Ten years ago, I experienced a spiritual awakening in a Minneapolis Church and felt God's call. Through a series of events that only the Holy Spirit could have orchestrated, I found myself worshipping in the pews of Saint Ignatius. Soon I found myself serving in the ministries of Saint Ignatius. Then, I found myself studying the documents of Vatican II with the Jesuits and staff of Saint Ignatius. I began discovering the opportunities and responsibilities we share as a priestly people. Before long, I was sitting on the Parish Council and dreaming what for me was a strange, new dream: a dream of Church. The People of God. The Body of Christ. A dream of what Church, at Saint Ignatius and elsewhere, could be. I began to imagine a more perfect organization as a faith community doing the work of Christ, the perfect person, here on earth.

I invite you to dream this dream. Imagine that our Church, here in this parish, here in this archdiocese, here in this world, is the resurrected Body of Christ, through which we grow, die and live again. Imagine.

Imagine We are a supportive, loving family.
Imagine We seek to understand each other before seeking to be understood.
Imagine We encourage one another in our journeys of faith, whatever the cost.
Imagine We are courageous enough to ask "Why?"
Imagine We are honest enough to ask "Why Not?"
Imagine We do not judge one another.
Imagine We hasten to forgive and console.
Imagine We celebrate accomplishment but do not rest on it.
Imagine We embrace our weakness in order to overcome it.
Imagine We uphold Christ's love, values and spirituality more than religious dogma.
Imagine We reflect God's grace in this world.
Imagine We are Church.
Imagine this is what God wants for us … for you.
Imagine.

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Now go to America magazine and use your imagination. Read More.

Litany for Creation

O let the earth bless the Lord;
O ye mountains and hills, bless ye the Lord;
O all ye green things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord;
Praise Him and magnify Him forever.

O ye waters of earth, bless ye the Lord;
O ye seas and floods, bless ye the Lord;
O ye whales and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord
Praise him and magnify him forever.

O ye birds of the air, bless ye the Lord;
O ye wolves and coyotes, bless ye the Lord;
O ye deer and forest creatures, bless ye the Lord;
Praise Him and magnify Him forever.

O ye rabbits and squirrels, bless ye the Lord;
O ye woodchucks and foxes, bless ye the Lord;
O ye chipmunks and small things, bless ye the Lord;
Praise Him and magnify Him forever.
Let us bless God, our Maker, our Creator.
Praise Him and magnify him forever.

Blessing:
Almighty God, we ask your blessing upon these animals, gathered here today. We thank you for the many ways in which they enrich our lives. Give them health and happiness and long life; bless them in the days to come and keep us mindful of our responsibility for these, too, your wonderful and beautiful creatures.

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