A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E M I D W E S T J E S U I T S
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Together We Carry On the Dream of St. Ignatius Dear Friends, Saint Ignatius Loyola and his friends who started the Society of Jesus had big dreams to preach the Gospel and “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). They wanted to “help souls” and placed themselves at the service of the Pope, who knew the most urgent needs in the world. Ignatius always emphasized availability for the Church’s universal mission. It is always eye-opening to visit Jesuit ministries around the world. In northeast India, for example, the Jesuits have established schools, parishes, and vocational training programs for the people—many of whom are Catholic—in the seven-state region that borders China, Tibet, and Myanmar in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. While the conditions are very basic—water is available, but electricity is sporadic—the schools are filled with children eager to learn and mature. Many of them aspire to be women and men for others as doctors, lawyers, teachers, and social workers. To assist these ministries, the Midwest Jesuits have been collaborating in special partnerships we call “twinning”—agreements to share resources and host Jesuits from each other’s regions for studies and assignments. In this issue of Partners, we invite you to learn more about our twinning relationships with the northeast area of India, as well as with the Eastern Africa and Peru Provinces. Chris Staab, a Midwest Jesuit who
Father Tom Lawler, SJ, provincial of the
was missioned to teach at one of the Fe y Alegria schools in Peru, offers valuable insight on his immersion in a new culture and its impact on his Jesuit formation. Michael Ochieng, a Jesuit from the Eastern Africa Province, shares his perspective of coming to the United States last year to shadow the Midwest Jesuit Advancement Offices in both Milwaukee and Chicago and returning home to continue to oversee the Eastern Africa Advancement office. These Jesuits have been deeply enriched by their international experiences. Thank you for your support of the Jesuits in our mission. Together, we carry on the dream of St. Ignatius to reach the ends of the earth.
Wisconsin Province, visits a parish school in the state of Arunachal Pradesh on the border of Tibet. Sister Caroline Angami encourages her students to follow their dreams.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Timothy P. Kesicki, SJ Provincial, Chicago-Detroit Province
Thomas A. Lawler, SJ Provincial, Wisconsin Province For more information about the Jesuits and Jesuit works, please visit our website at www.jesuitsmidwest.org.