News & Updates | November 2025 | | | REFLECTION - The Tender Mercy of God | | |
A dear friend has recently introduced me to a song called “Mercy Now,” written by Mary Gauthier. She longs for mercy – for her father, her brother, her church, her country and for life itself. Whenever I hear it, I long to put my arms around her.
I’d like to tell her about a book called Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen. His simple and straightforward point is that we are chosen and beloved by God. It is in this simple truth that our whole worth and our authentic identity lie.
Oh yes, I believe that sometimes — when it’s such a beautiful day I can’t stand it; when a friend knows my mind and heart without asking; when worship moves me to tears. But that conviction can be hard to hold onto. We inhabit an environment that manipulates us by fear or withholding love. We work in a world that values success above everything. We are conscious of our own sin annd anguished by the corporate sin we acquiesce to every day.
So, it’s helpful to have a famous story about unconditional love and mercy. You’ve probably already thought of it. It’s the parable we call “the prodigal son.” He has done just about everything his (and our) culture would hate. He’s disrespected his father and family; gone off with half the money and squandered it so it can never be recovered; become poor and tentatively returns home.
Perhaps you recall this detail of the story. “But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.”
It strikes me as important to have a spiritual moment each day where I recall that scene. And remember to put myself and my songwriter friend in it. Then I remember that the loving God of our faith is boundlessly merciful and, as Kevin O’Brien says in The Ignatian Adventure, “seeks only to liberate us from anything that gets in the way of loving ourselves, others and God’s self.”
| | |
Merle Marie Troeger
Ignatian Maine Spiritual Director
| | Please join the entire Ignatian Maine community as we continue to pray for our Retreatants journeying through the Spiritual Exercises… | | |
|
Broken Record
Grandparenting God,
you see our sin as symptomatic stutter, self-effacing struggle to ignore the confounding reality of your willful vulnerability:
“I love you because I can’t do anything else. I made you, every last part of you: all that’s hidden and all that’s revealed, all that’s muddled and even all that’s clear.
You are, at the risk of repeating myself, dear to me.
You are precious in my eyes because……just because you are mine.
That’s enough for me. And it will have to do for you.
Wrestle with it until you get tired and then relax and give in.
Take a deep breath
And enjoy.”
~ Michael Moynahan, SJ
|
| |
|
The special event with Fr. Kevin O'Brien, SJ, Seeing with the Heart: A Guide to Navigating Life's Adventures, was held on Saturday, November 8 at Our Lady of Hope Parish Hall in Portland.
More than 140 joined to hear Fr. O’Brien’s inspiring, heart-warming presentation in the morning and 30 spiritual directors participated in his afternoon workshop.
More details to follow in next month’s newsletter.
| | |
|
With a mission to keep you connected with the Spirit and each other, Ignatian Maine works to be a clearing house for opportunities to be together. See below for our current list of happenings.
Join us as you can and please invite those who need to share the joy with us.
|
| |
Living in the Spirit
If you have “made” an Ignatian retreat, you may be wondering “how to continue what has begun”?
Note: making an Ignatian retreat can include the “full Exercises,” a week-long retreat, a book read on an Ignatian topic, or a shorter experience dealing with the spirituality of St. Ignatius.
Living in the Ignatian Spirit is a pilot project begun at Our Lady of Hope Parish designed to answer that question and possibly prepare women and men to help guide others in their spiritual journey. The group will meet monthly, on a Sunday afternoon, to share a bit of life, share prayer, and learn more about the Ignatian tradition and how to apply the wisdom of Ignatius to our lives.
There is a limited opportunity to join this year’s group which has had an initial and very positive meeting. Please let us know of your interest before Nov. 20 by emailing ourladyofhope@portlanddiocese.org.
| | |
Blue Christmas Service
Dec. 17, 6:30 PM
Our Lady of Hope Parish (St. Pius X Church)
492 Ocean Ave., Portland
There are many reasons why a quiet time, centered on God’s gentle love, can be part of this Season. This quiet service of word, reflection and song is offered for those who may find the “holiday joy” to be jarring or uninviting.
All are invited to join us in this time of reflective prayer. There is a large, well-lit parking lot.
| | |
Our Lady of Hope – A Jesuit Ministry, A Welcoming Parish
All are welcome here: long-time parishioners, new arrivals, those seeking a spiritual home, those who have been away, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, new Mainers, immigrants, and those who may be separated or divorced.
We are all God's children. All are welcome.
| | |
Showing the Way to God
A Conference for Practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
June 13-15, 2026
Fairfield University
In response to the need for deeper formation in the Spiritual Exercises, the Murphy Center for Ignatian Spirituality of Fairfield University, will host a two-night, three-day conference for practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises on June 13-15, 2026, at Fairfield University. Showing the Way to God: A Conference for Practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, promises to be a stimulating few days of sharing new perspectives, best practices, and creating networks of support.
To find out more about the conference and to register, please click here.
Those who register by January 31, 2026, will receive a 10% discount. Please consider joining us for this formative conference!
|
| |
|
Eastern Point Retreat House
Welcoming people of many faith traditions; giving them a place to pray, to step away from the distractions of daily life, and have an encounter with Jesus Christ.
Currently offering the full, 30-day Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius; numerous shorter silent, directed retreat opportunities (for 3, 5, or 8 days); days of reflection; and guided retreats.
| | 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. | | | | |
