Jesuits (The Society of Jesus)
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- Published on Thursday, 22 December 2011 14:37
- Written by Nack
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The Jesuits (Society of Jesus) Serving the Diocese of Yakima
1. The history of the Jesuits in the Diocese of Yakima is intimately tied to the history of the diocese itself. Jesuits arrived in 1870 at St. Joseph Mission on Ahtanum Creek and were asked to assume responsibility for the Mission the following year. In 1884, Jesuit missionaries realized that their ministry at the Mission would better serve the needs of their people if the site of their ministry were more centrally located. This led to the construction of the first St. Joseph Church in the new town of Yakima City, later to be called Union Gap. Two years later, following the same reasoning, it was decided to move the same church building to the new railroad center of North Yakima. The present St. Joseph Church is the third St. Joseph Church on that site, now officially known as Yakima.
2. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Jesuit missionaries evangelized remote areas and laid the foundation for parishes among widely separated populations in what today is known as the Diocese of Yakima
3. In 2007, Jesuits are engaged in parish work and Hispanic ministry in the cities of Naches, Sunnyside, Toppenish and Yakima. They exercise apostolates in hospitals, and they stand ready when available to substitute for absent priests throughout the diocese. Jesuits serve as spiritual directors and conduct spiritual exercises for both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking Catholics. They also serve as chaplains for some Catholic organizations as well as work in ecumenical pursuits. One of the Jesuits is involved in fundraising for Catholic institutions. Another is active in community based theatre. At the request of the bishop, a Jesuit helps with writing and archival research.
4. Jesuits in the Diocese of Yakima are : Fathers Samuel P. Bellino, S.J.; John C. Bentz, S.J.; Thomas J. Bunnell, S.J.; Eugene P. Delmore, S.J.; Neill R. Meany, S.J.; L. Michael Pope, S.J.; Carlos A. Sevilla, S.J., Bishop of Yakima; Charles E. Schmitz, S.J.; William D. Vogel, S.J.; and Virgilio Zea, S.J.
5. The Jesuits were founded by Ignatius of Loyola in 1540 to serve in any capacity and in any part of the world where there is hope of God's greater glory and the promotion of faith together with the struggle for justice which it involves.
