Parish: 'the thought' - February 26, 2024

To view 'The Thought' click on video above

Gospel Reflection

"The True Temple" (John 2:13-25)

by Jacob Gerber

If we imagined that Jesus would gently ramp into his public ministry with something non-confrontational to please the crowds and (hopefully) to start to win the favor of the authorities, we will be disappointed by the course of action Jesus takes. With the zeal of a Son who sees his Father’s house desecrated, Jesus cleanses the temple during a Passover feast, driving out the animals and the merchants who have trespassed to take up residence there for their own profit. As with the sign that Jesus performed in turning water into wine in the previous passage, the sign of cleansing the temple is filled with important symbolism that points beyond this single day at the temple. Jesus will cleanse the dwelling place of his Father, even though it will cost him his life.

What does Jesus’ zeal demonstrate about his identity and his mission? What should we learn from him as we see him drive out the merchants, the sacrificial animals for sale, and the moneychangers from the temple? How does this story fit together with the previous story of how Jesus turned the water into wine—and specifically, how does this temple purification tie in with the purification that the stone water jars at the wedding feast (John 2:6) had been intended for? Is Jesus destroying the most important institutions of God’s covenant with his people Israel, or is his work accomplishing something more than the disruption that we see here? Finally, how should we respond to reading about all this? Let’s answer these questions by studying the text together. READ MORE

From the Environmental Justice Committee

From one of our partners, Katherine Lautar at Baltimore Green Space

Hey Fellow Baltimoreans!

On Wednesday, February 28th, please join a collective of environmentally concerned citizens at the Mayoral Candidate Environmental Forum. Every opportunity we have to make our voices heard is an important one and the next Mayor of Baltimore needs to have a solid plan of action for a variety of environmental issues.

The event will be moderated by Lisa Snowden McCray of the Baltimore Beat and Tom Hall of WYPR. The majority of the 13 declared mayoral candidates have committed to attending this event. You won’t want to miss hearing the environmental plans they have, that will affect you for the next four years.

Whether you’ve got questions and concerns or you just want to listen, please attend at:

Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church (2812 Reisterstown Road Baltimore, MD 21215) from 5:30-7:30 pm on Wednesday, February 28th.

Virtual attendance and accessibility accommodations, including sign language and Spanish interpretation, are available. It’s my hope that you’ll join me and others by registering here or below using the QR code. Any questions you have can be answered by email or phone at enviroforumbalto@gmail.com or (443) 272-1471.

Please spread the word (see attached flyer) and I hope to see you soon!

The Environmental Justice Committee offers for your reflection this passage from Pope Francis’s exhortation, Laudato Si (2015):

Reflection 18: Need for Leadership

Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last two hundred years. Yet we are called to be instruments of God our Father, so that our planet might be what he desired when he created it and correspond with his plan for peace, beauty and fullness. The problem is that we still lack the culture needed to confront this crisis. We lack leadership capable of striking out on new paths and meeting the needs of the present with concern for all and without prejudice towards coming generations.

Reception for Parishioners on Sunday March 3 at Center Stage

He's turning 90!

On the occasion of his 90^th birthday, Fr. Bill Watters would like to thank Fr. Brian Frain, Fr. Jim Casciotti and the parishioners of St. Ignatius Church for their incredible support for the three Jesuit schools in Baltimore city. He is especially grateful for the remarkable generosity of the St. Ignatius community to The Loyola School.

Please join Father for a reception immediately following the 10AM Mass on Sunday, March 3, 2024. All parishioners are invited to enjoy a light lunch and birthday cake at Center Stage – 4^th Floor, from 11 AM – 1:30 PM.

There will be games for the little ones, a lounge area for the tweens and teens, and fellowship for all.

Just for Fun!

Event From the Cultural Arts Committee

Ethiopia at the Crossroads Museum Visit

Sunday, March 3rd - 1:00 PM

Join us for a tour at 1:00 p.m. of the exhibit Ethiopia at the Crossroads on the final day March 3rd.

This exhibit will offer over 220 objects and span over 1,750 years of history. It is the first major exhibit of its kind in the United States. This exhibit moves beyond Western perceptions of Ethiopian Art. Admission is free - RSVP to David Cunningham, Arts and Culture Committee at 443 842 2393.

The Walters Art Museum is located at 600 North Charles St., Baltimore, M.D. 21202

(410) 547-9000

Afterwards, The Mount Vernon Marketplace will be where we can share and reflect over light fare and beverages. Each person is responsible for the cost of their refreshments and many vendors to choose from on location. The Mount Vernon marketplace is located at 520 Park Ave. (two blocks west of the museum).

David will be on hand to visit with anyone interested in sharing ideas and listening to news about Arts and Culture projects for 2024 and 2025.

We look forward to seeing you on March 3rd.

David Cunningham

Arts and Culture Committee at Saint Ignatius Catholic Community

Beautify for the Lenten/Easter Season

Easter Flower Contributions

Parishioner assistance in the form of donations are needed for our annual Easter Flowers collection. This drive gives St. Ignatius the ability to decorate the sanctuary properly for such a great occasion. Flower orders are placed at the end of March. Donations are accepted until March 17. Those who give through Faith Direct can scroll down to a separate collection for Easter Flowers. Make sure you write in the “notes section” who the flowers are donated in honor of (living) or in memory of (deceased). Those who contribute by envelopes will find the flower collection envelope in the Narthex. Donors will have their names and loved ones in the bulletin and Ezine. Thank you in advance for your financial and prayerful assistance.

Contribute

CRS Rice Bowl is here!

Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about how our sisters and brothers across the globe overcome hardships like hunger and climate change, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for all. Consider joining in this effort along with our PREP families by picking up a Rice Bowl in the church narthex.

CRS Rice Bowl Reflection on and Introduction to Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving

Black History Month Event - Save the Date

You are invited to join the Archdiocese of Baltimore as it brings “Tolton: From Slave to Priest” performance to Baltimore. The inspiring story of America's First Black priest and one of the “Saintly Six” Father Augustus Tolton story comes to life in this powerful multi-media live production, filled with music, drama and inspiring performances. It brings a message of hope and healing for the wounds that plague our culture. It is being held on Tuesday, March 19at 7:00 p.m. at New All Saints Church. Tickets will be $25 with a free will offering. More ticket information to follow. For more on the performance, please visit http://www.toltondrama.com/

Retired? An Opportunity to Serve

Ignatian Volunteer Corps - St. Ignatius Parishioners, 55 years of age or better, are encouraged to consider a year-long commitment (September to June) to service and spirituality with the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC). Are you retired or finished raising your family? Do you want to give back, enrich your spiritual life, and build community with other mature adults? As a member of the IVC, you'll have the opportunity to serve those in need one or two days a week, while also participating in spiritual formation in a community of peers who share a commitment to service. Join them for a one-hour Zoom I

Information Session on March 5, at 10:00 a.m.

Upcoming Events

Friday, March 1

@ 8:00 am - 11:00 am

First Friday Adoration and Benediction

Learn More and Signup

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Friday, March 1

@ 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Stations of the Cross