Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
-Psalm 37:4
What Do I Really Want?
When we make a decision, this is the question we should be asking ourselves. But, do we ever really know what we want? Our deepest desire is the same as God’s desire for us, but for us, what that desire is, is shrouded in forces from the secular world: pride, fear, ambitions, unhealthy attachments to money, honor, power, security, and a host of other things. The process of discernment is essentially a process of stripping away false desires and finding the desires that lead us to God. This is not an easy process because the enemy, the Prince of Disguises, is constantly working to draw us away from walking with Christ.
Discernment is a process of discovering God’s direction in the concrete realities of our day-to -day lives. In discernment we “mull over the options facing us. The goal is to see them as God sees them. As you continue the process, some options will just be eliminated while other options gain clarity and focus. (Idea from Brother Charles J. Jackson, S.J. seattleu.edu)
What if you have eliminated all but two or three equally good options. You might try this exercise. So if you decided on option one, or two, or three—how would your life be different, how would the lives of your love ones be impacted? Try to imagine your life with that choice. Think about each option independently. Finally which option will bring you closer to God? Then make your decision?
(Idea from Jim Manney An Ignatian Book of Days Loyola Press 2014)
You might find this link informative: ignatianspirituality.com/an-ignatian-framework-for-making-a-decision
Imagine it’s a beautiful spring day.
The sun is shining, the air is warm, and the sense of new life surrounds you. You are walking along a narrow path in a large city that you’ve visited many times. You love this place—the small, narrow streets crowded with people, the marketplace with its smells and noises. As you walk, you see a crowd forming along the street in front of you. It looks like they are lining the street for some reason. You wonder what’s going on, so you walk towards the street. When you get closer, you can hear people chanting, but you can’t make out the words. They seem to be waving something up and down.
When you get to the street, there are many, many people smiling and waving large palm branches. Some have put their cloaks on the ground. There must be some royalty or wealthy person coming, you think. You look down the street, and a few feet away is a man sitting on a donkey. He is waving to the crowd, but his face is so serious, almost sad. You get to the front of the crowd so you can see him more closely. He is in front of you and stops. He looks at you. You recognize him. It’s Jesus; he’s the one everyone’s been talking about. Jesus speaks to you. What does Jesus say? What do you say to Jesus?
Jesus lingers there for a few minutes.
He seems like he wants to get off the donkey, to stay with you, to enter the main part of the city. But he doesn’t move. He sits there looking at you. The crowd’s voices get louder and louder. They are yelling out, praising him saying, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” But Jesus does not seem happy. He reaches down for your hand. You reach up and hold Jesus’ hand. What do you say to Jesus? What does Jesus say to you?
Imaginative Prayer by Steven Conner Ignatianspirituality.com
used with permission
40 Things to Give up for Lent: The List
(shared with permission)
In addition to his book, Phil Ressler has free videos and in depth explanations about each of the 40 things to give up during Lent (and beyond).
CLICK HERE to be directed to his website
As we continue our Lenten journey, our Ignatian Spirituality Community is challenging us to explore how we can “give up” during Lent. The following list (created by Phil Ressler) offers a different view about what to “give up” this Lenten season. An in-depth reflection on each of these items will be added each week and will be in the Ignatian Corner section of the bulletin.
Please visit philressler.com for videos, books and his blog.
Used with permission.
“Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him.” Based on Luke 5:13
Lepers were the world’s untouchables. Lepers had to live apart from society in pathetic ghettos, and had to announce themselves on the road so others could step aside. There was an undertone of shame, or guilt. He must have sinned terribly for God to inflict such a nightmare on him!
Jesus, typically and marvelously, refuses to avert his gaze or distance. He touches the one who probably had not been touched much in his entire lifetime. We get hung up on purity, keeping ourselves safe, being sure our hands are clean. The pandemic has probably heightened this urge. Jesus sees people, not problems. Jesus sees a friend, not his own fear. Nobody is ostracized in Jesus’ realm. All are touched, embraced, loved.
Hard to say who today’s lepers might be. We have no shortage of people who are judged deficient or dangerous by mere external appearance, due to a health challenge, something marking them since birth, even being overweight or underweight or black or … Fill in the blanks. Jesus shows us how to be his friends: we never, ever shrink back from others; we never, ever size anybody up based on what we see.
Prayerful people don’t fear other people. They reach out as God reaches out. And what did Jesus pray? I bet it included Thanks for the encounter, or even Hey, Father-God, I just met the neatest new friend!
Ignatian Spirituality—We are the image of God to each other.
Dr. James Howell, Senior Pastor
Myers Park Methodist Church
james@mpumc.org
Used with permission
by Rita Norvez
Recently, I attended Facilitator and Notetaker training sponsored by the Ignatian leadership for Synod 2021-2023. This is in response to Pope Francis’ directive to hear from the whole church about what is happening in local parishes.
He and the Bishops would like to know what individuals think we should all be doing to help make our parishes better. The way he has proposed doing this is the synodal process. “Synod means ‘journeying together’ and it involves listening to the Holy Spirit and to each other in order to discern the path we are called to walk together.” To that end many facilitators and notetakers will be needed to assist in gathering this information.
The synod “is intended to inspire people to dream about the Church we are called to be, to make people’s hopes flourish, to stimulate trust, to bind up wounds, to weave new and deeper relationships, to learn from one another, to build bridges, to enlighten minds, warm hearts, and restore strength to our hands for our common mission.” Synod Handbook
“Synodality is the specific way of living and operating in the Church, the People of God, which reveals and gives substance to her being as communion when all her members journey together, gather in assembly and take an active part in her evangelizing mission.” International Theological Commission
The dream is that synodality is a way of being Church, not just an event or program. We are called to be part of that dream.
CARING FOR OTHERS
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciples there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:26-27
What lesson can I get out of this reading?
Even on the cross, Jesus was concerned with the importance of relationship. He commended his mother and his friend to care for each other. We are made to be in relationship with others, and that relationship carries with it the responsibility to care for others just as a mother and son would do. This is God’s plan for us.
Take some time to reflect on these questions:
Modified from Loyolapress.com
(3 minute Retreat - January 15, 2022)
KINDNESS
(continued)
by Joyce Eckart
This is our last of our three-part focus on Kindness. Being Kind is physically and psychologically beneficial!
For our New Year’s resolution “healthy living” let’s practice these skills:
Be there to listen: Being a good listener is undervalued. A lot of the time, we listen only to respond. We are listening only to comment. Practice listening to hear feeling. Taking time to listen for feelings can relieve stress, pressure, and anxiety for the speaker as well as the listener.
Be optimistic: Having a positive mental state and being optimistic helps you spread the same to those around you. It also attracts the same type of energy
Smile at others: Smiling is contagious and has a positive effect on our mental health. It makes us feel better and acknowledged.
Say “Thank You” and “I’m Sorry”: A genuine “Thank You” and “I’m Sorry” carries a lot of meaning. Gratitude and apologies show that we are accountable for our actions and respect the other person involved.
For better health, practice Kindness
KINDNESS
(continued)
by Joyce Eckart
January and February seem to be cold damp “let down months”. More members of our community stay inside, Covid cases are increasing, there is more political unrest, we become more anxious and impatient. We might look back on the holidays with disappointment that things did not work out as we had planned.
We make New Year’s resolutions to live healthier lives by watching our carbs and exercising. But did you know that there’s another thing to do to live healthier. This habit may also have many health benefits *such as lowering pain levels, relieving stress and anxiety, and increasing life expectancy. When we practice this behavior, we are healing others and ourselves at the same time. It’s the practice of KINDNESS.
(Selecthealth.com article by Emily Crawford) *Dartmouth.edu “Kindness Facts”
For this week practice these two ways.
Focus on others: Kindness puts others at the center. It is not focused on how it will benefit us. That is manipulation. True Kindness comes from a place of compassion, understanding, and goodwill.
Offer a helping hand: Asking for help is one of the most difficult things to do. We often run from it, seeing it as a weakness and using it as a last resort. Consider being thoughtful. We are made in Christ’s image. See the Christ in others. Look outside yourself to be aware of the needs of others. Hold a door open, connect with people, send a card, text, phone call. Let others know they are important to you. Help someone at work. Be generous with your time to community needs.
KINDNESS
by Joyce Eckart
If we observe a garden, healthy plants bear fruit. Plants remain healthy through care and attention, proper nourishment, watering, weeding, sunshine. If a plant or vine has all of this, it will probably bear fruit. So, too, if the seeds of the spirit are cared for, the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control are harvested. (section 736 Catechism of the Catholic Church sec. ed.)
As we think of the new year and resolutions one thing that comes to mind is increasing our habit of kindness. To see with eyes of kindness, we focus on someone other than ourselves. Ignatius taught that we are Christ to each other. Do we treat others with respect and dignity? Are we impatient, resentful, unforgiving? Do we see ourselves as more important than others?
I was at the food store several weeks ago and someone cut in front of me. I was ready to tell him where the back of the line was, but I just didn’t. After a few minutes, he realized what he had done, apologized, and told me that he had just come from the emergency room where his wife had been admitted. I was so grateful that I hadn’t pointed out his mistake. What did I learn, we never know what others might be experiencing.
For this year let us nurture kindness as a habit. Wouldn’t it be satisfying if the St. Therese Community was known for kindness.
Be Aware.
Think of Others.
Be Kind.
Quiet Lives
by Shemaiah Gonzalez
Along our street and in the streets of our city and around the country, there are homes where the routine is quiet. A person could probably set a watch to these homes if one watched and found their rhythm. These are not the homes of saints. And they won’t be on the nightly news. Not one of the inhabitants will ever receive an award or perhaps even a pat on the back for the hard work they do.
But there is something absolutely revolutionary about doing the work. Showing up. Quietly adding to a solution instead of [being] part of the problem.
When I was younger, I thought I would contribute something extraordinary to the world—that it was my duty, destiny, and responsibility to do something spectacular. As time steps forward and my life has become both larger and simpler at the same time, I have begun to see that the most revolutionary thing I can do, the most extraordinary decision that I can make, is simply to let God love me.
It is not easy. It is a quiet act made deep in the still of our souls. When we realize that God loved us first (1 John 4:19) and accept that love, our response is to love him back. All our other decisions are made out of this love. We hope and we pray that by modeling this love between God and us, between us and our spouse, overflowing to our children, this love will be passed on and outward.
Ignatianspirituality.com
(used with permission)
A New Year Prayer
God, thank you for a New Year. May everyone in our family be willing to begin anew with a clean slate. We know that you are always ready to forgive us. Help us to be willing to forgive ourselves and to forgive one another.
As we begin a New Year, remind us of our truest values and our deepest desires. Help us to live in the goodness that comes from doing what you want us to do. Help us to put aside anxiety about the future and the past, so that we might live in peace with you now, one day at a time.
Allow us to see the sacredness of this present moment. We cannot relive it.
Help us to be the hands and feet of Christ bringing comfort, peace, dignity, and justice to others.
Amen
Adapted from Loyolapress.com
Image Attribution: © Nevit Dilmen
We Wish you a Holiday filled with Love and Peace.
During this time of wonder, pray to receive the grace to be more aware of God’s movements in your life!
The Ignatian Spirituality Team
As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Psalm 42:2-4
What are you longing for?
What is your heart trying to tell you? The gift God offers is the invitation to explore your inner longings. The Church, through our Advent customs, and even the weather of the season itself support such inner work. During this week, give yourself time and space to contemplate what you are truly longing for in life. Know that this is the season when your longings will lead you to the Christ Child, in whom the hopes and fears of all the years are known and responded to with generous love.
As individuals and as a community, we are longing for the presence of God. World events shatter our complacency; family difficulties shake our resolve. How can we say God is present when so much seems to be unstable? Yet, He is! We chose to turn from Him and lose our way.
This Advent, find your way back home to the loving embrace of your Father.
Receiving Advent
by Tom McGrath
During Mass, our priest invited us to write down on a slip of paper a word that named something that is keeping us from getting closer to God. It might be a fear, a resentment, or an attitude that shuts us off from the love God so wants to give. We folded the paper over a few times, grasp it tightly in one hand, and made a fist around it while he began to preach on the Scripture readings. (Try it!)
After a minute, my hand began to ache. At two minutes, my hand grew numb. At three minutes, the hand started shaking uncontrollably.
He told us to open our hands. I found how hard it was to do that. After grasping the piece of paper so tightly, my hand had stiffened and seemed to have a mind of its own.
I can’t remember what else he said that day, but I have never forgotten that lesson. Hold on to a resentment, fear, or bad attitude long enough and you will become paralyzed.
As I begin Advent now, I start with the realization that I need to let go of any and all spiritual impediments I’m hanging onto. Advent is a time of receiving. It’s hard to receive if your hands are clasped shut. So I begin Advent, once again, with this prayer: Holy Spirit of God, open my hands, my eyes, my ears, all my senses, and all of my heart so I will be ready to receive your Advent blessings.
Tom McGrath
Loyolapress.com
A new look at Christ’s birth A Meditative Exercise
Imagine that Jesus is going to be born in your neighborhood. Try to forget the details of the Gospel story, and approach this divine event as if God is just now bringing the baby Jesus into our world. That means that the details can be what you imagine them to be.
This is not an exercise in following the Scriptural account of Jesus’ birth. Rather, it is an exercise in imagining who Jesus might be in today’s world—what family he might come from, where he might be born, what the political and social context might be, and so forth. Where will this happen? In a hospital? In someone’s home? Outdoors? What time of day? In the middle of the night? In the morning or afternoon? And in what kind of weather? Who will be involved? Whose family will he be born into? Will it be a large family, or will Jesus be the firstborn and only child? Will the scene be peaceful or chaotic? Will it happen in a calm atmosphere or in the middle of some event? Will it be a secret or highly publicized? Where will you be in this scene? Part of the family, maybe even the mother or father? A neighbor?
A member of another part of the community—of a different race or ethnicity? What impact will this birth have immediately, if any?
How do you want to be involved in this holy event, and why?
Write about your thoughts.
Vinita Hampton Wright
Ignatian Spirituality.com
Some Thoughts to Survive the Holidays
St. Ignatius points out that we are all loved sinners. During the stresses of this holiday season, let us cultivate a habit of kindness. Be kind, be gentle, forgive others as our Heavenly Father has forgiven us, repair relationships. What you “should have done”, are empty words when opportunities are lost.
Spend some time today and this week meditating on these wise words. Write them on an index card and read them during the day!
“Be kind—for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Plato
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”. Aesop
“Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.” Eric Hoffer
Keep me, O God, from pettiness; let me be large in thought, in word, in deed.
Let me be done with faultfinding and leave off self-seeking.
May I put away all pretense and meet others face to face—without prejudice.
May I never be hasty in my judgement, but generous.
Let me take time for all things; make me grow calm, serene, gentle.
You did not create me to be burned out and exhausted but to be an effective person who does your bidding.
Grant that I may realize that it is the little things that create great differences.
O Lord God, help me to remember always to be loving and kind. Amen.
Dr. Gregory Jantz aplaceofhope.com (adapted)
Thanks to Marie Kocheck for the quotes on kindness.
Christian Life Community
By Diane Schefers
Last week we wrote about the Christian Life Community movement to organize small groups who companion each other in this life to reach the eternal joy promised by God. This week, one of the members writes about what being part of a CLC means to her.
I found a new home when I moved to Mooresville seven years ago. I am not talking about the home that I reside in but my home in St. Therese Parish. Here is where I first learned about Ignatian Spirituality. According to Loyola Press, “Finding God in all things is at the core of Ignatian Spirituality and is rooted in our growing awareness that God can be found in every one, in every place and in everything.” I also learned that Saint Ignatius wanted us to develop a personal relationship with Christ and to be contemplatives in action, which is to get out in the world and be of service to others. Father Dominic also introduced to me the Christian Life Communities (CLC) program. Christian Life Community (CLC) is an international association of Christian laity—men and women—who have adopted an Ignatian model of spiritual life. CLC members are encouraged to live a lifestyle which is gospel-based, to serve the poor and to integrate contemplation and action.
Currently, I am a member of one of our Christian Life Community groups and a member of the Ignatian Team. Ignatian Spirituality has helped me to grow so much closer to Christ. I certainly have developed that personal relationship and I treasure it each day.
Please consider contacting the Ignatian Team for more information.
For more information about CLC contact Nora Paffrath norapaffrath@icloud.com
Christian Life Community
Christian Life Community (CLC) is an international association of lay Christians who have adopted an Ignatian model of the spiritual life. The ‘Community’ of over 25,000 members is present in over sixty countries around the world.
CLC draws its inspiration from the teachings of St. Ignatius Loyola.
The experience of making the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius is foundational to the member of CLC, not simply as a retreat but as a way of life. Members are encouraged to live a lifestyle that is gospel based and simple: To Serve the Poor and those most in need and to work to change unjust structures in society.
CLC members seek to bring Gospel values into all aspects of life in today’s world. We envision ourselves as missioned, discerning communities. "The field of CLC mission knows no limits; it extends both to the church and the world, in order to bring the Gospel of salvation to all people by opening hearts to conversion and struggling to change oppressive structures." (clc-usa.org)
Our CLC groups at Saint Therese are small, no more than twelve members. We meet regularly in order to develop friendship and a community spirit among ourselves by praying, sharing some of our life experiences together, helping and supporting each other in our Christian faith and in our daily lives and engaging in outreach activities. Meetings are held, usually in our homes, at intervals decided by the group — usually biweekly, and lasting one and a half or two hours.
For more information contact: Nora Paffrath, norapaffrath@icloud.com
THOUGHTS ON PETER FABER
by Joyce Eckart
Today is the feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Rafael. My thoughts drift to St. Peter Faber who, when greeting others, greeted their guardian angels as well! I think of him as a boy on a cold and cloudy mountain tending his sheep much like David. The quiet drew him to the voice of God and he listened. What made him want to leave such solitude and pursue knowledge was the desire to know God more intimately. I believe the Holy Spirit nudged his soul to want more and to seek and unravel the mysteries of his faith hidden in books. From the time he was a boy he reveled in the wonders of nature. His love became a quest for knowledge. His knowledge led him to Paris and St. Ignatius. With child-like simplicity and purity of faith he used his gift of persuasion to bring Lutherans and Calvinists back to the Church. He became a Shepherd of Souls. Unfortunately, he was not as successful as he had hoped. In fact, “his heart sank when things were not going well”.
CANNONBALL MOMENTS
Several weeks ago we learned that St. Ignatius was struck by a cannonball during the Battle of Pamplona in 1521.This event was life changing for him. Many of us too, have had cannonball moments in our lives. Moments of anxiety, sadness, fear or pain when we wonder why these things are happening to us or our loved ones. We are so caught up in fear and darkness that we feel abandoned. It is truly hard to see God’s love and gentle caring at these times. In fact, we might even get angry with God. Why me? Why my loved one? We pray. We look for the solutions or an out-come that we want. We hear that no prayers are unanswered (Mark 11:24)—but we believe our prayers aren’t. Could it be that we have ignored God’s plan which is so much better than the one we are hoping for? (Isaiah 55:8-9) Oftentimes, only in looking back over a cannonball moment do we realize how close God was to us at that time and how His plan has made us stronger spiritually. Our faith has deepened. Our Trust made stronger.
Take some time this week to think about the cannonball moments in your lives. What have you learned from them?
Look for Cannonball Moments at the Ignatian Spirituality table at the 75th Anniversary Festival!
For more about Cannonball moments visit IgnatianSpirituality.com
Jane de Chantal
Wife, mother and nun, Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, whose feast is August 12, is spiritually intimately connected to Saint Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, in Annecy, Savoy during the Calvinist Revolt in Switzerland. Together these two saints founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary in 1610. Their outreach was to the forgotten-the poor, the sick, orphans and widows.
During our pilgrimage in 2016 with Don Ward S.J., we visited the Basilica of the Visitation where the tombs of Jane and Francis rest side by side. By the time of Jane’s death in 1641, there were 86 congregations of Visitation Sisters, mainly in France, who prayed and lived in the spirit of the holy mystery of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. In 2021, about 150 Visitation Monasteries exist throughout the world including Portugal, England, the United States, Colombia and South Korea. Often quoted for her work in Spiritual Direction, Jane de Chantal wrote, “In prayer, more is accomplished by listening than by talking.” The motto of the Visitation Sisters is “Jesus Vive” (“Let Jesus live within”).
Basilica of the Visitation in Annecy, France.
It was constructed between 1922-1932 to house the tombs of Jane Chantal and Francis de Sales.
Thank you!
Thank you all for celebrating St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Feast Day and Fr. Bernard’s birthday on Friday, July 30, after Mass.
It was indeed a special event because the community has been prevented from this fellowship for over a year because of covid.
To get an idea of the fun we had, please visit the St. Therese Photo Galleries page:
St. Therese Photo Galleries Page
Mary - How She Made A New Man of Saint Ignatius
Ignatius was born in Spain in 1491. He grew to be a worldly, vain young man who was obsessed with stories of battles and chivalry.
In May 1521 he was wounded in battle by a cannon ball and sent to the family castle to recuperate. Here his sister-in-law Magdalena nursed him. In his boredom he asked for history books about chivalry, famous battles, and romance novels. What he got was devotionals, The Life of Christ and The Lives of the Saints!
With little else to do, he imagined himself in the Life of Christ. He filled almost 300 pages of his notebook with thoughts and reflections, often imagining, like a play, what Christ was saying (written in red ink) and what Mary was saying (written in blue ink).
One night as he lay awake, he had a vision of Mary holding the Child Jesus. This vision filled him with sorry about his life. He was filled with emptiness. And he was transformed! The vision helped him to escape from the lure of society, the need for recognition, power. and wealth. He knew with certainty that the whole point of life would be to Love God Above All Things.
Ignatius realized that Mary, though human, had been made powerful through Jesus. She leads us to her Son.
Information taken from Mary-how she made a new man of Ignatius by Tom Casey, S.J. on Jesuit.ie a website of the Jesuits in Ireland.
Seeking Happiness
Happy those whose way is blameless, who walk by the teaching of the LORD.
-Psalm 119:1
The path to happiness is not as difficult as it may seem. The trouble is that people tend to look for it where it cannot be found. Wealth, power, and self-centeredness offer the same empty promises. Jesus faced and rejected these when he was tempted by the devil in the desert.
The path to happiness and eternal life is open. Jesus cleared the way by his word and example, and by unfolding the work of the Holy Spirit, who continues to teach us how to love according to God’s plan.
Jesus lead me and I will follow.
Source: 3 minute Retreat.
Used with permission from Loyola Press.
3 minute Retreat is a free app provided in English and Spanish by Loyola Press. Please consider downloading the app from loyolapress.com
Image Source: Pixabay
St. Peter Faber
St. Peter Faber (1506-1546)
“…first companion of Blessed Ignatius and Francis Xavier and first among them to be theologian, priest and preacher…” of the Society of Jesus.
These words are inscribed in Latin on stone outside the entrance to the Pierre Favre Chapel in Savoy, France. His feast day is celebrated by the Society on August 2.
Pope Francis officially proclaimed him a saint on December 17, 2013.
Don Ward, S.J. wrote for the Ignatian Corner on August 7, 2011:
“He (Peter Faber) is known and loved because of his faithfulness to his brother Jesuits, his human compassion with each person he dealt with
and his simple, profound life of prayer. A great model for our parish.”
Image source Wikipedia (Use: Creative Commons)