What's the plan?

Our Mission

Ignatians West transforms lives by supporting nonprofit agencies that assist people who are poor or marginalized through the service and companionship of mature adults 50+ who are available to share their experience and talent in meaningful part time volunteer positions and reflect on their encounters in the Ignatian tradition.

So much has happened since I last shared my thoughts on the readings of the day.

A bishop pleaded with a politician to embrace mercy; a politician called out Catholic bishops and a tragic plane crash that decimated the lives of many families prompted a presidential response beyond compare.

In addition, we witnessed made-for-television coverage of the beginnings of the mass deportations promised by the country's new leadership, highlighted in Chicago by the accompaniment of Dr. Phil, a daytime television celebrity.

All of this was on the heels of fires that robbed thousands of families of their homes and belongings.

We weep, get angry, and are confused, trying to figure out how all of this happened. We feel intense desolation, and we beat ourselves up for spending time watching the news or scrolling our phones. We want to help, to do something to ease the suffering of others, but we do not know what to do. I have heard all of it from family and friends.

One of my daughters, a high school teacher, cried because she had to lead her students through a protocol for the possibility of ICE agents coming to the school. She shared a story about a particularly vulnerable student who could not focus. He finally confessed that his lack of focus was due to his worries that his parents would be taken away. There are countless stories like this.

Recommendations on handling these complex and, for some, terrifying times abound, and they are worthwhile. I read them and am always glad for the wisdom and practical ideas they impart. Still, at the end of the day, I know of no better way than prayer to a God who lived among us, knew the foibles of humankind firsthand, and loves us beyond measure as a way to manage the stress and confusion of our times. When our heads hit the pillow, I am pretty sure most of us pray for understanding and wisdom on how to navigate the troubled waters we are in.

Today’s readings begin with Malachi's prophecy of the long-anticipated coming of the Messiah, Jesus: The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. The gospel leads us from this prophecy to the reality of Jesus being presented in the Temple and recognized as the Messiah by two elderly, devout people, Simeon and Anna: A light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people, Israel. What joy this must have brought them.

If we embrace Jesus with the understanding and joy that Anna and Simeon did and heed his teachings, then we have a plan. It is set out for us: Love God and love our neighbor. In modern terms, we need to figure out how to implement the plan Jesus left us and waste no time doing it.

It is the only way forward.

Peace,

Anne

Frank Bognar

Click here to purchase Frank's book on Amazon.

Here we are in 2025, and we’re off to a rocky start – L.A./Ventura fires, climate change, talk of America invading other countries, migrants being rounded up for deportation and 24-7 misinformation. If you sometimes ask yourself, “Has the world gone mad?”, I can assure you, you are not alone. So, how should we proceed, when so much seems beyond humanity’s control?

I serve as the board’s chair for the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation of Santa Barbara, which for forty years has worked to achieve “a just and peaceful world, free of nuclear weapons.” I’ve written a book, A Great Flash of Light, about our nation’s hour of deepest darkness.

This was in 1962, when two enemy countries, the U.S. and the Soviet Union, faced off against one another, and brought the world to the brink of a total nuclear war. This Cuban Missile Crisis made such an impression on me as a teen, that upon retirement, I spent a decade researching and writing about how humanity was poised to hurl itself, and all of creation, into the nuclear abyss.

By the grace of God, three peacemakers: President John F. Kennedy, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, and a Soviet submarine commander, Vasili Arkhipov, despite facing enormous pressures to choose war, chose peace instead.

Scripture tells us: "I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, and then you and your descendants may live." (Deuteronomy 30:19)

They chose life, and we are alive today.

So, we too, in 2025 will choose life over death. We will acknowledge the harsh realities of our times. We will labor on for the downtrodden: feeding, comforting, providing fundamental assistance to assure human dignity – in short, doing all that we can, for as many as we can, for as long as we can – all the while keeping our eyes focused, on the Risen Christ.

Frank Bognar

Dr. Patrick Saint-Jean, SJ

Dr. Patrick Saint-Jean, SJ is a Jesuit clinical psychologist, award-winning author of several books, and a well-known national and international speaker on spirituality, race, racism, and racial healing. He is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in pastoral theology at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University. His work on race, racism, trauma, and Ignatian spirituality is a testament to hope and healing. His forthcoming book is, "Wade in the Water: a Journey of Hope for Reconciliation and Healing."

THE ABUNDANT TABLE...WHERE ALL ARE WELCOME!

Join us as we travel to Rome, Assisi and Sienna

Ignatians West is setting out on a pilgrimage to Italy next September during the Jubilee year. We will experience and celebrate the abundant tables Italy has to offer, both with the fine cuisine of the regions and around the altar.

We promise a spiritual and culinary experience in the Ignatian way of finding God in all things. Please consider joining us for this faith-filled adventure.

More information coming over the next few weeks.

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8601 Lincoln Blvd., Suite 180-306 • Los Angeles, CA 90045

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Center for Catholic Education • University Hall, LMU

PHONE

805-443-0812 (C)

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