"More Catholic than the Pope" by Tom Reese

http://religionnews.com/2017/10/03/more-catholic-than-the-pope/

"The truth is all Catholics are cafeteria Catholics. Conservative Catholics were quite willing to ignore John Paul’s and Benedict’s strong statements on justice and peace, and progressive Catholics are happy to ignore Francis’ opposition to women priests.

Bridget Mary's Comment: We cannot ignore Pope Francis' opposition to women priests. We must connect his advocacy for a world that includes everyone with a church that includes everyone including women priests. Justice is constitutive to the Gospel! 

Disagreeing with the pope was not welcomed during the papacies of John Paul and Benedict. Bishops, priests, theologians, and Catholic publications were expected to unreservedly cheer any statement that came out of Rome. Priests were silenced, seminary professors were removed, and magazine editors were fired if they strayed from the party line. The open debate that occurred during the Second Vatican Council was closed down. Candidates for the episcopacy were chosen based on loyalty to Rome rather than on intelligence or pastoral abilities.

The atmosphere has changed under Pope Francis. Bishops are being chosen because of their pastoral abilities and identification with the poor. Theologians are free to speak and write what they please. Catholic publications are not subject to censorship. And cardinals and theologians are publicly criticizing the pope, something that would never have been allowed in earlier papacies."

Bridget Mary's Comment: I appreciate Pope Francis' endorsement of primacy of conscience and affirmation of freedom of  thought for theologians.

Anne Keller ARCWP and Gerry Lococo ARCWP at International Day of Peace Celebration in Pittsburgh on September 21, 2017, Gerry Loccoco

Below is a link to the photos of the International Day of Peace celebration that occurred last Thursday, Sept. 21, in Pittsburgh.  

 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CmFRSVlhbNvSnGwV2

 

To download a particular photo, click on it to open and you’ll see 3 dots in the upper right-hand corner. Click on those dots (menu), click on download and you’ve got it.

Upper Room and New Covenant Celebrate World Communion Sunday - Oct 1, 2017

The Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community and New Covenant Presbyterian Church celebrated World Communion Sunday on October 1, 2017. 

World Communion Sunday offers congregations a distinctive opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith. The first Sunday of October has become a time when Christians remember that they are part of the whole body of believers. Whether shared in a grand cathedral, a mud hut, outside on a hilltop, in a meetinghouse, or in a storefront, Christians celebrate the communion liturgy in as many ways as there are congregations.

Pastor Katy Stenta of New Covenant with Margaret Dilgen and Mary Theresa Streck, ARCWP, of the Upper Room presided at an ecumenical Eucharistic Celebration that brought both communities together. 

Katy called the community to worship and before the community heard the readings, she met with the children in the center of the circle to tell the Gospel story.

The presiders decided to use the USCCB readings for the day and chose the theme: God meets us where we are.” Each presider provided a brief homily starter based on the readings below:

Mary Theresa’s reflection for Psalm 25 






















God meets us where we are! In the beautiful psalm that we prayed together, we affirm the message that God, the Holy One, Source of all Life, meets us where we are. The line that particularly struck me in this beautiful translation by Nan Merrill is “You forgive the many times I have walked away from you.”

How many times have my words not matched my actions?

I say one thing, and then do another. And yet, the Holy One awaits in a “no judgment zone”, inspires, beckons, and as the psalmist sings: “You companion me as I open to your will!” The psalmist knew then, as we know now: The Holy One meets us were we are.

Psalm 25: 1, 4-7

To you, O Love, I lift up my soul!
O Heart, within my heart,
In you I place my trust.

You lead me in your truth,
And teach me,
For through you I know wholeness;
I reflect your light
Both day and night.

I know of your mercy, Blessed One,
and of your unconditional love;
You have been with me
from the beginning.
You forgive the many times

I have walked away from you
choosing to follow my own will.
I seek your guidance, once again,
I yearn to know your Peace.
You companion me as I open to your will!

(adapted by Nan Merrill - Praying with the Psalms)

Margaret’s reflection on Phil 2:1-5

These words from Paul are powerful and beautiful.
But they are much harder to live.
Be united in your convictions,
but, what if my convictions are different than yours.
Be united in your love with a common purpose,
but, what if I don't like your purpose.
Then I realize there is always love.
Paul says there must be no competition among us,
no conceit, value others over myself.
Again, hard to do.
I think of the people of Puerto Rico and I see that I can value others over myself 

because of what Jesus has taught.
There is love.

Philippians, 2: 1-5

Brothers and sisters: If our life in Christ means anything to you –

if love, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness or sympathy can persuade you at all – then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind.

That is the one thing that would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit, but everybody is to be humble; value others over yourselves, each of you thinking of the interest of others before your own. Your attitude must be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

Katy’s reflection on Matthew 21: 28-32

As we look at these texts, I am reminded that we are defined, first and foremost, by God. God sees both what we say and what we do. God sees not only who we are right now, but also, who we have the potential to be. That is why God looks at us, sees who we truly are, and calls us each by name.

Calling out our name, to action, to do God's work. 

And we get to choose how to respond

Matthew 21: 28-32

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people "what do you think? There was a landowner who had two children. The land owner approached the elder and said, “My child, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ This first child replied, ‘No, I won't,’ but afterwards regretted it and went. The landowner then came to the second child and said the same thing. The second child said in reply, ‘I'm on my way’, but never went. Which of the two did but was wanted?"

They said, "The first."

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Jesus said to them, “The truth is, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came walking on the road of justice, you didn't believe him, but the tax collectors in the prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that you didn't repent and believe.

The presiders ended the liturgy with a blessing and anointing. The community blessed Dennis who was scheduled for surgery on Monday.

Interview with Arnold Eisen by Krista Tippett, "The Opposite of Good is Indifference." Albert Eisen

https://onbeing.org/programs/arnold-eisen-the-opposite-of-good-is-indifference-sep2017/

ARNOLD EISEN

The Opposite of Good Is Indifference

“In a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.” A mystic, a 20th-century religious intellectual, a social change agent, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel marched alongside Martin Luther King, Jr., famously saying afterwards that he felt his legs were praying. Heschel’s poetic theological writings are still read and widely studied today. His faith was as much about “radical amazement” as it was about certainty. And he embodied the passionate social engagement of the prophets, drawing on wisdom at once provocative and nourishing.

The International Roman Catholic Women Priests' Movement Celebrated Episcopal Ordination of Suzanne Thiel RCWP and Jane Via RCWP on Feast Day of St. Therese of Lisieux, Oct. 1st

Three bishops from the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests: Mary Eileen Collingwood ARCWP and Michele Birch Conery ARCWP and Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP joined their sister Bishops from the U.S. and Canada: Olivia Doko RCWP, Regina Nicolosi RCWP, Sibyl Dana Reynolds Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger RCWP (Austria), Marie Bouclin (Canada), Joan Houk RCWP, Andrea Johnson RCWP, and Nancy Meyer RCWP as ordaining bishops at the episcopal ordination of Suzanne Thiel RCWP and Jan Via RCWP from the western region of RCWP USA. Bishop Olivia presided at her region's ordination of their new bishops. It was an awesome occasion of celebration for the entire gathering which included many of the priests from the western region and members of their inclusive faith communities. I was honored to present Bishop Suzanne with her episcopal cross. (See photo below. )St. Therese of Lisieux, described her call in her writing: "I feel in me the vocation of priest. St. Therese is walking with us, showering us with little flowers of affirmation. I can see her smiling too!

Women's Ordination Global Witness on St. Therese of Lisieux- WOC members gave out "little flowers" See their website for pictures of Global Witness for Women's Ordination--From Kate McAlwee

"A 19th century French Carmelite nun and Doctor of the Church, St. Therese wrote in her journals and confided in her sister Celine of her deep desire to be a priest. She wrote: "I feel in me the vocation of priest."

For the first time, a five yard-long purple "Ordain Women" banner was placed on the Sant'Angelo bridge, just in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The banner stayed in place for nearly two hours before being removed by authorities. 

Advocates for women's ordination joined the global day of action by witnessing in front of churches and cathedrals across the U.S., holding signs, handing out white roses and "10 Reasons to Ordain Women" leaflets..."

A Call to Action to Stop Gun Violence in the United States in response to today's massacre in Los Vegas

Call the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Tell them to pass gun safety laws NOW!

Homily by Annie Watson ARCWP: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 24, 2017 at Stanislaus Catholic Parish in St. Louis, Missouri

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Ordain Two Bishops in Local Synagogue

For Immediate Release

Press Contact: Victoria Rue, M.Div.,Ph.D.

cell: 831-566-1839

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Ordain Two Bishops in Local Synagogue

On Sunday October 1, 2017 at 10:30am, two women priests, Jane Via and Suzanne Thiel, will be ordained Bishops of the Western Region of Roman Catholic Womenpriests (RCWP).  The ordination will take place in the sanctuary of Temple Beth El, 3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos, CA.    Rabbi Paula Marcus will participate in the ceremony.  Other representatives of other faiths will also be present.

Rabbi Marcus offered "The first woman rabbi was ordained on June 3, 1972.  As a female rabbi, I am so proud  to have this important celebration of women priests occur at Temple Beth El.  Together with my sisters of the Roman Catholic Womenpriest organization, women are offering new energies, insights and depth to all of our religious traditions."

Jane Via and Suzanne Thiel were elected bishops by the thirty five members of the Western Region of RCWP.  The region comprises Washington, Oregon, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, Texas, Hawaii and Alaska.  In the RCWP movement, bishops are pastors to women priests and their congregations not administrative figures.  When women are ordained women priests in RCWP, they promise obedience to God, not to a bishop.   

Bishop Olivia Doko, who is retiring as the Bishop of the Western Region, said,   "These two wonderful women, who are extremely qualified, will provide fresh and new pastoral leadership as part of a team of servant leaders in the Western Region of RCWP-USA.  Each brings with her a deep vision and commitment to women serving in all dimensions of church ministry.  Together they will help strengthen the vision of our members and all people with whom we serve as women priests.  They stand on the shoulders of countless women who have gone before them, and they will lead us with hope into the future of women in full service to the Citizens of the Church."

Jane Via, Ph.D., taught Religious Studies before practicing law for 27 years. Jane is an ordained Roman Catholic woman priest.  In 2005,  in San Diego, she co-founded Mary Magdalene (the) Apostle, an independent Roman Catholic parish (with Rod Stephens, a then Roman Catholic priest) where she continues to serve as Pastor Emerita.  Jane belongs to the Immaculate Heart Community of Los Angeles, and volunteers in organizations dedicated to women's ordination. She lives with her husband, Phil Faker, in San Diego, CA. where her two adult sons also reside.

Suzanne Thiel, has an M.A. in Education and fifty graduate hours in counseling and psychology.  She is Jesuit-trained in theology and philosophy from the University of Santa Clara.  Suzanne was ordained a Roman Catholic woman priest in 2008.  Her ministries include: hospital chaplaincy, volunteer ministry at three assisted living facilities, and home visits to the sick and elderly. She has served as CFO for RCWP-USA and been on the Board of Directors for over eight years.  Suzanne and her husband Bruce have been married for forty-three years. They have three young adult sons and five grandchildren. She is a native Oregonian.

Made up of candidates, deacons, priests, and support members from all corners of the United States, Roman Catholic Womenpriests is a renewal movement within the Church that began in 2002 in Germany with the ordination of 7 women on the Danube River. Currently there are over 200 Roman Catholic women worldwide, ordained in the line of succession of Peter, reclaiming their ancient spiritual heritage, and re-shaping a more inclusive, Christ-centered Church for the 21^st century.

In 2003, Gisela Forster and Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger (two of the original “Danube 7”) were ordained bishops and in 2005 Patricia Fresen from South Africa (who currently lives in Germany) was also ordained a bishop. Women bishops ordained in Apostolic Succession continue to carry out the work of ordaining women in the Roman Catholic Church. In 2006, Ida Raming was ordained a bishop and in 2008 Dana Reynolds of California became the first American Roman Catholic woman bishop. These women and those who have come after them continue to carry on the pastoral work of ordaining women to the priesthood.

Women priests serve the people of God in communities across the country, working in a variety of ministerial roles: as pastors of inclusive communities, hospital chaplains,  spiritual directors and artists.  Roman Catholic Womenpriests advocate for a new model of priestly ministry—one steeped in justice, inclusiveness and equality.

A Press Conference will follow the ordination at Temple Beth El.  Bishops Jane Via and Suzanne Thiel will make a brief statement and then be open for questions.  Others in attendance at the press conference will be Bishop Sybil Reynolds retired Bishop of Western Region of RCWP, retired Bishop Olivia Doko of Western Region of RCWP, Andrea Johnson RCWP Bishop of the Eastern Region, Joan Houk RCWP Bishop of the Great Waters Region, Nancy Meyers RCWP Bishop of the Mid-West Region, Marie Bouclin RCWP Bishop of Canada, Bridget Mary Meehan Bishop of the Association of Roman Catholic Womenpriests (ARCWP), Michelle Birch Conroy Canadian Bishop of ARCWP,  and Mary Eileen Collingwood Bishop of ARCWP.  They too will be open for your questions.

PHOTOS OF THE BISHOPS-ELECT FOLLOW:

Bishop-elect Jane Via

Bishop-Elect Suzanne Thiel