As part of this preparation, we are encouraged not only to study the Word but to truly embody it, moving from the theory of the classroom to the practice of our daily lives. As part of that journey for missionary service, we are encouraged to understand and embody the characteristic dimensions of SVD life. This newsletter focuses specifically on our commitment to Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC). As we present this year’s edition, I find myself reflecting on how our community has strived to embody this charism; it is one thing to study these ideals, but it is another to live them. This academic year, we have journeyed in moving from reflection into action, and we are happy to share that journey with you.

As reflected in the newsletter, our commitment to JPIC in our formation house is a call to action. Our activities ground us in a deep appreciation for God’s gift of life. We immersed ourselves in the Season of Creation, not just through the newly­released liturgy of the Mass for Creation and daily petitions in our chapel, but by taking our prayer outdoors to appreciate the beauty of the University of Chicago campus during our reflective walk. We also brought this care for creation home, quite literally, by taking care of our spring and summer gardens, tending to the earth in our own front yard.

But our care extended beyond the soil to include responding to the needs of our neighbors. Through initiatives like the clothing drive and the Thanksgiving turkey distribution at St. Moses the Black Catholic Church, we sought to stand in tangible solidarity with those in need, while our monthly UN commemorations kept our eyes fixed on the broader global struggle for human rights.

This newsletter is a testament to that spirit. Inside, you will find 12 articles written by our brothers, offering theological reflection and social analysis. Additionally, we are proud to introduce a Ministry Directory, a new section recognizing the vast outreach of our community and the diverse ways we serve the people of God across Chicagoland.

Click here to read the DWT JPIC Newsletter.