Before I introduce our fall/winter magazine, I want to address an important moment in the life of the Church. Like many of you, I was outraged and saddened at the revelations and aftermath of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report. As provincial of the Midwest Jesuits, I want to reassure you that we have no tolerance for sexual abuse by our members, and that Jesuit leadership is subject to the same policies as the rest of our membership. Let us continue to pray for healing graces for all victim-survivors of abuse in our Church, for atonement by all of us collectively for these egregious sins—for “what we have done, and what we have failed to do”—and for light to guide us forward as a church, the body of Christ in our world. My full statement on this matter is available on our website. I also invite you to review our safe environment policies.   

Since the founding of the Society of Jesus, our mission as Jesuits has been to go out into the world to serve where the needs are greatest. Four hundred and fifty years ago, the Jesuits saw a need to serve as missionaries in South America. Today, we carry on that tradition in the region, most notably with our sister province in Peru.   

In this issue, you will read about how our relationship with the Peruvian province came to be, how it has evolved, and how Jesuits today carry on the work of the priests and brothers before them. I had the opportunity to visit Peru this past summer and saw the amazing ministry they offer in the service of faith and the promotion of justice. While we have come so far in our work of evangelization and the struggle for equality and justice, we still have work to do. I invite you to learn more about how you—our collaborators in ministry—can help to support our international missions. 

Here in the Midwest, it is an exciting time. In August seven novices pronounced first vows, while 12 Midwest novices are in the first year of novitiate. You will be able to meet the new novices, read about recent ordinand Fr. Andrij Hlabse, SJ and see where Jesuits in formation stand in the 2018 formation timeline. Please join me in praying for these Jesuits as they take the next steps in their lifetime of service. 

  

I hope you enjoy the many news items and articles in this issue and see the ways in which we and our lay partners are responding to Saint Ignatius’s call to be women and men for others. As we anticipate the blessings of Advent and a new Christmas season, we ask for your prayers. Please know of our prayers for you.