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Preaching a radical Jesus

mcvlaunch.jpgSpeaking at the launch of his new book, Jesus: Social Revolutionary?, Peter McVerry SJ commented: “For me, the life and work of Jesus should mean that a huge commitment to social justice should be at the heart of all that the Christian churches preach and do”. He added an expression of regret that “the Churches’ emphasis on personal conversion fails to go beyond the personal, to emphasise the radical economic, social and political consequences of such conversion.” Read more »

Added Tuesday 29 April 2008 :: Category: General ::

Zambian school project gets grant boost

matero_school.jpgOn 25 April, the Irish Missionary Resource Service approved the grant application of Jesuit Missions for €43,000 to finish building a primary school in a Jesuit parish in the Matero township in Lusaka, Zambia. There are many children in Matero who have not been able to attend school, thanks largely to HIV/AIDS and to general poverty. To remedy this situation, the parish and community have taken it upon themselves to construct a new school in their midst. It has already been built up to roof level (see photo), and with the IMRS grant it will be possible to finish off the project.

Added Tuesday 29 April 2008 :: Category: General ::

Irish contribution to AIDS report

ajan-report-02-06-cover2.jpgThe African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) has published its first report about Jesuit initiatives to fight the AIDS across the continent and includes a contribution from Michael J. Kelly SJ. Spanning AJAN’s first five years, the 76 page report covers the full spectrum of initiatives including pastoral ministry, HIV care and support, value-based education, communications, and publishing. The report includes information on the contribution of Irish Jesuits, and features a report from Irishman, Michael Kelly SJ, plus a tribute to his brother, the late Robert Kelly. To get a copy, please send an e-mail with your postal address to books@jesuitaids.net.

Added Tuesday 29 April 2008 :: Category: General, International ::

Take your best shot!

photographer01.jpgCompany, the well-known American Jesuit magazine, is advertising its sixth Photo Contest. They are looking for “great Jesuit-related shots” – photos “that offer a glimpse of the Jesuit world”. If you think you’ve caught a magic moment and want to enter the competition, email editor@companymagazine.org. Photos must be submitted by 21 May, and the winning shots will be published in the Summer 2008 issue.

Added Tuesday 29 April 2008 :: Category: General ::

Taste of the Near East

fadel-near-east.jpgThe Jesuit Provincial of the Near East, Fadel Sidarouss (pictured here with John Dardis SJ), was in Dublin this week to visit Ronney el Gemayel SJ, who is currently studying at the Irish School of Ecumenics. Fadel is Provincial for Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, countries from three continents which keeps him travelling a lot. Ecumenical dialogue and interaction with the Arab world was centre to his concerns. He reports that Peter Hans Kolvenbach SJ is delighted to be back in Lebanon and to be released from the role of General. He will be directing the Near East province retreat in July for the 30 students in formation.

Added Tuesday 29 April 2008 :: Category: International ::

Tertianship back in gear

tertianship.jpgAfter three months of dispersion in different placements, the Jesuit Tertians are back in Dublin. It’s European character is very much to the fore with several Provincials and some Tertian family members visiting. Recent Provincials visiting their charges include Fr. Janos Lucas from Hungary and Fr. Jan Dacok from Slovakia. Members of Zibi Leczkowski’s and Ludger Hillebrand’s families also came to visit. Work-wise, the Tertians have had a number of presentations on the European Union, Lectio Divina, and the Jesuit vows. Last week they had a media workshop from the Jesuit Communication Centre. See their website: Tertianship.

Added Tuesday 29 April 2008 :: Category: General ::

Reviewing spirituality

mosullivan.jpgMichael O’Sullivan SJ has recently completed his blind peer reviews of 44 paper proposals by scholars working in the field of spirituality as an academic discipline. Michael and the other members of the Steering Committee of the Christian Spirituality Study Group had to choose 12 papers for presentation at the American Academy of Religion Convention in Chicago in November of this year. A number of the papers submitted were concerned with Ignatian Spirituality, but only one of them, “Ordered Affection: Sexuality and Ignatian Spirituality,” by Tim Muldoon of Boston College, made it through the reviewing process. Michael, who is Director of the HDip and MA in Applied Christian Spirituality (ACS), is now the only Jesuit director of academic programmes at Milltown Institute.

Added Monday 28 April 2008 :: Category: General ::

Spirituality on the up

new-imagema.jpgMilltown Institute’s programmes in Applied Spirituality are consistently the most subscribed postgraduate courses. The External Examiner for the programmes last year, Peter Tyler from St. Mary’s University College, London, emphasised that they are the only ones of their kind in Britain and Ireland. Traditionally the domain of religious and priests, they now attract professionals in the fields of medicine, social care, counseling, education, and business. Lay women form the largest percentage of students, but there has been a recent increase in the number of men. For more information (places are limited): Michael O’Sullivan SJ, (00353) 1-2776315; mosullivan@milltown-institute.ie, www.milltown-institute.ie.

Added Monday 28 April 2008 :: Category: Education, General ::

Gesù Restoration

The Pontifical Commission for Cultural Goods marked the restoration of the altarpiece painted by Brother Andrea Pozzo, a Jesuit of the sixteenth century, in the historic Gesù Church. To see the video on H20 Catholic news service click here.

Added Monday 28 April 2008 :: Category: Television ::

Rory en route for refugees

rory-mass-crop.jpgRory Halpin SJ celebrated his final Gospel Choir Mass on Gardiner Street on Sunday night, as he is moving on to his new ministry with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Ireland in Limerick. Donal Neary SJ, the parish priest of Gardiner Street Church (pictured, right, presenting Rory with a book). Rory has been the Director of Slí Eile for the last five years and has been involved with the Gospel Mass since its inception. Fr. Neary spoke warmly about how much Rory had brought to the Mass and generally to Jesuit young adult ministry in Slí Eile. Fr. Neary then made a presentation on behalf of all those involved. Rory will be taking up his position in the JRS office in Limerick after a short rest. [Photo: G.Clarke SJ]

Added Monday 28 April 2008 :: Category: General ::

Fundraiser for Zambia project

sli_eile_logo.pngRaquel Martins who is a member of the Jesuit Volunteer Community (JVC) in Ballymun, is having a fund-raiser on the 30th of April at 7pm. To raise funds for this year’s Slí Eile trip to Zambia, she is hosting a dance night in the Floridita Club, Life Irish Mall, on Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1. The evening, which runs from 7pm to 12pm, will include a DJ and a salsa instructor giving free lessons. Everyone is asked to make a donation of €10. The evening also doubles up as a birthday celebration, including cake, as it is Racquel’s birthday also. For more information contact 085 812 18 77, rak_mar@hotmail.com.

Added Thursday 24 April 2008 :: Category: General ::

Jesuit has last word on Ahern’s departure

bertie.jpgOutgoing Taoiseach Bertie Ahern concluded his final Dáil session with a quote from the Jesuit writer, Fr John Sullivan. Mr Ahern urged that life be taken “in instalments” and that each day be a new beginning: “Let the past go. Now let me do whatever I have the power to do.” Mr Ahern has been a regular attendee at services in St. Francis Xavier’s Church, Gardiner Street, where Fr. Sullivan’s tomb is a centre of devotion and prayer. Fr. John Sullivan, who died in 1933, had a reputation for holiness and healing, especially in Co Kildare. The Cause for his canonisation was formally begun in 2002, and many come to Gardiner Street be blessed with his cross and visit his tomb. For the story of Fr. Sullivan’s life see: www.gardinerstparish.ie.

Added Thursday 24 April 2008 :: Category: Media, Press :: ••

Prayer promoter spreads message

barriga_01.jpgClaudio Barriga SJ, director of the Apostleship of Prayer, is spending some days in Ireland this week. Based in Rome, he is here to help promote a long-standing method of prayer through a form of the Spiritual Exercises. He was hosted by John Looby SJ, editor of the Irish Messenger, which promotes the mission of the Apostleship of Prayer through its various publications. As well as meeting a number of Irish Jesuits, Claudio met the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin, and they spoke about evangelisation possibilities. See Apostleship of Prayer website.

Added Tuesday 22 April 2008 :: Category: General ::
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