At all the Masses this Sunday we will be remembering our beloved dead. The people we love die, but our relationships with them are alive. They continue to accompany us on our own journey through death into life. Fr. Nouwen puts it very well:
As we grow older, we have more and more people to remember, people who have died before us. It is very important to remember those who have loved us and those we have loved.
Remembering them means letting their spirits inspire us in our daily lives. They can become part of our spiritual communities and gently help us as we make decisions on our journeys.
Parents, spouses, children, and friends can become true spiritual companions after they have died. Sometimes they can become even more intimate to us after death than when they were with us in life.
Remembering the dead is choosing their ongoing companionship.
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A Great Hymn of Faith
I remember growing up in church singing the great anthem of the faith:
For All the Saints, Who From Their Labors Rest
. At the time I certainly did not comprehend all of the magnificent themes packed into this hymn...the "great cloud of witnesses" that have gone before us; the proclamation of the Gospel; the summation of the whole Christian life - the trials, tribulations, labors and struggles - all the way to the end and beyond - with the eschatological consummation of the Parousia - as Christ comes to establish His ultimate rule and reign. As I've anticipated the upcoming
Remembrance of Our Beloved Dead Mass
, the verses of this beautiful hymn have filled my mind and voice once more. I found a lovely article about it online, by Msgr. Charles Pope. Pope actually wrote it in 2015 for the All Saints Day celebration that falls on November 1st. I thought it fitting to share it in light of the upcoming remembrance of our own beloved 'saints' that have entered into that glorious eternal dimension with Jesus. I hope you enjoy reading it too.
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By Msgr. Charles Pope
As we approach the Feast of All Saints, we do well to meditate on one of the great English hymns, "For All the Saints." It is a wide and sweeping vision of the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant. Its imagery is regal and joyful, its poetry majestic and masterful. A vivid picture is painted in the mind as the wondrous words move by. To me it is a masterpiece. Many people know the opening line, but most have never sung it all the way through and thus miss its wondrous portrait. A number of years ago I committed words of this hymn to memory, very much in the spirit of my father, who loved to memorize things that moved him.
Let's spend a few moments reflecting on this masterwork. It was written in 1864 by William Walsham How, an Anglican Bishop. Ralph Vaughan Williams set it to a stirring melody in 1906. I love to play this hymn at the organ since it has a challenging but exciting "walking base" played by the feet and big rich chords in the hands. In his recent outreach to the Anglicans the Pope speaks of the liturgical, spiritual, and pastoral traditions of the Anglican Communion as a "precious gift" and "treasure to be shared". This hymn from the Anglican tradition is surely one of those treasures. Permit me to set forth each verse and then comment.
- READ MORE
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Justice & Peace Followup...
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Written by: Kate Flores
With support from the Justice and Peace Committee, three St. Ignatius parishioners and a parishioner from First Unitarian Church began our six-month period of mentoring a refugee family via the International Rescue Committee's (IRC) Baltimore office. This is the second family that the Immigration Subcommittee (ISC) has been involved with mentoring. Following training by the IRC and passing background checks, we were introduced to a blended, single mother-led family of nine from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The mother, her five children, and three grandchildren arrived less than one year ago in the United States and since then have been trying to make a new life for themselves. The initial meeting was conducted in the presence of a seasoned IRC volunteer and an English/Swahili translator where we learned basic information about the family. After that initial meeting, we've been taking turns meeting with the family at their home on a weekly basis for at least two hours a week. Our activities so far have been tailored to what the family has informed us that they would like to focus on. The mother is determined that they all become fluent in English and as such, each visit has included English vocabulary and pronunciation lessons for both the adults and children. We have also walked around their neighborhood with them to know the neighborhood and nearby amenities a bit better, and to work on reading street signs and describing directions in English. In addition to these activities that are required for them to improve their lives in Baltimore we also want to introduce them to some American cultural activities, such as pizza making, which we will highlight in ‘Special Activities’ section.
So far, it has been a humbling experience to find enough English words and hand gestures in order to communicate with the family, but as their English slowly improves, this is getting better. We've been inspired by their dedication to building a new life for themselves in Baltimore and learning a new language. The enthusiasm of the children when we arrive each week is nothing short of heartwarming. We're excited to keep working on English lessons with them in the coming months, as well as to schedule outings for them around town such as Zoo Boo, since the children all have described wanting to visit the zoo and we can incorporate the Halloween tradition. We are also planning to do pumpkin carving and a traditional Thanksgiving event with the family. As we continue to work with the family, we will provide monthly updates and ask for your support and prayers as we walk with this family in keeping with the principles of our faith!
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Tree Planting: Village of 12 Trees
Sat, November 9 • 1:00 pm • 4:00 pm
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Planting trees is good for the water, good for the air, and good for the soul. Come get your hands dirty for clean water and a greener community!
Join Blue Water Baltimore and Village of 12 Trees neighbors for a volunteer
tree planting
.
Our tree planting projects are rain or shine. Be sure to wear proper clothes and sturdy (closed-toe) shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty or wet. Remember to stay hydrated and bring a reusable water bottle with you. We will provide the trees, gloves, tools, training, and lots of fun! First timers, student groups and families welcome.
Project partners include Baltimore Gas and Electric and Twelve Trees Association, Inc. Funding provided by Baltimore County Environmental Protection and Sustainability and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
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Worship with Offerings, Liturgy and Prayers for Others
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POOR BOX
This weekend's Poor Box support goes to the
Loaves & Fishes Ministry
.
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MASS MUSIC
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass.
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THE DAILY EXAMEN
Spiritual and Faith opportunities to deepen
your relationship with Christ.
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Tuesday, October 29 - 7 PM
Embracing God's Gifts
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Saturday, November 2 - 9 AM
Saturday Retreat in Ignatian Spirituality
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Sunday, November 3 - 6 PM
Julie & Diane at Germano's
See box below for complete information.
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Thursday, November 7 - 6:30 PM
Interfaith Committee
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Tuesday, November 12 - 6:30 PM
St. Ignatius Reading & Discussion Group
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Thursday, November 14 - 6:30 PM
Justice & Peace Committee
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Tuesday, November 19 - 6:45 PM
Womenn of the New Testament
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Thursday, November 21 - 7:30 PM
Hesburgh Lecture
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Sunday, November 24 - 9:30 AM - 1 PM
International Food, Crafts & Art Fair
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Sunday, November 24 - 9:45 AM
Respect for Life
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A chance for parishioners to hang out together and enjoy the talents of our St. Ignatius musicians in a different venue.
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American Totem
is a thought-provoking documentary offering new ways to think about firearms in modern society. In a time of great political, social, and economic change, the film explores the national narrative that Americans have a “special” relationship with firearms, exposing how that story was constructed. The film highlights gun-oriented organizations and their search for community. It also spotlights the costs of having easy access to firearms on communities (e.g., suicide, homicide) and the American political process. For more info on the film, visit:
www.americantotem.org
.
PANELISTS AND DISCUSSANTS (Q&A following the film screening):
Sue Hilderbrand
: Director/Producer,
American Totem
; Political Science instructor, Cal State University, Chico; host, “The Real Issue” on KZFR radio
Firmin DeBrabander
: Philosophy professor, Maryland Institute College of Art; author of books including
Do Guns Make Us Free?
(Yale, 2015)
Liz Banach
: Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence
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Advent Ignatian Weekend Retreat
Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 8, 2019
Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth
501 North Church Road; Wernersville, PA 19565
Weekend will include Meditational talks; silent time for Prayer & Reflection; Daily Mass, Evening Social, optional opportunity for Spiritual Direction. Hosts: Frs. Timothy Brown, SJ, Steve Spahn, SJ and Sue Cesare.
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Archdiocese breaks ground for Mother Mary Lange Catholic School
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Archbishop William E. Lori, center, supporters and dignitaries participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking Oct. 23 for the new Mother Mary Lange Catholic School in the Poppleton community adjacent to Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Baltimore City. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)
BY CHRISTOPHER GUNTY
A group of students wearing white shirts emblazoned with “Mother Mary Lange School Class of 2022” formed a receiving line as several hundred guests gathered Oct. 23 for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site.
It’s a bold prediction, since none of the students attends the school. They can’t because it hasn’t been built yet.
The sixth-graders currently attend Holy Angels Catholic School and Ss. James and John Catholic School. They will be combined and be joined by other students from the area when the new Mother Mary Lange School opens in the fall of 2021 on a site just west of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on Baltimore’s west side.
READ MORE
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READER NOTIFICATION:
"Parish: the thought" is a publication of St. Ignatius Catholic Community, Baltimore. Each edition contains articles and news feeds that are included for awareness of current topics in our world today. The positions expressed by outside authors and news feeds are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of St. Ignatius Catholic Community or its staff.
- This e-zine was compiled by John C. Odean
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