News & Updates | February 2024 | |
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A recent warm weather vacation afforded me a view of a lake. At sunrise each morning, I would settle in with a cup of tea for some quiet time with God and nature. One day, I was graced with what amounted to a bird convention right in front of me. Pelican, ducks, heron, ibis and more descended. With all of them there together, I noticed the differences in size, shape and behavior.
A flock of small, fast moving swifts skillfully circled and swooped in a mesmerizing manner, gathering bugs as they flew. The tall, graceful heron moved slowly through the shallows, patiently watching and waiting for the chance to dart its head into the water and catch a tasty fish. A congregation of ibis progressed efficiently across the lawn, methodically poking their long orange bills into the ground for some tasty treat. A pair of ducks bobbed amongst shoreline grasses, periodically plunging their heads beneath the water to nibble away. And the pelican just peacefully floated.
I rejoiced in the beauty and diversity of God’s creation. I absorbed the peace of the moment. I thanked God for all these gifts. And I took time to just breathe.
Today, the view out my window is not quite as scenic and my to-do list is long, but as I reflect on and relive the experience in order to share it, I’m brought back to that moment and reminded to take some time to be with God and just breathe. As I focus, breath becomes prayer, and I recognize that my Creator is as close as the air around me and in me. This realization brings peace as I open my eyes and continue on with my day.
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Jennifer Hansen, Ignatian Maine Leadership Team Member | |
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Draw Me Into Your Friendship
Lord Jesus, from the start,
You invite ordinary people to come to where you live.
When they come, you welcome them
and call them to labor and rejoice with you.
You are the most beautiful among all men,
and I hardly believe you want me for your friend.
You are powerful, Lord.
Draw me more and more into your friendship
and lead me along the way you took with friends.
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Friends & Faith
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (arrive as early as 6:30 PM for social time)
Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland
A monthly opportunity for fellowship and faith sharing. All are welcome. No experience necessary. Bring a friend!
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The Anointing Woman: A Morning of Reflection with Merle Marie Troeger
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Arrive at 9:30 AM; Begins promptly at 9:45 AM and runs until 12:30 PM
IN-PERSON, Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall, 492 Ocean Ave., Portland
Suggested Contribution: $10
Every Gospel contains a report of the woman who breaks into a dinner party to anoint Jesus with expensive perfumed oil, an act of astonishing intimacy and generosity. Who is this woman and what can she teach us? Come, spend a quiet morning learning from her fidelity, courage, intimacy, and extravagance.
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Faith in Action: The Jesuit Volunteer Corps | |
by Kathy Crosson, Ignatian Maine Leadership Team Member | |
 |  | The Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) is one of the largest, lay, Catholic, full-time volunteer programs in the world. The program offers young people (ages 21-30) the opportunity to engage in service and solidarity with communities while living and accompanying those in need to build a more just and hopeful world. Since its founding in the late 1950’s, over 12,000 individuals have served hundreds of non-profit organizations, in the United States and overseas. While there are a wide range of placement sites, they typically fall into the following categories: addiction recovery, children & youth services, community development, physical disabilities, education, environment stewardship, health care services, housing, social services, hunger relief, immigration and refugee services, legal services, ministry, shelter and transitional housing and women’s issues. JVC encourages applicants of all races, classes, genders and orientations, religions, and abilities. Organizations pay a nominal fee for the volunteers’ services, and the JVC national office covers housing and food costs.
Four core values, rooted in the Jesuit tradition, shape, and inform the Volunteers’ service:
- Committed to faith in action.
- Accompanying those in need.
- Broadening perspectives to confront boundaries.
- Addressing the root causes of social injustice.
Since 1984, when Portland, ME welcomed the first group of JVs, close to 200 young people have served in this community. The current group of 5 volunteers share a home on Ocean Avenue and are working full-time at: STRIVE, Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) Cheverus High School, Elena’s Shelter (Preble Street) and in the new Preble Street Homeless Shelter Food Hub. Living in community gives volunteers a daily opportunity to share and process their experiences, while reflecting on where they "see" God at work in their personal and work lives. Once a month they gather for Spirituality Night, which is led by one of the volunteers and intentionally focused on a topic, book, or current issue. Additionally, all volunteers meet monthly with a Spiritual Director, trained to facilitate faith-based discussion and reflection.
The one-year JVC commitment is transformative and, for many of the young volunteers, affects future life decisions. If you are interested in learning more about the JVCs and their mission, or know someone who would like to apply, visit www.jesuitvolunteers.org.
In the coming months, I will share interviews with some current and former JVCs about their Faith in Action experiences.
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If you know someone who might be interested in any of our offerings, please share! | |
This message was sent by the Jesuits East Office of Ignatian Spirituality (OIS) on behalf of the Ignatian Spirituality Partnership of Maine. OIS is pleased to provide communications support to Ignatian Maine. | | | | |
