From the Director's Desk...

          We begin Woodstock's twenty-ninth year with a "pearl of wisdom," "Reason and the Glory of God," the talk given by John Haughey, S.J., at our annual dinner last June.  Someone to whom I sent a copy commented, "each time I read it over, I keep getting more and more out of it."

          "Reason and the Glory of God" says a great deal about Woodstock's way of proceeding.  In the tradition of Jesuit spirituality, John challenges my thinking and stirs my heart with gratitude.  In this way I enter into my own experience of how the light of reason and the wisdom of faith go hand in hand.  I find consolation in realizing that our works of justice can flourish only when reason and faith are lovers.

          At Woodstock we put our thinking to work together with one another -- in community -- in search of the presence of divine grace in our everyday lives and in our world.  New spiritual energy breaks through in the shared conviction that if we seek the human good together, we can get beyond the distrust that our differences have caused.  We can even find God in our differences.

          "Restoring Trust in Church Leadership," our second feature, highlights excerpts from the May 22^nd Woodstock Forum.  Presentations by Margaret O'Brien Steinfels, Reverend Daniel Pakenham, and Sharon Euart, R.S.M., stress the fact that together, leaders and people in the Church can imagine alternatives to many of the dead ends that we have been facing.  A newly published Woodstock Occasional Paper, "Restoring Trust in Church Leadership," includes the full presentations and forum discussion, and is now available in print and on our web site.

          Since the last issue of the Woodstock Report, several important Woodstock events have taken place.  In early July, Woodstock Fellow Dr. Rita Rodriguez and I hosted Jesuits representing Jesuit social research and action centers from thirteen countries for a five-day working meeting on Woodstock's Global Economy and Cultures project.

          In late August, together with Jeanne and Otto Ruesch, Woodstock hosted a luncheon honoring Lucien Longtin, S.J., longtime theology teacher at Gonzaga and Loyola High School, Baltimore.  Lucien has recently become the director of the Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth at Wernersville, Pennsylvania.  The talk he gave, "Finding God's Grace in our Every Day Lives: Reflections of a High School Teacher," is a shining example of how "theological reflection" permeates Jesuit pedagogy.  Catholic News Service has published it in Origins (September 11, 2003, vol. 33, no. 14).

          I am also delighted to welcome our newest Woodstock fellow, Dr. Terry Armstrong.  Terry heads the Woodstock Business Program.  He brings a rare combination of skills in business ethics, organizational management, and the Ignatian way of proceeding.

          Finally, our annual listing of Woodstock donors appears in the printed version of this Woodstock Report.  I  heartily thank the people listed.  They participate in Woodstock's unique contribution to the renewal of our society and our Church, especially in these challenging times.

          Thanks to all of you for your continuing support, which makes our work possible.

Gasper F. Lo Biondo, S.J.
Director

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