St. Ann, Mother of Mary, Pray With Us for Justice and Equality for Women in the Church and in our World, Feast Day, July 26, 2018

"Woman Refused Communion After Ordination to Diaconate" by Heidi Schlumpf, National Catholic Reporter

https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/woman-refused-communion-after-ordination-diaconate

When Kathleen O'Connell Sauline came forward for Communion at St. Luke Parish in Boardman, Ohio, the priest placed a cloth over the bread and said he could not give her the Eucharist. Likewise, a deacon refused to give her the consecrated wine from the chalice.

The longtime parishioner and parish volunteer had been expecting it.

Eight days earlier, Sauline had been ordained a deacon through the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, which is part of the international Roman Catholic women priests movement. The Vatican considers the ordinations illicit and has said that the women priests and deacons incur automatic excommunication.

When refused the sacrament at Mass on July 8, Sauline replied to the priest and deacon that she was hungry and thirsty "for that which Jesus called us to share," then moved toward the center of the church and waited with her hands open. Later, a lay Eucharistic minister gave her Communion, she said. 

The priest, Fr. Zachary Coulter, who was ordained last year, is one of two sacramental ministers at the parish. Sauline said Coulter knew she was pursuing ordination and had earlier tried to talk her out of it.

Her response to him, "This is the church in which I raised my daughters and in which I belong. Nothing you say can exclude me from this church," recalled Sauline, who has been a member of St. Luke's for 11 years but recently moved to another city.

Coulter and other members of the parish staff declined to speak with NCR.

Msgr. John Zuraw, chancellor for the Youngstown diocese, said the diocese is trying to follow the church's laws about the "simulated ordination." Although excommunication is automatic, it can only happen if the person's conscience is well formed on the issue, he said. 

"Before any kind of penalty or sanctions are issued, an individual has a right to come forth and discuss the matter," Zuraw said, adding that the diocese has issued such an invitation to Sauline via letter. "I think it's important that the individual realizes the ramifications and the seriousness of what has occurred."

But Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests Bishop Mary Eileen Collingwood said the women who are ordained are fully aware of the ramifications, and that refusal of the sacraments, such as Eucharist, is "not uncommon." Some women priests have been banned from having Catholic funerals or burial in a Catholic cemetery, she said.

"It's another way of saying they are outside the fold," said Collingwood, who received a letter of excommunication from the Cleveland Diocese two weeks after her ordination to the priesthood four years ago.

Collingwood said "many" priests give Eucharist to ordained women, but that younger priests are more likely to deny them. She believes Sauline decided to make a "prophetic witness" by attempting to receive the Eucharist after her ordination had been made public in the local newspaper and on social media.

"The Spirit was moving her to push the envelope," Collingwood said. "She was hoping that at her longtime parish, they would be more accepting. But they all proved to be 'company men.' "

The possibility of "confusion" or "scandal" among the parish community is one of the diocese's concerns, said Zuraw.

But parishioners instead were "shocked" by the priest's actions, said Theresa Marx-Armile, who has belonged to the parish since 1998. "I find it very upsetting," said Marx-Armile, who was not in attendance at that particular Mass. "I am truly saddened that this would happen at St. Luke's."

Zuraw said the church is not free to change the substance of the sacraments, such as holy orders, because they reflect the historical reality of Jesus. "The church is talking about a teaching, not a law or rule," he said.

Collingwood and the women priests group sees it as a man-made law that can be changed. "We are defying an unjust law," she said.

In 2016, Pope Francis created a commission to study the history of women deacons in the church, but the group recently declined to advise the pope on whether to reinstitute the practice of ordaining women as deacons.

Sauline believes the ban on women's ordination is problematic, especially for young Catholics. "The church's standing on social justice issues is hindered by lack of social justice in its ranks," she said.

But her three young adult daughters, she is proud to say, are all active, practicing Catholics. And they all encouraged her to follow her call.

"I'm proud of her for standing up for both what she thinks is right and what she thinks she's being called by God to do," Janet Sauline Russo of Fairview Park, Ohio, said of her mother. "That's not the easy path."

Nor should women be denied Eucharist for following their conscience, since Jesus dined with sinners, including Judas, said Mary Sauline of Arlington Heights, Illinois. "None of us is worthy to receive Eucharist, but we get it anyway," she said. "It's food, not a competition or something we get because we've earned it."

Even if her mother is excommunicated, Grace Sauline of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, will stick with the church.

"We're going to continue to be part of this faith and church that Jesus gave us," she said. "The way we were raised, it was never an all-or-nothing kind of faith. We can question."

Because Sauline's husband recently suffered a stroke, she plans to return to full-time employment as a school administrator and will serve as a deacon at the Community of St. Bridget in Breckville, Ohio, a lay-led eucharistic community served by Roman Catholic women priests. She also will minister as a tutor at the Thea Bowman Center in Cleveland.

She hopes that her 2-year-old granddaughter will grow up in a church that is different.

"I love my church, but it has to evolve and welcome women in leadership," she said. "A lot of people think this is foolish: If we could have a deacon who happens to be a woman, why not?"

[Heidi Schlumpf is NCR national correspondent. Her email address is hschlumpf@ncronline.org. Follow her on Twitter @HeidiSchlumpf.]

Celebrate a Liturgy with the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests at an Inclusive Table in Dublin on August 5th, 10:00 AM, Jesus Embraced an Open Table, So do Women Priests! Bridget Mary Meehan

Members of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) will celebrate a liturgy at which all are welcome on August 5th at 10:00am at St. Andrew Community Center in Rialto, Dublin. Our theme is: Celebrating at an Inclusive Table. Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, was born in Abbeyleix, County Laois and lived close to Rathdowney with her family until they emigrated to the United States in 1956. Contact Bridget Mary by email or text: 703-505-0004, sofiabmm@aol.com, https://arcwp.org

By embracing an open table, Jesus taught that all people are to be included as equals in the community of God’s people. Everyone ought to have a place at the table, especially those who have been marginalized. This includes LGBTQI and women priests who have been declared persona nongratis by the Vatican. Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

Kudos to We Are Church Ireland for advocating the inclusion of LGBTQI in the upcoming World Meeting of Families in August. 

Our 2017 Liturgy at St. Andrew Community Center with Members of Dublin WAC :
Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP and Mary Theresa Streck ARCWP

https://www.newwaysministry.org/2018/07/25/pro-lgbt-irish-catholics-claim-discrimination-by-world-meeting-of-families/

 We Are Church Ireland has claimed organizers of the upcoming World Meeting of Families are discriminating against the group because of its reform-minded views, including those about LGBT equality.

We Are Church Ireland (WAC) said in a statement that it had yet to receive any reply about its application to exhibit at World Meeting of Families 2018 (WMF), which is scheduled for August 21st-25th in Dublin. The group explained in a press statement:

"WAC Ireland is disappointed by the discriminatory manner by which it has been treated by the World Meeting of Families in being refused an exhibition stand at the R.D.S. We believe it is because WAC Ireland stands for the full equality of Women and LGBTQI people and greater democracy and transparency in our Church. . .

"The lack of the most basic courtesy in dealing with our application, made in good faith, shows a serious lack of respect to WAC Ireland and is a total contradiction to the advertised 'all are welcome' inclusivity of the WMoF, which continues with its stealth tactics used already against gay people by erasing pictures of LGBTQI couples from its official brochure earlier this year and deleting one inclusive minute from the video of Bishop David O’Connell."

After submitting the application and deposit to exhibit last February, WAC said it then contacted WMF organizers every two weeks to check on the application's status and were repeatedly told it was "on hold." The group also claimed certified letters sent to the WMF Secretary General, Fr. Tim Bartlett, and Dublin's Archbishop Diarmuid Martin were ignored. WAC spokesperson Brendan Butler commented:

"This refusal by the WMoF to engage with We Are Church Ireland and in effect to reject our application shows a closed and exclusive mentality which contradicts Pope Francis's constant calls for dialogue in the Catholic Church."

Ursula Halligan, a lesbian Catholic involved with WAC who previously advocated changesin church teaching's language about homosexuality and sought full sacramental equalityfor LGBT people, told TheJournal.ie:

"'We’re really disappointed because we were looking forward to taking part in the World Meeting of Families and to welcoming Pope Francis to Ireland. And we took Archbishop Diarmuid Martin at his word when he said all are welcome, he was even on Marian Finucane’s show yesterday saying the very same thing, but clearly this isn’t the case.'"

WMF spokesperson Brenda Drumm responded by saying WAC was simply "one of a number of organisations who are on a holding list," many of whom failed to meet the criteria for exhibitors. The Irish Times reported that these criteria ask exhibitors to be "Church-approved organisations" who are "supporting family and marriage on behalf of the Irish Bishops' Conference." As of June 5th, WMF organizers were advertising that exhibitor spaces were still available.

For months, LGBT advocates have raised concerns about whether WMF 2018 would be truly inclusive of all families as organizers claim it will be. An invitation to Fr. James Martin, SJ, to do a workshop on LGBT-welcoming parishes was seen as a positive sign, especially after there had been news about the removal from WMF preparatory materials of text and images associated with LGBT people, as well as the censoring in a video of an Irish bishop who acknowledged LGBT families' existence. WMF never provided explanations for these LGBT-negative acts.

Concerns have led to a chorus of Irish voices appealing for WMF to be an event that welcomes LGBT families. These voices include church reformer Fr. Tony Flannery, the former Irish president, Mary McAleese, her son Justin McAleese, who is gay, the nation’s current prime minister who is gay, Leo Varadkar (and with whom Pope Francis will meet during his visit to Ireland this August), the Irish Republic’s Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, theAssociation of Catholic Priests in Ireland, the lay-led Association of Catholics in Ireland, along with previous statements by WAC Ireland.

In less than one month, thousands of Catholics will gather to kick off WMF 2018. The event is a prime opportunity to realize concretely the calls for LGBT inclusion which a growing number of church leaders are making. But likewise, if LGBT families are excluded, the event could confirm suspicions that very little besides rhetoric has actually changed in the Church since the last World Meeting of Families in 2015. Welcoming We Are Church Ireland to exhibit would be a simple way to help ensure the voices of LGBT-affirming Catholics have their space, too.

--Robert Shine, New Ways Ministry, July 25, 2018


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The Federation of Christian Ministries (FCM) Celebrates 50 Years in Philadelphia July 20-22, 2018

This Assembly was a wonderful interfaith celebration of women and men who are committed to serving God's people in diverse ministries.

I was one of the Presidents who was honored in this celebration. I served in this role from 1998-2004. During that time, with my colleagues, Gerry Grudzen, Bill Manseau and Joe Ruane, we initiated Global Ministries University (GMU) which provides affordable online education degree and certificate programs geared to ministers from around the world. http://www.globalministriesuniversity.org/

I am the Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program and the M.Div Program. Our newest degree program, the Masters in Pastoral Ministry began in 2018 in partnership with People's Catholic Seminary. https://pcseminary.org/

Global Ministries University faculty met and hosted a graduation ceremony for the graduates who attended the Assembly on Saturday, July 21st.

During my tenure as President of FCM, our Circle of Directors developed the Ethics Code which every commissioned member signs every year.

At the Assembly, Rabbi Shapiro and Sister Simone Campbell gave excellent presentations.

A Roman Catholic Woman Priest, Juanita Cordero co-presided with Joe Ruane at the closing liturgy on July 22nd. There were about a dozen from our RCWP/ARCWP Movement present and we enjoyed being with one another and visiting during the Assembly.A blessed and fun time for all. Enjoy the photos below!

Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

Global Ministries University Graduates  and Faculty after Ceremony with Degree Certificates

Left to right: Colleen Fay and Mary Theresa Streck share at GMU Graduation Ceremony

Mike and Jean Conley on left faculty, Juanita Cordero, graduate, Gerry Grudzen, President, Gail Schulz, Administrator for Admissions

RCWP/ARCWP and Friends Gather at Assembly and Enjoy being with one another

Juanita Corder RCWP presided at closing FCM Liturgy

Bishop Suz Thiel and Juanita distribute Eucharist at FCM Assembly

Juanita Cordero co-presided with Joe Ruane at closing liturgy

Gerry and Marita Grudzen read General Intercessions at closing liturgy

Joe Ruane and Juanita Cordero co-presided at FCM Assembly Liturgy on July 22, 2018

I brought up bread at Offertory

Having Fun with friends!

With Mary Theresa and Jim on our way back to Albany after Assembly in Philadelphia

What I Want the World to Know About My Call to Priesthood- Christina Moreira ARCWP, Spain

Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community Celebrates Feast of Mary of Magdala

Annabella Roig and Kim Panaro, ARCWP led the Upper Room celebration for the feast of Mary of Magdala. Annabella’s homily starter is printed below the readings.

Welcome and Theme

Today we call to mind the presence of Mary Magdalene. We know her as Jesus’ companion and witness to his ministry, death and resurrection. She is also known as the Apostle to the Apostles.  Through her life and ministry, she taught, inspired and led others to live in a life of gospel love. She did not have it easy since her brothers in the faith did not always accept that as a woman she had been given insight and understanding. In our church today, we struggle with the same lack of balance, lack of trust, lack of embracing of the gifts of women.

We believe that all those who have gone before us are always here within our circle because in the communion of saints, there is no barrier between the living and those who have passed. So, we welcome the awareness of Mary in our circle today,  we also bring to mind other women who have inspired us to live a life of conversion of heart and mind and action. Women who by their example, challenge us to take seriously Jesus’ invitation to love God and others at all times. As we seek to work toward a more just and peaceful world, we send peace to ourselves, to each other and to the whole world. We thank and honor and welcome these women into our circle today. Please name our loud the women you want to acknowledge with us today.  We welcome , thank and bless you all. Amen.

First Reading

From Christ in the Margins by Robert Lenz and Edwina Gateley

Wisdom is bright, and does not grow dim.

By those who love her she is readily seen,

And found by those who look for her.

Quick to anticipate those who desire her, she makes herself know to them.
Watch for her early and you will have no trouble;

You will find her sitting at your gates.

Even to think about her is understanding fully grown;

Be on the alert for her and anxiety will quickly leave you.

She herself walks about looking for those who are worthy of her

And graciously shows herself to them as they go,

in every thought of theirs coming to meet them. 

These are the inspired words of the Book of Wisdom 6:7-12 and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.

Second Reading - From Passion of Christ, Passion of the World, p110.

The cross is to be understood as God’s solidarity with men and women in the condition of human suffering – not to eternalize it, but to suppress it.  And the manner in which God seeks to suppress it is not by domination, but by love.  Christ preached and lived this new dimension. He was rejected by a “world” oriented toward the preservation of power. He succumbed to these forces.  But he never abandoned his project of love.

The cross is the symbol of human power- and the symbol of Jesus’ love and fidelity.  Love is stronger than death, and power collapses before it.  The loyalty of the cross, then, the love of the cross, has triumphed.  The name for this is resurrection: a life stronger than the life of power, biological life, the life of the ego.

These are the inspired words of Leonardo Boff and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.

Third Reading  - From The Gospel of Mary Magdalene translated from Jean Yves Leloup

Freed from this third climate, the soul continued its ascent,

And found itself in the fourth climate.

This has seven manifestations,

The first manifestation is Darkness;

The second, Craving;

The third, Ignorance;

The fourth, Lethal Jealousy;

The fifth, Enslavement to the Body;

The sixth, Intoxicated Wisdom;

The seventh, Guileful Wisdom.

These are the seven manifestations of Wrath.

These are the inspired words from the Gospel of Mary Magdalene and the community affirms them by saying AMEN.

Annabella’s homily reflection:

First, I am so glad to be here celebrating for the first time in my life, the Feast day of Mary Magdalene.   

I would like to share a few words about what I understood and discovered through my reading of Mary Magdalene and her presence as an apostle on this her Feast day on our calendar.  I started this study asking who is Mary Magdalene and what is she to me? 

and, after some weeks of work, I came to understand that she is about the inner work, that she points me to inner work facing my demons in my journey towards spiritual transformation in my desire for a more authentic Christian walk and relationship with Jesus. 

While reading her gospel in Jean Leloup’s translation in the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, I came across her words in the reading, page 16, verses 1-11, I was startled.  So, I went back to the canonical gospels to find a reference for her. I found one in Luke Chapter 8, where it says “

Jesus went with the 12, and with some women he had healed of evil spirits and sicknesses, and Mary of Magdala from whom he had cast out seven demons.   “ 

And that’s it.  Nothing more.

So, I went back to the gospel of Mary Magdalene, and here I see these described.  She lists them.   Some of these are Darkness, lethal jealousy, craving, ignorance, to name a few. Maybe you recognize these?  I know I did. The gospel goes on to say “These are the manifestations of Wrath. “   

And I was startled.  These are not demons in the way I often read the gospel, demons and devils or something else otherworldly; these are “Demons” I deal within myself. These demons Jesus dealt with might be those we all deal with! And then, I felt connected to Mary Magdalene.  Her demons are my demons. 

And then this word Wrath?

What does it mean that these are manifestations of Wrath.   What did Wrath mean?

And I thought, does it mean what I feel when I am stuck in traffic?  Is it a version of what comes over me when I want something that I don’t really need, like a cute car I saw on the road, or another pair of shoes? Is a little craving a form of wrath?   And I wondered. Maybe it does.  And this is how wisdom shows up. 

I saw something on a tee shirt recently that reminds me of what it feels like to Let wisdom lead my walk.  The tee shirt said Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.   And it occurred to me THIS Is wisdom, this is the Walk. 

 

In the words of Leonardo Boff, in the second reading to understand the cross is to understand God’s solidarity with men and women in the condition of suffering, I see Mary Magdalene as one who understands the human condition.    As a disciple, Mary Magdalene was at the cross, with Jesus. She did not shy away from Death, she bore witness to it.  As one who understood life, she understood death as part of the human condition. And she stood witness to his sacrifice and what he stood for. 

Wisdom is what Mary Magdalene means to me.  

The words of Book of Wisdom show me that

“Even to think about her is understanding fully grown; Be on the alert for her and anxiety will quickly leave you. “

That is what Mary Magdalene means for me.    Letting go of wrath, Letting go of the need for control that I often seek to be happy. Mary Magdalene is the apostle who points us to an internal process for spiritual transformation. This is what Mary Magdalene means to me.

The Feast Day of Mary Magdalene on the calendar brings interesting possibility, maybe a more feminine possibility. Maybe it’s a space for the Church to be called to do inner work.

What emerges for you?  What message do you see or hear today?

Closing Prayer

May we go forward remembering the example, courage and witness of Mary Magdalene and all the women witnesses. May we all, both women and men, remember that we are called to do the inner work of conversion so that we may call our world to conversion more lovingly and effectively. May we go forward to live lives of radical love and community. May we be light for the world.  Amen