“The Spiritual Exercises” of St. Ignatius

“The Spiritual Exercises” of St. Ignatius, presented in the form of the 19th Annotation Retreat for Daily Life, has begun for the new 2009/10 year. LIS has been blessed with a record number of retreatants who have committed to the 9-month program of daily scriptural prayer, weekly individual spiritual direction, and monthly group faith-sharing.

This year, 88 individuals have begun this life changing process, more than doubling the number of retreatants from last year! Of this number, 36 English speaking individuals will be a part of the Wednesday night group (27 are new to LIS and 9 are enrolled in the ISFP Program) and 8 Korean speaking retreatants will be meeting on Mondays. The Korean participation has been made possible by Associate Dr. Regina Hur, who painstakingly translated LIS’s 19th Annotation curriculum into her native language. Additionally, 44 retreatants are undertaking the Spiritual Exercises as part of the Los Angeles Archdiocese Diaconate Training Program. These participants (18 English speaking and 26 Spanish speaking) will attend groups located in Los Angeles.

All classes are directed by Sr. Barbra Ostheimer, S.N.D., Brother Charles Jackson, S.J., Fr. Stephen Corder, S.J., and a team of dedicated LIS Lay Associates.

Final Vows

On September 9, 2009, Rev. Stephen Corder, S.J. and Rev. Felix Just, S.J. celebrated their Final Vows in the Sacred Heart Chapel, located on the Motherhouse campus of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange. This beautiful event was attended by approximately 230 friends and family members, and was followed by a lovely dessert reception. Congratulations and blessings to Fr. Steve and Fr. Felix!

Regional Summer Seminar on Formation for Hispanic Ministry

From September 13-16, David Robinson, S.J., of the Loyola Institute was a participant in the second Regional Summer Seminar on Formation for Hispanic Ministry, held at Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside. The group represented a number of dioceses and programs from Southern California and Nevada, and undertook a wide-ranging discussion of the critical issues facing those who minister to the Hispanic community in the areas of catechesis, spiritual formation, and parish/pastoral leadership, among others. The Seminar displayed the broad spirit of collaboration and collective creativity that infuses the plans and aspirations of so many who serve in Hispanic contexts. Initial plans were formulated for next-step projects and future conversations, in order to enhance cooperation across diocesan lines, and among geographically separated programs with similar goals. The spirit throughout was animated and optimistic, looking beyond the restrictions imposed by current budget and program limitations in order to nurture a rich future for Hispanic ministry and the evolution of diverse communities.

Seeking Holy Ground by Penny Hansen, LIS Associate

St. Ignatius teaches us that all of life is sacred and that we can meet God in all of life. Whether young or old, at work or at rest, at home or abroad, in sickness or in health, in plenty or in want, in joy or in despair—in any and all circumstances we are not alone but held within God’s loving embrace.

It is one thing to acknowledge this truth intellectually or even to embrace it spiritually, but it is quite another to live this truth out practically day by day. In the midst of our often busy and over-scheduled lives we wonder, “How can I meet God and find holy ground in my life today?” One answer to this cry of our hearts is to become more aware and to seek to be more sensitive to God’s presence in the details of our lives.

Traditionally, we may find holy ground as we prayerfully contemplate Scripture, as we participate in Eucharistic liturgies, as we interact open-heartedly with family and friends, and as we open our eyes to the beauty of God’s creation. However, holy ground can also be found in the messiness, pain, and difficulties of life—as we sit by the bedside of a loved one who is dying or as we open up our wounded heart to God’s loving and grace-filled touch.

The Jesuit poet Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote, “The world is charged with the grandeur of God.” Why not take some time today to ponder your past experiences of meeting God on holy ground and then to open your heart to where God may be calling you to encounter him in the midst of your life today?

Ignatian Spiritual Formation Program (ISFP)

We want to invite everyone to consider joining the Ignatian Spiritual Formation Program (ISFP). This is a great time to consider becoming a part of this wonderful program...new classes will begin this Fall. The ISFP program is offered to those who desire to begin or have already begun to exercise some form of spiritual ministry and are looking for further growth and expertise. The ISFP is composed of three parts, each taking approximately one year. The first-year courses, however, are open to all, even if they may not be interested in the full three-year program. Upon graduation from the ISFP program, lay “Associates” are equipped to work side-by-side with the LIS staff during retreats, conferences, and workshops.

ISFP 1st Year
Tuesday evenings 7:00-9:30 p.m., Instructors TBA
Cost: $130 per course

SP-01 Biblical Foundation in Spirituality
Sept. 15, 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 2009
SP-02 Ignatian Prayer
Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24, Dec. 1, 8, 2009
SP-03 Spirituality
Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, Feb. 2, 9, 2010
SP-04 Human Development & Spiritual Maturing
Feb. 23, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2010
SP-05 Ignatian Discernment
Apr. 6, 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11

ISFP 2nd Year
ISFP participatants will go through “The Spiritual Exercises” of St. Ignatius, presented in the form of the 19th Annotation Retreat for Daily Life. This 9-month program offers daily scriptural prayer, weekly individual spiritual direction, and monthly group faith-sharing. One Wednesday evening per month, from 7:00-9:00 p.m., dates TBA next month. Cost is $700 - $900.

ISFP 3rd Year
Thursday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m., Instructors TBA
Cost: $130 per course

SP3-01 Spiritual Companioning
Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22
SP3-02 Discernment of Spirits
Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11
SP3-03 Structure & Dynamics of the Spiritual Exercises
Apr. 8, 15, 22, 29, May 6, 13
SP3-04 Practicum in Spiritual Ministry

For more information, call Sr. Barbara Ostheimer, 714-997-9587 ext. 26.

Join Fr. Steve on Pilgrimage!

An Amazing Journey to Portugal, Spain & France

Holy Year in Santiago de Compostela plus St. Ignatius of Loyola

15-Days: May 28 to June 11, 2010

Estimated Special Cash Discount Price:

$3799 from Los Angeles
(Plus taxes, security fees, fuel surcharges & tips)

Visit Lisbon, Fatima, Santiago de Compostela, Loyola, Xavier, Lourdes, Montserrat, Barcelona & More!

To be placed on the priority mailing list to receive your free color brochure and registration form, available after August 15, 2009, please contact:

Fr. Stephen J. Corder, S.J.
Tel: (714) 655-1922 / E-mail: scorder@calprov.org