Living Gospel Inclusivity and Empowerment Now
Saturday, August 21, 2021
WHEN WE FORGIVE WE ARE TRANSFORMED, SOCIETY AND RELIGION CHANGE.
STORIES OF FORGIVENESS IN THE MIDST OF VIOLENCE.
Olga Lucia Alvarez Benjumea ARCWP*
Stories that today teach us the value of forgiveness. Forgiveness is the hope of uniting us to rebuild a future without hatred, without violence towards peace. Sincere forgiveness is done with words and actions.
These are rare stories in this country full of hatred and violence, of revenge and vengeance that we need to know as rays of hope for the construction of peace.
To forgive is not synonymous to stop fighting for Human Rights, and even less to tolerate impunity.
Let us understand that forgiveness=amnesty of a political nature is very different from forgiveness=forgiveness of an ethical-Christian nature. Forgiveness is one of the most urgent and important acts for the strengthening of community living.
In these stories the protagonists are women. Women who have lost their children and their brother.
Lolita Londoño, (member of the "Madres de la Candelaria"-Medellín) lost her 3 children. Josefa Morelos (member of "Mujeres Espejo"-Cartagena) 1 son, brother of Rosiris Murillo, also of the group Mujeres Espejo. Mercedes Segura Rodríguez, 1 son (member of the Vida Digna Foundation-Buenaventura).
All of them inhabitants of the popular sector in their cities.
Each of them could give us details of their process and maturity in the face of life.
They are stories that the whole world should know, celebrate and honor for the lessons they leave us.
Lolita, her womb and mother, knowing the story of the young man who murdered her son, adopts him, welcoming into her home, the one who murdered Oscar, her son, and who bears the same name as her son. Her mother's womb never closed to continue giving life and visiting others in prison.
Josefa and Rosiris, forgive and embrace the one who snatched their loved one from their side and offer him their friendship and welcome. They know and know of the young man who was paid to commit his crime. A young man, known and neighbor of the neighborhood, student of Rosiris and of known history.
Mercedes loses her son, Luis Omar, the only boy. Under the same strategy of the youth gangs already known.
Some for not accepting to join the gang. Others are put to the test for training and to demonstrate that, if they are capable, they are even capable of killing their own friend and neighbor.
To ask for forgiveness and to forgive is free. You don't find this attitude in the market.
Without being in their shoes, it is very easy to say: "they are weak". But today we see them as pioneers of forgiveness and strong as warriors, on the front line of reconciliation and peace.
They are free and brave women, no one can stop them in their courage, work and decision to change society and religion.
For them, there is no question that makes them falter in their determination for peace. "Are you going to forgive?", "How can you think of it?", "After what they did to you?", "What does that solve, you are not going to resurrect your son?", "What they have done to you, God will not forgive".
The lesson that these stories challenge us and force us to reflect, to think about our attitudes and even the fuss we make over insignificant trifles.
Forgiveness is the threshold that allows us to jump over grudges, and be free to live in peace, happiness, joy in community, family and social coexistence.
It is our time to forgive and to be forgiven in order to achieve PEACE!
*Roman Catholic Presbyterian
Envigado, August 20, 2021
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy, 21st Week in Extra-Ordinary Time , August 21, 2021, Presiders: Lee Breyer and Mary Al Gagnon, Readers: Joan Meehan and Mary Montavon
Zoom link for video - 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85108095506
ID 851- 0809-5506, Passcode 1066
Dial 1-929-436-2866
Meeting ID: 851 0809 5506
Password: 1066
Theme: MLK Jr had a dream; I had a dream…and you…?
MARY AL: Welcome everyone who came to celebrate today’s liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community. Here all are welcome, those who have been with us for quite a while and those who may be new here today.
We invite everyone to pray the liturgy. As we start today, everyone will be muted (silenced) except for the presiders and the readers so that they can be heard by the community. Everyone else in invited to “pray out loud” – whether in word or song – in the parts marked ALL. Although many of us may have difficulty hearing everyone else all the time, we know that Jesus does hear us. And please have some bread and wine or juice nearby as we pray our Eucharistic Prayer, preparing for the Consecration and our Communion.
Let us take a few minutes not to collect ourselves as we focus our minds and hearts on our celebration of the liturgy we are sharing with one another. And then we will open our ceremony this afternoon with a song.
Opening Song: Joan Baez sings We shall overcome
August 1963 at March on Washington DC, where MLK gave his famous I have a dream speech
https://youtu.be/7akuOFp-ET8
Gathering Prayer
LEE and ALL: God of all life, you who have created the universe and directed everything in its to fulfillment in Jesus, the Christ, do open our minds to the Message of the Gospel and surely our hearts to its content so that the peace and compassion of Jesus may guide our lives. Loving God, bless all of us on this liturgy here today on Zoom. Renew the lifestyles that give forms to our lives and demonstrations of our understandings of the teachings of Jesus. We especially ask for the grace of Jesus and the strength of the Spirit on those who look to them in their times of need. Amen.
Penitential Rite and Community Forgiveness
MARY AL: Loving God, we do not fully open our hearts to receive your Spirit within us.
MARY AL and ALL: Help us to open ourselves to Her message so that we may truly be your voice among your people.
MARY AL: Christ Jesus, we do not really trust enough in your promise that you would send your Spirit so that we would faithfully reflect your image on earth.
MARY AL and ALL: Help us to grow in our understanding and confidence that your word actually does bring peace to those who love you, obey your word and live your message.
MARY AL: Holy Spirit, pour out your healing grace and supporting strength on us that we may be true evidence of your grace on all God’s people.
MARY AL and ALL: Help us to respond to your presence in us and bring that blessing to all of us in your Blessed Family.
LEE and ALL: (Please outstretch an arm for this prayer.) God, the Father and Mother of mercy, we are grateful that, through Jesus’ live, death, and resurrection, you bonded the whole world to yourself. You sent the Holy Spirit among us to give us both the wisdom to love you and the strength to love one another. Loving God, may we – following your example – act on your teachings and promises always, and do so with no exceptions. Amen.
Glory to God
Song: Joyful Gloria
https://youtu.be/Ex6v8rIKCTE
The Liturgy of the Word
LEE: Today’s first reading takes us back in history. It is from the First Book of Samuel that was written in approximately 1000 B.C. In those days, writings were less descriptive about how people should live than they were illustrative of how people did live. And the text we are using today is a translation by Eugene Robinson, The Message, so it has a touch of his style. This is what JOAN MEEHAN will proclaim to us from Samuel, chapter 2 and verses 10 to 14.
JOAN M: Nothing and no one is holy like God; no rock mountain is like our God. Don’t dare talk pretentiously – not a single word of boasting, ever. For God always knows what is going on. God takes measure of everything that happens. Nothing happens in a cloud, and that would be unknown to God.
God brings death and God brings life; God brings down to the grave and raises up to the heavens. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; God lowers everything and God also lifts it up. God puts poor people back on their feet again; and God rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, restoring dignity and respect to their lives. All is known to God; nothing is unknown.
And on hearing this message about God, the community says:
Thanks be to God.
Song: Alle, Alle, Alleluia
https://youtu.be/gIHnZn3JjcM
LEE: Our Gospel today is a selection from the Book of John, chapter 6 and verses 24 to 29, and 35. It will be proclaimed to us by Mary Montavon.
Mary M. When the people saw that neither Jesus nor the disciples were at the water’s edge where they were, they got into their boats and crossed to Capernaum…looking for them. Then when they found Jesus on the other side of the shore, they said: “Rabbi, when did you get over here?” Jesus said to them: “Amen, amen, I say to you – the truth of the matter is this. You are not looking for me because you have seen signs, but because you have eaten your fill of the loaves of bread. You should not be working for perishable food, but rather for life-giving food that lasts for all eternity. That is what the Son of Man will give you.”
So they then asked Jesus: “what must we do to perform these works?” Jesus answered: “This is the work of God --- to believe in the one whom God has sent. I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”
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This is the holy message of Jesus that John has passed on to us. And in gratitude for this we say: AMEN, AMEN…thanks be to God.
Song: Alle, Alle, Alleluia
https://youtu.be/gIHnZn3JjcM
Homily Starter and Community Sharing
Lee Breyer
Communal Statement of Faith
LEE and ALL: We believe in God, the Creator of the universe whose divinity infuses all that exists. We believe in Jesus the Christ, who leads us to the fullness of humanity. Through Him, we have become a new people called beyond the consequences of our brokenness. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Wisdom who keeps the Christ-vision present to all those who are searching for meaning and wholeness in their lives. And we believe that God’s kindom is here now for every one of us who has eyes to see it, hearts to receive it and hands to make it known to all those we encounter wherever we may be. And we say: Amen to courage, to hope, and to truth. We believe in a world of justice and peace for everyone regardless of different genders, races and faiths, everywhere, with no exceptions. In all of this, we do surely believe.
Preparation of our Communion Gifts
JOAN M and ALL: Blessed are you, God of all creation. Through your goodness, each one of us has bread to offer in this sacred meal, this grain that the earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us our Bread of Life. Blessed be God for all the love that has been given to each one of us.
Mary M and ALL: Blessed are you, God of all creation. Through your goodness, each one of us has fruit of the vine to offer in this sacred meal, that earth has given and human hands have prepared. It will become for us our Spiritual Drink. Blessed be God for all the graces that have been given to each one of us.
Eucharistic Prayer
MARY AL and ALL: Loving God, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness. You are always with us…you live in us and we live in you. May we reflect your compassionate care in everything we do and say with everyone we meet today. And moved by the Spirit, each one of us will sing our shared blessing:
Song: Holy, Holy, Holy (Karen Drucker)
https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA
LEE and ALL: Creator God, we thank you for the gift of Jesus of Nazareth in history – and the gift of Jesus the Christ in faith. You brought him from among all your people to baptize us in your Spirit. His life was moved by his consuming vision of your presence both in himself and in his earthly mission. He revealed you to us through his compassionate life well lived. And he showed us, through his teaching and example, not only how we should live, but also for what we may suffer and even die…as he did. Through him and your Spirit, you breathe life into us so that we may be witnesses to his gospel messages.
When his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus - aware of and accepting his destiny - gave up his life for the values that he deeply believed, lived and taught…his conviction that love is stronger than death. And then, in providing an example of his wisdom for all people in every age to come, he opened wide his arms and died on a cross. The Spirit that lived in Jesus resurrected him to a new life, a promise that he made to all of us too. Jesus is with us today as he will be through the end of time.
(Outstretch an arm as we pray the Consecration together.)
We remember the gift that Jesus gave us the night before he died. He gathered with his friends to share a final Passover meal. And it was at that supper that Jesus took bread, said the blessing and shared it with them saying: take this, all of you, and eat it. This bread is you; this bread is me. We are one body, the presence of God in the world. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.
(Take a short pause here)
In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing and gave it to his friends saying: take this all of you and drink it. This wine is you; this wine is me. We are one blood, the presence of God in the world. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.
MARY AL and ALL: Jesus, who was with God in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth, is with us now in this bread. The Spirit, of whom the prophets spoke in history, is with us now in this cup.
Let us proclaim this mystery of faith…Jesus has died…Christ is risen…the Cosmic Christ lives in us - and through us – in the world today.
JOAN M and ALL: Heavenly God, we know that you bless your church and family throughout the world. We, your people, ask for your grace so that we may continually grow in our love and caring for Francis our Pope, Bridget Mary our Bishop and for everyone with whom we come in contact, especially those who live on the margins of church and society. They are all our brothers and sisters. And they are members of your Blessed Family and our Communion of Saints. We remember also all those, living and dead, who touched our lives and left their footprints on our hearts. We remember especially….. (mention names here if you wish)
Song: The Great Amen
https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg
Mary M and ALL: We believe that the Spirit of God is at work in and through us and She will do more than we could ever ask or even imagine. The Spirit gives us the wisdom and strength that we will be compassionate carriers of the Gospel Messages. So let us pray: we believe that it is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, Creator God, forever and ever. Amen.
The Spreading of the Sign of Peace
LEE: Jesus met with his disciples who were in an upper room, having enclosed themselves from a larger population for their own perceived protection. It was there that Jesus met with them, blessing them with the courage and support they would need to continue their mission. This is what Jesus said to them: “My peace I leave you; my peace I give you.” This is what Jesus has been saying – in so many words – to us as well as we follow our gospel missions. Let us now extend a sign of peace to one another in whatever space we happen to be. And let us do that with closed hands, bowed to one another, and saying “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste.”
The Breaking of the Bread
And we can raise up our bread and cup, as we prepare for our Communion…
MARY AL: This is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table. As we share communion, we become communion, both love’s nourishment and love’s challenges.
MARY AL and ALL: And, as we do so we pray:
Holy One, you call us to speak truth to power; we will do so.
Holy One, you call us to live the Gospel of healing and justice, we will do so.
Holy One, you call us to be Your presence in the world; we will do so.
Communion interlude, Linda Lee Miller
https://youtu.be/PeqOalKGsVE
MARY AL: Introductions
As I said at the Welcoming of this liturgy, “all are welcome, those who have been with us for a while and those who may be new today.” Do we have anyone who may be new to us today or who haven’t been with us very often …. if so would they like to introduce themselves at this time?”
Statements of Thanksgivings
And some of us may have been blessed by some events or dreams that they would like to share with us their feelings of thanksgiving.
Announcements
And this is an opportunity for anyone would like to share some “news” with us….
Closing Community Blessing
LEE and ALL: May we bless one another with whom we shared this liturgy…and do so in the names of God our Creator, Jesus our Liberator, and the Holy Spirit our Sanctifier as we care and minister to one another in love, and as we continue on our paths following in the footsteps of Jesus…for we are the Face of God to the world. Amen.
Song: We shall overcome, Joan Baez
https://youtu.be/nM39QUiAsoM
If you would like to add your intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,
Please send an email to jmeehan515@aol.com
If you would like to invite another person to attend our liturgy please refer them to www.marymotherofJesus.org where the day’s liturgy is found. Zoom instructions are also included there.
Please support our community, send your check to:
Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
% St Andrews UCC, 6908 Beneva Rd., Sarasota, FL 34328
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
"Meet South Carolina’s First Woman Catholic Priest" Article featuring Interview with Jill Striebinger ARCWP
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Recognizes the Futility of War and the Gospel call to Nonviolence. We Stand in Solidarity with all People of Afghanistan.
ARCWP recognizes the futility of war and the Gospel call to nonviolence. We stand in solidarity with all people of Afghanistan.
We are, however, particularly concerned about the women and girls, as well as the men who aided the US military during our 20-years of occupation and war. These vulnerable ones must be protected. Afghani men who helped our military must be given immediate asylum along with their families. Women and girls, for whose sake this war has been justified since October 2001, must not be forgotten now. The feminist group, The Revolutionary Association of Women in Afghanistan, stated back in 2001, that: “US occupation would neither free women from fundamentalist violence, nor deliver democracy.” Their words were indeed prophetic as we have seen in the past few days. As the war ends for us in the United States, schools and workplaces have already begun turning women and girls away in Afghanistan.
What steps should the US take in order to support Afghani women and girls? In her New York Times opinion piece, Malala Yousafzai, herself a towering figure for women’s rights, suggests that the whole world come together in this humanitarian effort. As Afghans flee to neighboring countries they will need shelter, food, clean water, and education for their youth.
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests joins the many calls to right-relationship and action on the part of the United States government regarding the women and girls of Afghanistan. We call upon the US to take a front-and-center position in pushing forward these humanitarian efforts by providing funding, supplies and personnel to help run refugee centers in the countries bordering Afghanistan.
ARCWP joins the world in support of and solidarity with our Afghani sisters.
ARCWP Contacts:
Denise Hackert-Stoner, denisehstoner@aol.com
Karen Kerrigan, kkerri1028@aol.com
Janice Sevre Duszynska, rhythmsofthedance1@gmail.com
Partners with The Rapid Response Team of ARCWP.
Resources Cited:
Kolhatkar, Sonali. “A Devastating End to a Devastating War”. Yes! Magazine. August 16, 2021.
Holmes, Catesby. “The Fall of Afghanistan: 5 Essential Reads. Yes! Magazine. August 16, 2021.
(link attached to source above)
Yousafzai, Malala. “Malala: I Fear for My Afghan Sisters. NYT Guest Essay. August 17, 2021.
Monday, August 16, 2021
ARCWP Ordination in Colombia
My sisters, I am happy to send you the video of Mercedes' ordination. Thank God everything was very satisfactory. We were seen from Spain, Mexico, Bolivia, Chile, so far 95% of the comments have been positive, we give thanks to the Ruah that moves within all of us, with sisterly affection,
Sunday, August 15, 2021
Homily by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP and Jill Striebinger at Ordination as Priest on Aug. 15, 2021
Bridget Mary:
This is the day God has made as the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests ordains Jill Striebinger as our first woman priest in South Carolina!
Jill comes to ARCWP with education and background in: military, business, marriage, mothering, disability advocacy, and intellectual pursuits in history, theology, and mythology. Jill’s work in disability advocacy, supporting mothers of children with developmental disabilities has led her to participate in a people focused supportive community.
As a woman priest, Jill plans to incorporate feminine images of God in worship to reflect the nurturing love of the Holy One who embraces all her children. Jill plans to create prayer circles in which parents can share their hopes, and struggles in this challenging time.
Jill chose the feast of the Assumption for her ordination because of her deep devotion to Mary, mother of Jesus, who was chosen by God “to do God’s thing, ” as Richard Rohr points out, “God is always choosing people to be and to image God in this world…to promote other people’s empowerment and specialness.” Mary did God’s thing throughout her earthly life, and continues to accompany us as we live our call to do God’s thing.
Today as we celebrate the Assumption of Mary who broke through the wall of death to life, we rejoice that when our earthly life is over, we too will be transformed as we pass through death into the fullness of eternal life in God’s embrace.
The Gospel of Luke recounts the story of Mary, as a young, Jewish, woman living in a patriarchal world dominated by violence and poverty, whom God calls to do God’s thing. In response to the Angel’s invitation, Mary chose to be a God-bearer, a mother, a married woman, and a prophet for justice for the oppressed.
After her encounter with the Angel, an exuberant Mary dashes off to the hill country to help her older pregnant cousin, Elizabeth. Imagine the scene, as the mothers- to -be embrace and delight in each other’s kinship and unexpected pregnancy!
What if the purpose of their pregnancy stories as Brian McLaren writes is: “to blur the line between what we think is possible and what we think is impossible,” (to) “challenge us to align our lives around the impossible possibilities hidden in this present moment.” (We Make the Road by Walking, p. 68-69.)
In the next passage in the Gospel of Luke, Mary proclaims a prophetic hymn of praise for the power of the Spirit subverting violent power, and turning the world upside down for the excluded and outcastes. Her prayer, known as the Magnificat, is a prayer of liberation for all whose lives have been devastated by poverty, violence and inequality. This prayer is our prayer today as we work for a world in which everyone can flourish and in which everyone is treated fairly and justly.
In Luke 8;1-3, we meet influential women disciples who, not only accompanied and supported Jesus, but, bankrolled his ministry. “With Jesus went the Twelve as well as some women, Mary of Magdala, Joanna, Suzanna and many others who were contributing to the support of Jesus and the Twelve with their own funds.” Since then to now, women have continued to spread Jesus’s message, live the Gospel, and build Christian community. So, why are they not being ordained for public ministry in all Churches?
The writers of the Synoptic Gospels tell us that only the women disciples were faithful to Jesus. They were with him when he died, they were the first ones at the Tomb and the first to proclaim the good news of Easter. In John's Gospel, the Risen Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene and sent her to proclaim the good news to the male disciples.
It is clear that Jesus treated women as disciples and equals. So too, should religious leaders including the the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church follow Jesus’ example and open all ministries to women including Ordination.
Since this may not happen in our lifetimes in the Roman Catholic Church, people ask us why we don’t leave the Church, and join a religion that ordains women?
First: The people are the Church, not the hierarchy alone. Since Baptism makes us members of the Catholic Church, no punishment- including excommunication by the pope, can cancel our baptism. Women priests are members of the Church. This is our family!
Second: There are close to 1.5 billion Catholics worldwide, many of whom want women priests. In addition, the second largest denomination- if they were a denomination- are Catholics who have been alienated from the institutional Church. Catholics, for example, who are divorced and remarried without an annulment and who are LGBTQI, both groups are excluded from receiving sacraments and are treated as second class citizens by the clergy.
Third: In our people-empowered women priests-led communities and ministries, all are spiritual equals regardless of status, gender and marital status. In our inclusive communities, all are invited to celebrate the rich mystical, teachings, sacramental rituals, and social justice advocacy of their Catholic faith. We believe that God loves everyone, everywhere, no exceptions.
The reality is women priests are here to stay! Our membership has grown from 7 in 2002 to almost 300 in 2021. Nothing will stop the Spirit moving in our midst to bend the arc toward the full equality of women in the Church and world.
Now, Jill , who will be the first Roman Catholic Woman Priest in South Carolina, will share her call to priestly ministry with you.
Jill:
Thank you all for coming today to celebrate this special day with me! I was inspired to write prayers that encapsulate the reason for my calling. The prayers speak to the nurturing presence in all of us. They speak to Mary and her lived experience of being a mother, a sister, and a friend. Each of you will be gifted a rosary and prayer book.
This rosary is dedicated to the role of people who provide nurturing. It is a set of prayers that encircles those who provide direct care for children, elders, and the disabled. It is a complete prayer asking for the support of Mary, who walks with us and provides comfort for our journey. In these prayers we elevate the nurturing function that we all have within us. In our readings today, Christ came into being because Mary said yes to this loving presence within her.
My personal calling was a message that Mary must be exalted, after years of prayer and discernment, I understood that we are all meant to live in power together, not power over, and not power at the expense of anyone or anything. We are all called to be birthers and nurturers of God in ourselves and in our everyday interactions with each other. We are all called to share equally with one another in community.
The centering intention is called the Glory Be Prayer. In it we acknowledge all of the three life roles of Life Sustaining, Life Giving, and Life Nurturing. We also honor those who receive the care and those who are unable to provide care at this time. I will read it to you now:
Glory be to all the fathers, step-fathers, and all people
Who provide direct support for mothers and people who birth, You are loved.
Glory be to all the fathers, step-fathers, and all people
Who provide direct support for mothers and people who directly care for children, elders, and the disabled. You are loved.
The Light of God shines brightly in those who provide life sustaining support for all mothers that they do not know.
Glory be to all the mothers and people who birth. You are loved.
Glory be to all the mothers, step-mothers, and all people
Who provide direct care for children, elders, and the disabled. You are loved
The Light of God shines brightly in those willing and able to provide enduring labor for those that need daily assistance.
Glory be to all the children, it’s never your fault. You are loved.
Glory be to all the elders and disabled in the care of others, it’s never your fault. You are loved.
The Light of God shines brightly in those who are not in control of their own circumstances.
Glory be to those who have lost pregnancies and children. You are loved.
Glory be to those who are unable to: birth, provide care for, or support others at this time. You are loved.
Glory be to those who have lost loved ones or who have lost themselves. You are all loved.
The Light of God shines brightly in everyone; we are worthy as we are. Hold all doubts with love.
Bridget Mary:
Let us now ordain our sister, Jill, to do God’s thing here in South Carolina by following Mary’s example of partnership with the Spirit in promoting the “belovedness” of everyone! Amen! Alleluia!
Now, Jill , who will be the first Roman Catholic Woman Priest in South Carolina, will share her call to priestly ministry with you.
Jill:
Thank you all for coming today to celebrate this special day with me! I was inspired to write prayers that encapsulate the reason for my calling. The prayers speak to the nurturing presence in all of us. They speak to Mary and her lived experience of being a mother, a sister, and a friend. Each of you will be gifted a rosary and prayer book.
This rosary is dedicated to the role of people who provide nurturing. It is a set of prayers that encircles those who provide direct care for children, elders, and the disabled. It is a complete prayer asking for the support of Mary, who walks with us and provides comfort for our journey. In these prayers we elevate the nurturing function that we all have within us. In our readings today, Christ came into being because Mary said yes to this loving presence within her.
My personal calling was a message that Mary must be exalted, after years of prayer and discernment, I understood that we are all meant to live in power together, not power over, and not power at the expense of anyone or anything. We are all called to be birthers and nurturers of God in ourselves and in our everyday interactions with each other. We are all called to share equally with one another in community.
The centering intention is called the Glory Be Prayer. In it we acknowledge all of the three life roles of Life Sustaining, Life Giving, and Life Nurturing. We also honor those who receive the care and those who are unable to provide care at this time. I will read it to you now:
Glory be to all the fathers, step-fathers, and all people
Who provide direct support for mothers and people who birth, You are loved.
Glory be to all the fathers, step-fathers, and all people
Who provide direct support for mothers and people who directly care for children, elders, and the disabled. You are loved.
The Light of God shines brightly in those who provide life sustaining support for all mothers that they do not know.
Glory be to all the mothers and people who birth. You are loved.
Glory be to all the mothers, step-mothers, and all people
Who provide direct care for children, elders, and the disabled. You are loved
The Light of God shines brightly in those willing and able to provide enduring labor for those that need daily assistance.
Glory be to all the children, it’s never your fault. You are loved.
Glory be to all the elders and disabled in the care of others, it’s never your fault. You are loved.
The Light of God shines brightly in those who are not in control of their own circumstances.
Glory be to those who have lost pregnancies and children. You are loved.
Glory be to those who are unable to: birth, provide care for, or support others at this time. You are loved.
Glory be to those who have lost loved ones or who have lost themselves. You are all loved.
The Light of God shines brightly in everyone; we are worthy as we are. Hold all doubts with love.