JESUITSMARYLAND PROVINCE • USA NORTHEAST PROVINCE
SPRING 2018
Celebrating Five Years of Pope Francis NOR SA TH U E A D S
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M Very Rev. Robert Hussey, SJ Very Rev. John Cecero, SJ 7 Provincial, Maryland Province Provincial, USA Northeast Province
FROM OUR PROVINCIALS
Dear Friends,
As we celebrated the anniversary of the election of Pope Francis on March 13, we could only imagine the surprise of St. Ignatius in heaven on that amazing day. After all, our Founder intended a minima compania—a little company— as he liked to call us, to serve the Church under the Roman Pontiff, never imagining that one of our number would one day be the pope! “Mission From the moment of his election, Pope Francis has been inviting the Church is never the fruit to practice a faith that does justice. By word and example, the pope has touched people from all faiths and from all corners of the earth. He invites us to be the of a perfectly Good Samaritan—never to turn a blind eye—to serve the poor and the less planned program fortunate, to be merciful to others and to pray ardently for peace. or a well-organized Having just marked Pope Francis’ fifth anniversary, we focus this issue of JESUITS magazine on stories that speak about the ideals and objectives that manual. Mission is are near and dear to our Holy Father—welcoming refugees, providing support always the fruit of for the less fortunate among us (especially for our youth), promoting vocations to lives of love and service, and using various media to reach out to, connect a life which knows with and inspire people from all over the world. what it is to be Spring is always a time for renewal, hope and gratitude. Please continue to found and healed, pray for us, for our many ministries and for our Jesuit pope. As always, we thank you for your ongoing support of our Jesuit life and mission. encountered and forgiven.” Sincerely in Christ,
— Pope Francis
Very Rev. Robert M. Hussey, SJ Very Rev. John J. Cecero, SJ Provincial, Maryland Province Provincial, USA Northeast Province ABOUT OUR COVER During his first five years, Pope Francis has captivated both young and old from all walks of life and faiths.
22 Brendan Coffey, SJ, (left) stands with fellow Jesuit scholastics, Jake Braithwaite, SJ, Editors and John Pignone, SJ. Michael Benigno Michael Gabriele
Contributors Rev. James Keenan, SJ Wendell Laurent Sherri Weil
Advancement Directors Sherri Weil (Maryland Province) James Skurka (USA Northeast Province) Please address all correspondence to JESUITS magazine: [email protected] Maryland Province Jesuits 8600 LaSalle Road, Suite 620 Towson, MD 21286-2014 443-921-1310 USA Northeast Province 39 East 83rd Street New York, NY 10028-0810 212-774-5500
JESUITS is published three times a year by the Maryland and USA Northeast Provinces of the Society Features... of Jesus. The opinions expressed are Pope Francis – Five Years Later...... 4 those of the individual writers and do not necessarily constitute the official Sharing the Journey...... 10 policy of the Society of Jesus. Serving a Culture of Encounter ...... 14 ©2018 All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. So Much More Than a Building ...... 18 Printed on recycled paper. Friends in the Lord ...... 22 Spring Miles from the East, the Ignatian Spirit Runs Strong...... 24 Very Rev. John J. Cecero, SJ More Look for this symbol to find Provincial, USA Northeast Province on the web more information online. Advancing Our Mission ...... 26
Visit Our Websites: MARYLAND: www.mdsj.org USA NORTHEAST: www.JesuitsEast.org 1 In the News FROM OUR PROVINCES
New Appointments
and LEADERSHIP
a very successful first year of priestly service at St. Thomas More Parish in Atlanta. news
Fr. Ronald J. Anton, SJ, was appointed the next superior of the Georgetown Jesuit Commu- nity, effective June 1, 2018. Fr. Fr. James P. Carr, SJ, was Anton is a senior advisor of exec- appointed the next superior of utive education at Georgetown the St. Ignatius Loyola Commu- University’s McDonough School nity in New York City, effective of Business. He has worked in July 1, 2018. Before taking on higher education for the Jesuits his present mission as faculty in Rome and assisted refugees chaplain at New York’s Loyola on the Thai–Cambodian border. School, Fr. Carr served as director of novices and superior of St. Andrew Hall in Syracuse from August 2010 to August 2017.
Fr. Rodolfo Casals, SJ, was appointed assistant director for vocations for the Maryland and USA Northeast Provinces, effec- Fr. James P. Croghan, SJ, will tive July 31, 2018. Fr. Casals was begin service as superior of the ordained in 2017 and will finish Boston College High School 2 Jesuit Community on Aug. 15, has worked in middle and sec- 2018. Since December 2012, Fr. ondary education and has also Croghan has served as rector served as director of vocations of the Xavier Jesuit Community for the Maryland and New York in New York City. He is also the Provinces. provincial assistant for interna- tional ministries and the director of Ignatian identity at Regis High School.
Fr. Donald J. Kirby, SJ, was named superior of the Loyola Jesuit Residence in Syracuse, NY. Father Kirby served 17 years as founding director of the Center for the Advancement of Values Educa- Fr. Thomas H. Feely, SJ, will tion at Le Moyne College, where become superior of the Xavier he continues to be a professor Jesuit Community in New York of Christian ethics and theology. City, effective Aug. 15, 2018. With his new appointment he Father Feely has been the associate will continue to balance scholar- Effective July 1, 2018, Kristin pastor at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish ship and pastoral outreach as Cupillari will assume the position in New York City since July 2013, he guides the life and mission of principal at Scranton Prep. Ms. previously serving as superior at of the Jesuit community. Cupillari has served as a teacher Ciszek Hall and formation director and administrator in Jesuit high for the Maryland, New York, and schools for 25 years, including New England Provinces. 6 years at Regis High School and 18 years at Loyola School, both in New York City. She has served this past year as Scranton Prep’s assistant principal.
Effective this summer, Fr. Frederick J. Pellegrini, SJ, will begin service as superior of the Fr. Robert J. Levens, SJ, was Murray-Weigel-Kohlmann named superior of the Portland Community in the Bronx. Jesuit Community. He currently Since 2012, he has served serves as the faculty chaplain at as rector of the St. Ignatius Cheverus High School and as- Community in New York City, On Jan. 1, 2018, after serving in an sists at Our Lady of Hope Parish while also serving as vocation interim capacity, Br. Christopher in Portland, Maine. He previ- promoter for the Maryland and Derby, SJ, officially assumed the ously served as provincial of the USA Northeast Provinces. role as executive director of the New England Province and more Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth recently was superior at Campion in Wernersville, Pa. Br. Derby Center in Weston, Mass. 3 FIVE YEARS LATER: Changes under Pope Francis N are revealing his
4 Changes under Pope Francis are revealing his “Jesuit DNA”
By William Bole
Pope Francis greets an elderly woman in Asunción, Paraguay.
d Haring) (CNS photo/Paul The story is often told: Pope Francis Bergoglio appeared on the balcony of “Pope Francis tells us in Amoris is on a return flight to Rome, following St. Peter’s Basilica—the first Jesuit Laetitia that we should not water the World Youth Day celebration in pope, the first pope to hail from the down the Gospel of mercy,” says Rio de Janeiro. He walks back to the Americas and the first to take the Fr. James Keenan, SJ, professor of press compartment and surprises name “Francis.” theological ethics at Boston College. everyone with an impromptu news For a few years, there was constant “In these five years, he has brought— conference, standing in the aisle for 81 debate among religious pundits as in an uncompromising way—the minutes and answering every question to whether this approachable pope Lord’s mercy front and center and thrown at him by reporters. Asked with a message of mercy had as effectively challenges each of us about homosexuality, the pope makes yet brought change and reform to to allow the Gospel to heal, uplift what would become his emblematic Catholic life worldwide. Father and save us. For so many people, utterance: “If a person is gay and seeks Timothy P. Kesicki, SJ, president this emphasis on mercy refreshes the Lord and has good will, who am I of the Washington-based Jesuit not only a person’s soul but the to judge that person?” Conference of Canada and the United Church herself.” Seldom told—and less understood— States, points out that to this day, He is pontificating in a new key, is something else Francis said during “He hasn’t changed one definitive making it clear that a fundamental that spontaneous exchange: “And I teaching of the church.” Yet, Fr. Kesicki task of the faithful is not so much to think like a Jesuit.” and many others are now quick to follow rules but to discern what God It has been five years since white add that the pope who thinks like a is calling them to do. He is altering smoke wafted from a tiny chimney Jesuit has changed, perhaps forever, the culture of the clergy, steering atop the Sistine Chapel, signaling that the way a universal pontiff carries away from what he has named the papal conclave had chosen a new out his ministry, and his pastoral “clericalism” (which dwells on priestly successor of St. Peter, bishop of Rome. spirit has proved infectious for status and authority) and toward Just over an hour later, a little- known untold numbers of Catholics and an ethic of service (Francis says the Argentine cardinal named Jorge Mario non-Catholics alike. 5 church’s shepherds must have the what some call Francis’s “Jesuit DNA,” evening, someone yelled out, “White “smell of the sheep,” always staying which is grounded in the Spiritual smoke!” He and others ran out to close to the People of God). Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Peter’s Square, where they were He has energized countless people, who sought to promote self-aware- amazed to see a fellow member of religious and lay, Jesuits and their ness, a joyful sense of freedom and the Society of Jesus emerge onto the many collaborators, who have gravi- a willingness to take risks. balcony. The 266th pope immediately tated toward what Francis likes to call “Perhaps the greatest impact that departed from custom: Rather than “the periphery,” the social margins. Pope Francis has had on the Church’s blessing the pilgrims first, he asked He has furnished the example of a understanding of spirituality over the them to take a moment to silently pope “who is not untouchable, who is past five years is his constant reminder, pray for him and ask God to bless his open to criticism, open to changing both in his preaching and in his papacy. After that, he gave the tradi- his mind,” and who wants to lead personal witness, that contemplation tional papal blessing. Standing in the “a more human church,” says Fr. and action are inextricably linked,” square, Fr. Bisson thought to himself, Gustavo Morello, SJ, a sociology says Fr. George Witt, SJ, director of Something new is here. professor at Boston College and author the Office of Ignatian Spirituality for The next day, Pope Francis picked of The Catholic Church and Argentina’s the East Coast provinces. “He insists, up a phone and called the Jesuit Dirty War (Oxford, 2015). echoing St. Ignatius Loyola, that the Curia. “This is Pope Francis. May All of that and more is traceable to fruit of contemplation is not simply an I speak to Fr. General?” he asked interior sense of connection with God, a flustered receptionist, who was but an outpouring of active love in the a little incredulous. Francis had to world. And he models this for us in a convince the man that it was really beautiful and compelling fashion.” the pope calling, not a prankster. Switched eventually to the office of Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, SJ, then Superior d General of the Society of Jesus, On March 13, 2013, the Jesuit Curia Francis began making arrange- in Rome happened to be holding a ments for the two to meet—not at training session for new leaders of the Apostolic Palace, where popes English-speaking Jesuit provinces have traditionally resided, but at a around the world — just as the papal residence for visiting clergy and lay conclave was voting. Father Peter people where he stayed during the Bisson, SJ, who had recently become conclave. It was an early indication head of the English Canada Province, that Pope Francis planned to decamp was there and recalls that early in the from the sprawling papal apartment Fr. Gustavo Morello, SJ
Pope Francis greets Fr. Peter Bisson, SJ, at the Jesuits’ General Congregation 36.
6 Pope Francis with Jesuits in Myanmar in 2017 and move into the simpler quarters of always open to the needs of the his life among the black slaves. the guesthouse on the edge of Vatican wounded and marginalized in our Meanwhile, some esteemed theolo- City. It’s where he continues to live. world,” said Fr. John Cecero, SJ, pro- gians were discussing whether or If there are just a few keywords vincial of the USA Northeast Province. not they”—the slaves—“had a soul.” of this papacy, one of them is surely “Every Jesuit ministry, no matter how During that November 29 con- “periphery.” Another is “discernment.” mainstream or well known, must ask versation, held in the long, narrow Francis the Jesuit is constantly seeking itself to what extent it is serving these chapel of the archbishop’s house in to discern how God is working in his people and forming others to do the Yangon, a Jesuit asked why the pope life, and as pope, he is nurturing that same. This vision and perspective is a always finds time to meet with fellow kind of spiritual discernment at all tonic antidote to the pride and self-ab- Jesuits during his far-flung travels. levels of the Church, notes Fr. Bisson. sorption that can distract us Jesuits Francis replied that he does so “not “How is the spirit moving among us? and our colleagues from serving to forget that I am a missionary,” to Where is the joy? Where is the fear? Christ and the Church according to which he added, provoking laughs— And what is the will of the Lord?” the mind of Ignatius himself.” “and that I must convert sinners!” the provincial says, relating some Francis himself says, “The Jesuit Fr. Kesicki explains that every Ignatian-style questions for discern- must be a master of discernment, for religious order has its own charism, ment. That’s how Jesuits and others himself and others.” He made that its way of carrying out the Church’s steeped in this tradition characteristi- comment when he met with 31 Jesuits work. No small part of the Jesuit cally seek to “find God in all things.” based in Myanmar during his visit to charism is that it’s a missionary As for Francis, Fr. Bisson adds, “He’s that country and Bangladesh in late order, its members “ready to go not afraid of finding God in unexpected November and early December of this anywhere in the world to help form places. He expects to find God in those past year. “Think of St. Peter Claver,” souls,” the priest says. “As a Jesuit, places,” especially on the margins. the pope said, referring to the 17th- you go out to the periphery. You go “Pope Francis’ image of the Church century Spanish Jesuit and mission- out to the poor, the disenfranchised, as a field hospital challenges the Society ary. “He knew how to discern and refugees, those disaffected by the of Jesus to keep our eyes and hearts knew that God wanted him to spend church. You go out to the people. (Continued) 7 Caption to come here caption to come here Caption to come here caption to come here Caption to come here caption to come here Caption to come here capti. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters) (CNS photo/L’Osservatore
Pope Francis attends a Lenten retreat with members of the Roman Curia.
Pope Francis has that missionary spirit. in Catholic social teaching is to a large fresh challenge as director of REACH That’s what makes him a Jesuit.” extent “an option for the Catholic (Recruiting Excellence in Academics That the pope is Latin American people, who are mostly poor.” for Catholic High Schools) at Regis also throws light on his missionary Here in North America, Fr. Mario High School in Manhattan. The impulse. “If you’re a Latin American Powell, SJ, was deep in discernment entirely free program seeks out Jesuit, you don’t just wait for people following his priestly ordination in 5th-graders who have high promise to come into the rectory. You go out June 2014 at Fordham University as well as high need, and helps pre- to where the people are,” says Fr. in New York City. That was 15 months pare them to earn scholarships at a Morello, an Argentine who had a pro after the white smoke trickled through Jesuit high school. Many come from forma conversation with then-Father St. Peter’s Square, and he was thinking immigrant families, and the Regis Bergoglio during the mid-1980s when of himself as a “Pope Francis Jesuit.” team works with them for three years he, Fr. Morello, was contemplating his Fr. Powell had started filling out on Saturdays and during the summer. vocation (the future pope was a Jesuit applications for doctoral programs in “It has everything to do with being formation rector at the time). “A big religious history but was also asking a Pope Francis Jesuit,” Fr. Powell part of religiosity doesn’t happen in himself, “What am I doing to help says of his ministry among these church. It happens outside the church, other folks who might look like me? inner-city families. “Are we using in the public square, in the festivals, How can I help them feel welcomed the gifts we have for our mission?” processions, in front of landmarks and in our traditional institutions?” The gift he’s alluding to is a Jesuit statues.” In addition, the periphery Arkansas-born Fr. Powell is African- institution like Regis, located in in Latin America is not some distant American who was raised in an Manhattan’s Upper East Side near land—it’s right there. “It’s not that we extended family of Southern Baptists Central Park. And the mission, he says, should care for the poor. It’s that the (he converted on his own while in is “always to look to the peripheries, church is poor,” Fr. Morello emphasizes. eighth grade at a Catholic school in to go there, to unmoor yourself, go He points out that most Catholics live Los Angeles). into the deep … and allow yourself in developing countries, which means In the end, he pushed aside the to be transformed.” that the option for the poor articulated Ph.D. applications and took on a Father Scott Pilarz, SJ, the current
8 d president of Georgetown Prep who will become president of the University of Scranton later this year, briefly spoke Saint Joseph’s University president, with Pope Francis when the Pontiff Dr. Mark Reed, welcomed Pope Francis was in Washington, D.C., in 2015. to the University during his American “Meeting Pope Francis during his D.C. tour in 2015. visit was a watershed moment for me and, even more so, for the Georgetown Prep students who were present. In that encounter, and consistently since, the pope’s warmth and authenticity “... the pope’s warmth resonate profoundly with people of all ages who are hungry for hope and Indeed, reflecting on reasons for joy and authenticity inspiration.” is part of the Spiritual Exercises— It’s no accident that two of Francis’s another Ignatian trait Francis has resonate profoundly major documents have “joy” in the carried with him. titles—Amoris Laetitia (“The Joy of with people of all ages “He is the perfect witness to the Love”), on marriage and family, and Jesuit vocation,” Fr. Kesicki adds. “The Joy of the Gospel.” Fr. Kesicki of who are hungry for “If you want to know what a Jesuit is, the Jesuit Conference notes, “You can’t you couldn’t have any better example give witness to Christ risen if you hope and inspiration.” than Pope Francis.” don’t have joy in your heart. And in — Fr. Scott Pilarz, SJ Francis, you always encounter a joyful William Bole, a journalist in Boston, man. He never looks beaten down.” frequently writes about the Jesuits.
Fr. Mario Powell, SJ, thinks of himself as a “Pope Francis Jesuit.” (Regis High School)
9 SHARING the Journey By Michael Gabriele
10 SHARING the Journey
Fr. Robert Hussey, SJ, Maryland Province provincial, experienced first-hand the educational needs of the refugees in Chad.
The call of Pope Francis is simple and direct: We must all share the journey with immigrants and refugees.
is request education. More than half of refugee stems from the age-old Jesuit mis- children have no access to primary Hsion of accompaniment—that to or secondary education. “In order to best truly provide care and outreach for Fr. Robert Hussey, SJ, is the provin- the marginalized, we must first meet cial for the Maryland Province of the serve in my role them where they are and share in Society of Jesus. He also serves on the on the JRS board, their experience. Today, more than six U.S. board for the Jesuit Refugee Ser- and a half million refugees have been vice (JRS), representing other U.S. and I wanted a real forced from their homes due to war Canadian provincials. When asked to and persecution. Many have toiled in serve in this capacity, Fr. Hussey felt the hands-on exile more than five years, living in need to directly experience that mission camps that hardly pass for long-term of accompaniment. “In order to best experience communities. It is a hardship most serve in my role on the JRS board,” he of us cannot fathom, and children, said, “I wanted a real hands-on experi- with refugees.” of course, are the ones affected most. ence with refugees.” —Fr. Robert Hussey, SJ Fleeing from their homeland disrupts He didn’t have to look hard for the right one of their most crucial needs: opportunity. Fr. Thomas Smolich, SJ, 11 Fr. Hussey waits with anxious children to see inside their newly built school.
the international director of JRS, invited Fr. Hussey to accompany him on a trip to the African country of Chad, home to more than 300,000 refugees from the Darfur region of Sudan. Escaping genocide in their war-torn homeland, these Sudanese people found themselves as refugees in one of the poorest coun- tries of the world—a plight that has imprisoned them to a scattering of 12 refugee camps for over a decade. One of the greatest injustices stemming from this ongoing crisis is the lack of education. Displaced children, forced to grow up in camps rather than homes, miss the opportunities and resources for a good education, if any education at all. This loss of education only adds to their struggle to break free from poverty and hopefully start a better life. This is where JRS comes in and what Fr. Hussey was able to experience first-hand in Chad. A shortage of teachers and dilapidated or nonexistent schools are two major roadblocks refugee children in Chad face when seeking the education they so desperately need and want. The Jesuit Refugee Service is provid- ing hope. JRS trains people, many of whom are refugees themselves, to become qualified teachers for their community. They lead the charge to build schools that have floors instead of dirt and classrooms instead of huts. In fact, JRS oversees most of the education programs in eastern Chad, including preschool, primary, secondary and tertiary educa- tion. They also offer training that goes above and
12 With hope comes happiness. beyond the academic classroom—programs designed Refugee children cheer on those to teach about life, confidence-building and good who are providing them a new future. decision-making. “You can see the hunger for education in these children’s eyes,” recalled Fr. Hussey. “They are in awe as they see their new school take shape, a school their own parents helped to build. It is truly a community- wide effort to make this crucial need a reality.” Thanks to JRS, children in these refugee camps are slowly shifting their hopes and dreams from ones of sheer survival to aspirations of becoming teachers or doctors someday. A textbook to call their own is treasured like gold. Hopefully, as access to education increases for refugee children, and as they begin to integrate more with the citizens of Chad, these exiled people will begin to feel less disconnected. Until then, the effort to train more teachers, build more schools, provide more supplies and offer more programs will continue. With many of the refugees in Chad having now lived in a camp for more than five years, the hope of returning home seems lost. This is their new home. For Fr. Hussey, experiencing what so many mistakenly believe is a short-term crisis has provided some insights on what it will take to address this long-term issue. “Working among the refugees in Chad has given me such a profound respect for the work JRS does and also the reality of how many more resources are needed,” he said. “The global refugee crisis is very complex. To really appreciate its scope, you have to genuinely experience it. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to do that.”
Refugees from the community all chip in to help build new schools.
13 Serving a Culture of Encounter
By Mike Benigno
With each social media post, Fr. James Martin, SJ, speaks to an audience larger than the city of Seattle.
midst increasing global inequality, digital Jesuits have embraced media and the humanities since the inception of the Society of Jesus. Today, distraction, and diversions that keep us away from God, Pope Jesuits, and Jesuit works across our provinces, aFrancis, in his message marking the 2014 World Communica- continue to employ media to minister on the frontiers of the Church, as Pope Francis would tions Day, shared a message of hope. Media, the pope wrote, put it, at the service of an authentic culture of can help us resolve our differences through dialogue (a word encounter. that would pepper critical points of his 2015 encyclical), Fr. James Martin, SJ particularly now, when the stakes are high and the networks Since entering the Jesuits in 1988, Fr. Martin of human connection have made unprecedented advances. has become something of a media figurehead
14 “I approach my work as a ministry of the Word, and I view my writing in the context of my service as a Jesuit.” Encounter —Fr. James Marrtin, SJ
for the Society of Jesus. Today, he is likely best known as an author and, apart from only Pope Francis himself, the preeminent Jesuit on social media. Each time Fr. Martin posts to social media—and he does compose all of his own posts—his messages on culture, politics and prayer reach a following larger than the entire
population of Seattle. 7 For several years, he served as the “official Caption to come here cap tion to come here Caption chaplain” of The Colbert Report, and he’s worked o come here caption Cap as a religious consultant for numerous films, tion to come here caption in between publishing over a dozen books on topics ranging from his transition from the corporate world to religious life and the seven last words that Jesus spoke to the spirituality of Thomas Merton. His Jesuit Guide to (Almost)
Anything is often cited as an inspiration among Haring) (CNS photo/Paul men discerning Jesuit vocations, and while unrelated to the book, stirring a public debate
there have been many notable Jesuit authors, 7 no other has written so widely for a popular about the state of religious dialogue. Still, he Pope Francis during a explained, Ignatian discernment has helped press conference aboard audience. his flight from Rio de “I approach my work as a ministry of the him find a surprising sense of balance despite Janiero to Rome Word, and I view my writing in the context of the turmoil. my service as a Jesuit.” Fr. Martin said from his “I want to do my best to be charitable, calm desk at America Media’s offices in New York and thoughtful in terms of the criticism,” Fr. City, where he serves as editor-at-large. Such Martin said. “The biggest grace for me has been solid footing has helped during the challenging the realization that not everyone is going to love times that occasionally come with a life that so me, like me, approve of me or agree with me, frequently crosses into the public realm. and that’s been very freeing.” His recent book, Building a Bridge, encour- ages an active, respectful dialogue between The Jesuit Post the Church and LGBT Catholics, receiving an The Jesuit Post provides a Jesuit, Catholic official ecclesiastical approval from Fr. Martin’s perspective on the contemporary world. But Jesuit superiors as well as endorsements from instead of a scholarly take on today’s culture, several cardinals, including a high-ranking commentary in the Post is written “as one friend Vatican official. After the book was published, speaks to another,” words taken directly from St. several institutions were pressured to withdraw Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises. This alternative, invitations for Martin to speak, even on topics casual tone has contributed to its success since
15 The Jesuit Post, edited by Danny Gustafson, SJ, provides a casual take on today’s culture, produced entirely by Jesuits in formation.
its founding in 2012 as a media project proved wildly popular, featuring rotating produced, edited and written entirely by reflections by Jesuit brothers and scholastics, “We are writing Jesuits in formation. and in October 2017, the Post celebrated its pieces for our Today, over 80,000 people follow the millionth website view. Jesuit Post’s social media channels, with “We are writing pieces for our audience, audience, but thousands more subscribing via email and but a lot of us have also found that this is visiting the website each day. It is produced a formative process that helps us be better a lot of us have independently, headed by five editors who Jesuits,” Gustafson said. “We’re crafting also found collaborate from different parts of the U.S. better communication skills, we’re giving using email, a Slack channel, shared drives and receiving criticism and, as people who that this is a and monthly Google hangouts. will be involved in preaching and public “It’s fun looking at our Slack channel, speaking, we’re learning to communicate formative where a writer working in Chicago tags his with a wide variety of people, which is— process that editor in Seattle, and then they get a social and has always been—great and very media promoter in St. Louis involved. Next, informative for a Jesuit.” helps us be Jesuits and others from around the world help us by sharing our stories,” said Danny America Media better Jesuits.” Gustafson, SJ, Jesuit regent and editor in Over the course of more than a century, —Daniel Gustafson, SJ chief, who currently teaches religion at America magazine, the nation’s leading Fordham Prep in the Bronx. Catholic review, has published the work of Each editor is paired with a peer mentor at more than 200 U.S. and Canadian Jesuits, America Media, which also provides admin- spanning from civil rights activist John LaFarge istrative support. But because the project is and theologian John Courtney Murray, to Leo run entirely by Jesuits and produced exclu- O’Donovan, president emeritus of George- sively online, there are virtually no expenses. town University, and Daniel Berrigan, noted While the Post has produced pieces written poet and activist. by some 50 Jesuit authors, in the last year America magazine was founded by the Jesuits it has also had success with video and in 1909 on the pillars of editorial commen- 16 multimedia. A “One Minute Homily” series tary, Catholic news coverage, reviews of the arts and dialogue with its audience. America Across our print, digital, video, audio and has since locked step with changes in the events platforms, we are engaging more Church, reporting on and supporting the people than ever before as we meet the Second Vatican Council in the early 1960s, intersection of the Church and the world.” “The biggest building key partnerships with lay writers, In 2015, America relaunched as America editors and thought leaders in Catholic Media, which now comprises a publishing grace for me media (including Flannery O’Connor, T.S. company, the Catholic Book Club, an events has been the Eliot, John F. Kennedy, and Robert Wood and programming wing along with a video Johnson), and leading the public conver- production unit, a weekly broadcast on realization that sation about the role of women in today’s SiriusXM and the popular Jesuit(ical) pod- Church. In 2013, the magazine made cast. The print magazine is published 26 not everyone history by publishing the English transla- times per year and sent to an audience of is going to tion of “A Big Heart Open to God”, the over 43,000. first official interview with the newly “What’s most important to our work is love me, like elected Pope Francis. that we do not confuse the language of the America exists at the service of the Church, world for the language of the Church,” con- me, approve and, as a point of fact, remains independent tinued Malone. “Terms such as ‘liberal’ and of me or agree of any Jesuit province as a collective work ‘conservative’ are not treated so commonly of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the in our content. In order to lead the conver- with me, and United States. sation about faith and culture, we realized “America leads the conversation about that we have to break free of the strictures that’s been faith and culture,” said Matt Malone, SJ, of language being hurled around today for very freeing.” president and editor in chief, “and our the language that defines what the Church editorial mission demands that we bring truly is: Christian. The Christian knows —Fr. James Marrtin, SJ people together through conversation, that neither right nor left, conservative or liberal, we keep the Word of God in daily life and but rather the Gospel message and the love
continue to nourish both faith and intellect. of God as the directing forces of our lives.” 7
The staff of America Media works to produce excellent, unique and relevant content for Catholics. 17 So Much More Than a Building
By Michael Gabriele
18 Awaiting the official ribbon cutting are (left to right): Fr. Robert Hussey, SJ, Provincial of the Maryland Province; Fr. John Cecero, SJ, Provincial of the USA Northeast Province; Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta; James Cumming, the real estate developer who donated the building; and David Clower of the Raza Development Fund, which provided tax credit allocations for the renovations.
What was once a distant hope is now home for Cristo Rey Atlanta
It never hurts to ask. That’s how it all started. Just a few so by the mission of Cristo Rey. After only short years ago, faced with the reality that a few days of discernment, he handed over Cristo Rey Atlanta High School would the keys to his 70,000-square-foot former soon outgrow its location, president Bill Oxford Industries building. “Every once in Garrett decided to simply ask for a new a while, there’s a situation when the highest one. Although he never expected a “yes,” and best use of a property is not defined by Garrett advocated, almost tongue-in-cheek, the financial yield,” said Mr. Cumming. to Atlanta real estate developer James The miraculous journey for Cristo Rey’s Cumming, who was looking to sell a new home had just begun. Faced with a vacant downtown building, to donate it to downtown office building that was just Cristo Rey instead. It was hardly a credible that—an office building—Cristo Rey proposition for a seven-story building in embarked on a capital campaign to cover Atlanta’s business district that cost roughly renovations that was ambitious to say $750,000 a year to lease. the least. Their goal was a daunting $25 But God works in mysterious ways, million. But when all was said and done … and Jim Cumming’s generous heart was they had raised $30 million! It didn’t take touched by the humble ask, and even more long for donors to see the importance of
19 7 Confetti is launched into the air as the transformational work that Cristo Rey “I think that’s great.” Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School and the Jesuits provide for children from On January 30, 2018, a much-antici- celebrates its new downtown home. lower-income families. It was a mission pated celebration packed the new audito- that benefactors were eager to join. rium with students, faculty, Jesuits and “As a student, The money raised enabled necessary city dignitaries as they cut the ribbon to building renovations to convert a large officially dedicate Cristo Rey Atlanta’s my learning office building into a school. It also new building. A school that opened just environment allowed for some extra state-of-the-art four years ago as a joint project of the has become a additions such as larger athletic spaces Maryland and USA Northeast Provinces and a student gathering area. now occupies part of Atlanta’s bustling permanent Everything was completed with a very downtown skyline, situated in the heart home that will important deadline in mind, to ensure of where so many students earn their that the freshman class that entered in tuition at various corporate internships. be enjoyed for 2014—Cristo Rey’s inaugural year—would For senior students especially, it has generations graduate in their new, amazing location. been an incredible journey watching their “Graduating here will allow these seniors new school take shape. “When I was a to come.” to feel like it is their school when they sophomore, they took us to visit this office —Elizabeth Rodriguez come back,” said president Bill Garrett. building that was in need of improve- 20 Brooklyn Jesuit Prep students attending Mass at nearby St. Teresa of Avila Church. Above: Fr. Anthony SooHoo, SJ, shares his thoughts about life with the Carroll Street Community Jesuits. 7 ment,” recalled Jahari Fraser. “Now, after “These students have achieved to a level Top: Flanked by excited Cristo Rey two years of transforming that very office that no Cristo Rey ever has before. Our students, Governor Nathan Deal cuts the ribbon with Atlanta Mayor Keisha building into classrooms, offices, a cafeteria corporate partners and donors have made Lance Bottoms, on the left, and Cristo and a newly-developed gym, we have finally that a possibility.” Rey principal Diane Bush, on the right. found a place to call home.” As the ribbon was cut and confetti Jahari’s classmate Elizabeth Rodriguez launched into the air, president Bill Garrett Bottom: Cristo Rey Atlanta president added her excitement as a student-athlete, poignantly recalled all the milestones along Bill Garrett proudly stands with the “As a student, my learning environment the way, from that first encounter that founder of the first Cristo Rey School, Fr. John Foley, SJ. has become a permanent home that will led to the gift of a lifetime. “We were told be enjoyed for generations to come. As an many times it would be impossible for a athlete, our days of practicing on the hot school that had yet to graduate any students parking lot of our old building are over. to secure a state-of-the-art building in the We are finally blessed to play and practice downtown area.” in our new, beautiful school. Thank you From the exuberant young faces around to everyone who contributed to our future him, the hectic journey has clearly been and our success!” worthwhile. “Difficult, yes … impossible, Principal Diane Bush is always quick to no,” smiled Garrett. “We definitely had the boast about her students and their success. Lord on our side.” 21 Friends in the LORD By Brendan Coffey, SJ
Melvin Rayappa, SJ, John Pignone, SJ, Brendan Coffey, SJ, Christian Verghese, SJ, Chris Smith, SJ, Jake Braithwaite, SJ, and Ken Tompkins, SJ standing in front of the famous “God Alone” gate at the Abbey of Gethsemani near Bardstown, Ky., in February 2016.
• • • A scholastic reflects on his companions during Jesuit formation.
he Gospel of the day, I believe, was the the hum of deep breathing is audible. Eyes are calling of the first disciples. I knew the alert, dancing with memories of a personal stake story intimately: Jesus is on the shoreline; in the narrative. he calls the fishermen; they drop their nets The moment is ripe for our novice director, and follow him. It was the fall of 2015. I Fr. Jim Carr, SJ, who also senses the energy in the was sitting in the chapel of St. Andrew Hall, room. Jim is a master homilist, and he is not about the Jesuit novitiate in Syracuse, N.Y. Every to let the moment pass. But rather than address Jesuit starts out at a place like this. each man individually, he seizes the opportunity And that is why this Gospel is tantamount to litur- to reflect on the call of a community. gical catnip. Every novice in this chapel has left behind “Look around the room,” he begins. “Had you This job and home and bank account to be here. We all been on the same college campus, few of you all feel deeply immersed in what we are hearing. would likely have been close friends.” We do look And I can sense that. Palpably. Heads lift up, and around. And then the laughs come. First slightly, 22 and then heartily, loudly. He has were like planets orbiting a single New Yorkers and New Jerseyites, tapped into something rich. point of gravity, not solely bound by Marylanders and Carolinians (with “It was not a common major or a familiar, everyday friendship. What the accents to prove it). And our common interests that brought you stitched their hearts together was a names and faces betray roots that together in this novitiate; it was Jesus common friendship in the Lord. vary from Irish to Indian, Italian who saw something in you individu- to African-American. ally and in you as a group.” • • • Some of us sit at the breakfast table, trading in loud self-deprecating humor. • • • It is another one of those mid- Others sit at the can’t-you-see-that-I- summer Syracuse evenings. Clouds just-woke-up breakfast table, quietly On the feast of the Assumption soak up the colors of the day as the digesting bagels. Some of us sing of Mary, August 15, 1534, seven men air calms and cools. Fr. Rich Zanoni, along to Beyoncé in the shower. Others gathered in a small chapel in Mont- SJ, elder statesman of the house, is have their 1980s I-know-all-these- martre, France, to profess vows of out on the driveway in an old lawn songs-by-heart playlists on the ready poverty and chastity with the hope of chair with a serene smile on his face for every road trip. becoming disciples—that is, contem- and a cup of decaf coffee as Mahler And so it goes on. porary equivalents to the fishermen plays from an old radio plugged into And yet each of us distinctly heard Jesus called in Biblical times. They the wall of the garage. a call to come to this place. And referred to themselves simply as We are cleaning up from dinner, when we arrived, each of us found “friends in the Lord.” but the signs of the evening—the out that, yes, there is a place for us Among them are names we know vibrant colors, the cool air, the smile after all. well: Iñigo de Loyola; his college on Rich’s face—tell us exactly what roommate, the plucky Francis will happen next. • • • Xavier; and Pierre Favre, the sole Since our very first week in the priest among the group. There too novitiate, it has been the habit of my On August 12, 2017, seven men are Diego Laínez, Alfonso Salmerón, class to take post-dinner walks to gathered in a not-so-small church Nicolás de Bobadilla and Simão Le Moyne College, the small Jesuit in Syracuse, N.Y. Like those seven Rodrigues. college across the street. Chris, good companions in 1534, Ignatius in their Though we think of them as a scientist that he is, was the first to midst, we desired to profess vows single entity, these men, the first name our ritual: the Le Moyne stroll. with the hope of becoming closer Jesuits, were incredibly diverse. They And so we are out and walking. friends in the Lord. were Spanish, French and Portu- Christian, energetically bouncing a Months later, as I think back to that guese. Some came from nobility, tennis ball, starts a walking game of day, to the moment when we joined some from humble homes. Some throw-and-catch with Melvin. Just the Society of Jesus together and were mere teenagers; others were ahead of them, I hear a sonic boom took first vows, I still well up with aging men. Some came educated; of laughter. Ken! Chris has got him emotion. But as I recall the faces of others, less so. Some were life-long doubled over again, and Jake is my brothers—Jake and John, Chris devout Christians; others were laughing now too, as much at Ken’s and Ken, Mel and Christian—at the mischief-makers who had recently delight as at Chris’ story. beautiful, wild, gritty texture of our converted to more pious ways. John and I are walking slightly class, I cannot help but laugh. They were a checkered quilt behind them. John, ever grateful, And I think that Jim Carr had it of temperaments: Ignatius the reminds me of the goodness of it right all along: Only God could have O-captain-my-captain romantic, all: “Bro. What a day.” pulled this off. Xavier the zealous adventurer, Favre For a moment, I stop and take the country priest, Laínez the flashy stock in the miracle of our coming Brendan Coffey, SJ, began First Studies this year at Ciszek Hall, on the campus brain, Salmerón the quiet writer, together. Our backgrounds are of Fordham University. Upon completion Bobadilla the notorious contrarian, divergent enough that if we ran a of his program, he will move on to the and Rodrigues the recalcitrant small school, we’d have every subject regency stage of his Jesuit formation. administrator. covered. We are a veteran, a computer To learn more about how to become Yet, for all their differences, some- scientist, an economist, fresh-to-the- More a Jesuit, visit www.BeAJesuit.org. on the web thing united these seven men. They party college grads, teachers. We are 23 Four Regis High School graduates and their wives joined other friends of the East Coast provinces at the Lenten Reflection series in Naples, Fl. Pictured (l.–r.): Jim and Pat O’Rourke, Hugh and Ann Quinn, Bill and Ann O’Connor, and Peggy and Frank Lynch. Miles from the East, the Ignatian Spirit Runs Strong
24 A Mass was held in Palm Beach Gardens, offered by Fr. Martin James Skurka, of the USA Northeast Province, in Palm Beach Gardens, greeting Jerry and Eileen Burke Connell, SJ, and assisted by Fr. Charles Connolly, SJ, and and Richard and Jean Sweeney. Joseph Simmons, SJ. iles from the East, the Ignatian Spirit Runs Strong
More than 40 friends and benefactors These events were organized by the Gardens reflections, accompanied of the Maryland and USA Northeast USA Midwest Province, but in the by her grandson, Paul, who lives and Provinces gathered in Palm Beach room, the ties to Jesuits and Jesuit works in Florida. Gardens and Naples, Fl., to meet works on the East Coast ran strong. “The event provided the perfect members of the East Coast advance- Those gathered included graduates of opportunity for East Coast friends ment and communications team and East Coast Jesuit high schools, colleges and benefactors to connect with one take part in a Lenten reflection offered and universities; former parishioners another through prayer and Jesuit by Fr. Joseph Simmons, SJ, and from the Northeast; and even their spirituality,” said James Skurka. Patrick Hyland, SJ, a Jesuit scholastic. friends and family members. “Many of those who gathered have In their reflection, Fr. Simmons and After living most of her life in the built lasting friendships among other Patrick talked about formative experi- New York and New Jersey area, Peggy friends of the Jesuits, and this was a ences along their Jesuit journeys and Brown moved to Florida in 1995. She special opportunity to remember that, offered practical advice on forgiveness, remained in touch with several Jesuits even miles from their roots, they’re nurturing relationships with those she got to know at St. Peter’s Prep, still part of an Ignatian community.” we love and learning to grow closer to including Fr. James Keenan, SJ, who In the upcoming years, further God through prayer. A special service served as president at the time. Her events in Florida and elsewhere will took place at the Naples event on Feb. husband passed away a few years after be planned by the East Coast provinces. 14, that included the distribution of relocating, but for the past four years, For more information, contact Jim ashes to mark Ash Wednesday. Peggy has attended the Palm Beach Skurka at [email protected].
25 Inspired by His
It isn’t always easy to define what calls a person By Sherri Weil to be a loyal donor, but one of the distinguishing gracesSpirit of the Jesuits is their ability to call forth a friendship from people in many parts of the world. (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters) (CNS photo/L’Osservatore Pope Francis visits a house in Rome for people with intellectual challenges.
26 Since the election of Pope Francis in 2013, the East Coast provinces have seen an increased number of young men seeking vocations in the Society of Jesus, and our advancement offices have received contributions from individuals we hadn’t heard from before. We have also been blessed with increased gifts from some of our most loyal benefactors. Take Rosemary Carey for example. With her contribution last year came a note written in perfect penmanship. It read, “I was born on May 14, 1917. To celebrate my 100th birthday, I am increasing my 2017 contribution to $1,000. I have already sent you four $25 checks.” As the needs of our ministries and apostolates continue to increase, the health care costs for senior Jesuits and the education of our Jesuit scholastics also remain a constant financial challenge. It has been gratifying to learn that some gifts were specifically Spirit motivated by our first Jesuit Pope, and others convey an understanding of our responsibility to support senior Jesuits and scholastics, in addition to providing start-up funds for new ministries.
I wasPope Francisborn has indeed inspired on millions May to embrace the conviction 14, 1917... of a shared responsibility for others, concepts that have resonated with both young and old—all those who seek to support the mission of the Society of Jesus through the work of our provinces. Friends and bene- factors have expressed their enthusiasm for the pope’s charism in other tangible ways. “Over the last five years, friends of the Jesuits on the East Coast have celebrated Pope Francis in many ways. Some joined together at viewing parties to watch the pope’s address to Congress; others lined the streets of New York and Philadelphia for a chance to see His Holiness in person,” said James Skurka, interim provincial assistant for advancement and communications for the USA Northeast Province. “Countless more continue to be inspired by the pope’s spirit and are seeking to grow closer to God through forgiveness, charity and humility.” Throughout this spring, the Facebook page for the Maryland and USA Northeast Provinces will be sharing stories about friends and benefactors who were inspired to support the Jesuits because of Pope Francis. To share your story, please email [email protected]. Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JesuitsEast.
Sherri Weil is the Director of Advancement for the Maryland Province Jesuits.
27 SUCCESS on Giving Tuesday
Friends, parishioners and graduates of Jesuit Murray-Weigel Hall in the Bronx and Campion schools helped the Maryland and USA Northeast Center in Weston, Mass. Additionally, donor Jesuits launch successful Giving Tuesday cam- support from the campaign helped fund the paigns in November, raising more than $12,000 Jesuit formation process, the thorough training in a one-day online giving campaign supporting Jesuits go through that prepares them for service senior Jesuits and Jesuits in formation. as ordained priests or religious brothers. Giving Tuesday is a giving movement built “Giving Tuesday is a cost-effective way to offer by individuals, organizations and communities a wide audience a chance to become a part of our around the globe. For the past several years, mission,” commented Sherri Weil, director of Jesuit provinces throughout the country have advancement for the Maryland Province. joined other apostolates in connecting donors The support from all regions of the East Coast with specific, mission-critical fundraising offered a promising potential for future efforts as opportunities. both provinces continue to find new and meaning- “Just as the Jesuits from our province are ful ways to engage constituents. serving near and far, we received support from “More than a dozen donors to the campaign friends, graduates of Jesuit schools, parishioners took the opportunity to make their first gift to the and family members who took a few moments Jesuits, so we’re particularly grateful for those to acknowledge the ways the Jesuits have shaped who responded to this calling,” James Skurka said. their lives,” said James Skurka. “For those who have consistently supported the In the USA Northeast Province, funds from Jesuits generously, this hopefully was a nice the campaign helped the province care for chance for them to connect with our mission in a Jesuits living at its two health care communities, new way and to share that connection with others.”
28 Save the Date! Tuesday, September 25, 2018
QUAKER RIDGE GOLF CLUB
THE NINTH ANNUAL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2018 QUAKER RIDGE GOLF CLUB 146 GRIFFEN AVENUE • SCARSDALE, N.Y.
7 To benefit the apostolic works of the Jesuits 7 To support the care of senior and infirm Jesuits
For more information, visit
www.JesuitsEast.org/Golf2018 For information, contact Ann Marie Houston at [email protected], 617-607-2814, or James Skurka at [email protected], 212-774-5544.
Maryland Province USA Northeast Province Will you of the Society of Jesus of the Society of Jesus 8600 LaSalle Road, Suite 620 39 East 83rd Street consider Towson, MD 21286-2014 New York, NY 10028-0810 a gift to 7 Sherri Weil | [email protected] James Skurka | [email protected] 443-921-1331 212-774-5500 www.mdsj.org the Jesuits? www.JesuitsEast.org 29 NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Brockton, MA 39 East 83rd Street | New York, NY 10028 Permit No. 243
The Mission Continues
If you, or someone you know, has an interest in a shared life of service to others as a Jesuit, please visit BeAJesuit.org.