From the Director's Desk... (October 2004)

          This issue of the Woodstock Report launches our celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the Woodstock Theological Center. Through June 2005, we will celebrate the steady flow of socially transformative ideas that started in the mid-1970s with our first "project," a groundbreaking book entitled The Faith That Does Justice that had been commissioned by the Jesuits.

         But during this anniversary year, we also look to the future. The best way to remain faithful to our rich tradition is to develop new ways of putting our faith to work for the social good. This requires all of us to be constantly investigating the culture in which we operate - whether in the context of church, economy, society, or business. In this vein, last April I invited Richard A. Blake, S.J., professor of fine arts at Boston College to visit Woodstock and help us explore the role of faith in filmmaking (and film watching).

          In this issue we feature Dick's delightful and provocative presentation which he titled, "Finding God (Even) at the Movies: the Catholic Imagination and American Filmmakers." Those who enjoy reading his witty film reviews in America magazine will appreciate the Jesuit style in his approach to the "catholicity" of some of America's major filmmakers. This approach is rich because it can reach beyond the movies. It helps us discover how we encounter and respond to God in some of the most unsuspected corners of our ordinary lives.

         As challenging as it is for us to find God at the movies, it can be just as difficult for us to relate our faith to our everyday business dealings. In July, Woodstock offered a successful seminar for Catholic CEO's, in collaboration with Seton Hall University. These executives were able to learn a great deal from one another, in this environment of thoughtful shared reflection. Our "In Focus" section offers a glimpse into this and other current work of the Woodstock Business Programs, under the leadership of senior fellow Dr. Terry Armstrong.

         This issue also celebrates Woodstock's international involvement, which began in the 1970s with the project Human Rights in the Americas. Recently, thanks to the indefatigable work of senior fellow Dr. Rita Rodriguez, Woodstock hosted representatives of Jesuit social research and action centers from 25 countries. Their task was to dig deeper into ways in which the international economy operates in the local cultures of poor people worldwide.

         We also welcome our new Woodstock International Visiting Fellows. Dr. Christina Astorga (Philippines), Dr. Margaret Scott, ACI (England), Dr. Anthony Savari Raj (India), and Bishop Francisco Claver, S.J. (Philippines) are already expanding our horizons. Along with them two U.S. Jesuit Visiting Fellows are enriching us with their scholarship: Philip Rossi, S.J. (Marquette University) and Thomas Schubeck, S.J. (John Carroll University). We are also delighted to welcome a new permanent senior fellow, John Haughey, S.J., who has come from Loyola University, Chicago, to head up Woodstock's new Catholic Higher Education project. Father Haughey's decades of exemplary scholarship and pastoral work make him an invaluable treasure for Woodstock.

         We also sincerely thank those who joined hands with us as donors from July 2003 to June 2004. Without you we could not bring the wisdom of our tradition to the hard human questions that we face. Thank you for honoring our work by sharing your blessings. Please join us in celebrating Woodstock's thirtieth anniversary.

Many thanks.

Gasper F. Lo Biondo, S.J.
Director

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