In the burgeoning world of communications more people are communicating with more people than ever before; there are a myriad of data streams to dip into. This new reality of status updates, tweets, blog entries, photostreams, skyping, texting, emails, etc. has been described in terms that Teilhard de Chardin would understand. He imagined that the next great leap in cosmic evolution is already underway with the transformation of matter into consciousness. And with all those messages bouncing all around the world 24 hours a day, it’s not difficult to imagine …

~ by Philip Sutherland, SJ
I have been very fortunate as a Jesuit to have a creative outlet by playing the clarinet. Although it could be difficult finding the time for classes, practicing and rehearsals in graduate school, those opportunities were always times when my anxieties about my academic classes could melt away. Music engaged my heart and carried me into the depths of my soul. I think that is why much of my prayer involves music, both because it relaxes me, but also because it helps me to experience the …

~ by Glen Butterworth, SJ
One of the great blessings for most of us is that we’re relatively comfortable most of the time. We’ll give thanks for that in a few weeks as our culture settles into the ‘Holiday Season.’ This general comfort is well-known by people throughout the Northwest as well as Jesuits and the men and women who might be discerning a vocation. There’s enough food, shelter, education, etc. to go around.
Of course, most of us is code for being part of the privileged classes in …

~ by Sean Towey, nSJ
St. Robert Bellarmine must be doing a lot of vocation work for the heavenly court; three of the four Oregon Province novices graduated from Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, with the fourth novice hailing from El Salvador.
Perry Petrich, nSJ graduated with the Class of 2003, Bryce Deline, nSJ with the Class of 2004, and Sean Towey , nSJ with the Class of 2006. For one glorious year, while Perry was a Senior and Sean a Freshman, all three men attended the school together.
Though some Jesuits from …

~ Sean Towey, nSJ on the novice summer
This summer, 17 Oregon and California novices attempted the Oregon Trail backwards, lead by California Novitiate Socius Chris “Trail Boss” Nguyen. With Chris’ tremendous leadership, and modern conveniences like cars and fast-food restaurants, the five car caravan traveled 1,193 miles before arriving in Denver to spend a month taking classes on the history of the Society of Jesus with novices from Jamaica, Canada, and the rest of the U.S. Assistancy. By the grace of God, all the novices made it to the destination.
Over …

~ Phillip Sutherland, SJ reflects on summer changes
Because we are so involved in academia – either as students or as teachers – the summer is a unique time of the year for Jesuits. It is a time of transition from one year to the next, from one assignment to the next or from one stage of formation to the next. Change is in the air and we anticipate the coming year.
This in-between time can be a spiritual challenge and I find myself struggling to let go of the past …