 de agosto de 2017, 7-9 p.m.
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Para más información, comunícate con Dolores Martínez al 714-836-8011
Parroquia La Purísima, Orange, los domingos de 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Orientación: domingo, 13 de agosto, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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Para más información, comunícate con Carlos Obando al 714-995-9587
San Joaquín, Costa Mesa, los lunes de 7-9 p.m.
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Orientación: lunes, 14 de agosto de 2017, 7-9 p.m.
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Para más información, comunícate con Silvia Mondragón o Diácono Martín Ruiz al 949-574-7400.
Challenge
We invite you to participage in "Challenge", a program of prayer and reflection based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola and Fr. Mark Link's book of the same name.
Challenge is at:
La Purisima Catholic Church, 11712 Hewes St., Orange, CA 92869
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Sundays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
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First Meeting: August 20, 2017
Catholic Bible Institute
The Catholic Bible Insitute (CBI) in the Diocese of Orange resumes this fall. Students will study the Old Testament this year.
Orientation Meeting
Saturday, August 26, 2017
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Center, Spirituality Building, 434 S. Batavia St., Orange, CA 92868
For more information or to register, please contact CBI Coordinator,
Randy Lopez at cbi@loyolainstitute.org.
Ignatian Spiritual Formation Program
Do you wish to deepen your understanding of spirituality and grow in your prayer life?
Consider participating in the Ignatian Spiritual Formation Program, a series of courses that explore spirituality and its history, prayer methods, human development and spiritual maturing, and Ignatian discerment.
Ignatian Prayer
Dates: Thursdays, Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5, 12
Time: 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Instructor: Br. Charles Jackson, S.J.
For more information, or to register, please contact Br. Charles at 714-997-9587 ext. 109 or by email at jackson@loyolainstitute.org. For more information, click here.
This is the first of 5 courses, but may be taken alone.
Programa de Formación Espiritual Ignaciana
¿Eres una persona que busca algo más profundo y significativo en tu experiencia de fe?
Te invitamos a participar en el Programa de Formación Espiritual Ignaciana. Las clases del primer año comienzan en Septiembre. Estámos aceptando aplicaciones ahora.
Para más información o para registrarte, comunícate con Carlos Obando al 714-997-9587 ext. 104 o por correo email obando@loyolainstitute.org. Haz click aqui para mas información.
Contemplatives in Action
Have you heard about our new program for Young Adults?
Contemplatives in Action (CIA) is for young adults who wish to grow in their capacity to live within the process of finding God in all things. This new program is comprised of three main components: service, spirituality, and formation.
CIA begins on August 26, 2017.
To register, please complete the application found here.
For more information on CIA click here or contact Bryce Deline, SJ at 714-997-9587 ext. 103 or email deline@loyolainstitute.org
In the Footsteps of Jesus:
How my Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Changed Me.
Carlos E. Obando
In the footsteps of Jesus: how my pilgrimage to the Holy Land changed me.
It has been three months since I returned from my Holy Land pilgrimage. I still can visual some of the holy sites and feel the essence of holiness around me... Little did I know how a personal transformation will gradually take place inside of me.
Several years ago the opportunity to go to Israel presented itself. I had everything ready when "another" war conflict broke out and the trip was cancelled. It was not until ten years later that God will allow me and my wife Margie to visit this land fill with wonders, diversity, human conflicts, suffering, reach in history and archeological findings.
We had the blessing to travel with 52 pilgrims who came from all walks of life, different parts of the country, and ages ranging from early twenties to eighties. This was not just a trip but a pilgrimage. I venture in saying deep inside of all of us we were seeking for something meaningful out this pilgrimage.
The pilgrimage was under the leadership of Fr. Felix Just and Gail Gresser. Two very knowledgeable individuals who have directed several pilgrimages to the Holy Land. We were also blessed with a wonderful Palestinian tour guide who had a good sense of humor and sensitivity for the holy.
As most of you know, the Holy Land is an area roughly located between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea that also includes the Eastern Bank of the Jordan River. Traditionally, it is synonymous with both the biblical Land of Israel and historical Palestine. The term usually refers to a territory roughly corresponding to the modern State of Israel (approximately 8,000 square miles), the Palestinian territories, western Jordan, and parts of southern Lebanon and southwestern Syria. It is considered holy by Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
Part of the significance of the land stems from the religious significance of Jerusalem, the holiest city to Judaism, the historical region of Jesus' ministry.
The pilgrimage was full of moments of grace and personal revelations. From the start of this spiritual journey, I knew some of the places we would visit would not be the same places Jesus walked and/or stayed. I was mostly interested in the “essence” of the holy sites. Imagine: this place has a history of more than 5,000 years. If this land could only speak, it would tell you of how many wars have been fought here, how many have died in the name of God, how many have had their faith restored by just being there, and above all, how many have been healed and came to know a new face of God when Jesus walked among us thousands of years ago! Of all the places we visited. Several impacted me spiritually:
When I stood and touched the Wailing Wall, I knew there was something special about this holy site. Just to imagine Jesus and followers stood before this wall 2,000 years was enough to make me cry...at the same time I felt grateful knowing that I don’t need to touch a wall to be in touch with the divine.
The entire Galilee area really moved me. “The angel Gabriel was sent by God from God to a town of Galilee named Nazareth to a virgin betrothed to a man, whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke. 1:26-27) As stood in front of the Sea of Galilee could not stop thinking how much Jesus and this disciples truly enjoyed this beautiful and peaceful place. As I sat near the shoreline, touching the water…I felt such a peace and content. I was really sorry our pilgrimage had to continue. If I could, I would have stayed there the entire length of the pilgrimage!
Magdala, this ancient fishing community was once an active city filled with fishermen, shopkeepers, and townspeople. It is situated at the base of Mount Arbel, Magdala was buried in obscurity until a few years ago. It was here that Jesus taught the multitude and healed the afflicted, including a woman who made her hometown famous: Mary Magdalene. (Luke 8:2 and Mark 16:9). If you visit the Holy Land, make sure you visit the Encounter Chapel. The chapel features a beautiful mural-size painting of the encounter between Jesus and the hemorrhaging woman (Mark 5:25). Here I could almost feel the pain of those women who have been abused and mistreated and like the woman in the scripture their only hope was throwing themselves at the mercy of Jesus…
Mount Tabor, located in the Lower Galilee, was another site that left me speechless. Here took place the Transfiguration of Our Lord (Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36). The view of the valley is breathtaking! When I was here it felt like you were touching the face of God, and deep inside you, you have the need to be transformed into a new creature. I think I understand now when Peter said “Lord, how good it is that we are here! With your permission I will erect three booths here…” I would have said the same!
And finally the Old Holy City of Jerusalem. The Old City is merely 0.9 square walled area within the modern city of Jerusalem. If you are looking for a diversity this is would be the prototype. It would take another four page reflection to write about the Old City, suffice to say, I was amazed to discover how many holy sites are confined in such a small area: from the Garden Tomb to the Condemnation Chapel and the Chapel of Flagellation, the city of Jerusalem is chock full of churches related to and depicting the life of Christ. Not to be forgotten is Mary’s Tomb and the Grotto of the Apostles. Here you will find the Church of the Holy Sepulcher regarded by most Christians as one of the most important Christian sites in Jerusalem. Obviously there are many more…It felt as if Jesus still walks among his people.
During our two week staying in the Holy Land two desires were reborn in my heart: the desire to pray and a special hunger for the Word of God. May one day you have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. May you be blessed and transformed as I was. Shalom!
