September 2017 E-Newsletter
Table of Contents
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Friends of Loyola Institute:
I arrived in August to begin as Executive Director ad interim, and I have been gratified by the incredibly warm, even enthusiastic reception I’ve received from staff, board members, and friends of LIS. More importantly, I am immensely impressed by the vitality, vision, and practicality of the Institute.
I firmly believe that the Loyola Institute is the wave of the future. It is the best way that I’ve encountered for making the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius available to a wide variety of people in their own neighborhoods, in their own language. All those involved with LIS are truly AMAZING. They are energetic and generous; creative and visionary. So I feel privileged to be called to lead the Institute during this time of transition and as we begin the next 20 years.
A word about my own background might be of interest. I grew up in North Dakota. I have done studies in mathematics/humanities at Gonzaga, philosophy and English literature at Boston College, theology at the Gregorian University in Rome (in Italian), and a doctorate in pastoral theology and spirituality at The Catholic University of America. I taught and was a principal at two Jesuit high schools for 13 years, and I have been on the faculty in the School of Theology and Ministry at Seattle University for the last 32 years. My two major publications include Reducing the Storm to a Whisper: the Story of a Breakdown and A Spiritguide through Times of Darkness.
The West Coast provincial Fr. Scott Santarosa was looking for a Jesuit with a background in spirituality and administration to recommend to the LIS Board, so I guess I fit the bill. It certainly has been a wonderful fit for me these first weeks.
I look forward to meeting many more of you. Already in this issue I think you’ll see some of the sparkling new initiatives that are underway.
With blessings,
Fr. Patrick Howell, S.J.
Executive Director, ad interim
The LIS Family mourns the death of Heidi Muth, who died on September 9, 2017. Heidi now joins her husband Lynn in the presence of God.
Heidi and Lynn were a part of LIS from the very begining. Lynn was a member of the Board of Directors and both he and Heidi made the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola at LIS. Heidi remained connected to LIS after Lynn's passing in 2011 and never missed the Hearts on Fire celebration.
We are grateful to God for their presence among us, their generosity, and support through the years.
We extend our heartfelt prayers and deepest condolences to the Muth family, her loved ones, and all who mourn her death.
Eternal rest grand unto her, O Lord.
Upcoming Events
Finding God in the Dark
Saint Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and Pope Francis
Through Contemporary Cinema
Fridays, September 29 - November 17, 2017
6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Founders Hall, Spirituality Building, St. Joseph Center,
434 S Batavia St, Orange, CA 92868
Cost: $125 (cost includes book and materials)
For more information, click here for a flyer or contact Fr. Eddie Samaniego, S.J. at 714-997-9587 ext. 106 or samaniego@loyolainstitute.org.
Diocese of Orange
Diocesan Ministries Celebration
Saturday, October 14, 2017
8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Mater Dei High School
1202 W Edinger Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92707
LIS Staff present the following:
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9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Conferencia General
A-3071: Sin encuentro, no se puede evangelizar
Presentado por P. Eduardo Samaniego, S.J.
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11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Workshop
B-3051: Without an Encounter with Jesus, We Can't Evangelize
Presented by Fr. Eduardo Samaniego, S.J.
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3:15 – 4:30 p.m., Workshop
D-3090: Los nueve rostros de Dios
Presentado por Carlos Obando
Cost: $60 Day Event on-site registration – Oct. 14, 2017
For more information, contact 714-282-3078 or ipminfo@rcbo.org.
Ignatian Morning:
Change and Transformation
Sunday, October 15, 2017
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Followed by Mass in the Sacred Heart Chapel
Founders Hall, Spirituality Building, St. Joseph Center,
434 S Batavia St, Orange, CA 92868
To register or for more information, please contact Mr. Bryce Deline, S.J., at
714-997-9587 ext. 103 or deline@loyolainstitute.org.
Click here for a flyer
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.
United in Prayer
The LIS Community is united in prayer for:
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The repose of the soul of José MartÃnez, husband of LIS Associate
Dolores Martinez -
The repose of the soul of MarÃa Guadalupe Serrano Ruiz, mother of LIS Associate Gladis Rodas
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The repose of the soul of Ame Calistiana de Leon, sister of Ryan Ignatius Pratt, LIS staff member
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during bereavement.
Lord, remember those who have died and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. Amen.
Called to be Women and Men for Others
Fr. Eddie Samaniego, S.J.
Before we can evangelize, we need to answer 3 questions: 1) Who are we? 2) Whose are we? And, 3) For whom were we sent to serve?
To evangelize is to make life approach Gospel values, beginning with love and mercy. Am I loving and merciful? Advent and Lent are perfect seasons in which to ask and answer these questions.
What, in my life, needs to be evangelized? Perhaps it is the way I speak about others. Perhaps it is the way I lack respect for others. Perhaps my cultures have certain prejudices engrained in them: sexism, age-ism, racism, religion, politics, etc.
We must meet people where they are. Invite them to share what they know of God, and who they learned it from. Never be afraid to share who God is for you. Kids, like all of us, respond to love and respect more than to pushing, prodding and criticizing, to sugar more than vinegar. Problems in the classroom are connected to problems at home.
To be part of promoting a Faith-that-does-Justice, we must know that our dignity comes from God and is at the center of all actions. We must be able to apply the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy in direct service to the poor. We must learn to advocate for the voiceless and the defenseless. And we must empower people to do for themselves and not just to mooch off society and the world.
Give A-D-E to everyone, and you will refresh the world.
Praying with Pope Francis
Pope Francis' Prayer Intention for September 2017
Parishes: That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.