Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ

@kenhomansj

Catholic, son, brother, Brother, Jesuit, weightlifter, woodworker, radical for Christ. Proudly putting the SJ into SJW. My posts≠orgs I am part of. (he/him)

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Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· 23d

Recently, a relatively prominent US bishop wrote several posts about the danger of communism and socialism, and their anthropology of dismissing the human for material considerations. I wonder what he'd do with JPII's statement on Neo-liberalism from "Ecclesia in America" (1999).

These sins are the sign of a deep crisis caused by the loss of a sense of God and the absence of those moral principles which should guide the life of every person. In the absence of moral points of reference, an unbridled greed for wealth and power takes over, obscuring any Gospel-based vision of social reality.

Not infrequently, this leads some public institutions to ignore the actual social climate. More and more, in many countries of America, a system known as “neoliberalism” prevails; based on a purely economic conception of man, this system considers profit and the law of the market as its only parameters, to the detriment of the dignity of and the respect due to individuals and peoples. At times this system has become the ideological justification for certain attitudes and behavior in the social and political spheres leading to the neglect of the weaker members of society. Indeed, the poor are becoming ever more numerous, victims of specific policies and structures which are often unjust. (207)

On the basis of the Gospel, the best response to this tragic situation is the promotion of solidarity and peace, with a view to achieving real justice. For this to happen, encouragement and support must be given to all those who are examples of honesty in the administration of public finances and of justice. So too there is a need to support the process of democratization presently taking place in America, (208) since a democratic system provides greater control over potential abuses.

“The rule of law is the necessary condition for the establishment of an authentic democracy”. (209) For democracy to develop, there is a need for civic education and the promotion of public order and peace. In effect, “there is no authentic and stable democracy without social justice. Thus the Church needs to pay greater attention to the formation of consciences, which will prepare the leaders of society for public life at all levels, ...

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· 27d

You've been murdered. Who do you want on the case?

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· 28d

I know @theguardian.com meant "hoarse voice," but I think "horse voice" is actually much more fitting given the situation.

Trump concludes speech on supposed shambles of US election system with pitch for mandatory photo ID for voters

Donald Trump just concluded a 25-minute speech, shouting at times despite a horse voice, as the deeply unpopular president tried to spark a groundswell of support from the nation for his proposed crackdown on what he cast, without allowing anyone to review what he called the evidence, as an epidemic of illicit voting by large numbers of non-citizens.

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jul 14

In light of ICE assassinating another beloved child of God, I am thinking of and praying with the words of St. Oscar Romero. www.romerotrust.org.uk/1980-homilie...

"I would like to make an appeal especially to the men of the army, and concretely to the
National Guard, the police, and the troops. Brothers, you are of part of our own people. You are killing your own brother and sister campesinos, and against any order a man may give to kill, God’s law must prevail: «You shall not kill!» (Ex 20:13).

No soldier is obliged to obey an order against the law of God. No one has to observe an immoral law. It is time now for you to reclaim your conscience and to obey your conscience rather than the command to sin. The church defends the rights of God, the law of God, and the dignity of the human person and therefore cannot remain silent before such great abominations. We want the government to understand well that the reforms are worth nothing if they are stained with so much blood. In the name of God, then, and in the name of this suffering people, whose laments rise up each day more tumultuously toward heaven, I beg you, I beseech you, I order you in the name of God: stop the repression."

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jul 7

I'd like to print, laminate, and super glue this to every dishwasher in every Jesuit community in the US.

Man staring at pile of dishes. The dishes say, "We ain't dishwasher safe, big boy. Start scrubbing."

From cartoonist "Art of Pants"

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jul 4

I don't have many handy (they're on my external hd), but I was struck by the one officially tossing support behind FDR, and another condemning capitalism. We also coordinated Kansas youth attending 300k Masses in gratitude for FDR.

Partial, yet telling relief has been effected by the President’s recent “Recovery” legislation.
Shorter hours and higher wages at least strike directly at the base of the evil—the present
maldistribution of wealth. It is not the natural world that it as fault; it is as bountiful and prolific
today as it ever was. There is a superabundance of all things for everyone. May a permanent
success attend President Roosevelt’s fearless and sane endeavors.

This distaste would stay with Husslein for the
rest of his career. He would not limit his despise to socialism. Husslein spoke out against
capitalism as well. He described unrestrained capitalism as “wildly driven steeds, lashed beneath
the scorpion whips of Liberalistic principles.”38

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jul 3

Per recent events. (This was shared with me, so tag if you know who the original creator is who deserves credit)

Meme from "Mean Girls" about not being able to sit at the table:

Rome: You recovered yourself by your disobedience.

SSPX: *confused stare*

Catholics: "You can't sit with us!"

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jul 1

Fitting alongside:

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jun 30

Who wore it better? #Netherlands #Dutch #WorldCup

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jun 26

I encourage our Jesuit universities--especially those refusing to bargain with or even recognize unionized workers--to heed these vital words from Pope Leo. It's too easy to reduce this message to service trips and donations instead of community-shaping practices. www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news...

“Your institutions are called not only to teach your students about the injustices faced by those on the margins of society, but also to be powerful channels in promoting systemic change through proposing new models rooted in solidarity and the common good,” the Pope said, in a meeting at the Vatican with the presidents and representatives of Jesuit colleges and universities in North America.

In his address, Pope Leo offered a roadmap to how these institutions can help their members confront society’s most pressing issues.

The Pope drew inspiration from the Jesuits’ four Universal Apostolic Preferences: themes that were established in 2019 and aim to guide the work of the Society of Jesus for the following 10 years.

The Preferences are: showing the way to God, walking with the excluded, journeying with youth, and caring for our common home.

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jun 25

One of my best buds recently sent me this photo of a floating shelf that I made for him a few years ago, and it's a great reminder that I need to get moving on a few fun, creative projects that I've neglected this summer. #woodworking #furniture #bookshelf

A globe-like bookshelf filled with books, knickknacks, etc

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jun 24

Finished writing my thousand words for the day. Time for bed so I can get up for a 6 AM community organizing training call, followed by a Catholic labor organizing meeting, facilitating an economic justice book study, and two 1-1s to lay foundations for future organizing. #Jesuit #UnionStrong

Picture of a laptop with several chairs and a courtyard in the background

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jun 12

Some folks at this huge labor conference seem surprised that there's a dude in a Roman collar. From the picket line to the communion line, Christ is present in the demands of justice and the Holy Spirit sets our hearts aflame. Out of the church, into the streets.

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jun 10

This section of the @amtrak.com trip between STL and Chicago is right next to the highway. And I always enjoy checking our speed in this section because Maps thinks we're on the highway doing absolutely absurd speeds.

Maps showing that we're going 107 mph in what it thinks is a 55 mph zone

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jun 3

For context, here are some direct quotes from Pope Leo's new encyclical. (Apologies for my notes in between)

Social Doctrine is not merely a message addressed to society; it is also an examination of conscience for the Church — a home and school of communion that is always called to
ensure that the principles outlined in this chapter are applied, especially within its own
structures. (86)
- Living out justice in the Church means purifying ecclesial relationships and structures from distortions that give rise to inequality, lack of transparency and abuse of power. In
this regard, listening to the victims of spiritual, economic, institutional, sexual and
power-based abuse, as well as abuses of conscience, is an integral part of a journey
toward justice, which includes acknowledging the harm done, just reparation and taking
steps to prevent it from happening again. Every power is at the service of communion
and mission. All authority is at the service of the People of God. This ministry of service
is expressed not only through our faith celebrated and lived in the Sacraments, and in the adoption of a synodal style, but also in the concrete sharing of goods. (89)

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Jun 2

There are worse spots to write about New Deal Liberalism and the role of Midwestern Jesuits in shaping American Catholicism.

Picture of a laptop in the foreground, with in focus background being a courtyard with garden. There are light clouds in the sky.

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· May 18

What are you reading and/or listening to these days? I've got a class textbook, an airplane trip book, and a listening while in the workshop building a bookshelf book.

"The Jesuits" by Markus Friedrich

"The Wailing Wind" by Tony Hillerman

"The Wretched of the Earth" by Frantz Fanon

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· May 16

Real bummer to see @us.theguardian.com -- a newspaper that often supports labor -- encouraging folks to cross the @reiunion.bsky.social picket line in the name of mediocre deals. Hoping the paper does a little more self-reflection.

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· May 10

I got this card for my mom for Mother's Day and I successfully got a big eye roll out of my three older sisters. Which is the whole point.

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· May 4

The problem with accomplishing goals is you have to set new ones. I finally squatted 272.5kg / 600 lbs today. I would have leapt for joy if my legs had any power left 😂 #squat #PowerLifting #Catholic #Jesuit #FightFacism

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· May 3

I hope your Sunday is beautiful!

Up close photo of magenta roses with archway made of yellow glass in the background with blue skies and a few clouds

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Apr 21

I think with landscape, I'll do a shelf where the curve levels out again, and a second across the middle. I'm also trying to figure out if I should risk trying to get the internal reinforcement out or sacrifice the bit of lost space.

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Apr 21

I'm turning this baby grand piano into a bookcase. I'm fairly convinced of doing it in landscape (curve to the side), but is there any reason you see for building it in portrait (curve at the top)? Also, please remember that this piano was totally kaput and I wouldn't normally rip up an instrument.

Carcass of a baby grand piano laying on its side with the workshop in the background

Carcass of a baby grand piano standing against a workbench

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Apr 18

Spending my Friday night deconstructing a baby grand piano. It was totally kaput (even the harp was cracked). But it's still putting up a heckuva fight. I have used five different types of saws trying to get down to just the outer frame. Hopefully it will make a great bookshelf!

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Apr 17

This cardinal enjoying a new-leafed sycamore tree would like you to have a great day.

A bright red male cardinal sitting in a bright green sycamore tree with a bright blue sky in the background

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Apr 13

Pretty happy w/ the speed & depth of these squats. I'm relaxing more in the descent, which has given me more spring on the way up. 540x3 Trying to be the strongest #Jesuit you know, but more importantly staying strong so I can be a good helper in the work for justice & charity. And almost fell...

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Apr 11

I've had a very #Jesuit day: prayer, some lesson plans, woodworking, and spent the afternoon planting trees in the park hit by the tornado last year. We planted over 300 trees! We all have different gifts, but whatever our gift it's important to serve each other and love our community.

Picture of myself and two friends next to one of the many trees we planted

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Apr 10

Why, dear reader, is there a student in a green screen suit juggling a soccer ball in our driveway?

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Apr 9

A new request, but one that I was happy to figure out! Visitation Academy asked me to build a new altar & ambo as part of their renovations. The wood is all urban lumber saved from downed city trees. There are eight legs repping the Little Virtues of St Francis de Sales. #woodworking #Jesuit

Picture of me standing with the altar and ambo

Altar with sun streaming in and stained glass in the background

Br. Dr. Ken Homan, SJ@kenhomansj· Apr 8

In class today I did an activity where students had to determine whether quotes were from a Catholic or a communist. A few they got easily. But some, like this, they struggled with mightily. This one is actually from Pope Benedict XVI in the encyclical "Caritas in Veritate."