Dear Friends,
As you might recall, in my letter introducing the Spring 2019 magazine, I briefly highlighted the four “Universal Apostolic Preferences” (UAPs) designed to guide the Jesuits over the next 10 years and beyond.
Announced by Fr. Arturo Sosa, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, and approved by Pope Francis, the UAPs are:
• Universal, because they’re designed to guide all Jesuits worldwide in common mission, and because all Jesuits were invited to take part in developing them.
• Apostolic, because the overarching goal of our educational and pastoral institutions—indeed, of every ministry and all our work—is to further the faith-spreading activity of the Church that flows out of the first apostles.
• Preferences, because they are not ministries or directives, per se. They are guides to orient our actions toward four areas that are vital for our world today.
Click here for complete details about this exciting new direction.
Throughout this issue you’ll find stories about the many ways we, our institutions, and our lay collaborators are living out the UAPs already. Here are a few examples.
• Hannah Coley discerned her path in life through interactions with Jesuits like Fr. Steve Mitten, SJ, and today walks with young people herself.
• While you might not think of people from Hawaii as “outcasts,” there were times when people of Asian descent from the islands were excluded from some universities on the mainland. Creighton University welcomed them and helped them create a hope-filled future.
• Father Tom Kennealy, SJ, has long been helping young people find their way to God.
• Father Joseph Mulligan, SJ, offers us a thought-provoking reflection about walking in solidarity with the poor.
As in every summer issue, you’ll find insights from our ordinands and jubilarians—Jesuits who will continue to use their energies and gifts to share and embody the Gospel, as informed and guided by the UAPs.
Ultimately, the Universal Apostolic Preferences are a way to help us prioritize. Like every individual, family, and organization, we must determine how to use our limited resources wisely and well. The UAPs provide reference points to focus those resources.
With your help, we can do even more—some might say the magis—For the Greater Glory of God.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Brian G. Paulson, SJ Provincial, USA Midwest Province |
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| Fr. Brian Paulson, SJ (standing, right), conferred a blessing on Fr. James Sand, SJ, and the other ordinands at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee on June 8, 2019. | |
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