By Trevor Scott, sj
Our Jesuit Forum team is delighted to share with you our inaugural Jesuit Forum Newsletter. This will be our way of regularly sharing with you our common interests… our program initiatives, our reflections rooted in our vision and mission (tiny.cc/jfmission), and in discernment of thoughts and ideas that seek to address the social faith and justice issues of our times. It is our way to stay in touch in ways that communally enliven and sharpen our desires for a just world built on wise and prophetic hope.
At this critical point in our history it is imperative to seek and discern the signs of our times in relation to how we are called by the Spirit to be in solidarity and in communion with one another. The seeking and discernment in the context of our times was our inspiration for our recent forums and reflections over the last few months, including our ‘Political Action Rooted In Discernment’ series in the context of recent provincial and federal elections in Canada.
Through this forum series in particular we sought to discern our active pursuit of the common good in an increasingly polarized and politicized world by inviting guest speakers who shared their social and political experience and wisdom. These online events also enabled participants to listen and understand one another better through small group conversations. We aspired to be mindful of the Ignatian tradition that underpins our values… always seeking to continually discern how we are feeling and how we are called to be more fruitfully engaged in the pressing social and political issues seeking our attention and response.
In this inaugural issue of our newsletter, Stan Leveau-Vallier shares his experiences of a recent Ignatian formation gathering in Montreal. This event brought together diverse lay people working in Jesuit related works across Canada. The gathering enabled them to learn and reflect upon what it means to be part of the Ignatian community. Victor Reyes shares his insights and concerns around the emerging realities and issues around artificial intelligence (AI). AI has the potential to redefine our human dignity and place in the world… a reality that Pope Leo XIV himself takes seriously. How prepared are we to discern and respond to the threats and opportunities AI poses?
Trevor Scott offer a reflection on Justice Murray Sinclair’s recent memoirs, ‘Who We Are: Questions for a Life and a Nation.’ His life and wisdom can help us renew our commitment and deepen our appreciation for continued truth and reconciliation throughout Canada. His reflections also offer us pathways for right relations with Indigenous peoples within our own communities through the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which Justice Sinclair led with deep vocation and inspiration.
This newsletter also shares the good works and initiatives of our partners. Kairos Canada, for example, an ecumenical social justice organization that I have been blessed to be part of for the last few of years, has initiated an awareness campaign calling attention to the crippling effect of national debt on developing nations. They seek all our support in advocating our political representatives for debt relief as part of the universal ‘Jubilee 2025: From Debt to Hope’ campaign.
This newsletter is also an opportunity to highlight our communication efforts through social media. It also gives us a platform to thank our financial sponsors and those who have been supportive of our work and initiatives.
We hope you find this new means of sharing with you news of our work and endeavours engaging and informative! We welcome your feedback and would love to hear from you.
