This document discusses frontier ministries and the call to serve those most in need. It begins by discussing a talk given by Pope Francis where he said that all Christians are called to be "bearers of Christ", or "Christophers". It then discusses the Jesuit Refugee Service and Fr. Cedric Prakash's decision to work with them in Lebanon. Fr. Prakash describes the dire situations faced by refugees from Syria and Iraq. The document advocates for religious groups to seriously consider frontier ministries and serving those on the peripheries, as called for by Pope Francis.
The document discusses the importance of reflection and formation. It notes that there are two worlds - the external world and inner world of thoughts and experiences. Reflection helps provide clarity and meaning to both worlds. Reflection must lead to right action. Formation plays an important role in developing leaders who can take right action. The document discusses topics covered in the Prajwalana journal, including formation, family, and leadership, and how ideas from reflection can be put into action. It thanks contributors and formators for their support.
This document discusses Pope Francis' declaration of an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016. It calls on Christians to rediscover mercy at the heart of their faith and to become "missionaries of mercy" by opening their hearts to God's abundant mercy and showing compassion to others, especially the vulnerable. The year is an opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal of mission, challenging believers to allow God's mercy to transform them so they can spread His message of mercy, love, and peace in the world.
This document discusses the importance of reconciliation and dialogue. It argues that reconciliation is challenging but necessary to mend relationships harmed by misunderstandings, prejudices and unkind acts. True reconciliation requires humility, courage, generosity and forgiveness. It also discusses the need for dialogue between religions to promote understanding and cooperation. Dialogue can help address tensions but requires a willingness to forgive wrongs of the past. The season of Lent is an opportunity for reflection on relationships in need of healing through reconciliation and dialogue.
This spiritual reflection guide discusses Pope Francis' 2015 Lenten message about returning to God with love. It encourages taking Lent as an opportunity to deepen one's relationship with God through the heart, not just intellect. Lent should be a time of renewal, restoration, and being renewed by God's love. The guide then discusses how to find answers to life's ponderings through prayer and experiencing epiphany moments that call us to respond in faith, hope and love. It ends by asking how one has responded to an epiphany moment in their own life.
The document discusses Jesuit formation and leadership. It argues that Jesuit formation must have a sense of realism that avoids utopian ideals and constantly evolves while retaining traditions. Obedience is both a grace and gift that allows Jesuits to serve joyfully. Leadership requires being available for mission and making decisions through consultation and discernment grounded in Ignatian values. The challenges of modern times require Jesuit formation to adapt while staying true to the Ignatian charism.
St. Ignatius was a highly creative person who constantly moved away from comfort and took risks that redirected his life journey. His experiences, including profound spiritual experiences during his time in Manresa and Jerusalem, indicate his inner zeal and passion. He founded the Society of Jesus to spread the message of Jesus in a creative way through the Spiritual Exercises and establishing schools and colleges. However, his creative and unconventional thinking also led to troubles with church authorities. St. Ignatius inspires Christians to respond creatively to today's challenges through sensitive openness to God and the needs of people.
This document provides an explanation of the meaning behind the Easter greeting "Alleluia Christ is Risen!". It states that:
1) "Alleluia" means "Praise God" and expresses great joy in God's goodness.
2) "Christ" refers to Jesus as the Messiah, savior of the world, forgiver of sins, and repairer of the breach.
3) Saying "Is Risen" declares the belief that God can do anything, even conquer death.
This document provides information about upcoming events at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in September 2014. It summarizes volunteer opportunities for the annual Harvest Festival, a monthly communion service at a nursing home, and the Taize prayer service. It also lists the schedule for liturgical assistants and guest ushers in the coming weeks.
The document discusses the importance of reflection and formation. It notes that there are two worlds - the external world and inner world of thoughts and experiences. Reflection helps provide clarity and meaning to both worlds. Reflection must lead to right action. Formation plays an important role in developing leaders who can take right action. The document discusses topics covered in the Prajwalana journal, including formation, family, and leadership, and how ideas from reflection can be put into action. It thanks contributors and formators for their support.
This document discusses Pope Francis' declaration of an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy from December 8, 2015 to November 20, 2016. It calls on Christians to rediscover mercy at the heart of their faith and to become "missionaries of mercy" by opening their hearts to God's abundant mercy and showing compassion to others, especially the vulnerable. The year is an opportunity for spiritual growth and renewal of mission, challenging believers to allow God's mercy to transform them so they can spread His message of mercy, love, and peace in the world.
This document discusses the importance of reconciliation and dialogue. It argues that reconciliation is challenging but necessary to mend relationships harmed by misunderstandings, prejudices and unkind acts. True reconciliation requires humility, courage, generosity and forgiveness. It also discusses the need for dialogue between religions to promote understanding and cooperation. Dialogue can help address tensions but requires a willingness to forgive wrongs of the past. The season of Lent is an opportunity for reflection on relationships in need of healing through reconciliation and dialogue.
This spiritual reflection guide discusses Pope Francis' 2015 Lenten message about returning to God with love. It encourages taking Lent as an opportunity to deepen one's relationship with God through the heart, not just intellect. Lent should be a time of renewal, restoration, and being renewed by God's love. The guide then discusses how to find answers to life's ponderings through prayer and experiencing epiphany moments that call us to respond in faith, hope and love. It ends by asking how one has responded to an epiphany moment in their own life.
The document discusses Jesuit formation and leadership. It argues that Jesuit formation must have a sense of realism that avoids utopian ideals and constantly evolves while retaining traditions. Obedience is both a grace and gift that allows Jesuits to serve joyfully. Leadership requires being available for mission and making decisions through consultation and discernment grounded in Ignatian values. The challenges of modern times require Jesuit formation to adapt while staying true to the Ignatian charism.
St. Ignatius was a highly creative person who constantly moved away from comfort and took risks that redirected his life journey. His experiences, including profound spiritual experiences during his time in Manresa and Jerusalem, indicate his inner zeal and passion. He founded the Society of Jesus to spread the message of Jesus in a creative way through the Spiritual Exercises and establishing schools and colleges. However, his creative and unconventional thinking also led to troubles with church authorities. St. Ignatius inspires Christians to respond creatively to today's challenges through sensitive openness to God and the needs of people.
This document provides an explanation of the meaning behind the Easter greeting "Alleluia Christ is Risen!". It states that:
1) "Alleluia" means "Praise God" and expresses great joy in God's goodness.
2) "Christ" refers to Jesus as the Messiah, savior of the world, forgiver of sins, and repairer of the breach.
3) Saying "Is Risen" declares the belief that God can do anything, even conquer death.
This document provides information about upcoming events at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in September 2014. It summarizes volunteer opportunities for the annual Harvest Festival, a monthly communion service at a nursing home, and the Taize prayer service. It also lists the schedule for liturgical assistants and guest ushers in the coming weeks.
The document discusses an upcoming event to pack food packets that will feed children. The goal is to pack 200,000 packets to feed 500 children per day for a year. The packets will be sent to locations in Haiti and locally in the US. The packing event will take place over three days at a local high school, where volunteers can participate in 2-hour packing sessions. Donations are being collected to purchase the food, with $60 donations providing sponsorship for one volunteer. The deadline to donate is February 1st to ensure the food arrives in time. Pre-registration is required by January 2nd.
This document is a newsletter from a Lutheran church providing updates on church activities and events over the past year, as well as announcements for upcoming activities and reflections on faith. It discusses the church's accomplishments in 2014, including social ministry efforts and property improvements. It also announces plans for a group retreat in March at a wilderness setting to refresh and renew during Lent.
This document contains summaries of events from All Saints Church Marlow in November and December 2018. It includes:
- Six senior choir girls from All Saints singing Choral Evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on November 17th.
- A reflection from Pastor Dave Bull upon returning from sabbatical, discussing the difficulties the church faced earlier in the year and signs of growth.
- Details about the Advent display in the Prayer Chapel focusing on Mary, Joseph and Jesus' journey to Bethlehem.
- Upcoming events from Churches Together in Marlow, including men's breakfasts, Harvest Supper, Remembrance Sunday prayers for the armed forces, and an Lent
Messaggio della Consigliera per le Missioni - Sr. Alaide Deretti__14 luglio 2...Maike Loes
The letter summarizes the current situation of the sisters in Colombia due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their efforts to find a humanitarian flight to return to Rome. It discusses how the pandemic has increased poverty and inequality but also led more people to seek spirituality. The pandemic has caused parishes and communities to find new ways to proclaim the Gospel through online services and outreach. The letter encourages the sisters to read a past letter from Mother Mazzarello for guidance, highlighting her wisdom and recommendations around not fearing challenges, correcting issues calmly, focusing on essentials over trivial things, and trusting in God. It closes by wishing the sisters a happy feast of Saint Mary Magdalene and hopes for committed and creative mission work during
The document is a newsletter from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church celebrating their 60th anniversary and promoting their capital campaign called "For Future Generations." It discusses the successful campaign launch luncheon that over 100 people attended. It highlights that they have already received $192,340 in pledges towards their goal of updating buildings to serve future congregations. It encourages continued participation in the campaign.
“Here I am, send me!”_14 ottobre 2020 engMaike Loes
This letter discusses the theme of Pope Francis' message for World Missionary Day, which is missionary communion and solidarity. It highlights the missionary vocation as a call to serve others through sharing and intercession. The letter invites the sisters to renew their commitment to the missionary mandate of "I entrust them to you" and to say "Here I am, send me!" in response to serving those still awaiting the proclamation of the Gospel, including young people, families in need, and whole populations. It encourages the sisters to contemplate the field the Lord has given them and to work with missionary enthusiasm.
Slides from the January 2014 meeting of the Benedictine Oblates of St Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota. Part of the year-long theme of Benedictine Virtures.
The Heart of Jesus in the Spirituality of St. Louise de Marillac. From an article by Robert P. Maloney C.M. in the Vincentian Heritage Journal, Spring 3-6-2014.
The Bridge November 2014 First Baptist Church Franklinton, LANatasha Burris
This document is the November 2014 newsletter from First Baptist Church of Franklinton, Louisiana. It provides contact information for the church including phone numbers, email addresses, and website. It also lists the church's weekly schedule and upcoming events. The main article discusses the spiritual discipline of thanksgiving and encourages church members to practice gratitude. It provides a Bible passage from Psalm 69 to illustrate how thankfulness can help one's spiritual and emotional well-being. Church members are invited to record a brief video testimony of something they are thankful for and send it to the pastor. Other short articles announce upcoming mission trips and events.
This document is a letter from the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Plainview, NY. It discusses the church's participation in the local Memorial Day parade where over 70 members walked together singing and waving banners. It then describes the somber nature of the Memorial Day ceremony in the park where veterans spoke about fallen soldiers. The pastor's benediction at the ceremony honors those who died in war and prays for peace. The letter encourages members to continue sharing God's message of love and announces upcoming summer activities at the church.
This document contains a multi-paragraph sermon from a pastor addressing their congregation. The pastor discusses the importance of using time wisely to continue Jesus' mission of spreading love, and encourages the congregation to regroup and strategize ways to effectively carry out their loving mission. Recent events like the accidental drowning of three children are mentioned as a reminder of the brevity of life. The congregation is thanked for their accomplishments over the past year and goals for the coming year are outlined.
Welcoming Christ in Refugees and forcibly displaced Persons - Pastoral GuidelineSuefmm
This document provides pastoral guidelines from the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and Pontifical Council Cor Unum on welcoming and assisting refugees and forcibly displaced persons. It discusses the Church's duty to help the vulnerable based on Catholic social teaching and Scripture. The document is intended to raise awareness and provide guidance to clergy and laity on caring for refugees' spiritual and material needs.
The document discusses Catholic teachings around welcoming immigrants and migrants. It calls Catholics to see the presence of God in migrants and to treat them with dignity and compassion. It outlines the biblical basis for hospitality and defending immigrants, including examples from the Old and New Testaments. It also summarizes the teachings of numerous popes on the rights of migrants and importance of addressing the root causes of migration.
This document discusses the calling and purpose of consecrated religious life. It begins by discussing how centuries ago individuals left communities to seek God in the quiet of deserts and mountains, laying the foundation for present religious life. It then discusses how religious life has evolved from retreating from the world to dwelling within it with great awareness of the spirit. The document calls religious to be prophets and voices in society, quitting comfortable lives within religious houses to serve humanity. It provides perspectives on how religious are called to critically examine their lives and fulfill their mission to be genuine voices of the Lord.
The document discusses the importance of helping refugees based on biblical teachings. It notes that throughout the Bible, God's people were often refugees themselves. Jesus teaches that welcoming refugees is akin to welcoming him. As Christians, we should see all humans as equally precious to God and welcome refugees as the "least of these" in need of our help. We must strive to see Jesus in every human being and take action to help refugees worldwide who are suffering.
St. Justin de Jacobis was a 19th century Vincentian missionary to Ethiopia and Eritrea who is considered a model for inculturation. He fully immersed himself in the local culture and customs, dressing as the Ethiopian clergy, adopting the Ethiopian rite, and learning the local languages. He focused on forming native clergy and ordained over 30 Ethiopian and Eritrean priests. St. Justin was devoted to serving the poor and sick and was known for his warmth, humility, and respect towards the people and Orthodox clergy he served.
1) St. Mary of Egypt parish serves a diverse community and draws people through its multicultural and inclusive atmosphere.
2) The priest, Fr. Paisius, draws inspiration from Archbishop Anastasios of Albania's model of respecting all people.
3) The parish is expanding its social services to address neighborhood needs through a counseling center and support groups, grounded in Orthodox tradition.
The document provides an overview of the Passionist religious order, founded by St. Paul of the Cross in 1741. It discusses their charism of keeping alive the memory of Christ's Passion and their commitment to social justice issues. Members take a special fourth vow to this end. The order engages in preaching, missions, retreats and social ministries. Their spirituality centers on contemplating Christ's suffering and standing in solidarity with those who suffer today.
The document discusses an upcoming event to pack food packets that will feed children. The goal is to pack 200,000 packets to feed 500 children per day for a year. The packets will be sent to locations in Haiti and locally in the US. The packing event will take place over three days at a local high school, where volunteers can participate in 2-hour packing sessions. Donations are being collected to purchase the food, with $60 donations providing sponsorship for one volunteer. The deadline to donate is February 1st to ensure the food arrives in time. Pre-registration is required by January 2nd.
This document is a newsletter from a Lutheran church providing updates on church activities and events over the past year, as well as announcements for upcoming activities and reflections on faith. It discusses the church's accomplishments in 2014, including social ministry efforts and property improvements. It also announces plans for a group retreat in March at a wilderness setting to refresh and renew during Lent.
This document contains summaries of events from All Saints Church Marlow in November and December 2018. It includes:
- Six senior choir girls from All Saints singing Choral Evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on November 17th.
- A reflection from Pastor Dave Bull upon returning from sabbatical, discussing the difficulties the church faced earlier in the year and signs of growth.
- Details about the Advent display in the Prayer Chapel focusing on Mary, Joseph and Jesus' journey to Bethlehem.
- Upcoming events from Churches Together in Marlow, including men's breakfasts, Harvest Supper, Remembrance Sunday prayers for the armed forces, and an Lent
Messaggio della Consigliera per le Missioni - Sr. Alaide Deretti__14 luglio 2...Maike Loes
The letter summarizes the current situation of the sisters in Colombia due to the COVID-19 pandemic and their efforts to find a humanitarian flight to return to Rome. It discusses how the pandemic has increased poverty and inequality but also led more people to seek spirituality. The pandemic has caused parishes and communities to find new ways to proclaim the Gospel through online services and outreach. The letter encourages the sisters to read a past letter from Mother Mazzarello for guidance, highlighting her wisdom and recommendations around not fearing challenges, correcting issues calmly, focusing on essentials over trivial things, and trusting in God. It closes by wishing the sisters a happy feast of Saint Mary Magdalene and hopes for committed and creative mission work during
The document is a newsletter from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church celebrating their 60th anniversary and promoting their capital campaign called "For Future Generations." It discusses the successful campaign launch luncheon that over 100 people attended. It highlights that they have already received $192,340 in pledges towards their goal of updating buildings to serve future congregations. It encourages continued participation in the campaign.
“Here I am, send me!”_14 ottobre 2020 engMaike Loes
This letter discusses the theme of Pope Francis' message for World Missionary Day, which is missionary communion and solidarity. It highlights the missionary vocation as a call to serve others through sharing and intercession. The letter invites the sisters to renew their commitment to the missionary mandate of "I entrust them to you" and to say "Here I am, send me!" in response to serving those still awaiting the proclamation of the Gospel, including young people, families in need, and whole populations. It encourages the sisters to contemplate the field the Lord has given them and to work with missionary enthusiasm.
Slides from the January 2014 meeting of the Benedictine Oblates of St Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, Minnesota. Part of the year-long theme of Benedictine Virtures.
The Heart of Jesus in the Spirituality of St. Louise de Marillac. From an article by Robert P. Maloney C.M. in the Vincentian Heritage Journal, Spring 3-6-2014.
The Bridge November 2014 First Baptist Church Franklinton, LANatasha Burris
This document is the November 2014 newsletter from First Baptist Church of Franklinton, Louisiana. It provides contact information for the church including phone numbers, email addresses, and website. It also lists the church's weekly schedule and upcoming events. The main article discusses the spiritual discipline of thanksgiving and encourages church members to practice gratitude. It provides a Bible passage from Psalm 69 to illustrate how thankfulness can help one's spiritual and emotional well-being. Church members are invited to record a brief video testimony of something they are thankful for and send it to the pastor. Other short articles announce upcoming mission trips and events.
This document is a letter from the pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Plainview, NY. It discusses the church's participation in the local Memorial Day parade where over 70 members walked together singing and waving banners. It then describes the somber nature of the Memorial Day ceremony in the park where veterans spoke about fallen soldiers. The pastor's benediction at the ceremony honors those who died in war and prays for peace. The letter encourages members to continue sharing God's message of love and announces upcoming summer activities at the church.
This document contains a multi-paragraph sermon from a pastor addressing their congregation. The pastor discusses the importance of using time wisely to continue Jesus' mission of spreading love, and encourages the congregation to regroup and strategize ways to effectively carry out their loving mission. Recent events like the accidental drowning of three children are mentioned as a reminder of the brevity of life. The congregation is thanked for their accomplishments over the past year and goals for the coming year are outlined.
Welcoming Christ in Refugees and forcibly displaced Persons - Pastoral GuidelineSuefmm
This document provides pastoral guidelines from the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and Pontifical Council Cor Unum on welcoming and assisting refugees and forcibly displaced persons. It discusses the Church's duty to help the vulnerable based on Catholic social teaching and Scripture. The document is intended to raise awareness and provide guidance to clergy and laity on caring for refugees' spiritual and material needs.
The document discusses Catholic teachings around welcoming immigrants and migrants. It calls Catholics to see the presence of God in migrants and to treat them with dignity and compassion. It outlines the biblical basis for hospitality and defending immigrants, including examples from the Old and New Testaments. It also summarizes the teachings of numerous popes on the rights of migrants and importance of addressing the root causes of migration.
This document discusses the calling and purpose of consecrated religious life. It begins by discussing how centuries ago individuals left communities to seek God in the quiet of deserts and mountains, laying the foundation for present religious life. It then discusses how religious life has evolved from retreating from the world to dwelling within it with great awareness of the spirit. The document calls religious to be prophets and voices in society, quitting comfortable lives within religious houses to serve humanity. It provides perspectives on how religious are called to critically examine their lives and fulfill their mission to be genuine voices of the Lord.
The document discusses the importance of helping refugees based on biblical teachings. It notes that throughout the Bible, God's people were often refugees themselves. Jesus teaches that welcoming refugees is akin to welcoming him. As Christians, we should see all humans as equally precious to God and welcome refugees as the "least of these" in need of our help. We must strive to see Jesus in every human being and take action to help refugees worldwide who are suffering.
St. Justin de Jacobis was a 19th century Vincentian missionary to Ethiopia and Eritrea who is considered a model for inculturation. He fully immersed himself in the local culture and customs, dressing as the Ethiopian clergy, adopting the Ethiopian rite, and learning the local languages. He focused on forming native clergy and ordained over 30 Ethiopian and Eritrean priests. St. Justin was devoted to serving the poor and sick and was known for his warmth, humility, and respect towards the people and Orthodox clergy he served.
1) St. Mary of Egypt parish serves a diverse community and draws people through its multicultural and inclusive atmosphere.
2) The priest, Fr. Paisius, draws inspiration from Archbishop Anastasios of Albania's model of respecting all people.
3) The parish is expanding its social services to address neighborhood needs through a counseling center and support groups, grounded in Orthodox tradition.
The document provides an overview of the Passionist religious order, founded by St. Paul of the Cross in 1741. It discusses their charism of keeping alive the memory of Christ's Passion and their commitment to social justice issues. Members take a special fourth vow to this end. The order engages in preaching, missions, retreats and social ministries. Their spirituality centers on contemplating Christ's suffering and standing in solidarity with those who suffer today.
This document discusses the signs of the times and nearness of Christ's second coming. It notes that Sunday sacredness is being exalted in place of the Bible Sabbath, which it identifies as the last act in the drama before Jesus returns. It also summarizes recent events showing the collapse of Protestantism and growing unity with Catholicism, fulfilling prophecies about the three-fold union of church, state, and spiritualism opposing God prior to the close of probation. The document urges readers to wake up to these signs and prepare their lives for Christ's imminent return.
This document discusses the signs of the times and nearness of Christ's second coming. It notes that Sunday sacredness is replacing Bible Sabbath as the last act in the drama, and cites the appointment of the Jesuit pope and collapse of Protestantism through ecumenical unity with Catholicism in fulfillment of prophecy. It warns that most church members are unprepared for what is coming upon the earth and urges believers to awaken to the prophetic significance of current events signaling the end is near.
This document provides an introduction and overview to the report "Persecuted and Forgotten? A Report on Christians oppressed for their Faith 2007/2008". It summarizes that an estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer persecution for their faith, including violence and discrimination. It outlines that persecution is a rising problem in several Islamic countries, where Christians face threats, violence and forced migration. In contrast, officially atheist countries are showing some openings towards Christianity. The report aims to document individual stories of suffering Christians around the world.
The document outlines Pope Francis's itinerary for his apostolic journey to Egypt from April 28-29, 2017. The schedule includes his arrival in Cairo, meetings with political leaders, an interfaith peace conference with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, mass, and a meeting with clergy and religious. The key topics covered are promoting interreligious dialogue and cooperation, and condemning violence in the name of religion.
Similar to KSJ Writers' Forum - March 2016 Frontier Ministries (13)
The document discusses the benefits of meditation for reducing stress and anxiety. Regular meditation practice can help calm the mind and body by lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Making meditation a part of a daily routine, even if just 10-15 minutes per day, can offer significant health benefits over time such as improved focus, better sleep, and a more positive outlook.
The document provides reflections on Navasadhana, the Jesuit pre-novitiate house in Bangalore, as it celebrates its silver jubilee. It describes Navasadhana as a home away from home that nurtured seeds of vocation and shaped young minds through prayer, study, work and recreation. The grain analogy is used to illustrate how the seasoning process in Navasadhana helped discover one's identity and prepared one for the next stage of formation. Gratitude is expressed for the directors, regents and companions who provided guidance, friendship and an environment of God's love.
The document provides reflections on Navasadhana, the Jesuit pre-novitiate house in Bangalore, as it celebrates its silver jubilee. It describes Navasadhana as a home away from home that nurtured seeds of vocation and shaped young minds through prayer, study, work and recreation. The author is grateful for the guidance of directors and regents as well as the strong friendships of companions that supported him through times of depression, doubts and worries. He thanks Navasadhana for caring for and nurturing him, and for inculcating deep educational values. The article expresses gratitude and wishes Navasadhana to continue guiding more young men for the Society of Jesus.
The document provides reflections on Navasadhana, the Jesuit pre-novitiate house in Bangalore, as it celebrates its silver jubilee. It was established in 1912 and has been forming young men in the Jesuit way of life through prayer, study, work and recreation. The authors express gratitude for the care, nurturing and guidance received from directors, regents and companions during their time at Navasadhana, which helped root them firmly in their vocations and prepare for the next phase of formation. They recall it as a home away from home that strengthened their faith and cultivated strong friendships.
1) The document discusses a letter written by a son named Ivin to his father Jose, explaining why he needs freedom and independence.
2) Ivin feels his father Jose controlled him like a "puppet master" and gave him no freedom to think or act for himself.
3) Ivin has found a job thanks to his friend Darshan, but his father does not approve of Darshan's lifestyle. Ivin wants to keep Darshan in his life as his only true friend.
4) The letter causes Jose to cry bitterly as he realizes how his rigid control has negatively impacted his son.
This document discusses the importance of reconciliation and dialogue. It argues that reconciliation is challenging but necessary to mend relationships harmed by misunderstandings, prejudices and unkind acts. True reconciliation requires humility, courage, generosity and forgiveness. It also discusses the need for dialogue between religions to promote understanding and peaceful coexistence. Dialogue acknowledges our shared human nature and helps overcome tensions through respect and cooperation on moral issues. The document advocates approaching others with love, as seeing all people as children of God who need healthy relationships.
The editorial discusses several challenges facing India and the world, including intolerance, fundamentalism, corruption, environmental degradation, and conflicts. It questions how Christians should address these issues as they prepare to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus, who was the Prince of Peace. It argues that all are called to be saviors during this time, following St. Francis' example of spreading love, pardon, faith, hope, and joy to those suffering or in need.
The article discusses how God established dialogue with humanity through creation but this was disrupted by sin. It describes how God sent prophets and the Holy Spirit to repair this, but ultimately God came himself through the incarnation, which was the deepest form of dialogue. It
This document summarizes and discusses the uniqueness of Christian families. It begins by discussing how family life was viewed historically by philosophers like Aristotle and theologians. It then outlines five aspects that characterize the uniqueness of Christian families: their role in establishing peace, their mission and spirituality, role in social transformation and formation of conscience, role as a basic human community, and prophetic role. It also discusses the current ground realities facing families, factors influencing them like technology and media, and their impacts like individualism. It concludes by noting implications for the church in responding to concerns around understanding the role of Christian families.
The document discusses the benefits of exercise for mental health. Regular physical activity can help reduce anxiety and depression and improve mood and cognitive function. Exercise causes chemical changes in the brain that may help protect against mental illness and improve symptoms.
This document contains multiple articles on the topic of Jesuit formation. The first article discusses the challenges of balancing a fast-changing world with maintaining one's identity. It emphasizes the importance of reflection. The second article tells a parable about a stone that is shaped by a sculptor, representing the transformative nature of Jesuit formation. The third article discusses striving to "go beyond" what is received in formation and continuously improve. The fourth article examines questions around Jesuit formation today, emphasizing the need for quality over quantity and integration between formators and formees. It stresses forming apostles for the 21st century. The final articles provide additional perspectives on forming compassion through love, forming through gentle touch rather than strict
The document discusses three topics:
1) The ongoing struggle of Adivasi tribes in Assam for social justice and inclusion as a scheduled tribe. They have faced discrimination and lack of rights/opportunities despite their large contributions to the tea industry.
2) Issues of identity faced by Adivasis, who are often seen as "tea tribes". Preserving their culture and heritage is important alongside the legal recognition of their status.
3) Growing lack of human values in modern society, where people focus on selfish desires rather than others. This has led to issues like rising inequalities and social evils in India such as the caste system. Deeper education is needed to promote more humane treatment of all people
Pope Francis issued an encyclical called "Laudato Si" to address the ecological crisis and environmental destruction facing the planet. The document calls all people, including those outside the Church, to immediate dialogue on this issue, which the Pope sees as a major concern affecting everyone. While some criticize the need for an ecological conversion in relationships with nature, protecting the earth is a duty and vocation for all as stewards of our common home. However, popular ecologism has led some politicians, businesses, and NGOs to exploit environmental issues for their own gain rather than genuine concern for the planet. True ecological conversion requires changing human behaviors and prioritizing our shared future and resources.
Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si addresses the ecological crisis and calls for protection of our common home, the Earth. The document discusses how political decisions are often short-sighted and influenced by corporate interests instead of considering the long-term common good. It also notes that while environmentalism has gained popularity, it is sometimes used by politicians, organizations, and businesses merely as a means for profit rather than genuine concern for the planet. The encyclical calls for ecological conversion and protecting the Earth as our duty, recognizing that we must care for resources sustainably and for future generations.
St. Ignatius was a highly creative person who constantly moved away from comfort and took risks that redirected his life journey. His experiences, including profound spiritual experiences during his time in Manresa and Jerusalem, indicate his inner zeal and passion. He founded the Society of Jesus to spread the message of Jesus in creative ways, such as the Spiritual Exercises. However, his creative and unconventional approaches also led to troubles with church authorities. St. Ignatius inspires Christians to respond creatively to today's challenges through sensitive openness to God and the needs of people.
This document discusses the concept of formation in religious life using the analogy of the Neela Kurinji flower. It notes that the Neela Kurinji flower blooms once every 12 years after spending that time preparing by gathering nutrients and resources. Similarly, the document suggests that the long period of formation for religious is not just about growing older but becoming wiser and more knowledgeable. Formation provides time to develop depth in one's spiritual, academic, social and pastoral life so that one can be fruitful and effective in ministry. It compares this to the roots of a tree, saying depth enables abundance.
This document discusses the challenges and opportunities in consecrated life today. It notes that while the number of those in religious life is declining, it still provides opportunities to serve in new ways. The greatest challenge is remaining true to one's calling amidst a culture that promotes materialism, individualism, and false identities. However, the current situation also presents opportunities to serve marginalized groups and reflect Christ's values. Religious are called to lead integrated lives of both reflection and action, speaking as prophets to their context.
Fundamentalism across religions in India poses a threat to the country's democratic fabric. Religious fundamentalism promotes extreme views and intolerance toward other faiths. In India, various fundamentalist groups emerging from Hindutva, ISIS, and Christian sects express ideas like religious conversion, imposing one culture and religion, which cause harm. The rise of fundamentalism is fueled by increased religious conversions and a lack of openness to other faiths, leading to more attacks on religious sites. For India to prosper, people must embrace a more humanistic and love-oriented approach between religions instead of one dominated by laws and rigidity.
The document discusses leadership and what it means to be a leader. It notes that being a leader is important in today's competitive world. True leadership involves thinking innovatively and executing persuasively and productively. Jesuit leadership focuses on self-awareness, ingenuity, engaging others with love, and energizing others through ambition. A good leader is inspired by others and also inspires others. Leadership should be an ongoing process of developing oneself. "
The document discusses interviews with a fisherman about the challenges of his work. The fisherman explains that fishing is difficult and risky, as they have to prepare provisions and equipment for trips that last weeks or months, and there is no guarantee of a safe return or a good catch. He says that despite the dangers, fishing is their livelihood and they depend on the sea. The document also shares the struggles the fisherman faces, such as bad weather damaging nets and not catching enough fish, meaning no food. It emphasizes that for these fishermen, no catch means no food.
- The document summarizes news from various Jesuit communities and ministries in Karnataka province for the month of January 2015.
- It notes the death of Fr. Joy Fernandes and calls communities to practice compassion in honor of him.
- Various communities celebrated Christmas and New Year, including caroling, special Masses, and visiting the sick. The provincial also conducted visitations.
- Upcoming events are announced, including meetings, the province congregation, and jubilee celebrations. Personnel changes and appointments are also listed.
Tales of This and Another Life - Chapters.pdfMashaL38
This book is one of the best of the translated ones, for it has a warning character for all those who find themselves in the experience of material life. Irmão X provides a shrewd way of describing the subtleties and weaknesses that can jeopardize our intentions, making us more attentive and vigilant by providing us with his wise pages, reminding us between the lines of the Master's words: "Pray and watch."
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Tracking "The Blessing" - Christianity · Spiritual Growth · Success
Do you ever feel like your Bible highlighting isn't quite enough to ignite lasting spiritual growth? Have you struggled to retain key takeaways from your Bible study sessions?
Discover how living in 4D can transform your highlighting into a strategic tool for spiritual development.
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In this video, you'll gain insights on:
How highlighting key verses and themes can enhance memory and retention of Scripture (we see a few key ones, here!)
Studies have shown that highlighting can significantly improve information recall. Highlighting key points visually reinforces them in your mind, leading to better long-term memory.
How to personalize your Bible study through strategic highlighting. Don't just highlight everything!
This video will teach you how to strategically highlight based on what resonates with you, focusing on central themes, recurring ideas, or connections between different passages.
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How connecting highlighted passages can reveal deeper biblical truths. By highlighting these connections, you can see the bigger picture and uncover the underlying messages within Scripture.
By the end of this video, you'll be equipped to unlock the hidden potential within your highlighted Bible and embark on a transformative spiritual growth journey! Don't forget to like and subscribe for more inspiring content on deepening your faith.
Note: For Christians seeking to enrich their Bible study and deepen their faith, as well as any other spiritual seeker of truth and growth.
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Heartfulness Magazine - June 2024 (Volume 9, Issue 6)heartfulness
Dear readers,
This month we continue with more inspiring talks from the Global Spirituality Mahotsav that was held from March 14 to 17, 2024, at Kanha Shanti Vanam.
We hear from Daaji on lifestyle and yoga in honor of International Day of Yoga, June 21, 2024. We also hear from Professor Bhavani Rao, Dean at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, on spirituality in action, the Venerable BhikkuSanghasena on how to be an ambassador for compassion, Dr. Tony Nader on the Maharishi Effect, Swami Mukundananda on the crossroads of modernization, Tejinder Kaur Basra on the purpose of work, the Venerable GesheDorjiDamdul on the psychology of peace, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland, KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, on how we are all related, and world-renowned violinist KumareshRajagopalan on the uplifting mysteries of music.
Dr. Prasad Veluthanar shares an Ayurvedic perspective on treating autism, Dr. IchakAdizes helps us navigate disagreements at work, Sravan Banda celebrates World Environment Day by sharing some tips on land restoration, and Sara Bubber tells our children another inspiring story and challenges them with some fun facts and riddles.
Happy reading,
The editors
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Esta lição é uma oportunidade para discutirmos um assunto multo mal interpretado no contexto cristão, que é o fato de algumas pessoas pensarem que o conhecer Jesus é ter a nossa vida mudada em todas as áreas, como se Deus tivesse o dever de transportar-nos deste mundo para um outro mundo onde muitas coisas maravilhosas que desejamos seriam reais. No entanto, a nossa fé não nos tira do mundo após nos convertermos; ao invés disso, permanecemos vivendo sob as mesmas circunstâncias. O propósito de Deus não é nos tirar do mundo, mas nos livrar das ações do maligno (Jo 17.15), Sendo assim, a vida eterna não significa estar fora da realidade deste mundo, mas conhecer o único Deus verdadeiro (Jo 17.3).
Astronism, Cosmism and Cosmodeism: the space religions espousing the doctrine...Cometan
This lecture created by Brandon Taylorian (aka Cometan) specially for the CESNUR Conference held Bordeaux in June 2024 provides a brief introduction to the legacy of religious and philosophical thought that Astronism emerges from, namely the discourse on transcension started assuredly by the Cosmists in Russia in the mid-to-late nineteenth century and then carried on and developed by Mordecai Nessyahu in Cosmodeism in the twentieth century. Cometan also then provides some detail on his story in founding Astronism in the early twenty-first century from 2013 along with details on the central Astronist doctrine of transcension. Finally, the lecture concludes with some contributions made by space religions and space philosophy and their influences on various cultural facets in art, literature and film.
2nd issue of Volume 15. A magazine in urdu language mainly based on spiritual treatment and learning. Many topics on ISLAM, SUFISM, SOCIAL PROBLEMS, SELF HELP, PSYCHOLOGY, HEALTH, SPIRITUAL TREATMENT, Ruqya etc.A very useful magazine for everyone.
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Lesson 12 - The Blessed Hope: The Mark of the Christian.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 12 - The Blessed Hope: The Mark of the Christian
SBS – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
The pervasiveness of Lying in today's World.pptxniwres
In our interconnected world, lies weave through the fabric of society like hidden threads. We encounter them in politics, media, personal relationships, and even within ourselves. The prevalence of deception raises profound questions about truth, trust, and the human condition.
Lucid Dreaming: Understanding the Risks and Benefits
The ability to control one's dreams or for the dreamer to be aware that he or she is dreaming. This process, called lucid dreaming, has some potential risks as well as many fascinating benefits. However, many people are hesitant to try it initially for fear of the potential dangers. This article aims to clarify these concerns by exploring both the risks and benefits of lucid dreaming.
The Benefits of Lucid Dreaming
Lucid dreaming allows a person to take control of their dream world, helping them overcome their fears and eliminate nightmares. This technique is particularly useful for mental health. By taking control of their dreams, individuals can face challenging scenarios in a controlled environment, which can help reduce anxiety and increase self-confidence.
Addressing Common Concerns
Physical Harm in Dreams Lucid dreaming is fundamentally safe. In a lucid dream, everything is a creation of your mind. Therefore, nothing in the dream can physically harm you. Despite the vividness and realness of the dream experience, it remains entirely within your mental landscape, posing no physical danger.
Mental Health Risks Concerns about developing PTSD or other mental illnesses from lucid dreaming are unfounded. As soon as you wake up, it's clear that the events experienced in the dream were not real. On the contrary, lucid dreaming is often seen as a therapeutic tool for conditions like PTSD, as it allows individuals to reframe and manage their thoughts.
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While generally safe, lucid dreaming does come with a few risks as well:
Mixing Dream Memories with Reality Long-term lucid dreamers might occasionally confuse dream memories with real ones, creating false memories. This issue is rare and preventable by maintaining a dream journal and avoiding lucid dreaming about real-life people or places too frequently.
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Feeling Tired After Lucid Dreaming Some people report feeling tired after lucid dreaming. This tiredness is not due to the dreams themselves but often results from not getting enough sleep or using techniques that disrupt sleep patterns. Taking breaks and ensuring adequate sleep can prevent this.
Mental Exhaustion Lucid dreaming can be mentally taxing if practiced excessively without breaks. It’s important to balance lucid dreaming with regular sleep to avoid mental fatigue.
Lucid dreaming is safe and beneficial if done with caution. It has many benefits, such as overcoming fear and improving mental health, and minimal risks. There are many resources and tutorials available for those interested in trying it.
The Book of Revelation, filled with symbolic and apocalyptic imagery, presents one of its most striking visions in Revelation 9:3-12—the locust army. Understanding the significance of this locust army provides insight into the broader themes of divine judgment, protection, and the ultimate triumph of God’s will as depicted in Revelation.
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KSJ Writers' Forum - March 2016 Frontier Ministries
1.
2. MARCH 2016MARCH 2016 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum0202
EDITORIALEDITORIAL
Praveen Martis, SJPraveen Martis, SJ
very Christian is a 'Christopher' says Pope
Francis in one of his audiences with the
Efaithful in Vatican City this February. In
connection with the year of mercy, the Pope teaches
that every Christian has another name – Christopher
– which means “bearer of Christ”. In his teachings,
Pope Francis shows that there is much interplay
between mercy and mission. Every mission is mercy
broughttolife.
The value of mercy becomes very important
while reflecting on the topic of frontiers. By
inaugurating the year of mercy, the Pope reminds us
that the Church is a house of
mercy and every Christian is a
missionary of mercy. The priests
and religious, who are the models
of Christian life, need to be true
leaders by living genuinely as
witnesses ofmercy.
T h e G e n e r a l
congregations of the Society of
Jesus have often defined Jesuit life
and mission as “at the new
frontiers”.We are called to be on a lookout at the new
frontier ministries which involve a constant
discerning attitude. The search for the frontiers in
our mission is a never ending search which is
accompanied by concrete action. Our search for the
frontiers and the spirit of readiness to serve ensure
that our overall mission in general remains relevant
anditis trulyaserviceoflove.
What makes a particular ministry or a
mission a frontier? A frontier is a place of priority. It
is an occasion of pressing need or challenge that
awaits a response or attention. Most often, a frontier
becomes a mission that is most neglected by the
majority. It is a periphery that is crying for attention.
Therefore it calls for the people of God to be
concerned about the frontiers with the same attitude
of mercy with which “the three Divine Persons
gazed on the whole circuit of the world” and
“decided that the second person should become a
human being in order to save the human race”
(Spiritual Exercises 102) the call of the frontier is
addressed by a response of generous love and
service.
In the December 2015 issue of KSJ Writer's
Forum, we reflected on the topic
of “Saviour in Today's World” and
we put forward our thoughts on
what it means to be 'saved' in
today's context.While in that issue
we looked at the “saviours”, in this
issue we shall fix our attention at
the people who await deliverance
and emancipation. A frontier is a
battlefield for today's saviours and
in this battlefield the Good News
of Christ brings cure to many of
our ills.
A final note of wisdom from the Bhagavad
Gita. While instructing Arjuna on the right type of
charity, Lord Krishna says, “That gift which is
given, knowing it to be a duty, in a fit time and place,
to a worthy person, from whom we expect nothing in
return, is held to be Sattvic.” (BG Chapter XVII
verse 20). Lord Krishna's words let us know that we
should be doing the right action at the right time for
the right people. To be able to know the right things
to be done, we need to be men familiar with the
murmuringsandtheshouts oftheSpirit.
3. “YES” TO A FRONTIER MINISTRY:
WITH THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE
“YES” TO A FRONTIER MINISTRY:
WITH THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE
Fr Cedric Prakash, SJFr Cedric Prakash, SJ
Afew days ago I was in Syria- in the heart of
a country bombed, battered and bruised by a terrible
th
civil war which began on March 15 2011.I also
stayed in the Jesuit Centre in Homs, where two years
th
ago on April 7 2014 a great Jesuit Fr Frans Van der
Lugt (75 yrs.) was killed by terrorists all because he
lived and proclaimed God's message of love and
reconciliation. Syria is in ruins, today!According to
the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human
Rights, “this war has left more than 270,000 people
dead; of these 80,000 are civilians including 13,500
children.” Unofficially however, the death toll is far
more- with an unknown number killed in detention
at the hands of the
government, rebels or
militants. An estimated one
million people have also
b e e n w o u n d e d ; a n
unbelievable number suffer
from trauma and other
mental –health illness
which any conflict of such
an intense nature can
generate.
Above all, this civil war has spawned the
greatest mass migration afterWorldWar II.AUnited
Nations report in January this year said that out of a
pre-conflict population of 23 million, 13.5 million
Syrians have been forced out of their homes; and an
additional 480,000 are still living under siege. Some
4.7 million Syrians have fled to neighbouring
countries of Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan and
significant numbers to Egypt, Iraq. Though the vast
majority have remained in the region, hundreds of
thousands have tried to make the perilous journey to
Europe, though not all reach the European shores
alive.
0303 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum
th
oday is March 19 2016- and as I write this
I remember, St Joseph, whose Feast we
Tcelebrate today- and who is also the Patron
of the Society of Jesus. I am thinking of the Joseph,
who must have felt real terrible- as he went about
looking for a place for Jesus to be born and each time
the door was shut because “there was no place in the
inn!”.After all, the couple were from 'another' place.
I see the Joseph who in sheer desperation had to
obey the angel in his dream- and overnight take
Jesus and Mary and flee into Egypt! A refugee
family! They had to run away from the hate and
jealousy, the power and the might of the Herod of the
day! I pray to the Joseph who
leaves no stone unturned- to
protect and accompany Jesus
and Mary in every way
possible!
I write this from Erbil
in Kurdistan, North Iraq-
where I have been for the last
few days in the midst of the
refugees, trying to witness and experience first-
hand the response of the Jesuit Refugee Service to
the tragedy and plight of thousands of Internally
Displaced Persons(IDPs) and refugees. I have been
listening to heart-rending stories of how Christians
had to leave their homes and all their possessions in
places like Qarakosh in August 2014 from the
incoming ISIS forces- and flee to safer and more
secure parts of the country. On the other hand, the
Yezidis who are a miniscule minority in their own
country are a nowhere people! Nowhere to go-and
no one ready to easily accept them. There are also
the smaller groups of Muslims –who are condemned
toamajoritariansentimentandrule.
MARCH 2016MARCH 2016
4. 0404 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum
Most of the refugees and the Internally Displaced
Persons(IDPs) face acute problems- which include,
living in abominable conditions in make –shift
housing, poverty, lack of employment and very little
access to quality healthcare and education.
Besides, several local communities show reluctance
to easily accept the refugees/IDPs- and impose
severerestrictionson theirintegration.
The situation of the refugees and IDPs in this
part of the world is pathetic and tragic. It has also
been the lot of other refugees and IDPs in other parts
of the world. Fr Pedro Arrupe (our former Superior
General) realized this
over thirty-five years
ago. In keeping with
the vision he had for a
world which is more
inclusive and all-
embracing and which
had faith-justice as its
c o r n e r s t o n e , F r.
Arrupe launched in
November 1980 the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)
( ) 'with the mission to accompany, serve
and advocate on behalf of refugees and other
forcibly displaced persons'. Ever since the JRS has
been responding to the cries of millions of people all
over the world! Pope Francis has made the concern
for refugeesas thecornerstoneof his Papacy.
Two months ago, I came to Lebanon to work
with JRS as a response to a call! I went through a
long and difficult process of discernment. The work
I was doing in India was, I believe, fairly significant.
There were plenty of good and valid reasons for me
to stay on. The Lord however was calling me for
'Universal Mission'; to go out to the frontiers – and I
www.jrs.net
hadtosay'yes'!
At this moment, I am overwhelmed with the
reality around me- with the pain and trauma; the
suffering and struggle that so many simple men and
women have to go through because of 'man's
inhumanity to man!';because of the lust for power
anddomination;thegreedfor wealthandresources.
Pope Francis (and we celebrate today the third
anniversary of his Papacy), in a message to JRS
some time ago said, “To serve, to accompany means
also to defend; it means to be on the side of the
weakest. How many
times we raise our
voice to defend our
rights, but how
many times we are
indifferent to the
rights of others!
How many times we
don't know or do not
wish to give voice to
those who–like you
–have suffered and suffer, those who have seen their
rights trampled upon, those who have experienced
so much violence that even their desire to have
justice has been suffocated! It's important for the
whole Church that the welcome of the poor and the
promotion of justice are not entrusted only to
"specialists," but that they are the focus of attention
of all the pastoral work, of the formation of future
priests and other religious, of the normal
commitment of all parishes, movements and
ecclesial groups. In particular–and this is important
and I say it from my heart–I would also like to invite
religious congregations to read seriously and
responsiblythissign ofthetimes.”
“YES” TO A FRONTIER MINISTRY:
WITH THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE
“YES” TO A FRONTIER MINISTRY:
WITH THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE
Fr Cedric Prakash, SJFr Cedric Prakash, SJContd. from pg. 03Contd. from pg. 03
MARCH 2016MARCH 2016
5. 0505 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the
one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference”
Robert Frost.
The above words from the well-known
poem entitled “The Road not Taken” by the
renownedAmerican poet Robert Frost shed light on
the theme of Frontier Ministries. “We are too much
institutionalized” “We
have become too much
inward looking”. “I get
a feeling that we have
got stuck”. These were
the feelings expressed
by some young Jesuit
priests who came
t o g e t h e r f o r a
reflection on our
mission. As Pope
Francis constantly
reminds us to go to the
periphery, this should be a wake-up call for us who
have often got stuck in the world of complacency
andmediocrityinour ministries.
Ignatius and Frontier Ministries: We can mention
ample incidents where Ignatius chose the frontier
ministries during his life time. Simon Rodrigues one
of the founding Fathers of the Society of Jesus
narrates the corporal works of mercy that they were
involved in just before their ordination in 1537 at
Venice. Five each were sent to two hospices. “In the
hospitals they waited on the indigent, made the beds,
swept the house, cleaned out whatever was soiled,
washed the pots of the poor
who were sick, carried
away thebodies of thedead
honorably prepared for
burial, dug their graves and
buried them in a religious
manner. Day and night
they were present to
everyone with such care,
fervor, joy and happiness
that all those living in the
hospitals were greatly
astounded”. The erudite
men from the University of Paris were busy in doing
menial jobs. They were able to do it because by now
all had done their spiritual Exercises and they were
affected by the person of Christ and their one desire
was toidentifywithJesus poor.
FRONTIER MINISTRIES:
CALLED TO TREAD THE UNTRODDEN PATH
FRONTIER MINISTRIES:
CALLED TO TREAD THE UNTRODDEN PATH
Fr Jossie D'Mello, SJFr Jossie D'Mello, SJ
Yes, as aJesuit I certainlydo believethatI havebeen
called to read seriously and responsibly the signs of
the times: to be available to the Universal call of the
Society for frontier ministry. In some small way, I
am trying to do so today -through the Jesuit Refugee
ServiceintheMiddleEastandNorthAfricaRegion
(Fr. Cedric Prakash sj now works with the Jesuit
Refugee Service in the Middle East and North
Africa (MENA) Region, as Advocacy and
CommunicationsOfficer,basedinBeirut,Lebanon)
.cedricprakash@gmail.com
Contd. from pg. 04Contd. from pg. 04
“YES” TO A FRONTIER MINISTRY:
WITH THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE
“YES” TO A FRONTIER MINISTRY:
WITH THE JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE
Fr Cedric Prakash SJFr Cedric Prakash SJ
MARCH 2016MARCH 2016
6. possibilities provided we are ready to come out of
ourcomfortzones.
We are called in the Jubilee year of Mercy to
be the living images of the compassion of God by
plunging into those ministries where the need is
greater and urgent. We may be working in our
institutions yet we can think outside the box, think
about the frontiers and peripheries of our localities
by taking initiatives, by choosing the untrodden path
by taking effective actions towards the upliftment of
the marginalized like slum dwellers, broken
f a m i l i e s ,
m i g r a n t s ,
e x p l o i t e d
w o m e n ,
o r p h a n s ,
c h i l d -
labourers,
e t c . . O u r
m i s s i o n
includes not
o n l y o u r
institutions
but also the
cry and the needs of the oppressed. Here we need an
ongoingdiscernment.
Let me conclude with the quote from the
General Congregation 34: “For us [Jesuits],
frontiers and boundaries are not obstacles or ends,
but new challenges to be faced, new opportunities to
be welcomed. Indeed, ours is a holy boldness, 'a
certain apostolic aggressivity' (Pedro Arrupe)
typical of our way of proceeding” (d. 26, 561).
Today new frontiers and peripheries beckon us. Are
we reading the signs of the times? Are we ready to
treadtheuntroddenpath?
0606 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum
Church's Appreciation on Frontier Ministries:
Pope Paul VI made a moving statement to the
delegates of GC 32 about the mission of the Society
of Jesus: “Wherever in the Church, even in the most
difficult and exposed fields, in the crossroads of
ideologies, in the social trenches, there has been or is
confrontation between the burning exigencies of
humanity and the perennial message of the Gospel,
there have been and are the Jesuits” (3 December
1974). Jesuits who are the companions of Jesus are
called like Ignatius and his companions to choose
not the trodden path but the untrodden, challenging
and difficult
one so as to
m a k e a
difference in
the lives of
others.
Criteria for
F r o n t i e r
Ministries:
The mission
is part and
parcel of our
Jesuit vocation. Our mission demands that we read
the signs of the times and ask constantly “what do
God and the people of God want of us today?” The
Constitutions of the Society of Jesus throw light on
the criteria for our mission. Our choice of ministries
should be governed by: greater glory of God [622],
greater universal good [622], greater need [622],
greater fruit likely to be reaped [622], where our
indebtedness is greater [622], where the need is
more urgent [623] and when there are no others to
attend to it [623]. The desire for the frontier
ministries should stem from our spirit of magis and
availability which would offer us infinite
FRONTIER MINISTRIES:
CALLED TO TREAD THE UNTRODDEN PATH
FRONTIER MINISTRIES:
CALLED TO TREAD THE UNTRODDEN PATH
Fr Jossie D'Mello, SJFr Jossie D'Mello, SJContd. from pg. 05Contd. from pg. 05
MARCH 2016MARCH 2016
7. not hesitate to send his sons to hitherto unknown
territories. Xavier whose heart was larger than the world
traversed land and sea up to Japan and eyed even the
distant China. Ricci and de Nobili in the East, the
Reduction Jesuits, Anchieta as well as Brebeuf and
Companions in the West and countless others ventured to
serve people of diverse cultures, climes and tongues,
unmindfulofhardships,hurdlesanddangers.
As the world changes, the context of our mission
changes too, and new frontiers beckon us. We cannot
offer yesterday's solutions to tomorrow's problems, said
Arrupe. No doubt frontier ministries have meant paying a
heavy price at times, as we know
in the case of Rutilio Grande and
Ellacuria in El Salvador, A. T.
Thomas in India, and many others
elsewhere. The memory of the
anxious days and months Alex
Premkumar had to go through
recentlyinAfghanistanisstillfreshinourminds.
Karnataka Jesuits too have set us an example in
the past. When the initial band of Jesuits who were just
managing to cater to the mission assigned to them, were
offered the St Joseph's Institutions in Bangalore, they
boldly accepted them counting on God's providence and
the strength of borrowed hands. When Fr General
Arrupe, at the request of the Archbishop of Shillong,
wanted JCSA to help him in the North East frontier, and
when other Provinces said they had their hands full, Fr
J.C. Pereira, Provincial, took up the challenge to work
among the `head-hunting Nagas'. When Karnataka
Province decided to move further into North Karnataka,
the couple of pioneering young Jesuits asked the Bishop
of Bellary to give them the most neglected area; they
were offered Manvi-Pannur, which has now been
developedbeyondrecognition.
0707 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum
hough the phrase `frontier ministries' has
gained prominence rather recently, especially
Tafter GC 35, the concept itself and its
realization is almost as old as the Society itself. Ignatius
laid the foundation for it right at the start: while most of
the religious orders and congregations had a specific
ministry, for the order he founded no ministry was
specified; it could be any, according to the time and
circumstances, that would be for God's greater glory and
greater service of souls. In his prayer, he prays for the
generosity to give without counting the cost, to fight
withoutmindingthewounds…
Our mission, says
GC 35, is to discover
Christ where we have not
seen him before, and to
reveal him where he has
not been seen or heard of
before. For us frontiers are
not boundaries beyond which we do not venture, but
challenges and opportunities to seek the magis, with
creative fidelity and an `apostolic aggressivity' (Arrupe).
For his mission, a Jesuit, travelling by roads less
travelled,hastofindawayortomakeone.
Roman Pontiffs have amply acknowledged this
fact. Paul VI recognized that `wherever in the Church,
even in the most difficult and extreme fields, in the
crossroads of ideologies, in the frontline between the
deepest human desires and the perennial message of the
Gospel, there have been, and there are, Jesuits.' John Paul
II reiterated it. Benedict XVI assured the Jesuits that `the
Church needs you, counts on you and continues to turn to
you with confidence' to work `where others do not reach
orfinditdifficulttoreach.'
With the discovery of new lands, St Ignatius did
FEARLESS TO BE
ON THE FRONTIERS
FEARLESS TO BE
ON THE FRONTIERS Fr Richard Sequeira, SJFr Richard Sequeira, SJ
MARCH 2016MARCH 2016
8. Fr Thomas Quadros, SJFr Thomas Quadros, SJ
to their homes and the people they lived with their
families. They have shed their sweat and blood, laid
down their lives having toiled to enkindle the good news
of love and dignity to human beings around them. And
today, we are graced to have the mortal remains of many
interredinourland.
Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903) had said, 'India, your sons
shall be your salvation.' (Filii tui saluti tibi). Today
Indian Christians are functioning as messengers of the
Good News not only in different parts of India, but also in
many countries
round theworld.
Discernment
is a key-word in
the Ignatian lingo.
In the initial years
of the Society,
h u m a n
d e v e l o p m e n t
through education seemed the need of the hour. And
hence, religious and secular education took the centre
stage in the Jesuit apostolates round the world. Over the
centuries, the Jesuit educational apostolate has bloomed
into many universities in countries the world over,
specialising in diverse fields. And these universities are
known forqualityeducation. Commendable,indeed.
Discernment always needs to be ongoing. That
is Ignatian – pondering and responding to the need of the
place, the people and the hour. In our country, though the
educational apostolate takes a lion's share of the Jesuit
personnel, we do have other apostolates such as pastoral,
spiritual, social-justice, ecology, refugee-service, health-
services, human development etc. All these are
diversified ministries evolved from the contextual
exigencies.
0808 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum
hen Ignatius sent Francis Xavier to the
Indies, he spurred him on with “Go and set
Wthe world on fire.” Ignatius had set him
afire with God right from his days with Francis in Paris.
That fire had been simmering within Francis only eager
to sparkle and kindle other fires. Right from his
embarking in Lisbon for the Indies he was on call,
ministering to those on board. He spread the gospel not
only to the coastlands of the peninsular India, but beyond
- to Indonesia and
Japan. The gospel-
fire within him
would not let him
take a respite. His
frontier ministry got
cut short on Sancian
Island overlooking
China when God
tookhimhome.
Francis Xavier is one of the many who have
made voyages to different parts of the globe, be it China
or Philippines, North & SouthAmerica orAfrica. When
they left their homeland and families, they left for good,
intending never to return, and made the places they went
FRONTIER MINISTRIESFRONTIER MINISTRIES
However, we cannot rest glorying on the laurels of the
past. I need to ask myself: Am I ready for a tough
mission today? The answer is given not in words, but is
revealed in my lifestyle, my attitude to comforts and
conveniences, the depth of my prayer life, the extent of
my trust in God, my readiness to face criticism, to work
sometimes alone, sometimes in a team, accepting the
strengths and weaknesses of each other. Dauntless
Ignatius,leadus on!
FEARLESS TO BE
ON THE FRONTIERS
FEARLESS TO BE
ON THE FRONTIERS
Fr Richard Sequeira, SJFr Richard Sequeira, SJCont. from pg.07Cont. from pg.07
MARCH 2016MARCH 2016
9. “FRONTIERS”
THERE YOU BELONG!!
“FRONTIERS”
THERE YOU BELONG!!
Vishwas Misquith, SJVishwas Misquith, SJ
Confucianism and the Chinese classics, or the Jesuits
who reached the Guarani tribes in the unreachable
jungles of Paraguay, or Robert de Nobili, or John de Brito
who tried to reach the intelligentsia in what today is
TamilNadu,India.
The call to frontier ministry today, therefore, assumes
twomajorfactorsforus Jesuits:
One: to be fired within with love for Christ whose face is
seen in the faces of people we are sent to minister. This
presumes a Jesuit's daily contact with Christ in the
Eucharistandinone's personalprayer.
Two: personal and communitarian dialogue and
discernment for apostolate, taking into focus: the needs
of the people, place and the hour. This sounds like the
Jesuitadage:'Readthesigns ofthetimes.' Beattuned.
0909 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum
Ongoing discernment requires that we assess our
apostolates with the Kingdom perspectives and
priorities, periodically or as needed, to be attentive to the
call of the Spirit and need of the hour. This attentiveness
implies an open mind, and courage to take bold steps.
Such openness of mind and sensitivity to the Spirit may,
at times, beckon us to wind up some apostolates that may
be redundant, or venture into new areas or initiatives that
needour presenceandattention.
The Society of Jesus has been known for pioneering
efforts – whether it was Francis Xavier venturing out to
the unknown Indies, eventually wanting to reach the
wisdom-minds of China, or Matteo Ricci and Johann
Adam Schall von Bell who tried to dialogue with the
Chinese literati, men who were educated in
ope Francis has reminded us Jesuits about
our option for frontier ministries. “Your
Pproper place is on the frontiers. This is the
place of Jesuits”. This call to go to the frontier
demands us to leave behind our comfort zones, to go
to the places where no one wants to go. This is also a
call to be different and to take the less trodden path
which is often dangerous.And to face the challenges
that would come on the as you break the barriers and
meet the people longing for help on the frontiers,
wherenooneisreadytogoorfearstogo.
Pope Benedict XVI in his address to GC35,
places a special trust on the Jesuits, saying, “The
church needs you, counts on you and continues to
turn to you with confidence, particularly to reach the
geographical and spiritual places where others do
not reach or find it difficult to reach.” These words
place special trust on us Jesuits to go to the frontiers
to make Christ known to all. These words also
motivate us to march out of our well settled,
comfortable communities to those who are awaiting
for ahelpinghand.
FRONTIER MINISTRIESFRONTIER MINISTRIES
Contd. from pg.08Contd. from pg.08 Fr Thomas Quadros, SJFr Thomas Quadros, SJ
MARCH 2016MARCH 2016
10. moving out to the places where people are in need.
We have joined a Society which is universal with a
universal mission. So confining ourselves to our
own little communities or provinces deviates us
fromthevisionof theSociety.
Fr Kolvenbach has reminded us, that 'a
stable monastery does not serve us, because we have
received the entire world to tell about the good
news.' So we cannot lock up ourselves inside the
closed doors. The whole world with all the people
and the entire creation is our concern. We are called
to be the bearers of Christ's love and peace to all
thosestillawayfromhim.
1010 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum
Today, because of the technological growth
and better transportation facilities, geographical
frontiers are decreasing. As this world changes so
also the context of our mission. New frontiers are
emerging, placing before us new challenges. How
are we willing to face this challenge posed by GC35.
Today we have frontiers in the area of inter-religious
dialogue; where there is violence in the name of
religion, especially ISIS, fight for environmental
justice,arethrowingbeforeus newchallenges.
We are called to join our voices with Jerome
Nadal, as he says, 'the world is our home'. The
geographical boundary cannot confine us from
FRONTIERS
THERE YOU BELONG!!
FRONTIERS
THERE YOU BELONG!!
Vishwas Misquith, SJVishwas Misquith, SJ
MARCH 2016MARCH 2016
Cont. from pg.09Cont. from pg.09
11. “Your proper place
is on the frontiers.
This is the place of
Jesuits”
“Your proper place
is on the frontiers.
This is the place of
Jesuits”
PEARLSPEARLS
1111 Writers’ ForumWriters’ Forum
VishwasMisquith,SJVishwasMisquith,SJ
Pope FrancisPope Francis
MARCH 2016MARCH 2016