Ignatian Solidarity Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2011
www.ignatiansolidarity.net
Contact: Christopher Kerr, Executive Director
O – 216-397-2088
C – 216-410-7351
ckerr@ignatiansolidarity.net

“Jesuit Institutions Across U.S. join together

in Washington DC to Learn, Pray, & Advocate for Justice”

WASHINGTON, DC – Over 1,000 students, teachers, parish members, and others passionate about faith-inspired social justice will gather in Washington, DC, from November 12-14, 2011, for the 14^th annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ) sponsored by the Ignatian Solidarity Network.

The Teach-In is an opportunity for members of Jesuit institutions and partners to gather for learning, prayer, networking and legislative advocacy on Capitol Hill.  Teach-In attendees represent twenty-eight Jesuit universities, over twenty-five Jesuit high schools, Jesuit parishes, Jesuit volunteer communities, and many other Catholic institutions and organizations. 

Started in 1997, in Columbus, Georgia, the IFTJ takes place in mid-November to remember the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador. The six Jesuit priests and their companions were murdered on November 16, 1989, in El Salvador for their work advocating on behalf of the economically poor of El Salvador.  The IFTJ moved from Georgia to Washington, DC, in 2010, to respond to the growing interest in integrating legislative advocacy into the teach-in experience.

Keynote speakers include Rev. Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator, S.J., Provincial of the East African Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits); Jim Keady, activist and executive director of a labor rights advocacy organization focused on Nike factory workers in southeast Asia; Colman McCarthy, former Washington Post journalist, author, and college professor; Br. Mickey O’Neill Mcgrath, OSFS, artist and director of Bee Still Studios; and Jennfier Smyers, an immigration and refugee policy advocate at Church World Service.  On Sunday (11/13) evening at 6:30 PM a Eucharistic liturgy will be celebrated, the principal celebrant will be Rev. Don MacMillan, S.J., a campus minister at Boston College and long-time peace and justice advocate.

The theme of IFTJ 2011 is “The Gritty Reality: Feel It, Think It, Engage It,” derived from a speech given by former Jesuit Superior General, Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., in 2000 entitled, “The Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice in American Jesuit Higher Education.” Kolvenbach said, “Students, in the course of their formation, must let the gritty reality of this world into their lives, so they can learn to feel it, think about it critically, respond to its suffering and engage it constructively.” 

Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice SCHEDULE - more details available at: http://tinyurl.com/IFTJ-schedule

Saturday, November 12, 2011
Georgetown Hotel and Conference Center (3800 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20057)
4 PM – 10 PM

Sunday, November 13, 2011
Georgetown Hotel and Conference Center (3800 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20057)
9 AM – 9 PM (includes liturgy at 6:30 PM)

Monday, November 14, 2011
Capitol Hill Advocacy Day (various locations – more information available upon media request)
9 AM – 3 PM

MEDIA NOTE: Teach-In, Liturgy, and Advocacy includes photo, video, and interview opportunities

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The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) promotes leadership and advocacy among students, alumni, and other emerging leaders from Jesuit schools, parishes, and ministries by educating its members on social justice issues; by mobilizing a national network to address those issues; and by encouraging a life-long commitment to the “service of faith and the promotion of justice.”  ISN is an independent 501c3 non-profit organization.  Additional information can be found at: www.ignatiansolidarity.net

11-03

While in Quito, myself and 7 other Canisius College students lived and worked primarily at the Working Boys Center. Jesuits founded this amazing place with the purpose of breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Not only does the center provide basic needs, like three meals a day and showering facilities, and serve as a school much like the ones we are used to, but it also teaches vocational skills, basic living skills, and provides students time to go out and earn money during the day. It was shocking to see little 8 year-old boys go out into dangerous streets for half a day to shine shoes, but it was also very necessary. Some of these children bring in 60% of the family income. These children were what made the trip most meaningful. In such a short time, and despite huge language barriers, I became attached to several of the youngest Ecuadorians I met.  The resiliency and kind-hearted nature of so many of the people I encountered left me with countless stories. But I’d like to leave you one that touched my heart and hopefully will touch yours, too.

After a week working with children in classes, painting, cleaning, and doing anything we could to help out around the center, we journeyed out into a much more rural part of the country, up higher into the mountains. We were to participate in a minga. A minga is a South American tradition, meaning the coming together of a community to work for the betterment of all. My Canisius College group served as a family and were graciously welcomed into the home of an Ecuadorian family needing help with their home. Their cement home consisted of only several rooms and was modestly decorated with trinkets and a large painting of Spongebob Squarepants (anything and everything American is incredibly popular). The ten of us squeezed into their living room/kitchen as the Ecuadorian mother bustled around, feeding us hard-boiled egg from the chickens out back, coffee, and homemade rolls. She would not even think of letting us begin a day’s work without feeding us. (This is also part of the minga tradition; those who do the helping are always fed by those receiving the help.) This woman and her son treated us so lovingly after only a few minutes and some broken Spanish. I couldn’t help but to have this thought run through my mind: How many Americans do you know that would welcome strangers into their home (one’s who don’t even speak the same language), feed them, and work side by side with them on an immense project with total and complete trust and faith that the job will be done well?

After we finished our meal, we walked outside to see the project at hand. To put it simply, we had to move dirt. A lot of dirt. There were no modern machines to help us carve away at the side of a mountain so the family could build a new home for extended family to live; there were shovels and wheelbarrows. And at approximately 11,000 feet above sea level, hard work becomes a whole lot harder. I must say, however, that this was the most rewarding day of grueling manual labor I have ever done in my life. From breakfast until dinnertime we hauled away over 150 wheelbarrows full of dirt in the process of leveling out a plot of land. The family decided that they would give the dirt to others who needed it and use it to improve the potholes in the local road (I remember chuckling at this—thinking that everyone in Bristol can relate to having potholes in their dirt driveways, parking lots, and roads). Older women kept bringing us out cups of water or something that tasted like orange soda mixed with Tang. A little four-year old girl who lived down the road kept running over to look at the strange white people working with her neighbors and giggle at us. Eventually I coaxed her over and gave her a marble I’d found in the dirt. I will never forget how she beamed up at me and jumped up into my arms.

We returned for dinner that night, coated with dirt and aching from head to toe.  But in the following days of sore limbs and blisters, each twinge of back pain reminded us of what it means to live and work side by side with other human beings in complete solidarity. We weren’t just handing them handfuls of money, telling them to fix their own problems; we were working with them. We were able to have a small glimpse into their lives, what troubles they face and what brings them joy… even if it is as simple as a dirt-covered marble.

“You will find, as you look back on your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others.” –Henry Drummond

”Solidarity Stories” is a nationwide web reflection for students, faculty, and staff, at Jesuit universities and high schools.  It is intended to be an opportunity to share and learn about the impact of domestic and international immersion experiences from Ignatian family members near and far.  To submit a reflection visit: http://www.ignatiansolidarity.net/solidarity-stories/

Greetings from the Ignatian Solidarity Network!

As we celebrate the Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31st), we have a chance to pause and reflect on all the efforts for social justice that happen each day throughout our Ignatian family.  Ignatius and those who have followed in his footsteps have taught us that our ongoing search for the presence of God’s love in our world cannot be separated from the harsh realities that exist, especially for our brothers and sisters who are most vulnerable.

Amidst the celebrations and struggles of our own lives, we know that throughout the world there is great injustice faced by God’s people – continued efforts for liberation in countries like Libya and Syria; ongoing battles against poverty and disease throughout the continent of Africa; and even the challenges that people in our own country face as the economic reality continue to cause great distress for neighbors and family alike. The spirituality of St. Ignatius calls us to seek God’s love through our response to these realities. Ignatius said:

“Love consists of sharing

what one has

and what one is

with those one loves.

Love ought to show itself in deeds

more than words.”

These words certainly ring true as we consider all the work for justice being acted out throughout the Ignatian family.  Recently we have heard exciting news of many “deeds” that demonstrate the love Ignatius describes, including: Creighton University students working with the Catholic Network Social Justice Lobby in Washington DC; Loyola Academy students being mentioned in an article about advocacy efforts for the DREAM Act; and 600+ people who have already signed up for the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Social Justice in November in Washington, DC.

The coming months will bring many more “deeds” that call us into a deeper understanding of God’s love – and for this we can be very grateful.

Thank you for continuing to be part of the Ignatian Solidarity Network.  Many blessings on this Feast Day of St. Ignatius of Loyola!

Sincerely,

Christopher Kerr

Executive Director

June 11, 2011

ISN is thrilled to announce that Christopher Kerr – Coordinator of Social Justice Initiatives & Immersion Experience Programs at JohnCarroll University has been named ISN’s next Executive Director, effective July 11th. Chris succeeds Ann Magovern, who has served as the E.D. for the last 5 years.

Ann shares, “After five years as the Executive Director, I have decided to pursue another professional opportunity in Catholic Education. I make this decision with deep gratitude for the support and leadership of our Board of Directors, dedicated membership, and faithful supporters of ISN’s mission. ISN is a fantastic organization making a significant impact on young leaders of the Ignatian family and the broader church. I deeply believe in our mission, which makes my departure hard, but I cannot think of a better person than Chris to lead and move ISN forward!”

Chris brings extensive experience to the ISN. His experience engaging students in social justice initiatives and immersion experiences at John Carroll University, his deep understanding of Ignatian spirituality, his thorough knowledge of ISN’s Mission and Vision, and his strategic and visionary outlook, all make him a compelling leader for ISN.

Sincerely,

Ann Magovern
Executive Director