Dena O'Callaghan, Diane Dougherty,
Donna LeMaster Rougeux
(left to right)
Association of Roman
Catholic Women Priests
"When I was in seminary several years ago, one of my favorite professors, Dr. Carmel McEnroy, continually urged and hoped for something that just this weekend came into being. We were studying the Vatican II documents in her class and I came to a new level of appreciation for the breath of fresh air that came into the Roman Catholic Church during the second Vatican Council, that momentous event which forever changed the Church. My teacher's words still echoed in my mind as I attended the American Catholic Council on this Pentecost weekend in Detroit. Dr. McEnroy repeated to us, her students, "There needs to be a council of the laity." Well that is exactly what happened in Detroit this weekend, - a council of the laity. The work that was called for 50 years ago continues as ACC presented and passed the Catholic Bill of Rights And Responsibilities with just about a unanimous vote of the laity who were present at the council. When it was time to say yes or no to passing this bill of rights, we were ask to indicate a yes vote by standing and a no vote by staying seated. I stood up and could not see anyone staying seated. The number of people voting was close to 2000. This is only a a hint of what happened at this council that once again breathes new life into the Church at a time in history when it is most desperately needed.
On Friday night a DVD was shown of an interview with Hans Kung. I did not see that but I bought the DVD and look forward to watching it and sharing it with others. All of the breakout sessions and the keynote speakers were recorded and can be purchased. I brought several back and will share them. I have an order form and will probably purchase more of them. My two favorite keynote speakers were James Carroll and Joan Chittister.
I was moved to tears when James Carroll addressed us and reflected on meeting Pope John XXIII when he was a young boy because he eloquently described this moment in his history as one in which he sensed that he was in the presence of a person who was very Christ-like.
Joan Chittister mesmerized the crowd with her dynamic, inspirational words of motivation and encouragement asking us to courageously take steps toward reform by answering God's call to let our lights shine. Her talk significantly primed us to celebrate Pentecost with the closing liturgy.
A retired priest in the diocese of Detroit disregarded the Archbishop's warning to not attend the closing mass. This priest not only attended the mass, he presided at this very inclusive liturgy. There were two female planning committee members who had significant roles in the liturgy. One of them proclaimed the Gospel reading and the other gave the homily. The liturgy began with a very moving Stole presentation. As each person came in to the hall for the liturgy a red felt stole was handed out but we were told to wait until a certain part of mass before we put it on. So after the opening song was joyously sung, a representative from the community put the stole on the presided and said the following words: Receive this stole as a sign of your election by this community as our leader during this Pentecost Mass... Then the presided invited the community to put the stoles on and said the following words: Wear these stoles as a reminder of your baptism and confirmation when you committed yourself to God ... So Diane put the stole on me and I put the stole on her and everyone wore the stoles during the whole liturgy. Very cool! During the liturgy of the Eucharist the priest sang most of the words and the congregation joined in because the words were printed in the program. It was a beautiful well put together inclusive liturgy.
I am so happy that my professor's wish came true and that I was part of this first historical council of the laity!"
Donna Le Master Rougeux, ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
www.associationoformancatholicwomenpriests.org
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