Archive for September, 2011

Even though 10 years have passed, for many of us, September 11th, 2001 feels like yesterday. Thousands of people lost their lives that September morning, many of them while trying to save others. As this sad anniversary approaches, Jesuit Father James Martin recently reflected in America Magazine about the ministry he and his fellow Jesuits performed during the days that followed.

“In this hell I found grace. Working at the World Trade Center was one of the most profound experiences of the Holy Spirit I’ve ever had, for there I encountered an overwhelming sense of charity, unity and concord. Every person working at Ground Zero was “other-directed.” Every person was selfless, utterly unconcerned for himself or herself. Every person seemed kind, considerate, loving. And here was God offering us a parable today. As I looked around at the rescue workers, I thought, what is God like? God is like the firefighter who rushes into a burning building to save someone. That’s how much God loves us. And I saw this love expressed in the great charity of all the rescue workers who gathered at the American Golgotha.”

To read Father Martin’s full article, please click here.

Or, to purchase his book Searching for God at Ground Zero, please click here.

Jesuit Father Kevin O’Brien has been named Vice President of Mission and Ministry at Georgetown University, where he currently serves as Executive Director of Campus Ministry.

“Fr. O’Brien will oversee the office in its work to implement a variety of mission-focused programs, seminars, days of recollection, retreats and reflection series which promote the Catholic and Jesuit character of Georgetown with faculty, staff, students, alumni and a number of university boards,” according to President John DeGioia. “He will also coordinate programs that contribute to the formation of lay colleagues in the Jesuit tradition.”

Fr. O’Brien succeeds Jesuit Father Philip Boroughs who will become president of College of the Holy Cross in January 2012.

Jesuit Father General Adolfo Nicolás has appointed Jesuit Father Michael Garanzini to serve as the Secretary for Higher Education for the Society of Jesus. Fr. Garanzini’s new role began September 1, and he also continues to serve as president of Loyola University Chicago.

As the Secretary for Higher Education, Garanzini will assist Father General Nicolás on a part-time basis, coordinating and championing Jesuit higher-education issues around the world.

Garanzini succeeds Jesuit Father Ronald Anton.

Jesuit Father Brian Linnane, Loyola University Maryland president, has been elected chair of the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Independent College and University Association (MICUA).

Elected unanimously by MICUA Board of Trustees, which includes the presidents of 16 private colleges and universities in Maryland, Fr. Linnane will lead the organization in implementing its strategic objectives.

Linnane, who became Loyola’s 24th president in 2005, has been a strong proponent of faith and justice at the school. [The Catholic Review]