Human Concerns News, Novena of Grace

There’s lots of good and exciting news to share this week. 

First, welcome to Katie Dorner, new Director of Human Concerns! Most recently Katie has been working for the Jesuit Volunteer Corps as an area manager and senior program manager for volunteer formation. She’s a Gonzaga alum and has a MSW and MA in Theology and Ministry from Boston College. We’re very excited for her to get underway at Gesu. 

The Human Concerns Commission met this past Monday and discussed an advocacy plan to mandate the presence of basic kitchen appliances for renters. From my brief experience accompanying St. Vincent de Paul members in the neighborhood, I’ve seen the need for this kind of initiative.

In our ongoing efforts to engage parishioners in the work of the parish we are again forming a Worship Commission after a hiatus of several years. See below for more information. 

We’re still in need of folks to help with welcoming new parishioners, communications, and hospitality as part of a Stewardship Commission. See the January 6 Flocknote for more information. 

Lent is off to a good start. We had Stations of the Cross after Mass on Friday, and those will continue each Friday during Lent. We had a nice turnout for the first “Wednesday with Ignatius.” Come for soup, presentation, and prayer on Wednesday evenings throughout Lent. 

Finally, Saturday begins the Novena of Grace in honor of St. Francis Xavier. Fr. Michael Simone, S.J. will preach each day of the novena. It’s a nice chance to soak in a little Ignatian Spirituality during Lent. 

Please see below for more Lenten resources. 

Blessings on your week!

Fr. Ben