News & Updates | March 2026 | | | |
We are living in a hard time. We have lived through hard times before.
Many years ago I was a busy protestor/resister. I marched, stood, sat in, yelled, refused to leave, wrote blistering letters to elected officials and scathing letters to the editor(s). And with countless others, I prayed.
I was frequently followed and accosted by FBI agents. One day I had the temerity to carry a brown bag with my lunch in it on my way to my job near city hall where the draft board records were kept. The FBI was diligent in its surveillance that day. They were certain the bag held a gun and carefully examined my tuna fish sandwich to convince themselves.
I was a tiny part of the Catholic Left. I followed Dan Berrigan, SJ and his brother Phil, who was a Josephite priest. I revered Thomas Merton. I believed, as did my companions, that we could make a difference in ending war, exposing government lies, stopping government brutality against people living here and abroad. We prayed that the government would be held accountable for the murders it committed in the name of
security. We asked God to rout the forces of Evil in our time.
Fast forward over 50 years later. There can be no doubt that we are living in similar times; maybe even worse.
I no longer march, stand, sit in, yell, or refuse to leave. Instead I pray in solidarity with and support of my sisters and brothers who do. I fervently pray for victims of violence and for the conversion of those who commit it. I pray that God will once again see us through this period where Evil threatens our very existence as a nation.
I am comforted by knowing that I do not pray alone.
I am reassured by our most benevolent and merciful God.
| | |
Judith Pollock
Ignatian Maine Steering Committee
| | |
Help Me to Listen
God of silence and God of all sound,
help me to listen.
Help me to do the deep listening to the sounds of my soul,
waiting to hear your soft voice calling me deeper into you.
Give me attentive ears
that begin to separate the noise from the sounds that are you,
you who have been speaking to me
and through me my whole life,
for so long that you can seem like background noise.
Today, help me hear you anew.
Amen.
|
| |
Everyday Ignatian
Everyday Ignatian is a series from the Jesuit Conference of the US and Canada, written by guest contributors, chronicling their daily lives and experiences through the lens of Ignatian spirituality.
| | |
Please join the entire Ignatian Maine community as we continue to pray for our Retreatants journeying through the Spiritual Exercises and for each other throughout Lent.
-Members of the Ignatian Partnership of Maine
| | |
|
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.
|
| |
|
Evening Mass at St. Pius X Church, OLH
Tuesdays, 6:30 PM
Our Lady of Hope Parish - A Jesuit Ministry (St. Pius X Church)
492 Ocean Ave., Portland
Attending a weekday mass can be a beautiful way to continue the Sunday celebration and bring the joy and blessings and community of the liturgy into our everyday lives. In response to parishioners unable to fit the 9:00 a.m. Mass into their schedules, OLH has added an evening mass on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. Join us!
The Mass is also available online via our livestream on the parish website: ladyofhopemaine.org. (Just scroll down until you see the video player and press the PLAY button.)
| | |
Service of Prayers for Healing
Wednesday, March 18, 6:30 PM
Our Lady of Hope Parish - A Jesuit Ministry (St. Pius X Church)
492 Ocean Ave., Portland
This service, inspired by a weekly service held at Iona Abbey in Scotland, reflects our belief that God’s purpose for us all is a life of wholeness, as expressed in the life and teaching of Jesus. The prayers reflect our awareness of the need all of us have for individual healing but also recognize the need of healing of communities, nations, and the earth itself.
If you have prayer intentions you wish included, please send them to Our Lady of Hope Parish - a Jesuit Ministry, at ourladyofhope@portlanddiocese.org.
We welcome your attendance in person, and the service will also be available online via livestream (ladyofhopemaine.org). (Just scroll down until you see the video player and press the PLAY button.)
| | |
Via the Ignatian Way
Via is the latest program from the Office of Ignatian Spirituality (OIS) – a rich, 10-month introduction to Jesuit tradition and Ignatian Spirituality open to adults of all ages.
Currently Via is looking for volunteer facilitators to help guide participants on their Ignatian journey. Please consider helping OIS with this endeavor. Your support will benefit the OLH community this fall in beginning their own Maine-based cohort.
The next virtual cohort begins online in May, with in-person cohorts in multiple locations following this fall. Volunteer facilitators will deliver thoughtfully designed curriculum with the full support of Via Program Coordinator, Marselys Lucero, giving you everything you need to lead with confidence. If you have a strong relationship with Ignatian spirituality and are looking to accompany others in their Ignatian journey, this is a meaningful opportunity to gift your time and talents — in whatever format works best for you.
To learn more or sign up, visit the Via webpage (IgnatianVia.org) or email Marselys Lucero at mlucero@jesuits.org.
| | |
Showing the Way to God
June 13-15, 2026
Fairfield University
A Conference for Practitioners of the Spiritual Exercises: clergy, women religious and others who are offering the exercises in various formats and settings
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.
Keynote Speakers
-
Rev. Kevin O’Brien, SJ - Vice Provost, Executive Director, Fairfield University Bellarmine
-
Erin Cline, PhD - Paul J. and Chandler M. Tagliabue Distinguished Professor of Interfaith Studies and Dialogue, Georgetown University
-
Damian Zynda, ThD - Assistant PASE, Executive Ignatian Formation, UEA Province of the Society of Jesus
-
Rev. Brian O. McDermott, SJ - Special Assistant to the President, Georgetown University
-
Sr. Joan McCarthy, CSJ - Spiritual Director, Gonzaga Retreat House
Please consider joining us for this formative conference! To find out more and to register, please click here.
|
| |
|
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.
We pray that your journey through Lent, Holy Week and the Easter Season will be filled with blessings and rich encounters with the mystery of God's incarnate love for you in Jesus Christ. -The Staff of Eastern Point
Eastern Point is also 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.
| | |
Good source of prayer material, reflections, etc. |
|
From the US Jesuit Conference. | |
All things Ignatian from our friends at OIS. | | 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. | | | | |
