The Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus recognizes that we must take responsibility for our legacy of boarding schools with Indigenous peoples. We must all confront, atone, and strive for healing and transformation for the shameful actions against Indigenous people wherever and whenever they have occurred.
Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of our brother, Fr. John R. Sima, SJ, who died on August 17, 2021 at Casa la Virgen de Nazaret in Lima, Peru. He was 81 years old. May he rest in peace.
In anticipation of their ordination to the priesthood, Jesuit scholastics are ordained to the diaconate during their theology studies. The diaconate role, in which they typically serve for six months to a year, is the final step in their preparation for priestly ordination.
Today marks the feast day of St. Francis Xavier, SJ, one of the first Jesuits, who is considered by some to be the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles.
Fr. Karl Kiser, SJ, has been appointed by Fr. General Arturo Sosa, SJ, as the next provincial of the USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits). Fr. Kiser will assume his leadership role in 2021. He succeeds Fr. Brian G Paulson, SJ, who was named provincial of the Chicago-Detroit Province in 2014 and became provincial of the new USA Midwest Province when the existing Chicago-Detroit and Wisconsin Provinces came together in June 2017.