Newsletter - 30 July 2023
THE FEAST OF ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA
Dear brothers and sisters,
On the 31July we will celebrate the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola, known for founding the Society of Jesus and for creating the Spiritual Exercises often used for retreats and discernment.
At the very end of the 30-day Spiritual Exercises retreat, Ignatius proposes a final meditation called “the contemplation to attain the love of God”. This Exercise is the exit door to the long retreat: after 30 days of prayer and meditation, the retreatant is invited to find God in all things. The retreatant, right at the beginning of this Exercise, has to ask “for an intimate knowledge of the many blessings received, that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty”1. Brothers and sisters, just like retreatants reaching the end of a spiritual retreat, we are about to close an academic year and break for the summer. The grace described above could inspire us to open our hearts to gratitude at this time of the year.Indeed Ignatius invites us to consider the “many blessings received”. It is possible that we did receive many blessings during the last 12 months or so but did not take time to acknowledge them. The Lord gave many blessings and benedictions but are we only aware of the gift? Or are we more likely in a rush and ever preoccupied by new questions, issues and challenges arising? During the last few days before we break, could we not take some time to look backwards and review the year ended? And consider how the Lord guided us, helped us and gave meaning and sense to certain circumstances and events during the year? Sometimes we go through difficult events and circumstances and are enlightened about their meaning and purpose only afterwards.
Moreover the grace asks for an “intimate knowledge” which is different from an external or superficial knowledge. An intimate knowledge is personal and deep rooted inside one’s heart, one is certain of it and nothing can remove it. But a grace is also to be received: the Lord himself gives the knowledge – just as the blessings and benedictions provided during the year – it is not my own personal initiative. On our side, all we have to do is to ask the Lord to open our eyes and hearts when reviewing the year.
Fr Pascal Sullivan, ccn
Focus of the Week
DATE FOR THE DIARY LAUNCH DAY
We would like to start the new academic year together as a parish. Let's gather on Sunday, 17 September for a bring and share meal during lunchtime. This will be an opportunity for us to reconnect and for newcomers to join us. Additionally, we will have the chance to discover all the groups and activities available in our parish.
Please save the date.
