October 2017 E-Newsletter
-
Letter from the Executive Director
-
LIS Seeks New Executive Director
-
Upcoming Events
-
Jesuits West Pilgrimage
-
Winds of Change, by Sr. Jeanne Fallon, C.S.J.
-
Praying with Pope Francis
Table of Contents
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends of Loyola Institute:
At the heart of the Loyola Institute are the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. His great genius was that he borrowed liberally from the tradition. Everything that seemed “helpful to souls,” he stashed away in his little book of the Exercises. In all this he was guided by his own immediate experience of God who “tutored him like a schoolboy” in the ways of the Spirit.
The Exercises are flexible and adaptable to every time and circumstance, to every person. In fact, that unique, personal relationship with God provides the lifeline for shucking off all one’s inordinate attachments and living into the abundance of Christ.
Jesus spent time in his own retreat—about 40 days in the desert—in profound preparation for the launching of his ministry of compassion, peace, and forgiveness.
A Seattle diocesan priest friend of mine just recently made the Ignatian 30-day retreat, as well as
El Camino de Compostelo. Afterwards he listed four ways that a person benefits from any retreat generously entered into:
-
We get a change of rhythm, lighten the load, and shut out the noise.
-
We center ourselves more closely on Jesus through listening and contemplation.
-
We are humbly reminded that the world can go on without me.
-
We enlarge our imagination and our commitment as disciples to the Kingdom of God, one of peace and reconciliation.
Once again LIS to the rescue! We have a retreat that may be just the one you’ve been looking for or the one you need. LIS offers two weekend retreats each year. The first one coming up is the weekend of November 10-12, 2017. The retreat theme is "Come to Me and Rest". Bryce Deline, S.J., and LIS Associates have been preparing a wonderful weekend of prayer, reflection, and rest. See below for more details.
The spring weekend retreat is scheduled for the weekend of March 2-4, 2018. We hope that you are encouraged to participate in one or both of our retreat to refresh your soul and as we say around here, Bring Spirituality to Life!
With blessings,
Fr. Patrick Howell, S.J.
Executive Director, ad interim
Upcoming Events
Finding God in the Dark
Fridays, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Founders' Hall, Spirituality Building, St. Joseph Center,
434 S Batavia St, Orange, CA 92868
Cost: $15 per movie; $25 for the book.
Oct. 20: Winter's Bone, discussion led by Bryce Deline, S.J.
Oct. 27: C.R.A.Z.Y, discussion led by Marion Escalante
Nov. 3: There Will Be Blood, discussion led by Sr. Jane DeLisle, C.S.J.
Nov. 10: The Mission, discussion led by Sr. Sharon Becker, C.S.J.
Nov. 17: Invictus, discussion led by Fr. Eddie Samaniego, S.J.
BioSpiritual Focusing
Sunday, October 22, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Optional Sunday Mass at 9:00 a.m. in Sacred Heart Chapel
Sophia Room, Spirituality Building, St. Joseph Center,
434 S Batavia St, Orange, CA 92868
Presented by Sr. Jeanne Fallon, C.S.J., Fr. David Robinson, S.J., & LIS Associate Mary Cannon
Cost: Free-will donation; Early registration encouraged
Ignatian Weekend Retreat:
Come to Me and Rest
November 10-12, 2017
Friday, 7:00 p.m., to Sunday, 4:00 p.m.
Pro Sanctity Spirituality Center, 205 S Dr, Fullerton, CA 92833
Cost: $225 single occupancy (LIS Members $200)
$195 double occupancy (LIS Members $175)
$150 commuter (LIS Members $135)
To register or for more information, please contact Mr. Bryce Deline, S.J., at 714-997-9587 ext. 103 or deline@loyolainstitute.org.
SP1-02: Biblical Foundations in Spirituality
This course is an introduction to the Old and New Testament and explores its importance in personal spirituality and growth. The relevance of scripture in Ignatian spirituality and in prayer and daily Christian living is highlighted. Participants are invited to a prayerful, meditative reading of scripture.
Dates: Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30, Dec. 7, 2017
Time: 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Instructor: Mr. Randy Lopez
Cost: $150
This is the second of five courses in the ISFP Program, but may be taken separately. Click here for more information.
Pilgrimage
JESUITS WEST PILGRIMAGE TO PORTUGAL:
You are invited to join us on our once-in-a-lifetime Spiritual Journey to Portugal, 11 days, May 21-31, 2018. Includes Fatima, Santarém, Braga, Coimbra, Porto, Nazaré, Obidos, Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais & more! Daily Mass, 3 excellent hotels, most meals and informative guides. Only $3,299 from Seattle (SEA) or San Francisco (SFO), plus government taxes/airline surcharges and tips. Under the Spiritual Direction of Frs. Sam Bellino, S.J. & John Mossi, S.J. To download the free color brochure and registration form, visit www.jesuitswest.org/Portugal2018. Space is limited.
Winds of Change
Sr. Jeanne Fallon, C.S.J.
As the autumn months come, we experience signs of change in our world –
-
Leaves beginning to change from green to yellow to brown;
-
Refreshing coolness in the morning;
-
Hillsides vested in hues of crimson, gold, burnt sienna, and orange;
-
A montage of the Divine Artist splashing bursts of color to delight the eyes;
This is a time when we notice winds of change moving through our nation –
-
devastating storms leaving thousands of people homeless, exposed to the mercy of the elements;
-
thousands of young people facing possible deportation to their unfamiliar countries of birth;
-
many children living in fear their parents will not be home when they return from school;
-
the tragic death and wounding of scores of people enjoying a country music concert;
-
rumors of war coming from unstable government leaders;
-
unexpected firestorms propelled by fierce canyon winds ripping through neighborhoods, destroying homes, endangering firefighters.
As we are buffeted by these winds of change, where do we turn? On whom can we lean to steady ourselves? Faced with tragedy and loss, how do we keep our footing?
It is in times like this, that we witness the selfless care of the ‘dear neighbor’ coming to the aid of their brothers and sisters. From Texas to Florida to Puerto Rico to Las Vegas we see brave men and women rushing to the side of those in desperate need, to save lives, putting their own lives in grave danger. In such times, we turn to our gracious God who is full of compassion and mercy. We surrender ourselves into the hands of the One in whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
How do we awaken to the graciousness of God? When everything we worked for is gone, when our own life is altered beyond recognition, our security stripped away – there is One alone who reaches out to us in a tender embrace to comfort and heal our brokenness. It is when we are lost that we find the Holy One, rich in mercy and tenderness, wrapping us in love and protection. “Can a woman forget the child of her womb? Yet, even if she could forget, I will never forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15) In the midst of such change, our gracious God is the only One who does not change.
Praying with Pope Francis
Pope Francis' Prayer Intention for October 2017
Workers and the Unemployed: That all workers may receive respect and protection of their rights, and that the unemployed may receive the opportunity to contribute to the common good.