Returning to Joy
Claire Weber reflects on the Advent theme of Joy, noting beautifully that joy pushes us away from our comfort zones and towards the people we are called to become.
spirituality
Reflecting on Spirituality – Advent 2023
by Becca Townley, Spokane, ’23-’24 As we approach this advent season, we anticipate Christ’s birth. It can feel mundane. We listen to the same Christmas songs, see the same colors, light the same candles…but each year is different. Every year we approach advent as new people with new challenges, new careers, and maybe a new … Read more
Cannonball Moments of Climate Change
A five-part reflection on faith and ecological justice by JVC Northwest Board Member and Former Jesuit Volunteer Fr. John Guyol, SJ I. Cannonballs Background: 500 years ago, a cannonball struck the leg of Ignatius of Loyola, a Basque soldier. This violent moment forced the future saint into months of convalescence. It was a time of … Read more
JVC Northwest Response to Recent Vatican Statement
Since last week, we have been wrestling with the Vatican statement denying the Church’s ability to bless unions between persons of the same sex. We are also listening to the experiences of those most harmed by the pronouncement. We want to be clear: the Vatican statement exists in tension with our mission and vision statement … Read more
Lenten Reflection on The Prodigal Son
Director of Recruitment and Engagement Fumi Tosu reflects on Luke 15, The Parable of the Prodigal Son, as part of Ignatian Solidarity Network’s “Steadfast: A Call To Love, Lent 2021” series. Drawdown refers to industrial civilization’s “drawing down” of the Earth’s resources at a rate many times faster than the planet can replenish them. Our … Read more
“A Time of Reckoning for (white) Christianity” Reflection by Fumi Tosu
Yesterday, we celebrated the inauguration of the country’s second Catholic president and its first female (Black, Asian) vice president. The election of Kamala Harris to the vice presidency, in particular, is a landmark moment for our democracy. Yet, we are also aware of the deep rifts that remain in our society. We have not turned the … Read more
Advent gathering reflection
Last week was our annual Advent Gathering, which brings together the extended JVC Northwest family for an evening of food, fellowship, and a prayer service. Read Jesuit Volunteer Ursula Magsayo’s (Portland, OR ’17-18) reflection, and find a link to Jesuit Volunteer EnCorps member Mary Kleffner’s (Portland, OR ’17-18) below. *I invite you all to … Read more
forces that have shaped my life: featured fjv patty enrado (st. mary’s, ak ’86-87)
This month’s Featured FJV, Patty Enrado (St. Mary’s, AK ’86-87), writes about her newly published book and how the combination of writing and service has guided her life. “In September 2015, at the Filipino Community Hall in Delano, Calif., I read an excerpt from my historical novel, “A Village in the Fields”. The local … Read more
the intentionality of time
What are some of the things Jesuit Volunteers learn in the ever-challenging and often eye-opening experience of being a JV? Ellen Quinn, a graduate of St. Louis University and current Jesuit Volunteer in Billings, Montana, shares what she’s learned about building trust and spending time. It’s not too late to apply to be a JV- … Read more
leaning on shared values: featured fjv jane salisbury (st. mary’s, ak ’78-80, portland, or ’80-81)
In this month’s Featured FJV post Jane Salisbury (St. Mary’s, AK ’78-80, Portland, OR ’80-81) reflects on her years as a JV and the lifelong friends that came of it – friends that will convene at this year’s 60th Anniversary Portland celebration. “In 1978, I went to St. Marys, Alaska to work as the librarian … Read more
