FATHER JAMES W. PROFIT S.J.

FATHER JAMES (JIM) W. PROFIT, S.J. On Saturday, January 11, 2014 in his beloved Summerside, PE, after a three year struggle with cancer. Fr. James Profit S.J. was in his 58th year of life and 34th year of religious life. Born in Summerside, the son of James Profit and Catherine Wallace, he was one of nine children in a very close-knit family. It was out of his deep-rootedness in his family and in Prince Edward Island (which, for him, was the closest you could get to heaven on earth) that he returned for his final weeks of life. Jim studied at the University of Guelph, earning a B.A. in Agricultural Science. His commitment to healthy, sustainable agriculture would mark his entire life. He entered the Society of Jesus in August of 1980. Shortly after ordination to the priesthood on May 25, 1991, he moved to Jamaica to work on agricultural development work with local farmers. Jim then worked on Manitoulin Island in Ontario with the First Nations community. In 1999, Jim returned to Guelph where he would spend the rest of his life. He worked at the Jesuit Centre for Social Faith and Justice, always with a focus on ecological issues. Jim initiated organic community farming on the Jesuit land. Jim became a leader in a new consciousness that would articulate a fundamental responsibility of all persons and nations to respect and protect the earth. He travelled to many parts of the world to lead Ignatian retreats with an ecological focus, doing groundbreaking work in the greening of the Spiritual Exercises. Jim was a tall, charming, caring man, appreciated by all who knew him. He embodied intelligence and had a twinkle in his eye. His family, his Jesuit companions and his many friends will all miss him. His faith-filled struggle against his cancer, which he believed was related to the illness of the earth itself, has been a source of inspiration to many. Jim never gave up hope for himself or for the earth. A trail in the Old Growth Forest at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre will be named after Jim. Resting at Holy Rosary Church, 175 Emma St., Guelph (Sunday, January 19, 2014 from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m.). Funeral on Monday morning, January 20, 2014, at Holy Rosary Church for Funeral Mass at 11 o'clock. Interment Jesuit Cemetery, Guelph. Wake Service at the church on Sunday at 8 p.m. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Ignatius Jesuit Centre would be appreciated by the family. A reception will be held at Holy Rosary Church Hall immediately after the Funeral Mass, prior to the burial. Arrangements entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home, Guelph (519-822-4731).