Concern for Family in Puerto Rico – September 29, 2017

I’m watching the news coming out of Puerto Rico with special interest.  Not quite two years ago I went to a conference in Dallas called “Pastors + One” – for pastors and pastoral associates of Jesuit parishes of the Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus.  It was there that I met the pastor and my counterpart from San Ignacio de Loyola parish in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  They were smart and fun, hardworking and committed to Jesus and the people they serve, and patient with my poor Spanish language skills. 

So – I have family in Puerto Rico.  My Jesuit family.

One of the many blessings of being part of St. Francis Xavier in Kansas City is that it makes me a part of the Jesuit Family.  Because I am a part of the Jesuit Family I have a connection with Rockhurst University and High School and the Ignatian Spirituality Center here in Kansas City and also with all the good works and amazing people connected with the Jesuit apostolates in this province and around the world.  There are something like 17,000 Jesuits in the world right now doing all sorts of work:  parishes, universities, high schools, academies, publications, healthcare and social ministries.  I am so proud to be a part of something bigger than myself, something Jesuit.
And I’m concerned about my Jesuit family in Puerto Rico.  Hurricane Maria has brought devastation to the island of Puerto Rico which officials can only describe as “apocalyptic.”  Father Flavio Bravo, the Jesuit superior in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the President of Colegio San Ignacio has communicated the situation is very difficult…but that Jesuits, staff and students are working together to clean the debris from the campus. “The collaboration is very heartening,” he said.  They have a plan to reopen the Colegio on October 3 – “as a sign of hope for the staff, faculty and students and their families.”
Please join me in praying for all the people of Puerto Rico and consider making a Donation to assist our Jesuit family as they clean up and rebuild.