From the Director...

Seeking "Something More"

Dear Friends of Woodstock,

On my desk is a recently published and inspiring book entitled The Life of Meaning: Reflections on Faith, Doubt, and Repairing the World. It presents fifty-nine outstanding contributors to PBS’s “Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly,” anchored by Bob Abernethy. He and Bill Bole, whose articles you have enjoyed in the Woodstock Report, have done a great service by putting together this insightful collection. In it the contributors to “Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly” tell us about how they find meaning in their lives, about their experience of God, and their sense of “something more.” Congratulations to Bill and Bob for making available a book that I recommend.

The notion of “something more” is not only a constant in many religious traditions, including the Catholic intellectual tradition. It is also a characteristic of Woodstock Theological Center’s work of theological and ethical reflection in the Jesuit tradition.

Those who are familiar with the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius that grounds the work of Woodstock will recognize what Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, referred to in Latin as the magis. The Ignatian sense of “something more” resonates with what the book’s contributors share and also expresses the passion for repairing a broken world, for translating their wisdom into deeds of service.

All of this strikes me as pertinent to the events, projects, and studies discussed in this issue. Take for example, “I Wanted to be Drawn Back In.” Here we are delighted to have Georgetown University student Erin Delmore tell us about the “Stories of Faith,” which Woodstock fellow Ray Kemp caringly elicited from Georgetown University students in the first part of our recent forum on young adult Catholics. The same goes for the second part of that same forum reported on in Bill Bole’s informative piece, “Listening to the ‘Millennials.’” Both lively events were shot through with a sense of the desire for “something more.”

Woodstock is very grateful to the Henry Luce Foundation for funding a recently completed three-year project, Catholicism and Civic Renewal, coordinated by John Farina. “The Ethics of Eating” was the title of a conference that concluded a series of interdisciplinary seminars made possible by the Henry Luce Foundation. Woodstock did “something more” by taking one matter of public concern and making it an example of how lawyers, historians, ethicists, and theologians can fruitfully explore the role of religion in society together.

Woodstock fellow Philip Rosato, S.J., after teaching Sacramental Theology for twenty-three years at the Gregorian University in Rome, helps us connect our public concerns and our faith. In his masterful piece, “Sacramental Grace and Woodstock’s Mission,” Phil helps us reflect on “something more” by relating our sacramental life with the place of charity and justice in our lives. Bravo, Phil!

Finally, I want to thank all our friends for investing in Woodstock through your prayers, financial support, and encouragement. As Woodstock moves forward and develops its institutional capacity to respond to new challenges, I thank you for your indispensable partnership.

Gasper F. Lo Biondo, S.J.
Director