The Ignatian Spirituality Project is a remarkable Jesuit Ministry which offers Ignatian Retreats with the ultimate goal of ending homelessness. Begun in Chicago in 1998 by Bill Creed, S.J. and Ed Shurna [Director of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless], the ISP has a five-fold purpose
- We offer retreats to those who are homeless and seeking recovery.
- We train formerly homeless men and women to assist in giving retreats.
- We reach out to new regions to train teams to offer retreats, days of reflection, and spiritual companioning.
- We seek to establish a national network of all involved in addressing the spiritual needs of those who are homeless.
- We collaborate with other persons and agencies working to end the injustice of homelessness.
If time permits, check out this [10'00"] video by Tom Drexler, the current Executive Director of the Project.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Maura 01.19.10 at 1:11 pm
Thank you Paul
This was an uplifting video worth every minute of watching!
So often we get so busy in the doing of “saving the world” that we forget about the all important work of transforming it that can only happen thru God. It looks like the ISP is doing a great job of balancing the two.
Eric 01.20.10 at 1:40 pm
Over the years I have been aware of the Jesuits’ focus on social justice. I have thought about my own parish and whether we are doing enough for the poor and homeless. My thoughts have been entirely about material help. Paul, due to this posting, I now realize that the obvious material needs have blinded me to the spiritual needs. The General Congregation in the mid-1960s that elected Fr. Arrupe as General had the words in the mission statement it produced “faith and justice”. What a beautiful ministry the ISP is! It recognizes the homeless as God’s beloved and gives them a chance to know God’s love for them.
Paul 01.22.10 at 9:46 am
Maura,
The ISP is an amazing outfit. I hope and pray that God will bless the work of its hands.
Paul
Paul 01.22.10 at 9:47 am
Eric,
I’m happy for the insight that ISP gave you. We need to address people’s needs at every level. We cannot ignore the need for food and drink, but neither can we allow people’s spirits to whither.
Paul