What's in your heart?

Last evening on the feast day of St. Boniface, around 35 young adults from around the Chicagoland area gathered at St. Teresa of Avila parish in Lincoln Park to celebrate Mass. As a closing to the 2007-08 Charis Ministries activities, young adults who attended other Charis events throughout the year came together to re-connect and share in a closing event before the flurry of summertime activities begins. With a focus on the theme "What's in your heart?", Fr. Michael Sparough, SJ (the director of Charis Ministries) invited us to reflect on the past year’s Living Ignatian Speaker Series, reminded us of the movement through St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises, and encouraged us to focus on the spiritual heart that centers us.

A handful of years ago Charis Ministries first partnered with St. Teresa of Avila parish to co-host an evening vespers service for young adults. Eric Styles, SJ, who is currently a Jesuit scholastic at Loyola University, spearheaded the effort in hopes of offering young adults a different form of prayer by introducing a segment of the liturgy of hours. Over the past few years St. Teresa’s and Charis has continued to co-sponsor a variety of evenings of prayer including vespers, peace and justice speakers, and Masses for young people in their 20s and 30s. In 2007-08, as part of the Living Ignatian Speaker Series, young adults again had the opportunity to celebrate Mass together at St. Teresa’s. These evenings of worship provide an opportunity for young adults connected to Charis to celebrate the Eucharist, and share in informal conversation and fellowship in the Parish Center following the Mass.

Thanks to all who participated in the 2007-08 Living Ignatian Speaker Series, and we hope that you can join us on September 11, 2008 for our kickoff Mass for the next Living Ignatian programming year.

Enjoy the summer!
-Leigh H.

For the Least 2008

A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending the weekend with 47 other young adults who are passionate about issues of peace and justice and how that impacts each of our lives. We had the time to pray and reflect on our own and heard about others’ experiences of living out the Gospel call to service.

Theresa shared the difference between a college service trip to Mexico and viewing the situation as a kind of "science experiment" to the experience she has now of simply being in solidarity the students she teaches. Luke told us a story about JFK and the Cuban missile crisis that influenced him in his commitment to non-violence.

Anita compared her year of service in South America and wanting to "help" people, to spending three years in Africa learning about hospitality, generosity and other virtues from the people there. David took us with him as he shared 3 stories of what he learned from people he met on his pilgrimage to 365 churches in 365 days to nearly 40 countries on 5 continents.

Keynote speaker Nick Lund-Molfese pointed out potential hurdles that those working for a more just world may encounter but gave us time to reflect on how we can overcome them in our own lives and works.

To see some pics from the weekend, go to the Charis Ministries Facebook page. If you were on the retreat, feel free to post some of your own thoughts here.

Be sure to save the date for next year’s retreat: May 1-3, 2009.
~Lauren G

Setting Our Hearts On Fire - One Day at a Time!

Thursday night was the last in this year's Living Ignatian speaker series. Living Ignatian was a way for us to develop a deeper understanding of some of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises and how we can incorporate them into our regular lives. Throughout the year we had speakers on Sin, the Life of Christ, the Passion of Christ, and the Resurrection. Fr. Paul Coutinho challenged us to think outside our current beliefs and understandings of our personal faith and theology and determine what it really is God is calling us to do. According to St. Ignatius, we are being called to love. John and Megan Kennedy offered insight on how to "Live to Forgive" as we reconcile social sin with responsible citizenship and imitate the life and love of Christ through social awareness and action. John Neafsay encouraged us in Lent to Live as Disciples by reflecting on our personal vocation and how we can raise the level of consciousness about God's call in our own lives, especially as it relates to serving others. Fr. Michael Sparough, the Executive Director of Charis, challenged us to look at death and suffering as something to be embraced as it helps us grow closer to Christ by uniting us with his Passion and death. Last night, Lorraine Snyder wrapped things up with a conversation about Living the Resurrection, and setting our hearts on fire with the rebirth of Christ in our lives post-Easter.

Each of these talks explored a piece of Ignatian spirituality and how it can be brought into our lives. (More details about the Living Ignatian Series are available!) Young adults get weary of being preached at and talked down to, especially in matters of religious faith and spiritual development. It seems to me that incorporating these ideas into a discussion versus a lecture is the best way for us as young adults to really delve into some of the more difficult theological concepts while discovering for ourselves what they really mean in our lives. I have loved attending every Living Ignatian talk this year, and feel that each one has helped me add a new layer of awareness that I did not have before.

These are just my thoughts - perhaps someone else will have further information or insight!
-Briana C.

Blog?

Ta da! Welcome to Charis Ministries' first foray into the world of blogging. As we expand our programming, our staff, and our travels, we wanted to keep you posted on what we're up to.

Upcoming posts should include live updates from Lauren Gaffey while she's in Australia for World Youth Day, as well as Lauren Berke on the Service Trip in Pontotoc, Mississippi.

Check back soon!

- Lauren B