Father Arturo Sosa, SJ, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, provided some perspective to Jesuits Tuesday evening in a video message about the current COVID-19 crisis. In it, Father Sosa focuses on how the pandemic is lighting up various aspects of our path to God and how, even in difficult times, there is consolation to be found.
To view the video, click here.
Submitted by: Rev. Patrick J. Lynch, SJ, Jesuit associate, Mission & Identity
Many people have reached out asking about Canisius Giving Day 2020 and so we wanted to provide you with a brief update.
At this time, we have decided to move forward with Giving Day, scheduled for Wednesday, April 22. We recognize that the need for financial support is greater now than ever before and I want you to know that we are committed to working with you to make this initiative successful.
We understand that this is a very difficult time for everyone but we have been getting requests from alumni and friends asking how they can help support our students and the college. Giving Day is the perfect opportunity.
Having said that, recognizing that we are all dealing with a great deal at the moment, we’ve adjusted the deadlines for list requests and content submission for campaign pages; the updated deadlines are below.
Please know that if you no longer wish to participate, we understand! Just respond to this Email to let us know.
More information and resources will be shared in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please know that we are still here to support your Giving Day fundraising efforts.
The Canisius Community is extraordinarily special and while we can’t be together physically, we can come together virtually on Giving Day to support one another.
Submitted by: Summer Handzlik, director, Canisius Fund
There will be no Lenten Reflection in Loyola Hall’s Great Room this Thursday, March 26, at 1:00 p.m. Instead, Margaret McCarthy, PhD, professor of graduate education and leadership, offers a brief reflection on Jesus’ Raising of Lazarus, the Gospel reading for this Sunday, March 29, the fifth Sunday of Lent. The Gospel text is found by clicking here.
Dr. McCarthy’s reflection follows:
The resurrection of Lazarus is a familiar story in John 11: 1-45. We can all identify with the deep heartache of Mary and Martha. Perhaps, when we have lost a loved one, we have wondered where Christ was and lamented, “If only He had been there…”
Today, as we consider this familiar Gospel story, we stand in the path of a catastrophic pandemic. In the weeks ahead, we may again wonder, “Where is God in this? If only Christ was here now.” Christ is here now, and He will be with us in the weeks and months ahead. He can be nowhere else because he is in you. You carry Christ in your heart, in your mind, and in your hands. Even as we isolate, be alive with Christ. It is fitting that we are in the midst of Lent. During this season with Christ, our time in isolation can be a period to reflect, to make amends, to forgive, to make peace with ourselves, and to reach out in kindness to others.
Take consolation in this: Wherever you are, there, too, is Christ. He is with you always.
Next Wednesday, April 1, Jonathan Lawrence, PhD, associate professor of religious studies and theology, will provide another Lenten reflection.
Submitted by: Rev. Patrick J. Lynch, SJ, Jesuit associate, Mission & Identity
The Office of Mission & Identity invites you to practice the Examen during this time of transition. The Ignatian Examen is a way to reflect on your day and notice the consolations and desolations you experience.
Susan Haarmen, associate director of the Center for Experiential Learning at Loyola Chicago, has written an Examen for Life focused on our time of change during COVID-19. The Ignatian Solidarity Network has this Examen available in several languages and can be read by clicking here.
Submitted by: Sarah Signorino, director, Mission & Identity
The Mission & Identity Reading Group will not meet today, Wednesday, March 25 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. in the Loyola Hall Great Room.
If you wish to consider the materials that would have been discussed, this month’s topic is “Discernment: Ecclesial and Ignatian.” The group would have watched a brief YouTube video by John Dardis, SJ, “Discernment in the everyday,” and read an article by Nicholas Austin from The Way, 58/4 (October 2019), 7-16, entitled, “Discernment as a Work of the Church.” Click here to watch the video. Please send an Email message to Rev. Patrick J. Lynch, SJ, at lynchp@canisius.edu, if you want access to the article.
There will be no further Reading Group meetings during this academic year.
Submitted by: Rev. Patrick J. Lynch, SJ, Jesuit associate, Mission & Identity
