News - May 2025

The Rosary and Families During a long road trip in the car with my family when we were all getting a little cabin fever and feeling a bit antsy, I suggested praying the Rosary. Though there were grumbles from everyone, I got started, and soon everyone joined along. By the end of the Rosary, the tone of the car had shifted. We were calmer and felt peaceful. We looked out the windows and were amazed by the beauty of the landscape around us. My younger sister in high school said, “Wow, I’m amazed at how peaceful I feel after the Rosary.” Soon after, we arrived at our destination — peaceful, excited, and ready to embrace the joy God had in store for us as a family! The Rosary is a powerful tool for families to deepen their faith, connect with one another, and seek guidance from Mary and Jesus. It can be a simple and accessible prayer for all ages, uniting families in the rhythms of Christian experience. By meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, families can reflect on the events of Jesus' life and Mary's role, fostering a deeper understanding of their faith. And praying the Rosary is not only about the work of believers, but also about the work of God. Mary promises special protection and graces to those who pray the Rosary faithfully. Finally, the Rosary connects families with Catholics around the world and through time back to the early Church. If you would like to learn more and practice the Rosary as a family, join Children's Faith Formation for a family picnic and learn how to pray the Rosary on Sunday, May 25th after the 10 am Mass on the USF Lawn! Enjoy light refreshments and the company of your family and others as you and your children learn this ancient meditative practice. Bring a rosary and a blanket if you have them! Rosie Costa, Children’s Faith Formation Coordinator

On behalf of St. Ignatius Parish, Fr. Greg recently attended the California Preservation Awards, a statewide hallmark, showcasing the best in historic preservation. The 2025 winners were celebrated at the California Museum in Sacramento on May 9th. St. Ignatius Parish's project was celebrated and honored as one of the best historic preservation projects in California this year. Recipients were selected by a jury of top professionals in the fields of architecture, engineering, planning, and history, as well as renowned architecture critics and journalists.

Born in Norwalk, CA, in 1926, to immigrant parents, Asawa’s life was marked by early adversity. During World War II, she and her family—like approximately 120,000 other Japanese Americans (including US-born citizens)—were unjustly forced into US internment camps. Yet even in hardship, Asawa was able to discover beauty. Like St. Ignatius, who found God in all things—even suffering—she ultimately transformed trauma into something sacred. Asawa is most well-known for her groundbreaking wire sculptures: floating, transparent forms inspired by nature and basket weaving she observed during an artists’ tour of Latin America. These sculptures remind us to view the world contemplatively—to find grace in the ordinary, and the divine in the overlooked.

The Spiritual Exercises are at the very core of St. Ignatius’ spiritual journey. He spent 30 plus days in a cave examining his life, looking at ways that he can engage with Christ more fully and had a Spiritual Director that he would go see two or three times in those 30 days. In Catalonia, Spain, we walked down from Montserrat, where the spiritual director was, across the valley and along the river, and we came up to the cave.

The newly revived Neighbor2Neighbor ministry continues to flourish throughout this Easter Season. Grateful recipients of assistance have expressed their appreciation for the work of the N2N volunteers. The daughter of a woman receiving Holy Communion at home wrote to thank the ministry: “It is wonderful to feel the care and love of our neighborly and spiritual community. It meant so much to my mother to meet your volunteer, pray with her, and receive the Sacrament. She felt touched and uplifted. The neighbor to neighbor ministry is a blessing for both of us!”