 |
| "Romero" Movie |
Living Gospel Inclusivity and Empowerment Now- https://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/2025/10/rev-dr-bridget-mary-meehan-arcwp-chat.html
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy led by Married Priest Couple Carol Ann and Lee Breyer, co-presiding
Women Priests Bingle and Lee Dialogue on Christ the King-- Homilies
http://judyabl.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/women-priests-bingle-and-lee-dialogue-on-christ-the-king-homilies-nov-242013
..."Rev. Bingle and I agree that Jesus is not a king of domination but a king of serving one another. In the women priest movement we rarely use the word “Lord” because of the connotation of “lording it over” that goes with it and Jesus was never one to “lord it over” anyone, as. Rev. Bingle says he became upset with his disciples when they wanted power for him and for themselves. He was not about power but he was about transformation of people and nations. That took a whole different kind of power. The power of radical love..."
..."Rev. Bingle and I agree that Jesus is not a king of domination but a king of serving one another. In the women priest movement we rarely use the word “Lord” because of the connotation of “lording it over” that goes with it and Jesus was never one to “lord it over” anyone, as. Rev. Bingle says he became upset with his disciples when they wanted power for him and for themselves. He was not about power but he was about transformation of people and nations. That took a whole different kind of power. The power of radical love..."
Friday, November 22, 2013
Perfect Holiday Gift- Award-Winning Documentary: "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican"
|
Roman Catholic Women Priests Miriam Picconi and Wanda Russell Lead Worship At Castle Ottis of Vilano Beach, Florida
http://staugustine.com/living/religion/2013-11-22/interfaith-service-castle-otttis#.Uo_md5v55_M
"Castle Otttis of Vilano Beach will be hosting an interfaith worship service with open communion at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Presiding will be the Rev. Miriam Picconi and the Rev. Wanda Russell, from the Inclusive Catholic Ministries, Palm Coast.
The Inclusive Catholic Ministry “invites everyone to participate in God’s love” and strives to “offer what the people of God want and need.”
Picconi and Russell were ordained by the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, a Spirit-led movement for Gospel equality, non-violence, justice and a people-empowered church."For information, contact Picconi at 502-320-6817 or via email atmiriampicconi@gmail.com.
Women Priests 'Delighted' by Google,Vatican Catacombs Tour by Megan Fincher National Catholic Reporter/Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, Responds
"Thanks to collaboration between Google Street View and the Vatican, Rome's catacombs are now accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. However, the move has created controversy for what some say the catacombs hold.
http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/women-priests-delighted-google-vatican-catacombs-tour
http://ncronline.org/news/vatican/women-priests-delighted-google-vatican-catacombs-tour
..."A group of Catholics say people will certainly know more after taking the Google catacomb tour: They say the catacombs hold evidence of ancient women priests.
 |
| CNS/Max Rossi |
"We are delighted that the Vatican has restored these frescoes of women priests celebrating Eucharist in the Catacomb of St. Priscilla's in Rome," Bridget Mary Meehan, a bishop ordained through the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, wrote in a blog post Wednesday.
..."Now that anyone can tour the catacombs and see these frescoes via Google, members of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests say they have let the media know they have written about and believe that two frescoes in the Catacombs of Priscilla provide evidence of an ancient tradition of women deacons, priests and even bishops.
Meehan wrote an article in 2008, "There Have Always Been Women Priests," for the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests. In the article, Meehan describes ancient frescoes, including two in the Catacombs of Priscilla, portraying what she says are women in liturgical roles and vestments.
The first Catacombs of Priscilla fresco Meehan mentions "depicts a woman deacon in the center vested in a dalmatic, her arms raised in the orans position for public worship."
In the same painting, Meehan says there is also "a woman being ordained a priest by a bishop seated in a chair. She is vested in an alb, chasuble, and amice, and holding a gospel scroll."
The third woman in the painting "is wearing the same robe as the bishop on the left and is sitting in the same type of chair," Meehan wrote.
In her article, Meehan also quotes archeologist and theologian Dorothy Irvin, who said she found another fresco in the Catacombs of Priscilla of women "conducting a Eucharistic banquet."
"This is a fairy tale, a legend," Fabrizio Bisconti, superintendent of religious heritage archeological sites owned by the Vatican, told Reuters. He said any talk of women in liturgical roles was "sensationalist and absolutely not reliable."
The Associated Press, however, wrote Tuesday that one of the Priscilla frescoes "features a group of women celebrating a banquet, said to be the banquet of the Eucharist," and the other "features a woman, dressed in a dalmatic -- a cassock-like robe -- with her hands up in the position used by priests for public worship..."
[Megan Fincher is a Bertelsen NCR intern. Her email address is mfincher@ncronline.org.]
Bridget Mary's Response;
I agree that the priesthood in the second century was not the same as the priesthood today. In Romans 16, St. Paul praises Deacon Phoebe and other women leaders of house churches.
Paul used "diakonos", deacon to describe Phoebe and Timothy. He also commended Phoebe as a overseer of the church and benefactor who had aided Paul. In other words, Paul commended Phoebe as a major leader of a community equal to and independent of Paul.
Scholars believe that women leaders presided at the Eucharist in these communities and played a prominent role in the life and growth of the community.
So, I would argue that the bishop in this frescoe is bestowing Orders and/or consecrating this woman for leadership in the church. He is laying hands on her and she is dressed in liturgical attire.
We know that the earliest understanding of ordination was a function in service of the community, and different groups like widows and later abbesses received Holy Orders. For the first twelve hundred years, there is no doubt, as historian Gary Macy, concludes that women were ordained to serve their local communities. Simply put, Holy Orders as we know it today developed over time.
Thus, in the early Christianity there is no doubt that women were ordained, but that ordination had a different meaning than modern day Catholicism.
Thus, in the early Christianity there is no doubt that women were ordained, but that ordination had a different meaning than modern day Catholicism.
There is no evidence that an ordained priest was required to preside at these early church Eucharistic liturgies. Scholars like Gary Wills in Why Priesthood, A Failed Tradition reminds us that there is no evidence that the apostles were ordained or that they ordained priests or bishops.
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests are following the example of Jesus who called both women and men as disciples and treated them as equals. We are faithfully reclaiming the early tradition of women and men celebrating Eucharist as they did in the house churches praised by St. Paul in Romans 16. Ordination today is a justice issue for women in the Roman Catholic Church. We are ordaining women in the same way as men so that justice and equality will become a reality in our church today. Our vision is to promote justice for all, justice for the poor and marginalized, justice for women, and justice for women in an inclusive, egalitarian church rooted in Jesus's vision and the early church's example--- where everybody is welcome at the Eucaristic Banquet.
Yes, we are delighted that the Vatican has made the connection of women's sacramental ministries in the early church. Women priests honor the holy women depicted in the catacombs as role models, foremothers in the faith. As an international movement we are working to renew the church we love into a more open, inclusive, community where all are welcome to receive sacraments, not only those who obey the rules. The full equalityof women in the voice of God in our time, and it is now a reality! Bridget Mary Meehan, Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests,
Thursday, November 21, 2013
"Church of England synod vote 'paves way' for Female Bishops"/Another Step Forward for Justice for Women in the Church
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25019566
"The Church of England's ruling body has voted in favour of proposals which could allow the ordination of women bishops next year.
Members of the general synod passed a motion with a majority of 378 to eight, with 25 abstentions.
It paves the way for endorsement of women bishops alongside a "declaration" by bishops setting out guidance for parishes which reject female ministry.
The package also includes the creation of an ombudsman to rule on disputes.
It could see traditionalist clergy who oppose women bishops and refuse to co-operate with the ombudsman's inquiries facing disciplinary proceedings.
The vote comes after the synod failed to agree on the legislation by just six votes almost exactly a year ago.
At the time, the synod's general secretary William Fittall described the collapse of the legislation as a "train crash" and Prime Minister David Cameron said that the church "needed to get on with it".
But the new package received widespread support on Wednesday and could see a final approval of women bishops in July next year.
'Work together'
In response to news of the vote, the prime minister suggested that women bishops could be fast-tracked into the House of Lords, where senior bishops traditionally sit.
Mr Cameron said he would work with the church to see women bishops in Parliament "as soon as possible".
Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions he said: "I strongly support women bishops and I hope the Church of England takes this key step to ensure its place as a modern church, in touch with our society."
Following the vote, the Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, described the passing of the motion as "nothing short of miraculous".
But the Archbishop of York, the Most Reverend Dr John Sentamu, urged caution against premature celebration, warning: "We should not open the champagne bottles or whatever drink we regard as celebratory because we need to agree to work together until the end."
'Not over'
Susie Leafe, a member of the steering committee whose members voted to abstain and the director of Reform, a conservative evangelical group, said she could not vote in favour of the motion.
"We claim that this package is designed to enable all to flourish, yet I and my church can only flourish when we deny our theological convictions and accept a woman as our chief pastor," she said.
Fellow committee member the Rev Rod Thomas - chairman of Reform and a prominent opponent of women bishops - voted in favour of the revised proposals, but warned he "could not say" he would vote for final approval of the package "if major concerns remain".
The Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev James Langstaff, warned against "complacency" and said there was "a lot of work still to be done".
"People will have voted in favour of this to continue the process who may or may not vote in favour of the package at the end of the day. So it is not over and that is a reality," he said.
Further votes on approval for the draft legislation are due to take place in the general synod on Wednesday afternoon."
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Vatican Unveils Frescoes of Women Priests in St. Priscilla's Catacomb in Rome/A Gift to the Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/19/vatican--frescoes_n_4305560.html?fb_action_ids=10202463527811231&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B389349834531764%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.likes%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D
We are delighted that the Vatican has restored these frescoes of women priests celebrating Eucharist in the Catacomb of St. Priscilla's in Rome. Who says that the Spirit is not working in our church to promote justice rising up for women in the Catholic Church. Wonders will never cease- once in awhile, the Vatican blows you away with a brilliant surprise and a gift to the Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement!
Bridget Mary Meehan, Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, www.arcwp.org
We are delighted that the Vatican has restored these frescoes of women priests celebrating Eucharist in the Catacomb of St. Priscilla's in Rome. Who says that the Spirit is not working in our church to promote justice rising up for women in the Catholic Church. Wonders will never cease- once in awhile, the Vatican blows you away with a brilliant surprise and a gift to the Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement!
Bridget Mary Meehan, Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, www.arcwp.org
 |
| A fresco adorns the Catacombs of Priscilla, a labyrinthine cemetery... ((AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)) |
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
"Vatican Unveils New Frescoes in Top Catacomb" Stunning Frescoes of Women Priests
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
 |
| A fresco adorns the Catacombs of Priscilla, a labyrinthine cemetery... ((AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)) |
ROME—"The Vatican on Tuesday unveiled newly restored frescoes in the Catacombs of Priscilla, known for housing the earliest known image of the Madonna with Child—and frescoes said by some to show women priests in the early Christian church.
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the Vatican's culture minister, presided over the opening of the "Cubicle of Lazzaro," a tiny burial chamber featuring 4th century images of biblical scenes, the Apostles Peter and Paul, and one of the early Romans buried there in bunk-bed-like stacks as was common in antiquity.
The labyrinthine cemetery complex stretching for kilometers (miles) underneath northern Rome is known as the "Queen of the catacombs" because it features burial chambers of popes and a tiny, delicate fresco of the Madonna nursing Jesus dating from around 230-240 A.D., the earliest known image of the Madonna and Child.
More controversially, the catacomb tour features two scenes said by proponents of the women's ordination movement to show women priests: One in the ochre-hued Greek Chapel features a group of women celebrating a banquet, said to be the banquet of the Eucharist. Another fresco in a richly decorated burial chamber features a woman, dressed in a dalmatic—a cassock-like robe—with her hands up in the position used by priests for public worship.
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, which includes women who have been excommunicated by the Vatican for participating in purported ordination ceremonies, holds the images up as evidence that there were women priests in the early Christian church—and that therefore there should be women priests today.
But Fabrizio Bisconti, the superintendent of the Vatican's sacred archaeology commission, said such a reading of the frescoes was pure "fable, a legend." Even though the catacombs' official guide says there is "a clear reference to the banquet of the Holy Eucharist" in the fresco, Bisconti said the scene of the banquet wasn't a Eucharistic banquet but a funeral banquet. He said that even though women were present they weren't celebrating Mass.
Bisconti said the other fresco of the woman with her hands up in prayer was just that—a woman praying.
"These are readings of the past that are a bit sensationalistic but aren't trustworthy," he said.
Asked about the scenes, Ravasi professed ignorance and referred comment to Bisconti.
The Vatican has restricted the priesthood for men, arguing that Jesus chose only men as his apostles.
The Priscilla catacombs are being featured in a novel blending of antiquity and modern-technology: For the first time, Google Maps has gone into the Roman catacombs, providing a virtual tour of the Priscilla complex available to anyone who can't visit the real thing."
———
Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield
Wow! Kudos to the the Vatican for Restoring the frescoes of women priests!
Bridget Mary Meehan, arcwp,www.arcwp.org
Monday, November 18, 2013
Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community, Sarasota, Fl. Celebrates Eucharist, Reclaims Early Church EgalitarianTradition
 |
| Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Celebrates Eucharist at St. Andrew UCC Church in Sarasota, Florida |
Prominent theologian Edward Schillebeeckx said that in the early church the emphasis was on Christ's presence in the community, not in the consecrated bread and wine. In the Middle Ages, the emphasis shifted to the "consecrated elements."
St. Augustine taught that the community was transformed into Christ in the agape meal. "When you say "Amen" to what you are, your saying it affirms it. You hear the "Body of Christ" and you answer "Amen" and you must be the Body of Christ to make the "Amen" take effect." ( Sermon 272 cited in Gary Wills, What Jesus Meant, p. 134.)
In his article in CORPUS Reports "Discussion in the New Cosmology" Richard Scainte notes that Schillebeecks "points out that the Church has disconnected the right to celebrate the Eucharist from the community of Christians by connecting it to a magical power of a Bishop to ordain" (Schillebeecks, 1981). Schillebeecks reminded us in his writings that the Council of Chalcedon taught that a candidate for ordination should be chosen by the local community. Hence, one could conclude that inclusive Catholic communities, like Mary Mother of Jesus Community, are reclaiming the earliest model of Eucharistic celebrations as "agape meals " that Paul describes in Romans 16 when he praised the women leaders of the house churches where the community gathered for worship and mutual support.
Scainte concludes "Instead of a patriarchal God "up there" who intevenes when called upon, our creative Evolutionary Spirit influences every occasion of our experience by the lure toward new co-creative possibilities. It is the work of the Spirit co-creating with the gathered community... If participants want to understand the Eucharist as sacrament, they should understand themselves first as the Body of Christ. " (Fox, 2002, Rank, 1975, Winter, 2009)
 |
| Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community prays Eucharistic prayer around the altar at St. Andrew UCC Church in Sarasota, Florida. |
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP
www.marymotherofjesus.org
www.arcwp.org
Liturgies on Sat. 4:00 PM at St. Andrew UCC, Sarasota, Florida
Sunday, November 17, 2013
"Life In Between No More and Not Yet" by Richard S. Vosko
http://richardsvosko.wordpress.com/
..."However, there are other facets of life that we can control somewhat. If it seems almost impossible for us to stop wars, poverty and the purposeful abuse of humans, what can we do? Act with kindness toward others. Greet strangers stranded in the cold. Volunteer with institutions and organizations to serve people in need. Do not put off saying, “I love you.”
..."However, there are other facets of life that we can control somewhat. If it seems almost impossible for us to stop wars, poverty and the purposeful abuse of humans, what can we do? Act with kindness toward others. Greet strangers stranded in the cold. Volunteer with institutions and organizations to serve people in need. Do not put off saying, “I love you.”
There are at least two ways to interpret this gospel. A traditional way is to say life as we know it must end before eternal life can begin. Jesus used the Temple as an example of how earthly things do not last forever. That great architectural symbol of religion and power was destroyed. Jesus said he would rise up again as a new temple. Our life in Christ is that hallowed place. We are temples of a holy spirit.
Another way to understand eternal life is to act as if we are already participating in it. In this sense we do not imagine the end of time as a catastrophic event but an ever evolving transformation of life. That is why we Christians are hopeful. And, with all people who act with faith and charity, we work hard to bring about some happiness in this life for ourselves and others. This task may take some time to achieve. In fact, it may take “forever!”
Our eucharistic liturgy is a foretaste of eternal happiness. Here in this place we imagine and celebrate life that is more just, where all people, created in the likeness of God, are treated as such. If we allow it to do so, this liturgy will have an effect on the way we think and behave in our lives.
So, these readings today are not so much about the end of time as much as they are about what we are doing while we wait. They are calling us to live in a Christian way — humbly, simply, peacefully."
Saturday, November 16, 2013
"Priest Bends Rules of Church by Being a Woman" -The Debra Meyers Story/Ministry in N. Kentucky
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/u-s-world/priest-bends-rules-of-church-by-being-a-woman
 |
| {photo by Jessica Noll, WCPO ) |
FORT THOMAS, Ky. - The Rev. Debra Meyers doesn’t really care what the pope thinks about her.
It’s her heart that she listens to and follows.
“What the pope thinks about me and what I’m doing is really immaterial to me,” said Meyers, the first female Catholic priest to be ordained in the Tri-State. "Sometimes you have to “bring about real change in our own lives and not wait on the pope.”
Meyers is part of a small but growing group of women bucking Roman Catholic tradition across the world.
She was ordained on May 25 by Bishop Mary Meehan of Fort Meyers, Fla., at St. John’s Unitarian Church near the University of Cincinnati. The women are members of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, which started in 2002 when a rogue bishop ordained seven women on the Danube River.
“Women are doing what they are called to do to lay a foundation for a better Catholic church,” Meyers said. “We’re going to keep moving forward, making positive changes in people’s lives and hope that that translates into the church as a whole.”
There are seven female bishops to date, and nearly 200 women worldwide have joined the movement, 170 of those in the United States, said Meyers.
The movement, she said, is meant to “be God’s living passion for justice, equality and non-violence.”
The Diocese of Covington did not return repeated calls for comment on Meyers and the ordination of women, which Pope Francis said this summer is a closed issue. In 1994, Pope John Paul said the church has no authority to ordain women.
To the naysayers, who say Meyers is ruining the church:
“I’m not taking anyone out of your pews, I’m taking people who’ve been cast aside by traditional church and bringing them back to God.”
A Calling She Answered
She knew as a small child that priesthood was in her future—but she was told she “shouldn’t think about it because it’s not for girls.”
Meyers grew up in Rochester, N.Y., which she called a “hotbed of reformed movement” activists like Susan B. Anthony, as well as the largest breakaway church Spiritus Christi Church, which is led by a female priest.
Baptized in the Corpus Christi Church, her childhood was spent among a strong Catholic presence, along with her six siblings.
But her faith wasn’t enough to stop the pain and poverty that she would encounter throughout her childhood.
When her mother divorced her father, she and her children were shunned from the eyes of the Catholic Church.
“The church turned us away, we never left [the church],” she said.
“My experience growing up influenced who I am and what I’m here to do,” said Meyers, who continued to attend church the rest of her life. “I knew that was where I would find comfort.”
'Do for those who have less'
The feeling of isolation Meyers experienced growing up in an excluding church and poverty-ridden life, is why she now reaches out to the shunned.
She quotes the Bible's Book of Mark, Chapter 12: “Love God. Love yourself. Love your neighbor. And do for those who have less.”
She quotes the Bible's Book of Mark, Chapter 12: “Love God. Love yourself. Love your neighbor. And do for those who have less.”
“Jesus says this is the most important thing and that’s what the women priests are doing and that’s what people need,” said the mother of two and grandmother of one.
“Helping women instead of [focusing on] my victimization, always pulling up the person behind me because that was the right thing,” she said. “Always turn around, there’s always someone more impoverished.”
“If you’re not helping the people behind you, you’re not growing spiritually.”
Meyers, married twice and divorced once herself, welcomes those who have been divorced, who are single mothers, who have had an abortion, as well as the gay, lesbian and transgendered community.
Again she turns to the Bible. This time the Book of Luke, Chapter 6: “[We’re] not supposed to pass judgment on people.”
“If we don’t allow them to be who they are, we shouldn’t be surprised at the suicide rates. We must do something,” said Meyers of the gay, lesbian and transgendered community.
“We must love them as much as God loves them and not make them feel like outsiders.”
All Priests Are Not Created Equal
While Meyers was baptized in the Roman Catholic Church, she had the option of becoming an Episcopalian priest, where women are accepted in the church as a priest, but she wanted to pass along religion she grew up with and found solace.
She wanted to make the church she loved a better place of worship for all.
“If I can be a tiny part in moving the Catholic church into the 21st century then that’s what I’ll do… it’s about the people and the church,” said Meyers.
Breaking With Tradition
The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, works with the marginalized and poor, especially women and children.
“We’ve been called to do different things by God. We aren’t paying attention to those saying, ‘You can’t do that because you’re a woman.’”
Meyers said that she has been preparing for the priesthood all her life, including her volunteerism with schools, libraries, local parishes, food banks and women’s crisis centers, but also through her extensive education.
A religion, history and women’s studies professor at Northern Kentucky University, Meyers has earned a PhD, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in history, a master’s degree in religious studies, graduate certificates in pastoral care, women/gender studies and an associate’s degree in mechanical technology.
Once she completed her sacraments with the church and attended the seminary in Cincinnati, she was ordained as a deacon.
After completing more graduate work, she vowed her “obedience to God.”
Her Church, Her Rules
Meyers calls her church, The Inclusive Catholic Church, where everyone is welcome.
She ministers at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral off of River Road, where on a recent evening the parishioners trickle in one by one, wearing jeans, sweatshirts and gym shoes.
“I’m not above anyone,” said Meyers, who said that she just happens to be able to guide her parishioners to a closer bond spiritually with God. “I’m no more free of sin than anyone else.”
As she finishes up her Wednesday evening mass, she preaches to her loyal parishioners, “Find harmony between your soul and life.”
Slowly she makes the sign of the cross touching her forehead, chest, shoulder, shoulder:
“In the name of the father, the son, the Holy Spirit.'
"Amen.”
"Bishops Take on Priorities of Pope : Look to inequality at home" by Katy Zatsick, ARCWP
"This article on the Roman Catholic bishops' meeting in Baltimore was very upsetting. These men have created a very dire situation for the church in the United States by their handling of the pedophile crisis and fight against women's health care rights. Over 30 million people have left the church in the United States. Pope Francis has called for Roman Catholics throughout the world to stand up for justice and in solidarity with those in need — "the preferential option for the poor."
The United States has more than 11 million people unemployed. We have more than 100,000 homeless veterans, 47 million people on food stamps, and 44 million without health insurance. More than 1.6 million children are homeless.
The bishops, not addressing the injustice and economic inequality in America, say they will instead "take up the cause of Christians who are persecuted and killed for their faith in other countries."
For me this is hypocrisy when children and families are homeless and are starving all across America. They are not taking on the pope's priorities "for the poor." They are running away from their spiritual responsibility as followers of Jesus and as priests and pastors in our own country."
Katy Zatsick, Sun City Center
Friday, November 15, 2013
'Shadowing The Ministry Of Healing and Presence with Pastors Lee and Beaumont'
This is Pastor Judy Lee with Joann in the Hospital on Thurs. 11/13/13-The laying on of hands
Sometimes illness hits hard and we are unprepared. How can we ever be prepared for that which is unknown and perhaps life threatening? At that times it is so good to call upon those who can pray with us and simply be with us. When I get those calls these days, after my own bout with a rare slow growing stomach cancer and thankfully successful surgery in February of this year, I respond empathically from the deepest level within me. I respond in the Spirit of our loving God. Pastor Judy B. who has gone through, and thankfully through, three cancers responds from the same place. Perhaps that was gift that God has given us as we struggled and overcame with our own illnesses,
Our first call on Thursday was from Joann, nearly 80, who has suffered with many illnesses. We have ministered to and with her and her family for almost fifteen years. We stood together in this same hospital just a few years ago when her beloved husband said good-bye to her and embraced life forever with God. Depleted and dehydrated she was admitted to the Hospital for hydration and study. She is frightened but a woman of strong abiding faith.We visited and discussed her condition and her concerns. We anointed her with the rite of the Church and this brought her great comfort. In the profound quiet of silent prayer in the laying on of hands there is a power beyond description. The above noted picture captures but a bit of it. There is a being with that surpasses any words. Anxiety turned to peace before our eyes.
The reading from the book of James (Chapter 5: 14-15) is shared at the beginning of the rite of anointing. It is such a good one to guide us in this: “Are any of you sick? Then call for the presbyters(translated elders or priests) of the church,and have them pray over those who are sick and anoint them with oil in the name of Christ. And this prayer offered in faith will make them well,and Christ will raise them up…” It is Christ that raises up the sick and all of us.
Our second hospital call was a difficult one as a young person was involved, one we had known since she was twelve years old and I ministered in the Middle schools. She is now 22 and recently diagnosed with HIV+. She and her family are overwhelmed by this news. And while people now live with HIV+ like a chronic but treatable disease, this young woman has become very ill and is already symptomatic. The adults in the family are in mourning and some are in denial. The young people and children are anxious and worried although the whole family shares a strong faith. We prayed and maintained presence with this brave young woman although she could hardly speak. We took the family in our arms and prayed with them. Prayer and presence makes the difference in hope and despair. May each one feel our loving God with them every moment of the day.
Before we went on to our last visit in another hospital we stopped to visit with some of our children. Maintaining loving presence with our children is a priority with us. ”Then small children were brought to Jesus so he could lay hands on them and pray for them.The disciples began to scold the parents but Jesus said, let the children come to me and do not hinder them, the kindom of God belongs to such as these. And after laying hands on them,Jesus left that town” ” (Matt. 19: 13-15). Again, we see and feel the power of the laying on of hands and prayer. The triplets have just had their fifth birthday and were excited to see us. Keion was resting after school but his smile made our day!
Our last visit was to Tania in the Psychiatric Hospital. Last Tuesday we helped her in her admission there and we now followed up with her possible discharge planning. She is now homeless and has nowhere to go and and was also struggling with accepting her medications again. After we prayed she felt happiness and peace. She took her medicine to the relief of Staff and we involved the Discharge planner in discussing her options. We are hopeful that she will accept and enjoy the housing we have found for her.
Prayer and presence, being with and raising up. Thanks be to God!
Pastor Judy Lee, ARCWP
Thursday, November 14, 2013
INCLUSIVE CATHOLIC MINISTRIES in Palm Coast Florida with Roman Catholic Women Priests Wanda Russell ARCWP and Miriam Picconi, ARCWP
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.
NOVEMBER
CALENDAR
Wednesdays, Nov. 6 & 13 from 3:30 to 5:00 PM INTER-FAITH THEOLOGY CLUB
Place: 2 Westmill Ln., Palm Coast (Not meeting Nov. 20 or 27.)
Friday, Nov.8, 2:00 PM CUP CAKE MINISTRY OF GRATITUDE
Saturday, Nov. 9
from 3:00 to 5:00 PM
Showing of “PINK
SMOKE OVER THE VATICAN” Place:
2 Westmill Ln. Palm Coast
This is a one hour
documentary DVD sharing how women were priests in the early Church and how
women are making this happen again today.
Saturday, Nov. 16, 4:00
P.M. MONTHLY MASS in Palm Coast Hospitality follows. Place: 2 Westmill Ln., Palm Coast, Fl 32164
Sunday, Nov.24, 10:00 AM Inter-Faith Worship & Communion Service
at Castle Otttis in St. Augustine See page 8.
DECEMBER
CALENDAR
Wednesdays, Dec. 4, and 11 from 3:30
to 5:00 P.M. INTER-FAITH THEOLOGY CLUB
Place: 2 Westmill Ln., Palm
Coast (Not meeting Dec. 18 or 25.)
Friday, Dec. 13, 2:00 P.M. CUP CAKE MINISTRY OF GRATITUDE
Saturday, Dec. 21, 4:00
P.M. MONTHLY MASS in Palm Coast Hospitality follows. Place: 2 Westmill Ln., Palm Coast, Fl 32164
Sunday, Dec.29, 10:00 AM Inter-Faith Worship & Communion Service
at Castle Otttis in St. Augustine
See page 8.
Dear Family and Friends,I am writing this on November 1, the Feast of All Saints. We have not only the saints who have gone before us for whom we are grateful, we also have YOU. Thank YOU, dear saints, for your living examples of love and outreach to those in need. Thank YOU, dear saints, for your support and participation in our ministries. Without YOU we have no need to exist.
November is also the month we are called to bring to mind all that for which we are grateful. We encourage everyone to take a few minutes to sit down and reflect and make a list of all for which we are grateful in our lives. We are called daily to take time to be with our loving God. Perhaps that time might be when we make our list. Suggest to our family and friends that we all do the same, then on Thanksgiving Day share our list, or an item or two from our list, with those with whom we celebrate the day. Perhaps God will suggest to our spirits that we take a few minutes to call someone we have not spoken with in a while and let that person know how grateful we are that God has blessed us with their friendship. November is a busy month, but the fact that we are still alive and able to say, “Thanks”, is our challenge to help us take the time and take some action to show our gratitude.
Perhaps we have been alienated from a family member or friend. One suggestion to help overcome this might be to make a list indicating what it is about the other person we are angry about or otherwise distressed. If we want to mend the broken relationship ask the Spirit what we should do to reconcile. A start may be to take that list and offer it to God and then thank God for the person. Maybe even burn the list of perceived faults and let the smoke go up to God as a prayer of praise for freedom from the brokenness. God will help mend the relationship. Just remember that we only have control over changing ourselves. We cannot make the other person change. We may have to love that person just the way they are. After a period of time the person may see our softened heart and even make some changes. Scripture tells us that “Perfect love casts out all fear.” Having our love become perfect towards that person may be just what is needed to cast out that brokenness in the relationship. God just wants us to love. God can lead us to the best way to love another. Let us pray for each other as we are able to release our broken relationships and thank God for making us loving and lovable creatures.
We cannot tell you enough how grateful we are you are in our lives and you are supportive of our ministries. You are in our prayers of gratitude daily and in a special way this month. Those of you who cannot participate actively in our ministries are appreciated for your prayer support. Some days we know we could not go on without that prayer.
Love and peace,
Wanda
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)