Parish Examen

In the United States, there are 66 Jesuit parishes. 

A Jesuit parish is one guided by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola − which encourages people to reflect on their experiences and to discern God’s presence in their lives. A Jesuit parish aims to nurture lay leadership as well as personal faith. It is also committed to “the faith that does justice” by way of solidarity with the poor and dedication to the greater good.  Jesuit parishes are linked by a spiritual bond.

Last fall, in anticipation of our 2019 Bicentennial year, I decided to ask our parish leadership (staff, councils, and volunteers) to go through a process called “The Parish Examen.”  It is a way to reflect on our experience as a Jesuit parish and to see how we might grow in our commitments in the coming years.  Many of you participated in these deliberations, and I thank you for your input.  We completed this Examen in December, and the results of our discussion and reflection are now posted here.  I encourage you to read my "Results" letter to the Jesuit provincial in Chicago regarding our Examen and the hopes we have for the future.  It is like a strategic plan, in many ways, and our goals ought to be revisited and revised as necessary.  For now, we ask you to read over them.

Click each document to see the major process of the Parish Examen of 2018

Jesuit - Who We Are  

Parish Examen Overview  

Results of the 2018 Examen  

Response Letter to the Parish from the Jesuit Provincial