January 2010

Invictus by Clint Eastwood (Film Review)

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 7 January 2010 - 10:00am

There's a certain high dudgeon about in the celluloid circles in South Africa with regard to the playing of South Africans (such as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela) by foreigners. (See Stop Whining and Start Acting in The Sowetan http://www.sowetan.co.za/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=1099352). Clint Eastwood's Invictus is an almost unanswerable reply to this complaint.

The Apostleship of Prayer

POPE BENEDICT XVI'S MONTHLY PRAYER INTENTIONS 2012

 

JANUARY

General

That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need  to rebuild their lives. 

Missionary

That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will.
FEBRUARY

General

That all peoples may have access to water and other resources needed for daily life. 

Missionary

That the Lord may sustain the efforts of health workers assisting the sick and elderly in the world’s poorest regions.
MARCH

General

That the whole world may recognize the contribution of women to the development of society. 

Missionary

That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who suffer discrimination, persecution, or death for the name of Christ, particularly in Asia.
APRIL

That many young people may hear the call of Christ and follow him in the priesthood and religious life. 

Missionary

That the risen Christ may be a sign of certain hope for the men and women of the African continent.
MAY

General

That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society.

Missionary

That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelization, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus.
JUNE

General

That believers may recognize in the Eucharist the living presence of the Risen One who accompanies them in daily life. 

Missionary

That Christians in Europe may rediscover their true identity and participate with greater enthusiasm in the proclamation of the Gospel.
JULY

General

That everyone may have work in safe and secure conditions.        

Missionary

That Christian volunteers in mission territories may witness to the love of Christ.

AUGUST

General

That prisoners may be treated with justice and respect for their human dignity. 

Missionary

That young people, called to follow Christ, may be willing to proclaim and bear witness to the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
SEPTEMBER

General

That politicians may always act with honesty, integrity, and love for the truth.

Missionary

That Christian communities may have a growing willingness to send missionaries, priests, and lay people, along with concrete resources, to the poorest Churches.
OCTOBER

General

That the New Evangelization may progress in the oldest Christian countries. 

Missionary

That the celebration of World Mission Day may result in a renewed commitment to evangelization.
NOVEMBER

General

That bishops, priests, and all ministers of the Gospel may bear the courageous witness of fidelity to the crucified and risen Lord.

Missionary

That the pilgrim Church on earth may shine as a light to the nations.
DECEMBER

General

That migrants throughout the world may be welcomed with generosity and authentic love, especially by Christian communities. 

Missionary

That Christ may reveal himself to all humanity with the light that shines forth from Bethlehem and is reflected in the face of his Church.

 

For further details about the Apostleship of Prayer you can contact the National Secretary:

Rev. Fr. Chris Chatteris SJ

St Francis Xavier Orientation Seminary

c.chatteris@jesuitinstitute.org.za

We are All Haitians Now

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 17 January 2010 - 10:00am

The disaster in Haiti has been described by it's President as 'unimaginable' and by many of his people as 'the end of the world'. The estimates of the numbers of the dead range from 50,000 upwards. It's of tsunami proportions, but concentrated in a small island nation, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

Raymond Perrier: Profile of the new Director of the Jesuit Institute

Submitted by David Smolira SJ on 18 January 2010 - 9:00am

David Smolira, as Regional Superior of the Jesuits in South Africa, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Raymond Perrier as full-time director of the Jesuit Institute. David will continue to oversee the Institute as President, while Raymond will be responsible for leading the Institute on a day to day basis.

Cabinda and the World Cup

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 20 January 2010 - 10:00am

Terrorists are such effective geography teachers! Who could have located Yemen quickly without Google Earth until the Christmas Day bomb attempt on United Airlines? And who even knew of the existence of the Cabinda Enclave until the Togolese soccer team was attacked on its border?

The Spiritual Appeal of Pandora (Film review - Avatar)

Submitted by Anthony Egan SJ on 25 January 2010 - 10:00am

James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster movie "Avatar" has been criticised by the political and religious right for being anti-capitalist, anti-militarist, "neo-pagan‟ and "pantheist". Though less hostile, the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano were critical of its latter aspect, seeing the film as endorsing pantheism – the worship of nature. Are they right? More importantly, why does "Avatar" appeal to so many people? What can Christians learn from it?

Ignatian Spirituality: A Spirituality of Desire

Submitted by Annemarie Pauli... on 25 January 2010 - 9:30pm

After a break and at the beginning of a New Year, we are perhaps more inclined than usual to ask ourselves the question, what do I really want or what do I desire? It is a far more important question than we might realise. It is fundamental to our spiritual life. While we may have got the impression that desires are somehow bad or at least not very spiritual, in fact, discovering our deepest desires is the key to uncovering what it is that God desires for us.

The miracles of Haiti

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 27 January 2010 - 10:00am

The press has been full of the word ‘miracle’ recently. Stories about people being found alive in the rubble of Haiti – nine, ten, even 14 days after the earthquake. When confronted with such unexpected events the reaction even of the most cynical is to exclaim: ‘It’s a miracle!’

The skill and determination of the rescue teams who succeeded in digging people alive from the rubble days after the quake restore one's faith in humanity, and for one man at least, also in God.

We work with people from the business, political and educational sectors as well as those from various faith backgrounds. We are keen to engage with all who have an interest in improving our society.

The Jesuit Institute is dedicated to providing training and encouraging debate on current social and religious issues from a faith perspective and to stimulating critical reflection, research and dialogue.

The Jesuit Institute provides reflection and training on, and critical analysis of, contemporary social and religious issues from a Catholic perspective. We are motivated by the service of faith and the promotion of justice.

© 2011 Jesuit Institute - South Africa. Drupal theme by Kiwi Themes.