  "What you are in love with ... will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends, what you read, … and what amazes you with joy and gratitude." This quote from Pedro Arrupe gets at the heart of Ignatian Spirituality, and at the heart of what brought me to work at the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center this past year. When I was discerning where I would do my field education as part of my Masters of Divinity program at the Jesuit School of Theology I visited St. Agnes and immediately felt God calling me to this community. In the past year I have fallen in love with the St. Agnes and ISLC communities, and as Pedro Arrupe says it affected everything. It got me out of bed in the morning to get to mass on Sunday morning. It helped me decide to spend many evenings at the ISLC, and even slept there during our 24 Hour Peace Vigil! It decided that I would read Women Deacons: Past, Present Future and have an amazing discussion of the future of women deacons in our Church. It decided that I would come to know so many of you, and find incredible joy in my time with this wonderful community. I choose St. Agnes and the ISLC as my field placement site because the community inspired me by their dedication to social justice, encouraged me to share my gifts, and welcomed me with open arms. In the past year the ISLC has become my second home, and a place where I can be myself. Now, I am full with gratitude and joy that I have joined the staff at the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center this summer! If you’re looking to learn more from Pedro Arrupe, who led me here, join us for our screening of Pedro Arrupe: His Life and Legacy on July 20th! Elaina Jo Polovick is a student at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. She is currently in her third year of the Masters of Divinity program, and is very excited to be working at such a diverse and inclusive parish. Elaina Jo is originally from South Bend, Indiana but has spent time living in Chicago, Ann Arbor, and rural Montana. She is coordinating the Young Adult Group as well as assisting with liturgy and special programs. You can contact her at ISLC@SaintAgnesSF.com
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 In celebrating Pentecost, Pope Francis reminds us that, the Spirit "rests on each and then brings all of them together in fellowship. To each (the Spirit) gives a gift, and then gathers them all into unity. In other words, the same Spirit creates diversity and unity, and in this way forms a new, diverse and unified people: the universal Church."
In a time when our country is so often defined by division, the Spirit instills in us unity in diversity, where all are neighbor, where all are loved by God and so also, by us. During our series on peacemaking last month, Fr. Ray and I came across a prayer from Daniel Berrigan, SJ that invites us to pray for those who await our love. Who awaits our love today? The Gospels teach us that we must spend our whole lives asking and answering this question. As we enter into the 50th Anniversary Year of the Summer of Love, commit to asking, Who awaits our love today and spend time nurturing your relationship with God and our community. Join us at the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center for a Summer Film Series and Meditation & Wellness Workshops. |
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Ignatian Spiritual Life Center A Ministry of St. Agnes Parish 1611 Oak Street San Francisco, CA 94117 415-450-8146 ISLC@SaintAgnesSF.com |
ABOUT US
A ministry of St. Agnes Parish in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center has a three council structure that discerns the programming we need to live an Ignatian life of devotion and service. Our areas of focus are Church Justice, Global Justice and Spiritual Life. Each council offers programming aimed at mobilizing the larger community to love the world the way God intends. Programming includes adult education and faith formation, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, spiritual direction, opportunities for prayer and retreat, and an ongoing commitment to dialogue and service in our Church and world. |
AMDG~