‘Sacred Space’ – Loyola Press, joint apostolate

Irish Jesuit Provincial Tom Layden and Brian Paulson SJ, Provincial of the Chicago Province, have together announced news of their formal agreement to make Sacred Space, the online prayer site, a joint apostolate. From Sept 1st 2014 Sacred Space and Loyola Press will work in partnership together to grow Sacred Space as a fruitful apostolic work.
Loyola Press will be responsible for all the technical, managerial and financial running of the site, whilst the Irish Province will take on the responsibility of providing the website content.
Jesuit Communications Ireland will co-ordinate the content procurement and liaise with the Publisher in Loyola Press. Patrick Muldoon will be the contact person for translators around the world
Since its launch in 1999 Sacred Space has made a significant contribution to the world of online prayer and spirituality, creating a loyal community from many faiths and in many countries and Tom Layden said that both Provincials wanted to put on record their thanks to those who pioneered the project. ” We think of Alan McGuckian SJ and Peter Scally SJ and recent Directors, Brian Grogan SJ and Piaras Jackson SJ and all those over the years who have helped to maintain the work. In particular the people of the United States have embraced the site (a significant majority of the users are US citizens) so it is fitting that this inter-Provincial co-operation involves an American Province.”
The Irish and US Provincials said they were conscious that Sacred Space is an apostolic work of great potential and, in the context of this new partnership, its work will be enhanced. “So we welcome this partnership and we are confident that, with mutual support, whatever challenges arise will be transformed into opportunities, so that the work will develop and thrive.”
They said they were happily looking forward to an era of ‘new possibilities’ with their Jesuit brothers and colleagues both in the US and in Ireland. “We will review our progress and learn from each other in a spirit of shared service for those seeking prayerful communion with the Lord in their daily living.”
They also expressed their gratitude to all those who made this work of collaboration possible and “to those who will continue to make it bear real fruit for the community of online people at prayer around the world. They are all in our prayers and we ask that you keep them in yours.”