Before the pandemic earlier this spring, Pastoral Associate Jean Santopatre began to create Inspirational “Flock Notes” for her Ignatian Young Adult, Ignatian Social Justice, and Family Ministries. Twice a week, she would find an inspirational text and photo for the day to encourage the members of these ministries to go deeper into their prayer life or conversation with God. Then, in late March, when New York City became the American epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic and began to lock down, Jean launched Reflections to step up communication with the Ministries, inspired by how Ignatian Spirituality calls one to reflect on each day and to “find God in all things.”
Here, Jean, an award-winning photojournalist, will be sharing her new Reflections feature each month, selecting an image or short video from her extensive personal photo archive and gathering reading excerpts from theologians, spiritual authors, monks, priests, poets, songwriters, and Pope Francis that speak to themes ranging from gratitude, grace, resilience, encouragement, hope, care of creation and social justice.
Welcome to Reflections, and watch this space for new selections.
This year’s Laetare Lecture will be given by Kerry Robinson, founder of Leadership Roundtable, entitled “New Voices. New Talents. Time for New Roles for Women in the Church?” Kerry’s talk will be a provocative discussion of ways the Church can further its mission by tapping into women’s gifts—spiritual, intellectual, moral, decision-making and management skills. Isn’t it time?