From the Director...

Theological Reflection as Active Engagement

Dear Friends of Woodstock,

It is a pleasure to welcome you to this Fall issue of Woodstock Report. As you read it, the countdown has started for a major Jesuit meeting - our “General Congregation” which is the thirty-fifth in our four and a half century history. In January 2008 around 240 Jesuits from around the world will gather in Rome. Their task will be to elect our new Superior General to replace Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., and to set the course for his successor and for the Society of Jesus.

The 35th General Congregation will sharpen the mission of the Jesuits - the service of faith and the promotion of justice through deeper global engagement with the cultures and religions of the world. It will orient our Woodstock mission of theological reflection on the issues of our day. For example, following upon the 32nd General Congregation, held in 1975, the newly established Woodstock Theological Center published its first book, The Faith That Does Justice, edited by John Haughey, S.J.

This year we proudly celebrate its thirtieth anniversary in the new global context of religious and cultural pluralism. As you read this electronic report you will get a sense of being invited into engagement through a deepened reflection on three timely matters.

In our lead article, “A Reflection on Migration: Bridging the Divide over Immigration,” written by Paula Minaert, Woodstock brings to life one of its basic goals: “Faith seeking the global good in different cultures.” We respond to the challenge made by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio, Chairman of the Domestic Policy Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

In his excellent Labor Day 2007 Statement, Bishop DiMarzio reflects on the fact that after our national debate over immigration reform, “we are a society more divided, a people more confused, and a nation unable to move forward on one of the most serious and complicated issues we face as a nation.” Paula Minaert's article helps us to bridge the divide over immigration by taking our Faith reflection to a deeper level of understanding and engagement.

John Borelli's article, “Woodstock Interreligious Dialogue on Education: Finding Expression,” takes us beyond understanding to dialogue. We learn through active engagement with world religions. Georgetown University students proved this point when they participated in the Woodstock event that John describes. This is a good example of how Woodstock takes the Catholic and Jesuit intellectual tradition and brings it to life for the next generation through active engagement.

But isn't it true that theological reflection on current issues at the level of our times requires something more of us? Father Jim Martin, S.J., Associate Editor of America, talks about the inner dispositions that we need. Wittily drawing on his book, one that I highly recommend, My Life With the Saints, Jim argues that becoming a saint is possible. Holiness consists in discovering who I am before God and striving to become that person. This struggle for coherence between our faith and its active engagement in ordinary activities of our daily lives is what Woodstock strives to address. Practicing authentic personal values in business and public life is rooted in an engaged faith that does justice.

This year Woodstock welcomes a new Senior Fellow on board: John Haught, former Chair of the Georgetown University Theology Department and subsequently Distinguished Professor of Theology at Georgetown University. Among his thirteen books is, Is Nature Enough? Meaning and Truth in the Age of Science. We also welcome our newest local visiting fellow, Angela Senander, professor of theology at Washington Theological Union.

Finally, I want to thank and congratulate each of you who have been partners in the mission of Woodstock by your financial support. The “honor roll” of partners reflects a strong commitment to the values for which Woodstock stands. Please continue helping Woodstock to realize its great potential.

Gasper F. Lo Biondo, S.J.
Director