Dear Friends, 

I am humbled. 

These are the words I used when I wrote my first message in this magazine as the first provincial of the newly formed USA Midwest Province. And they are just as true today—in this, my last message to you as provincial in Jesuits Magazine. I have been humbled to work with my Jesuit brothers and our lay collaborators to pursue our mission, and I have been humbled to experience the fruits of your prayers and support in all that we do. 

I am pleased that Father General Arturo Sosa, SJ, has named Fr. Karl Kiser, SJ, as our next provincial (see page 12). A proven leader, Fr. Kiser brings considerable pastoral and administrative gifts, along with international experience, to his role of caring for the Jesuits and the ministries of our province. I am equally grateful for his deep and abiding love for the Society of Jesus and its service to the Church. 

One such mutual goal involves the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation dialogue that has been taking place among the Society of Jesus, Georgetown University, and the Descendants of Jesuit Slaveholding (page 9). President of the Jesuit Conference, former Chicago-Detroit Provincial Timothy Kesicki, SJ, has been engaged in this vital work for several years; it is just now bearing fruit. The Descendants have invited us to partner with them on a common project—their vision of a new charitable foundation. While much work remains, this is an important moment as we embrace a partnership that seeks progress in healing racial divisions. If you are so moved, I invite you to join us in supporting this ambitious and important project which flows from the heart of the gospel. 

Briefly, this magazine has much more good news to share: a new program called the Ignatian Legacy Fellows (page 6); our cover story (page 8), which provides perspectives from Midwest Jesuits who are serving abroad; an up-and-coming playwright (page 13); a student leader in activism and social justice (page 16); and several food industry professionals who have improvised during the pandemic (page 20). 

Finally, we are celebrating as we embark on the Ignatian Year (page 4), which begins on May 20— the 500th anniversary of the date a cannonball hit Iñigo de Loyola and forever changed his life. This jubilee will be an opportunity to rediscover our roots, while considering the “cannonball moments” in our own lives, through which we might hear God calling us to our own conversion, as we endeavor “to see all things new in Christ.” 

It is my prayer that you might experience such transformation as you ever deepen your relationship with God. And it is my fervent prayer that you know how grateful we are for your support of and participation in our mission. 

In Christ, 

V. Rev. Brian G. Paulson, SJ Provincial, USA Midwest Province