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| CTA Community celebrates liturgy in honor of St. Mary Magdala |
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| CTA Community in Ft. Myers, Florida celebrates St. Mary Magdala Liturgy in July 2013 |
Living Gospel Inclusivity and Empowerment Now
Friday, July 19, 2013
Call to Action Community Celebrates St. Mary Magdala Liturgy in Estero, Florida, Judy Beaumont, ARCWP Liturgist/Presider
Inclusive Catholic Ministries Newsletter: Miriam Picconi, and Wanda Russell, Roman Catholic Women Priests Servicng Palm Coast, Florida
Inclusive Catholic Ministries
2 Westmill Ln., Palm Coast, FL 32164
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| Wanda Russell, Bridget Mary Meehan, Miriam Picconi (left to right) |
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INCLUSIVE CATHOLIC
MINISTRIES
North East Coast
Florida
The third Saturday of each month at 4:00 P.M. in Palm Coast, Florida.
Hospitality following.
Live streamed on the internet weekly to your home or wherever you are with your computer.
In your home with friends.
INTER-FAITH
THEOLOGY CLUB
Meets Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5:00
Call or e-mail requesting details.
Rev. Miriam Picconi 502-320-6817
miriampicconi@gmail.com
Rev. Wanda Russell 502-320-6814
wandayrussell@aol.com
INCLUSIVE CATHOLIC MINISTRIES
What is "Inclusive Catholic Ministries?"
We want to maintain the best of our Roman Catholic heritage and traditions. We want to invite EVERYONE to participate in God's love and our ministries and we use inclusive language. We want to offer what you the people of God want and need. We are starting with several ministry outreaches. Come and see if this is the faith community you are seeking.
Fr. Schuller Draws a Big Crowd at Boston Talk/ "Banned by Cardinal in Boston!"
http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/sch-ller-draws-big-crowd-boston-talk
Bridget Mary's Response:
Cardinal Sean O'Malley probibited Fr. Schuller, an Austrian priest leader, who publically called Roman Catholic Women Priests " a prophetic movement", from speaking on church property.
Didn't Cardinal O'Malley ever hear of the famous phrase "banned in Boston"? In my view, the hierarchy and the Vatican continue to be the gift that keeps on giving! The hierarchy condemns, the people show up!
Bridget Mary Meehan, arcwp, www.arcwp.org
Bridget Mary's Response:
Cardinal Sean O'Malley probibited Fr. Schuller, an Austrian priest leader, who publically called Roman Catholic Women Priests " a prophetic movement", from speaking on church property.
Didn't Cardinal O'Malley ever hear of the famous phrase "banned in Boston"? In my view, the hierarchy and the Vatican continue to be the gift that keeps on giving! The hierarchy condemns, the people show up!
Bridget Mary Meehan, arcwp, www.arcwp.org
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Fr. Helmut Schuller Kicks Off "The Catholic Tipping Point/ Tour" by Jamie Mason/National Catholic Reporter/Roman Catholic Women Priests, said Fr. Schuller is " a prophetic movement"
| Jul. 17, 2013Grace on the Margins
Fr. Helmut Schüller should be on summer vacation right now.
Instead, the Austrian priest, who gained international attention in 2011 for his "Call to Disobedience," has chosen to spend his time off from parish ministry offering a presentation titled "The Catholic Tipping Point: Conversations" in 15 U.S. cities...
"We are supposed to be promoting the biblical message that men and women are made in the image of God," Schüller said. "How can we promote this message without representing it in our structures? This is not a question of the demands of modern society, but question of our original message. We must rediscover this common image for God."
In Austria, reform-minded parishes have been intentional about practicing reform in the framework of their own communities. This includes allowing laypeople to offer homilies and lead communion services when parish priests are away. Catholics who are divorced and remarried outside the church are permitted to take Communion, as are Protestants. Gay and lesbian couples are also welcome in the community and to the eucharistic table.
"Eucharist must not be an instrument of sanctions," Schüller said. "The highest symbol of Communion is acceptance..."
One of Schüller's deepest hopes is that the institutional church will create a system of fundamental rights for all of the baptized. "We should speak not about laypeople, but 'church citizens,' " he told the audience. "The word 'lay' suggests 'without competence or experience.' "
"The Christian understanding of human beings is that they have rights and responsibilities and a special dignity that must be respected," Schüller said. "Therefore, they are entitled to participate in the church's decision-making."
"Full participation of church citizens is a question of respect for human beings," he said. "Democracy was a step forward in modern society, yet our church fought against it for centuries."
The lack of fundamental rights in the church, Schüller said, was the basis for the "Call to Disobedience." "We have both the suspicion and the experience that our obedience is being abused by church leaders in order to keep down church reform," he said...
Because Schüller is most interested in learning about the struggles of reform-minded Catholics in the United States, his 30-minute presentation was followed by almost one hour of dialogue with attendees.
A Roman Catholic Womanpriest (RCWP), Gabriella Velardi Ward, asked Schüller what he and the Austrian Priests' Initiative thought of their movement, which began in Europe.
Schüller said while his organization respects RCWP and sees it as a courageous movement, their desire is to see the whole church open up to the ordination of women, not just a small segment.
"We see ourselves as walking the walk and living the change we want to see. We are going through the back door so that one day, women can go through the front door," Velardi Ward replied.
Schüller, engaging in the kind of respectful listening he wants from the hierarchy, responded, "Then maybe we should respect you as a prophetic movement..."
[Jamie L. Manson is NCR books editor. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, where she studied Catholic theology and sexual ethics.
Bridget Mary's Response:
It is a joy to have Fr. Schuller on this U.S. tour and to read about his dialogue with Roman Catholic Womanpriest, Gabriella Velardi Ward. Amen, our movement is leading the way toward a renewed priestly ministry in a community of equals in grasstoots, inclusive communities in more and more places in the United States. We are a "mustard seed" movement for justice for women in our church.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
Instead, the Austrian priest, who gained international attention in 2011 for his "Call to Disobedience," has chosen to spend his time off from parish ministry offering a presentation titled "The Catholic Tipping Point: Conversations" in 15 U.S. cities...
"We are supposed to be promoting the biblical message that men and women are made in the image of God," Schüller said. "How can we promote this message without representing it in our structures? This is not a question of the demands of modern society, but question of our original message. We must rediscover this common image for God."
In Austria, reform-minded parishes have been intentional about practicing reform in the framework of their own communities. This includes allowing laypeople to offer homilies and lead communion services when parish priests are away. Catholics who are divorced and remarried outside the church are permitted to take Communion, as are Protestants. Gay and lesbian couples are also welcome in the community and to the eucharistic table.
"Eucharist must not be an instrument of sanctions," Schüller said. "The highest symbol of Communion is acceptance..."
One of Schüller's deepest hopes is that the institutional church will create a system of fundamental rights for all of the baptized. "We should speak not about laypeople, but 'church citizens,' " he told the audience. "The word 'lay' suggests 'without competence or experience.' "
"The Christian understanding of human beings is that they have rights and responsibilities and a special dignity that must be respected," Schüller said. "Therefore, they are entitled to participate in the church's decision-making."
"Full participation of church citizens is a question of respect for human beings," he said. "Democracy was a step forward in modern society, yet our church fought against it for centuries."
The lack of fundamental rights in the church, Schüller said, was the basis for the "Call to Disobedience." "We have both the suspicion and the experience that our obedience is being abused by church leaders in order to keep down church reform," he said...
Because Schüller is most interested in learning about the struggles of reform-minded Catholics in the United States, his 30-minute presentation was followed by almost one hour of dialogue with attendees.
A Roman Catholic Womanpriest (RCWP), Gabriella Velardi Ward, asked Schüller what he and the Austrian Priests' Initiative thought of their movement, which began in Europe.
Schüller said while his organization respects RCWP and sees it as a courageous movement, their desire is to see the whole church open up to the ordination of women, not just a small segment.
"We see ourselves as walking the walk and living the change we want to see. We are going through the back door so that one day, women can go through the front door," Velardi Ward replied.
Schüller, engaging in the kind of respectful listening he wants from the hierarchy, responded, "Then maybe we should respect you as a prophetic movement..."
[Jamie L. Manson is NCR books editor. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School, where she studied Catholic theology and sexual ethics.
Bridget Mary's Response:
It is a joy to have Fr. Schuller on this U.S. tour and to read about his dialogue with Roman Catholic Womanpriest, Gabriella Velardi Ward. Amen, our movement is leading the way toward a renewed priestly ministry in a community of equals in grasstoots, inclusive communities in more and more places in the United States. We are a "mustard seed" movement for justice for women in our church.
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
Celebration of Feast of St. Mary Magdala 2013 in Columbus, Ohio/Call To Action/Bridget Mary Meehan/ Homilist, Presider/Homily Attached
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| Bridget Mary Meehan with Call to Action Community in Columbus, Ohio |
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| Sharon Izzi dances Gifts at Presentation of Gifts/Offertory |
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| St. Mary Magdalene Liturgy, July 17, 2013, Columbus CTA |
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St. Mary Magdalene Liturgy/Columbus, Ohio/July 17,2013   |
CTA Board/Columbus, Ohio
Homily: St. Mary Magdala Celebration in Columbus, Ohio
In an article in the
National Catholic Reporter, Phyllis Zagano, author of Women and Catholicism,
writes: “Once
a pope trashes you, it's pretty much downhill from there. So once Pope Gregory
the Great in 591 declared that the "sinful" woman in Luke's Gospel
who anointed Jesus' feet was Mary Magdalene, a whole industry developed to
discredit her. That's big stuff. I mean, she is the one who announced the
Resurrection. There's a zinger for everyone: sisters, nuns, married women,
working women. OK, not quite everyone, just the female everyones. You know the
litany: the LCWR thing, the birth control thing, the "radical
feminist" thing. From here, it looks like half the church has been labeled
reborn Magdalenes, locked out of papal offices with no way to respond, no way
to react, no way out… "
Oh
yes, there is!
My
Sisters and brothers, like Mary of Magdala, the Risen Christ is calling us to
be apostles to the apostles. As we live Gospel equality and partnership in
inclusive, vibrant faith communities, our church is being reformed and renewed!
We don’t have to wait for the Vatican to act. Mary of Magdala did not wait for
Peter’s approval. The good news is: justice, like a river is rising up in the
Catholic Church today!
In
Luke 8:1-3, we learn that Jesus had male and female disciples including Mary of
Magdala, Joanna , Suzanna, and many more who contributed to the support of
Jesus with their own funds. Now how many sermons have you heard about the many
women who bankrolled Jesus’ ministry? Imagine a church today that honored the gifts
of women as spiritual equals! This is the church of our dreams that we are
birthing today.
The
Gospel of John portrays a close relationship between Mary of Magdala and Jesus.
When the other disciples come and go, Mary stays nearby, weeping, searching for
clues of Jesus whereabouts. Her grief is real. She has listened to his
teaching and experienced his healing love. This type of deep friendship
suggests a break with the social conventions of the time. Jesus treats Mary
of Magdala as an equal among the male disciples. In an age where a woman’s word
was suspect, the Risen Christ calls her to be the apostle to the apostles to
proclaim the good news of the Resurrection, the central belief of Christianity.
In an ancient Coptic Christian Scripture, “Pistis Sophia”, written in the Second Century, Jesus chooses Mary of Magdala and John to “be on my right and on my left.” Mary’s prominence is reflected throughout the document. She asks 39 out of 46 questions and participates in providing interpretation of this document. Peter expresses resentment toward her throughout the work: “My Lord we shall not be able to endure this woman, for she takes our opportunity and she has not let any of us speak and takes all the time herself.” Mary objects to Peter’s efforts to intimidate her and charges that “he hates the female race.”
History
is repeating itself today in the present spiritual revolution, that is taking
place in our church over the role of women. I call it a “welcome holy shakeup!” From the
first ordination on the Danube of seven women, our international Roman Catholic
Women Priests’ Movement has grown to over 150.
According to a recent CBS/Gallup poll, 70% of Catholics support women’s
ordination. In addition, 400 Austrian priests, 300 German theologians and 800 Irish priests who have endorsed women
priests. This clerical rebellion really is getting everyone’s attention with
major media articles!
On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis washed the feet
of young women and men in a juvenile detention center in Rome. This act of loving service is a spark of hope
that change is in the air. Appointing women to top jobs in the Vatican would be
an important step. There is certainly a long list of competent nuns and women
priests who are more than willing to serve as leaders in our church! Did you
see the photo of Pope Francis placing his papal skull cap on a little girl’s
head in Vatican Square! A delightful encounter!
In
the Gospel of Mary, written early in the Second Century, Jesus warns the
disciples against following a “set of rules and laws not given by him.” Mary
tells the disciples to proclaim the Gospel without fear. She assures them of
the Savior’s presence. In the second part, she shares a vision she has received.
Andrew and Peter react with scorn to her revelations but Levi defends her: “Peter
, thou has ever been of hasty temper. Now I see that thou dost exercise thyself
against the woman like the adversaries. But if the Savior has made her worthy,
who then art thou to reject her?”
Amen,
Levi, and amen to all our contemporary male priests and supporters who
challenge sexism in the church. No more “tippy- toeing” around the elephant in
our own living room!
Roy
Bourgeois and now Msgr. Helmut Schueller from Austria are proudly challenging
the old boys' club as they proclaim an agenda of church reform, including
support for women priests, to large crowds in cities across the U.S. and
Europe! Perhaps, we are on our way to a
tipping point! Can’t you just see one day, a Vatican spokeswoman, will say:
"Today we announce good news. The Church is reclaiming Jesus example and the
early church tradition of women as apostles
and leaders, all sacraments and all roles will be open to all the
baptized! "
This would come as no surprise to the early Church Fathers and Mothers!
This would come as no surprise to the early Church Fathers and Mothers!
Pope
Hippolytus who lived from 170 to 236 AD, addressed the role of women in early
Christianity: “Lest the female apostles doubt the angels, Christ himself came
to them so that the women would be apostles of Christ… Christ showed himself to
the male apostles and said to them…’It is I who appeared to the women and I who
wanted to send them to you as apostles.’” (Brock,
Ann Graham, Mary Magdalene, the First Apostle The Struggle for Authority,
2003 (quotes Hippolytus (DeCantico 24-26, CSCO 264) pp. 43-49)
Gregory of Antioch (d. 593) portrays Jesus as appearing to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary at the tomb and saying to them: “Be the first teachers to the teachers. So that Peter who denied me learns that I can also choose women as apostles.” (Brock, p. 15)
In Romans 16, St. Paul praises Junia and
Andronicus, as “outstanding apostles” who were in Christ before he was. Since
Paul, Junia and Andronicus were apostles, there were more than 12 apostles. The “twelve” was a symbolic number referring
to the twelve tribes of Israel. And, of course, in spite of what the hierarchy
in the Roman Catholic church states, Jesus did not ordain anyone at the last
supper
So
let’s be clear, women were apostles-
according to the Risen Christ, St. Paul, Church Fathers and a pope. Women
apostles are affirmed in the bible and in our church’s tradition!
Therefore, the church should follow the example of Jesus and treat women as equals.
Therefore, the church should follow the example of Jesus and treat women as equals.
Scholars,
like Gary Macy, in The Hidden History of Women's Ordination, present scholarly
evidence of women in Holy Orders during the first twelve hundred years of the
church's history. Women and men were
ordained to a specific service role within the community. It was not a “magic
fingers” understanding of sacraments that emerged in Middle Ages.
One
could say that the fact that women were ordained in our church tradition is the
church's best kept secret, but NO MORE!!
One
of the top stories that has grabbed the headlines since April 2012 is the
Nunjustice Project and the Nuns on the Bus. The Vatican’s investigation of
religious orders in the United States and their hostile “take-over” of the
Leadership Conference of Women Religious focused on hot button issues such as women’s
ordination, reproductive healthcare and gay marriage. In response to the
Vatican’s rebuke the Sisters embarked on a bus trip to nine states to showcase
their ministry to the poor and disenfranchised. The nuns on the bus were
greeted like rock stars everywhere they went. Most people recognize Sister Simone Campbell
as one of the courageous leaders of this endeavor.
According
to recent reports, Pope Francis has accepted the Sacred Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith’s (commonly referred to as the CDF) take-over of the
Leadership Conference of Women Religious. However, in response to a question by
the Latin American religious about a possible CDF investigation of their
Orders, he gave this advice: answer the CDF’s questions, but continue your ministries.
Was our new pope sending a mixed message or was his response a deliberate
signal that neutralizes the contemporary inquisition wing of the Catholic
Church?
The Vatican’s treatment of its most
loyal work force is a cause near and dear to my heart.
When
I was 18 years old I entered a teaching order the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Sisters, also known as the “Mighty Macs.” In 1995, I became a Sister for Christian Community in an
independent religious order with about 500 women. We are not under Vatican
control, and our mission is to live Jesus prayer, “that all may be one” by
building Christian community wherever we are and with whomever we are near.
I
pray that one day soon, nun priests
in canonical communities will bless our church! There are several Sisters for Christian Community who
are Roman Catholic Women Priests. Thank God!
In
1969, Pope Paul VI officially corrected Pope Gregory’s error, mis-identifying Mary
of Magdala with the sinful woman in Luke 7. Can’t you just see Mary, apostle to
the apostles, applauding and giving a thumbs up in heaven?
As
Phyllis Zagano concludes: “We are all Magdalenes. “
Amen!
Now I would like to give you an update on the
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests known as ARCWP. You can find us at www.arcwp.org
In 2013, the Association of Roman Catholic Women
Priests will have six ordinations: April: Louisville, KY, May:Cincinnati, Ohio,
June: Falls Church, VA, Sept. Albany, New York, Oct. St. Petersburg, Fl and Dec.
Louisville, Ky. Who says there is a priest shortage? Our projected number of
ordinands is 14 in 2013. In the United States, there are two branches of
our movement. Together we serve over 60 faith communities and we are in 30 states in U.S. Women Priests also
serve inclusive communities in Europe, Canada, and South America.
As
part of an international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement, the Association
of Roman Catholic Women Priests is a renewed priestly ministry in a community
of equals. Our specific charism within the broader RCWP movement is to live
Gospel equality and justice for all in the church and in society now. We work
in solidarity with the poor and marginalized for transformative justice in
partnership with all believers. We proudly wave our ARCWP banner at
demonstrations for peace and justice. Our vision is to live as a community of
equals in decision making as an organization and within all our faith
communities. In solidarity with other reform organizations, we are working to
transform a hierarchical institutional church into a circular, community of
equals model that reflects Jesus example of non-violence, compassion and
justice in the Gospels.
Homily: Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
Let us share our hopes and dreams in a dialogue homily now. Take a few moments for prayerful reflection on the following question:
Homily: Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
Let us share our hopes and dreams in a dialogue homily now. Take a few moments for prayerful reflection on the following question:
How can
we, like St. Mary of Magdala, promote the Good News of Gospel justice,
equality, and partnership rising up in our church and world?
Vatican Offers "Time off Purgatory" for Followers of Pope Francis' Tweets/What's Next Email Confessions?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/16/vatican-indulgences-pope-francis-tweets
Bridget Mary's Response:
What will the Vatican do next? Email Confessions?
Bridget Mary's Response:
What will the Vatican do next? Email Confessions?
Gary Wills on Pope Francis: Insightful Analysis!
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2013_07/garry_wills_on_pope_francis_he045807.php#
Bridget Mary's Response:
I agree with Gary Wills that Pope Francis should not canonize John Paul 11.
If Pope Francis succeeds in reforming the Vatican Curia, that will be a major accomplishment.
The issue of the full equality of women in the church including ordination will not go away! The international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement is leading the way to model a non-hierarchical, egalitarian, inclusive model that is one with the people in grassroots communities.
Bridget Mary Meehan, arcwp, www.arcwp.org
Bridget Mary's Response:
I agree with Gary Wills that Pope Francis should not canonize John Paul 11.
If Pope Francis succeeds in reforming the Vatican Curia, that will be a major accomplishment.
The issue of the full equality of women in the church including ordination will not go away! The international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement is leading the way to model a non-hierarchical, egalitarian, inclusive model that is one with the people in grassroots communities.
Bridget Mary Meehan, arcwp, www.arcwp.org
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
An Inspirational Visit with Sister Adrian Hofstetter O.P.
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| Left to right Rosemarie Smead, Mary Sue Barnett, Barbara, Sister Adrian Hofstetter |
South of Louisville, KY about 60 miles is an area called "The Kentucky Holy
Land", because there are 3 mother houses of religious women, and the Trappists
at Gethsemane, all pretty close together. Since the early 1800's when Bishop
Flaget of the Bardstown Diocese requested women to come to the area to teach and
nurse the nearly all catholic population, the religious life has flourished in
this area. In Louisville itself we have the Ursuline Motherhouse, as well as
many schools and universities dedicated to Catholic education spun off from
these sisters.
In Loretto, KY is the home of the Srs. of Loretto, founded by Catherine
Spalding. A few miles down the road is the home of the Srs. of Charity of
Nazareth. Then a few more miles and you come to Nerinx, KY where the Dominican
Sisters of Peace are located and have St. Catherine's College, with about 3500
students still there. Mary Sue Barnett was employed at St. Catherine for 3
years as their pastoral minister, until the did away with the position last
September.
We spent 3 hours with Adrian, under her spell really. Although she has to get around on a walker, her mind is bright and sharp, she doesn't miss a thing. I shall conclude with some pics from last Friday. Rosemarie Smead, ARCWP
A few yeas ago, about 2008, 8 groups of Dominicans from other places
merged with the Dominicans at St. Catherine's to form the Dominican Sisters of
Peace. After my ordination I received an email from "Sr. Adrian Hofstetter,
O.P." who is currently residing in the nursing home at the Mother House of the
Dominicans. She was interested in talking about ARCWP and about the journey
toward ordination. After I met Mary Sue, I told her that Adrian, one of the
Dominican Sisters from St. Catherine's had been corresponding with me. Mary Sue
knew Adrian and we planned to go visit her as time would allow. Since Adrian is
94, we decided to get it accomplished, and went down to visit her last Friday
the 12th.
Adrian, as she prefers to be called, was at the front door of the nursing
home waiting to greet us! Mary Sue's mother, Barbara, went with us as well. We
went to lunch, and several other of the sisters there came over and introduced
themselves, as well as Adrian's 90 year old sister, who had been President of
the College there for years.
Adrian brought us all several books! She had written her first one at age
83, having not been permitted to have it published until then. She is now
working on her 2nd book. Her first on the topic of biodynamics is entitled:
Earth-Friendly: Re-Visioning Science and Spirituality through Aristotle,
Thomas Acquinas, and Rudolf Steiner. Adrian is a scientist herself, a
biology philosopher, and has spent a lifetime teaching in search of a holistic,
organismic, living science respectful of the sacredness of nature and the
ubiquity of the spirit. Here is what Joan Chittister says of Adrian on the back
book cover:
"Sr. Adrian Hofstetter, Dominican to the core, is a seeker of truth. Her
renaissance book, EARTH FRIENDLY, builds a bridge between science and religion
in a way that strengthens both. It calls scientists to a renewed regard for
mystery, It calls the rest of us to new respect for the spiritual and
philosophical underpinnings of the ages. This book lifts the scientific beyond
the technical, and stretches the rest of us to think of both life and spirit,
the spiritual and the material, in new and integrated ways. It is exactly what
we need in this fragmented society where we know more and more about less and
less and seldom understand life as a whole." Joan D. Chittister, OSB
We spent 3 hours with Adrian, under her spell really. Although she has to get around on a walker, her mind is bright and sharp, she doesn't miss a thing. I shall conclude with some pics from last Friday. Rosemarie Smead, ARCWP
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Bishops and Birth Control, It's Not About the Money/ Another Example of Power and Control by Hierarchy
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/07/15/1223876/-The-Bishops-v-Birth-Control-It-s-Not-About-the-Money#
Written by Angela Bonvoglia for RH Reality Check
...."That position—blindness to women's rights and needs—has a familiar ring. It is the same refusal to see that underlies the all-male hierarchy's ban on women priests. It is the same refusal that forbids priests to marry. Indeed, at the heart of the contraception debate and so many debates around gender in the Catholic Church is a terror that if women have rights—over their own reproductive lives, to be priests, to marry priests, to have real voice and power in the Church—then the Church men will change. And if the Church men change, then the Church will change. And if the Church changes, the future that the all-male hierarchy lives in terror of—Pope Francis's nightmare of rampaging feminists, waging a "vindictive battle," steam rolling men with their "chauvinism with skirts"—will, at last, be here.
No wonder they're fighting so hard."
Bridget Mary's Response:
Amen, Angela. At the end of the day, it is all about Vatican power and control and denial of women's rights and failure to recognize women as equal images of God and partners in the Gospel. No wonder so many of the younger generation have written them off! Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
Written by Angela Bonvoglia for RH Reality Check
...."That position—blindness to women's rights and needs—has a familiar ring. It is the same refusal to see that underlies the all-male hierarchy's ban on women priests. It is the same refusal that forbids priests to marry. Indeed, at the heart of the contraception debate and so many debates around gender in the Catholic Church is a terror that if women have rights—over their own reproductive lives, to be priests, to marry priests, to have real voice and power in the Church—then the Church men will change. And if the Church men change, then the Church will change. And if the Church changes, the future that the all-male hierarchy lives in terror of—Pope Francis's nightmare of rampaging feminists, waging a "vindictive battle," steam rolling men with their "chauvinism with skirts"—will, at last, be here.
No wonder they're fighting so hard."
Bridget Mary's Response:
Amen, Angela. At the end of the day, it is all about Vatican power and control and denial of women's rights and failure to recognize women as equal images of God and partners in the Gospel. No wonder so many of the younger generation have written them off! Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
"Thank you for sending us an Angel" by Dee Binda
"Thank you, from the bottom of our Kansas City hearts, for sending Janice
Sevre-Duszynska, this beautiful RCWP, to be with us. On Janice's card, there is
an image of an angel with a trumpet, obviously heralding a great coming.
Under her name is the word "Priest," and here she was with us, Emmanuel, the
Christ in our midst. We celebrated in grand style as she led us in the prayers
of communion and kin-ship, women and men together, outside on a beautiful summer
night for an inclusive liturgy on peace and justice. As I looked around at
those gathered for this special liturgy, I knew everyone there was committed to
making our world a safe and empowered one for all. Everyone had gifts. The
liturgy was a celebration, not a sacrifice. No one (even those committed to
resistance callings) thought of our participation (i.e., our charisms) as a
sacrifice. The liturgy celebrated our communion with one another and our
participatory joy in creation.
A few special memories: Janice looking beautiful in her jeans and butterfly stole, a visual image of a new paradigm for priestly ministry; our temple, the lovely home of our phenomenal hostess, Sarah Jurcyk...it was lovelier than anyone could have imagined; Janice asking for volunteers at the beginning of the liturgy to do the readings and a dancer to bring forth the book to read the gospel words (and the beautiful completion of that movement when the time came by one of the women); the RCWP banner nestled in the trees and birds singing throughout the celebration almost sounding like they were reading the words on the banner; a poignant moment when Janice asked for any remembrances of those saints who have gone before us, I heard the voice of a friend say the name of her daughter who had been brutally killed by an abusive husband and tears swelled up in my eyes; embraces, one for everyone present (approximately 45-50 people), by Janice at the sign of peace allowing this joy to spill over as everyone then took her lead and opened to the moment with others; our communion, our moment to "take and eat," and "take and drink" with ALL present, as we celebrated our common humanity and the divine Spirit within everyone and all of Creation that surrounded us in this outdoor temple; our simple, wholesome feast following the liturgy which had been graciously donated by many; our laughter; our sharing; our rekindling of friendships old and excitement of meeting new ones; our thanksgiving for this lovely gift of grace.
There were many more moments, but I will conclude. The next day I took the food that was leftover, our loaves and fishes, to a shelter for abused women. The remaining drinks (water, beer, fruit juices) were given to the Peace Walk committee for the resistance work that was to take place on Saturday, July 12. This was the initial purpose of Janice's trip to KC. With all of the preparation for the resistance she had to do, it was amazing that she graciously agreed to not only visit with those of us who work for the inclusive ministry of all the beloved, but to prepare a liturgy for us.
Yes, you did send us an angel. And I might add, one more heart-felt memory: when Janice said the prayers for our Pope and then our Bishop, I heard your name, my dear friend and mentor, Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan. I smiled and knew our time had come. "
Much love, Dee
A few special memories: Janice looking beautiful in her jeans and butterfly stole, a visual image of a new paradigm for priestly ministry; our temple, the lovely home of our phenomenal hostess, Sarah Jurcyk...it was lovelier than anyone could have imagined; Janice asking for volunteers at the beginning of the liturgy to do the readings and a dancer to bring forth the book to read the gospel words (and the beautiful completion of that movement when the time came by one of the women); the RCWP banner nestled in the trees and birds singing throughout the celebration almost sounding like they were reading the words on the banner; a poignant moment when Janice asked for any remembrances of those saints who have gone before us, I heard the voice of a friend say the name of her daughter who had been brutally killed by an abusive husband and tears swelled up in my eyes; embraces, one for everyone present (approximately 45-50 people), by Janice at the sign of peace allowing this joy to spill over as everyone then took her lead and opened to the moment with others; our communion, our moment to "take and eat," and "take and drink" with ALL present, as we celebrated our common humanity and the divine Spirit within everyone and all of Creation that surrounded us in this outdoor temple; our simple, wholesome feast following the liturgy which had been graciously donated by many; our laughter; our sharing; our rekindling of friendships old and excitement of meeting new ones; our thanksgiving for this lovely gift of grace.
There were many more moments, but I will conclude. The next day I took the food that was leftover, our loaves and fishes, to a shelter for abused women. The remaining drinks (water, beer, fruit juices) were given to the Peace Walk committee for the resistance work that was to take place on Saturday, July 12. This was the initial purpose of Janice's trip to KC. With all of the preparation for the resistance she had to do, it was amazing that she graciously agreed to not only visit with those of us who work for the inclusive ministry of all the beloved, but to prepare a liturgy for us.
Yes, you did send us an angel. And I might add, one more heart-felt memory: when Janice said the prayers for our Pope and then our Bishop, I heard your name, my dear friend and mentor, Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan. I smiled and knew our time had come. "
Much love, Dee
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Twenty-Three Protestors Arrested at Weapons Plant/ Oblate of Mary Immaculate Priests and ARCWP Priest Arrested
Watch Video of Malala Yousafzai at UN "In God we are all equal"
Watch and hear #Malala Yousafzai make her astoundingly powerful
speech to the UN Assembly to mark World Youth Day http://youtu.be/KtprX8i2k-Q
Focus is on Spirituality, not Religion especially religious structures/institutions today
"William D'Antonio, a Catholic sociologist said that the percentage of Catholics who say they are "religious" has dropped from 74 to 60 percent in just the past five years.
"It's more than semantics. {Decades agao} we really, really believed if you didn't go to Mass , you'd go to hell. There was a belief that the church had a structure that would get you to heaven if you followed the rules... Now more and more people look to their conscience, however, its's formed, to decide for themselves." Washington Post article on "religion" by Michelle Boorstein, July 13, 2013
"It's more than semantics. {Decades agao} we really, really believed if you didn't go to Mass , you'd go to hell. There was a belief that the church had a structure that would get you to heaven if you followed the rules... Now more and more people look to their conscience, however, its's formed, to decide for themselves." Washington Post article on "religion" by Michelle Boorstein, July 13, 2013
"An Inclusive Catholic Liturgy in Kansas City" by Janice Sevre-Duszynska, ARCWP
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Janice Sevre Duszynska ARCWP with Kansas City Women |
About 45-50 gathered for our first inclusive liturgy last night in Kansas City, MO at a supporter's home and outside terrace. Dee Binda organized the liturgy and her husband Bob gave a helping hand. It was a blessed event. Beforehand I explained a bit of the history of the movement, our ARCWP community and our circle of equals in a renewed priesthood in a reformed Church. We used the Liturgy for Partnership and Equality for Women in Church and Society and readings from Isaiah and Luke's Gospel of Mary's visit to Elizabeth with The Magnificat. "Blessed is she who believed that what our God said to her would be accomplished!" Elizabeth's words to Mary was the focus of the homily. The community expressed their appreciation of the inclusive language and the mutuality within our liturgy: how people read the Eucharistic prayer; how we consecrated the Eucharist together; how they read the Gospel and Old Testament reading; and the mutual blessing. They felt empowered by the liturgy they said. They felt moved when they gave each other the Eucharist saying: "You are the body of Christ." They asked if they should call me mother or another title. I said that "Janice" was fine as we do not want a hierarchy. I was asked to return again as soon as possible. I gave out Roy's new booklet "My Journey from Silence to Solidarity," the Spring SOA Watch "Presente," my card and our brochure. I have asked people who took photos to send them to Bridget Mary. Dee Binda may also write a reflection on the gathering.
Janice Sevre-Duzynska, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
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