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Holy One, you are our strength

10/9/2017

3 Comments

 
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Fire damages Cardinal Newman School - Diocese of Santa Rosa (Video Screenshot - Santa Rosa Press Democrat)
Dear Community of the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center, 

It is with heavy hearts that we hear of fires in the North Bay that have resulted in the loss of life of at least 10 people, the destruction of over 1,500 homes and businesses and the forced evacuation of an estimated 20,000 residents. 

To support our neighbors we would like to set up a spot where we can share ways to volunteer, donate and accompany all those impacted by the fires. Here are some ways to volunteer and donate funds or goods.
​If you find out about other ways to help, post details in the comments section of this post and keep checking this page for updates. 

Do you have friends or family members who have been impacted by the fires and need support? Let us know - Natalie@SaintAgnesSF.com
Donate to an evacuation center:
Petaluma officials have posted on social media asking for people to donate supplies, including baby food, pet food, water, blankets, and toilet paper, to these evacuation centers:
  • Adobe Christian Church - 2875 Adobe Rd.
  • Calvary Chapel - 1955 S McDowell Blvd.
  • Petaluma United Methodist church - 410 D St. 
  • Petaluma Church of Christ -370 Sonoma Mountain Pky.
  • Petaluma Veteran’s Memorial Building - 1094 Petaluma Blvd
  • Casa Grande School – 333 Casa Grande Rd.
  • Cash donations are preferred and accepted at the evacuation centers. For a full list of locations, click here.​

Donate or sign-up to volunteer with the Red Cross: 
​The Red Cross released a statement on Monday afternoon saying that it had met its immediate need for volunteers, but the organization asked interested parties to sign up online for updates, as more people may be needed in the coming days.

“As the disaster continues to evolve, the Red Cross will assess how community volunteers can best support the operation,” the non-profit said in a statement. “Those interested in volunteering to support Sonoma, Napa, Lake and Mendocino wildfire relief efforts, can sign up online."
​
People can also donate directly to the Red Cross at any time by dialing 1-800 RED CROSS. To make a quick, one-time donation of $10, text REDCROSS to 90999.

Places outside the North Bay accepting donations:
Love on Haight, a vintage clothing shop in San Francisco, posted on Facebook that it was accepting clothing donations and had a limited number of available shelters for evacuees. The clothing store has also set up a donation table outside for people to drop off clothing donations. Click Here for updates/more info on their Facebook page.

Places to Stay: 
Airbnb has activated its Open Homes program for the North Bay. The program, established in 2012, allows hosts to open up their homes for free to people needing shelter. Find out more here.

Have a friend or family member who needs a place to stay? Let us know - Natalie@SaintAgnesSF.com

Pray. 
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3 Comments

Almighty God, I come before you, once again...

10/2/2017

0 Comments

 
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Dear Community of the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center,

​Yesterday was International Day of Non-Violence, observed each year on Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. Today we mourn and lament the violence our country witnessed this weekend in Las Vegas when 59 people were killed and 527 people wounded in a mass shooting. Today, we are left with a lot of questions, a lot of sorrow, a lot of anger and with broken hearts full of God's love. 

Today, I feel very numb and frankly, anxious about the state of the world and our country. Today, I feel grateful for the community at the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center. The bonds that we share, the gifts and talents we freely offer and the love created by our gathering together shows us the work of the Holy Spirit and in turn, instills us with Hope. 

In his monologue last night, Stephen Colbert said this, "By all means offer thoughts and prayers, but then think about what you should do and pray for the courage to do it." Let's pray for this courage. There is something we can do today, right now. In the wake of the shooting, California Senator Diane Feinstein made a statement about her commitment to proceed with supporting legislation that will help prohibit people from being able to make automatic weapons. The shooter in Las Vegas converted at least one of his semi-automatic weapons into an automatic weapon that can shoot between 400-800 rounds per minute. Let's call Senator Feinstein and Senator Harris this week to share our concern, encourage them to support gun control reform and ask them about their plans moving forward on this issue. (Read Senator Feinstein's full statement HERE) 

Here's what we can do today, let's call or write to our Senators:
1) Find contact info for our Senators HERE 
2) Reflect on the events of this weekend, what our faith calls us to and what you want to communicate to our political leaders about gun violence. To begin your reflection, pray with this pray from James Martin, SJ - Sad, Tired & Angry: A Prayer in the face of gun violence and article, Gun Control is a Pro-Life Issue.
2) Call and introduce yourself, share that you are part of the faith community in the Bay Area or write a letter to mail.
3) Ask what Senator Feinstein and Harris are planning on doing to introduce and support new legislation on gun control. 
4) After you write your letter or make your phone call, let us know that you did and share your reflections with us. We are thinking more about how the ISLC Community can be engaged in advocacy and work around this issue and we would love to hear from you. (Send me an e-mail at Natalie@SaintAgnesSF.com or give me a call 415-487-8560 x225)

Let us offer this prayer from James Martin, SJ:
Almighty God,
I come before you,
once again,
after another shooting...

I am sad over the loss of life,
tired of excuses for the loss of life,
and angry that we are paralyzed by the loss of life.
​

So
Turn my sadness into compassion.
Turn my tiredness into advocacy.
Turn my paralysis into the freedom to act.
(For full text of Jim Martin, SJ's prayer, Click Here)

As we gather at the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center this month (see our full calendar HERE), we know and trust that the Holy Spirit will give us the wisdom, courage and ingenuity to love the world and work for justice. 

With Peace & In Solidarity, 
Natalie  
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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.
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  • HOME
  • Participate
    • Upcoming Events >
      • Ordinary Time
    • Ongoing Events
    • Spiritual Exercises >
      • Meet the Spiritual Directors
    • Sanctuary
    • Ignatian Companions
    • Women Deacons
    • Young Adult Ministry
    • Volunteer
    • Calendar
  • Give
    • Pray
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
  • About
    • Mission
    • Ignatian Spirituality
    • Catholic Social Teaching
    • Partnerships
    • Staff
  • Resources
    • Ignatian Family
    • Spiritual Direction
    • Around the Bay (& beyond)
    • ISLC Letter on Women Deacons
  • Blog
  • Contact