Letter from the Provincial
Dear Friends,
The months since we last met in these pages have been a time of great transformation in our Church. We mourned the loss of our beloved Pope Francis in April and then in May we celebrated the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff—and a Midwesterner at that! On page 23, Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, offers a wonderful reflection on Pope Francis’ papacy; on page 2, we share news of a timely book about the new pope, long in the works by our apostolate Loyola Press.
WITHOUT FEAR, UNITED, HAND IN HAND WITH GOD AND AMONG OURSELVES, WE WILL GO FORWARD.
–Pope Leo XIV
On Saturday, June 14, 2025, Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, ordained seven Jesuits—six from the Midwest Province and one from Eastern Africa—at St. Ita Church in Chicago (cover story, page 6). We are blessed by the families and friends of these men whose love and guidance led up to their vocation, and to the generous benefactors who made their formation and missioning as Jesuits possible.
We also give thanks for three Midwest Jesuits who mark 50 years in the Society of Jesus (page 16). Their lives in ministry have been a gift to those they have served!
Speaking of anniversaries, I’m pleased to share news of the overwhelmingly successful Model United Nations program at Chicago’s Saint Ignatius College Prep, which is celebrating its 25th year (page 14). In the story, we look back at the program through the eyes of its moderators, Diane Haleas and Fr. Patrick Mugisho, SJ, along with many student participants. We also celebrate the first anniversary of the Model UN program at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago.
In the second of a three-part series, we feature 10 international Jesuits working and studying in the Midwest Province (page 18) and the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters. We are blessed to have them here among us.
An integral part of Jesuit education is the faith formation that takes place in the classrooms and on the campuses of our secondary schools. On page 20, we look at several of the Jesuits and lay people doing that important work every day in high schools across our province.
We are blessed beyond measure to have so many stories to share! Know always of my prayers for you, your friends and your family. I ask your prayers for me, for the Church and the work of the Midwest Jesuits. AMDG!
In Christ’s Peace,
V. Rev. Karl J. Kiser, SJ
Provincial, USA Midwest Jesuits
(Back row, from left) Newly ordained Jesuit Frs. Matthew J. Ippel; David J. Inczauskis; Jack E. McLinden; Natnael S. Antonio (of the Eastern Africa Province); and James P. Kennedy after Mass with (front row, from left) Very Rev. Karl J. Kiser, SJ, provincial of the USA Midwest Province; newly ordained Fr. James M. McGivney, SJ; Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago; newly ordained Fr. Christopher S. Williams, SJ; and Fr. Charles Rodrigues, SJ, provincial assistant for formation for the USA Midwest Province. The ordination was held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at St. Ita Church in Chicago.