During 2006 Woodstock joins the Society of Jesus worldwide in a Jubilee year celebration of three great founding Jesuits. We celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Francis Xavier (great missionary to South and East Asia) and Peter Favre (master of the Spiritual Exercises), dearly beloved friends of Ignatius. This year also marks the 450th anniversary of the death of Ignatius Loyola, leader of the first Jesuits - or as I would put it, the 450th anniversary of his birth into eternal life.

Recently John Haughey and I showed an inspiring and brilliantly Jesuit-produced DVD commemorating the jubilee to 50 people during a weekend retreat that we conducted. The title of the DVD is AMDG: A World is Not Enough. The reaction during the subsequent discussion was enthusiastic. Those who had contact with Jesuits anywhere in the world, directly or indirectly, thought that it caught the passion behind their mission.

AMDG (which stands for Ad Majorem Dei Gloria, "for the greater glory of God") had captured something contemporary in the spirit of the young Ignatius, Francis Xavier, and Peter Favre, through the ways in which we try to keep our feet on the ground where people live, hope, pray, experience their faith and reflect on its meaning in their lives.

Woodstock also carries that same Ignatian spirit in the persons of its lay and Jesuit fellows, board members, staff, and you, our partners. This issue of the Woodstock Report reflects that spirit. Our thought-provoking articles show that we are with people where they face ethical challenges and pursue their deepest callings in realms ranging from business, government, and education, to church and family life.

Our board members play a critical role in helping us to remain true to that same passionate spirit. I want to hold up the contributions of two people in particular. The first is Mr. Michael Curtin, who has served as member of the board for six years, and during the past four years as chair. Now finishing his term, Mike has served with dedication, wisdom, and resourcefulness. I want to express my deep gratitude and warm wishes to him.

I also want to welcome Mr. Anthony Essaye as new chair of the Woodstock Board of Directors. We have an item in this issue about Tony and his wide experience. What I want to say here is that Tony brings a deep commitment to Woodstock and to the mission of the Society of Jesus that we are celebrating during this Jubilee year.

Woodstock's spirit depends on you, our partners, as well as on our board. You share in our Ignatian mission when you pick up on our theological reflections and "run with them." Thank you for the ways in which you partner with us through your prayers, ideas, and financial support.

Gasper F. Lo Biondo, S.J.
Director