Ignatian Reflection and Daily Announcements

Friday, March 12, 2010
This page is typically updated daily by 9:00 a.m.

Please be sure to also see the Daily Examen.

Today's Ignatian Reflection:

On this day in 1977, Fr. Rutilio Grande, S.J. was killed while driving on the road to El Paisnal, El Salvador. His van was sprayed with gunfire; he was killed instantly.

In the annals of the suffering church of Latin America, El Salvador has earned a special chapter. Beginning in the 1970's, it fell to this tiny, impoverished country, which was named for the Savior to represent most dramatically the ongoing crucifixion of Christ in his people. The poor had for many years suffered under the weight of an oppressive oligarchy.

As a young seminarian Grande was given to be a bit over scrupulous and had a sense of unworthiness that plagued him right up to his ordination in 1959. He felt that a priest was to be an example of perfection; however he came to believe that a priest was called to set an example of self-sacrifice and loving service.

Increasingly Grande began to exemplify a new church in El Salvador committed to awakening in the poor a sense of their dignity and rights as children of God. His sermons became infamous among the elite of El Salvador, and pressure mounted to have him silenced. Shortly after a sermon, where he said if Jesus himself came into the country he would not be let in, he was killed on the road to his hometown.

We pray for a safe and blessed weekend for all. Lord, fill our hearts with your love and keep us faithful to the gospel of Christ. Give us the grace to rise above our weakness. Saint Ignatius pray for us.

Stop wasting words He reads our hearts.

The Bible warns against talking too much. "Is there no end to windy words?" asks Job (Job 16:3). The more words, the more vanity...There is a time to speak and a time to be silent..." (Ecclesiastes 6:11). Be silent, and let that be your wisdom. Jesus said of the Pharisees: "They think God will hear them for their many words" (Matthew 6:7).

What is clear in the life of Jesus is that he listened with all his senses. The Gospels often remark, "He knew what was in their hearts" - whether it was the scribes laying traps for him, or the disciples in a state of puzzlement or unease. He listened to people, watched their faces, sensed what their innermost feelings were.

When we meet Jesus in prayer, we do not need to explain. He reads our hearts, too. One of the joys of prayer is that it opens our hearts to us, so that we realize our own jealousies or resentments, our deeper feelings. To meet him in this way, we need to be willing to stop making words.

Sacred Space Prayer Book 2010, Jesuit Communication Centre, Ireland

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Today's Announcements

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Summer School brochures are now available in the Principal's Office, and information is also available on the SJJ website. Classes begin June 7th and run through July 2nd, in both the mornings and afternoons. Course availability is contingent upon enrollment.

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Attention Titan Fly Fishers: There is a trip planned for this Saturday to the Midwestern Fly Fishing Expo in Michigan. This is a free trip, but you will need to pay for lunch. Please stop by the AP's Office to pick up permission slips.

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Attention Junior Big Brothers of Academy students: There will be an activity with the Academy students today at the beginning of 6th period, in the Auxiliary Gym. See Mr. Kinnee or Mr. Knight if you have any questions or cannot attend.

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This is a reminder for all Sophomores and Juniors that applications for the Appalachian Service Project are due today. If you have any questions, see Mr. Kozak in the Principal's office sometime this week.

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Next week is Ohio Graduation Testing for all sophomores. Please see the sheets outside the AP's office for your room assignment. You are expected to report to your assigned room every day by 8:10am, ready to test. You must have #2 pencils and ONLY #2 pencils. There are no mechanical pencils allowed! All other students will follow a two hour delay schedule.

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On a related note, because of the OGT schedule next week, the Iott center will not be opened until 2nd period. Prior to 2nd period, it will be off-limits to all students.

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This is a reminder that there is a Saturday JUG this weekend. The JUG starts at 8:30am and will go for at least two hours. Students need to arrive in dress code no later than 8:20am. Those who are assigned a JUG and do not report will be assigned an out of school suspension. Any discrepancies or absences need to be cleared up with Dr. Borgelt no later than 3:15pm today.

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Tonight, wrestler Corey Greenwade will compete in the GTWCA All-Star Match as a member of the City League team. The match is at Rossford High School and will start at 6:30pm. Get out there and support Corey at this prestigious event.

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