Love Will Affect Everything

​"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.
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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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