HAPPY EASTER
Christ is risen! Thanks again to all those who helped make our Holy Week liturgical celebrations possible and beautiful – musicians, decorators, ministers in the sanctuary, welcome teams, virtual dinner hosts, planters of courtyard flowers, and waxers of the church floor. We celebrate the New Life Christ has given us through the Holy Spirit – even though we never fully understand what that means for us! We live our way into the mystery and the call of that New Life. The Church calendar gives us seven weeks in the Easter Season to contemplate that mystery of Jesus Risen and Living in our midst. There are many signs and opportunities of new life in which I want to invite you to partake…
CONTEMPLATIVE LEADERS IN ACTION (CLA) – APRIL 14
I am calling on ALL parishioners to help with the start-up of our young adult Ignatian leadership development program that will begin again next September, after a hiatus during the past pandemic year. Here’s how to help: if you are – or know – a young adult (mid 20s to late 30s) who would benefit from this program that integrates Ignatian Spirituality with one’s professional and personal life, please EMAIL ME HERE. CLA offers young adults a welcoming and inclusive community experience to deepen their spiritual lives, grow as inspired leaders in service to the world, and practice discernment. Please share this link to the 3 online information sessions on APRIL 14 (12pm ET, 12pm CT, 12pm PT).
JESUIT FRIENDS AND ALUMNI – MAY 11
Save the date for our first in-person (and livestreamed) luncheon event in over a year, featuring John Beilein, former coach of University of Michigan men’s basketball, speaking on “The impact my Jesuit education has had on my life as a Leader and Coach.” May 11, 12:00 PM, at the Detroit Athletic Club outdoor pavilion. Online registration will not be available until next week, but seating will be very limited and is expected to sell out fast – so EMAIL ME if you want to be sure to get a place. JFAN Denver is also offering a virtual Detroit-flavored event on April 28: “Stevie Wonder and the Ignatian Imagination”; register here.
RED CLOUD INDIAN SCHOOL – MAY 6
As you may recall, last year our parish (along with St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish) was exploring a possible Mission Trip to the Jesuits’ Holy Rosary Mission and Red Cloud School on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Unfortunately, COVID waylaid our plans. But now Red Cloud is coming to us! Register HERE for a free virtual event for Detroiters only on Thursday, May 6, 7 PM. School and Pastoral Staff will introduce us to the parishes, schools, and heritage center on the reservation. There will be breakout sessions on topics such as Lakhota Culture and Spirituality, the life of Servant of God Nicholas Black Elk, and life on the Pine Ridge. I heard great things about a recent event like this for Chicago. It’s a golden opportunity to learn about this important mission of our Midwest region of the Jesuits. Look for our weekly Thursday emails for a brief introductory video each week.
CATHOLIC EARTH DAY PROGRAM – APRIL 23
Ever since his 2015 Laudato Si’ Pope Francis has not ceased reminding us that we are called to Care for Creation, for the Earth, our common home, and for the poor who are especially impacted by environmental problems. For this Earth Day (April 22), walk with other Catholics to learn, pray, and take action for environmental justice: join the 21-Day Catholic Environmental Justice Challenge: April 23-May 16 to receive a series of informative daily emails, sponsored by the Ignatian Solidarity Network.