In the Manresa Gallery

Members of the Anti-Racism Committee will be staffing the Manresa Gallery, within the nave, near the east doors, on 

• Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm and 

• Sundays from 8 am - 1 pm through Jan. 4, except for the week of Thanksgiving and Dec. 21 - 31. 

Saint Ignatius Church offers many places for quiet contemplation. The small chapels invite private prayer, moments of silence, and personal connection through faith. Just beyond the chapels, Manresa Gallery offers another kind of sacred space—one where art opens a door to reflection, inspiration, and dialogue.

Currently on view is Witness, an exhibit by Alexandru Salceanu, an interdisciplinary artist from our parish, whose work explores themes of migration, resilience, and belonging. Through video, personal testimony, and collaborative community artwork, the exhibit invites us to pause, to listen, and to consider what it means to welcome the stranger among us. At the heart of the exhibit are video interviews sharing immigrant stories, and featured among them are two families connected to our parish, from Cuba and Venezuela,. 

The exhibit's inauguration took place on September 21. The participants in the event heard Alexandru Salceanu speak about his work and were honored to have Genny Lim, the ninth poet laureate of San Francisco, and the first Chinese American in the role, share her thoughtful poems about immigration and resilience. The exhibit will remain open until Christmas.

Manresa Gallery is located inside Saint Ignatius Church. When entering from Fulton Street, go through the double doors and turn right. In the adjoining spaces, you will find video projections presenting interviews with individuals and families connected to our parish. Their immigration stories speak of courage, hope, and the search for safety and dignity. At the heart of the exhibit is a community weaving project, where visitors are invited to share a prayer, poem, thought, or drawing. This ongoing piece encourages reflection and connection through personal expression.

Listening to immigrant stories is more than just showing support—it’s a meaningful way to connect with our shared humanity. As Catholics, we’re reminded to “love your neighbor as yourself,” especially those who are vulnerable, displaced, or overlooked. The Church encourages us to recognize the dignity of every person and to welcome strangers with kindness. These stories remind us what it means to care, to welcome, and to stand together.

Come to the exhibit, sit with the stories, and let them speak to you.

Ana González Lane and Sofía López-Ibor, Anti-Racism Committee