Gnarled Yet Graced:
Christ's Call to Deeper Connection in a World That Pulls Us Apart
January 28, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Political battles divide families. Consumer culture breeds isolation. Social media promises connection yet leaves us hungry for authentic presence. Research underscores these challenges. Beneath these surface tensions lies a deeper spiritual reality – our profound hunger for genuine communion with God and one another.
The Gospel offers us a powerful image: Christ as the True Vine, the ultimate reconciler, connecting all humanity in a living network of grace. Through this lens, even our most challenging relationships reveal unexpected opportunities for divine encounter. Drawing from Scripture and Ignatian spirituality, Fr. John Meehan will discuss how prayerful attention transforms our approach to difference and conflict, opening pathways to genuine community.
In this discussion, we will explore:
Recognizing God's presence even in our conflicts and connection.
Living Jesus's call to love across today's deep divides.
Finding God's grace in the challenges of building community.
Fr. John Meehan, SJ
Fr. John Meehan, SJ, is a Canadian Jesuit who has taught and published on Canadian foreign affairs and relations with Indigenous people. An historian and university administrator, he is active in reconciliation work with Indigenous communities and attended the papal apology to residential school survivors at Maskwacis First Nation, Alberta in July 2022. As part of his Jesuit formation, he worked with disadvantaged youth, immigrants, prison inmates, and people with disabilities. He is currently Director of the Bill Graham Centre for Contemporary International History at University of Toronto.
Testimonials
The reflections were deeply moving and personal... The session felt like a spiritual retreat. I am looking forward to more!
Cynthia Mendoza
This was excellent food for the soul... I highly recommend it to anyone seeking meaningful spiritual growth.
Hélène Bergeron
The sharing from the speakers added depth and insight, making the session truly engaging.
Jacqueline Malan
What I valued most is the genuine welcoming and sharing.
Sheila Norquay
Testimonials
The vision, values, and rules discussed, and their application, were particularly impactful.
Maryann Lyshaug
The simplicity and ease of understanding the teachings were refreshing.
David Ouattara
The reminder that God is always with us and the invitation to listen to our inner movement towards God’s love was comforting.
Stella Messina
Recognizing the different feelings that occur in daily life was an eye-opener.
Thao Tran
Register now
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The "Journeying Together" Podcast Series
Join Fr. Francky and Scott for reflections, wisdom and inspiration from the Jesuits of Canada.
Discover 500 years of tradition, one story at a time.
At its core, our journey is about cultivating a profound friendship with God, discerning our way forward, meeting people where they are, and bringing the radical love of the Gospel to all. The Journeying Together podcast offers companionship to every pilgrim on our unique paths, inspired by the Spirit, step by step. For more information or to subscribe to our updates, visit jesuits.ca.
Fr. Jean-Francky Guerrier, SJ is a Haitian Jesuit, member of the Province of Canada. He earned a licentiate in philosophy and humanities at the Jesuit Faculty of Philosophy in the Dominican Republic. As a regent, in Haiti, he served as a communication and advocacy officer and project coordinator at the Jesuit Migrant Service in Haiti, providing vital assistance to urban refugees and asylum seekers in Port-au-Prince. He was missioned to Toronto in 2017, pursuing theological studies at Regis College-University of Toronto. He also attended acting and improvisation classes at The Second City.
Fr. Guerrier’s voice and insights have reached many through his podcast, “Talking with Francky,” with Salt and Light Media Toronto. His compassionate listening, active communication style, and attentive nature left his listeners wanting more. Fluent in French, Spanish, English and Haitian Creole, Fr. Guerrier is a bridge between cultures and peoples.
Currently, Fr. Guerrier is pursuing doctoral studies in communication at the Universite de Montreal while honing his skills as programs coordinator for Haiti at the Jesuits of Canada’s, Office of Advancement.
Scott McMaster a lay partner in mission since 2022, continues to form a personal perspective of being Pilgrims Together. In his current role as Director of Advancement he is empowered to use his engaging storytelling to ignite the energy of others. He was called to the Jesuits by their values of authenticity, integrity, courage, forgiveness, hope, healing, justice and service which strongly align with Scott’s personal and religious beliefs. A thoughtful listener whose enthusiasm for sharing the Jesuit mission is contagious. He is a husband of +35 years, a father, a son, a grandfather, an avid sports fan and a member of the Knight’s of Columbus Council #13443. Scott looks forward to sharing the deep impact the Jesuits of Canada provide daily to the people they serve.
