Janice Sevre Duszynska ARCWP- Demonstration for Peace- Prevent Nuclear War

 Report from Janice:

Janice and Max joined two demonstrations against weapons contractors.  As part of the call by the War Industries Resistance Network, about 30 of us protested on April 21 against Lockheed Martin in Bethesda, Maryland and its tax-payer funded weapons contracts.  For example, one of its bombs was used by Saudi Arabia to kill at least 40 Yemeni children traveling on a bus.  Then fifteen members of Prevent Nuclear War/Maryland and Maryland Peace Action did a demonstration at Northrop Grumman at 793 Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum, Maryland on Earth Day, April 22, at 3 PM. We met with the head of security, and he accepted a letter addressed to the CEO of the weapons contractor.  She was urged to reject all nuclear weapons contracts. The head of security said he would deliver our letter.

 

Good Friday Witness, April 15, 2022, Interfaith Good Friday Service- Ann Harrington ARCWP joins Eastern North Carolina's Interfaith Clergy Community Service

This is a photo from our Good Friday Interfaith Prayer sponsored by Eastern North Carolina’s Interfaith Clergy Community.  The theme was the Power of the Cross.  I was invited to give the Invocation (which I sang) and a personal witness.  I have attached them.  Several other pastors led prayers and there was one other personal witness.  The service took place on Greenville’s Town Commons on the site where an African American church once stood.   There was also an African American community in the area that was razed in the 1970’s as part of urban renewal.  There are still wounds from that.  We hope to move into some racial reconciliation around that history. 

 Invocation

Let us begin in the name of Holy Mystery who creates life, in the name of Jesus who loves life and is our Way and in the name of Spirit Sophia who is the Fire of Life. Beloved Brother Jesus, we remember your death on a cross and how you showed us how to love all creation.  We lament how you continue to be crucified; we celebrate how you continue to be resurrected.  We want to be like you, instruments of peace and justice. We make this prayer in all the holy names of God. All: Gospel Amen

Good Friday Witness April 15, 2022

Good afternoon my name is Ann Harrington and I am the founding priest of Free Spirit Inclusive Catholic Community here in Greenville.  I’d like to thank the Interfaith Clergy community for recognizing my ministry and inviting me to be part of this historic occasion.

My husband and I live 3 blocks from here and raised our 4 sons in the shadow of this beautiful green space.  We have many memories of special, holy times here.  

I was ordained by the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests in July 2014, presided at my oldest son’s wedding in August of that year and in November of 2015 buried my second son, Michael.  On this most sacred day in our Christian tradition, I feel the solidarity of the women who stood at the foot of Jesus’ cross.  They image the God of faithful, fierce, fearless love that I experienced on the day my son died.

You might wonder why we call this day, good.  The day I lost my son to suicide was not a good day but it was an anointed day.  After a time of uncontrolled sobbing, I immediately felt the power of the cross.  What I had to do next was clear and I was given the strength to do it, friends showed up to help me.  

Suffering is universal.  We each carry crosses. Life has wounded us all.  Accepting that reality somehow opens us to the endless energy of Love.  Leaning into the story of Jesus, the embodiment of God, helps us see that this beautiful, maddening world is filled with contradiction, fully expressed in the figure of a cross.  The cross is the price all of us pay for living in such a world.

Jesus was fully human and fully divine. He confronted the power structures of his day and refused to play their game.  His very life undermined their lies and their love of money and power. He invites us to join him in this pursuit.  St. Paul calls it putting on the Mind of Christ.

Long before my son died, I gave my life to Christ.  One of the reasons I had children in the first place was because I heard a call from God.  Michael was conceived in love and brought up in a loving home.  Why did he die this way?  I eventually, realized that Michael was sick, depression is a disease. I suffered from it myself for most of my life.  Children die every day from diseases and leave families bereft and heartbroken. This suffering has made me more compassionate and tender towards other sufferers.  On my best days, I open my arms and heart in imitation of Jesus on the cross and receive the graces that our loving Mother/Father/Creator God longs to give all of us-gentile or Jew, servant or free, woman or man, straight or queer, black or white or brown or yellow or red.  

This Lent I have been praying to release my desire to know the woulda, coulda, shoudas of Michael’s life that made him so sick, to the God I believe in, the God of resurrection, the God of endless life and love.  What makes Good Friday good is the revelation of a suffering servant God who is in solidarity with us in the joy and the sorrow, a good God who as the beautiful hymn tells us;

(Sing) Will raise us up on eagle’s wings, bear us on the breath of dawn, make us to shine like the sun and hold us in the palm of Her hand and hold us, hold us in the palm of Her hand.

No Room for Skepticism, Second Sunday of Easter Rev. Richard S. Vosko

This month of April is full of religious celebrations. As Western Christians continue Eastertide, the Eastern Orthodox Church is beginning its Holy Week. Jews are completing Passover and Muslims are in the holy month of Ramadan. Buddhists, Baha’is, Sikhs, Jains and Hindus are preparing for their holy days.

This inter-religious confluence is a rare and remarkable opportunity to appreciate the similarities in major religious groups. The Associated Press journalist Luis Andres Henao reported that many faiths are “sharing meals and rituals” as they discuss “how to help curb climate change, fight religious intolerance and assist people fleeing Ukraine, Afghanistan and other nations during the global refugee crisis.”

What the world needs now is overarching spiritual movement that embraces the teachings of all faith traditions. It would mend the divisions between religions and, hopefully, nation states.

For example, Orthodox patriarchs in Russia and Ukraine are at odds with one another over Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Kirill, Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow, has caused a schism in the global Orthodox religion as he continues to support Putin’s War.

Will a common belief in Jesus’ resurrection soothe wounds and stop the ruthless invasion of Ukraine where Christians are killing Christians? Where is the belief that Easter is a call to celebrate life not death?

John’s gospel (20:19-31) is the only one that records how Thomas doubted that Jesus was raised from among the dead. However, he needed physical proof. Perhaps others in that room, including Jesus’ mother, had their own doubts about what happened to Jesus. We do not know.

Did they think they were seeing a ghost? Reginald Fuller wrote that the “Greek word ‘appeared’ used by [the apostle] Paul to describe Jesus’ visits after his crucifixion was the same word used elsewhere [in the Bible] for visionary experiences.”

The second reading (Acts 5:12-16), written by Luke about 50-60 years after Christ’s post-resurrection appearances, testifies Cristians and other faith traditions and what they hold to be true — that the lives of all people matter and should be treated equally with respect and dignity.

Pope Francis said in his Easter address:  “May the conflict in Europe also make us more concerned about other situations of conflict, suffering and sorrow, situations that affect all too many areas of our world, situations that we cannot overlook and do not want to forget.” He concluded: “Peace is possible; peace is a duty; peace is everyone’s primary responsibility!”

Easter, then, is about new beginnings, turning experiences of fear, uncertainty and doubt into kernels of truth for ourselves and others. There is no room for skepticism.

Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy, Celebration of Earth Day 2022, April 23, 2022, Presiders: Kathryn Shea and Joan Pesce , Readers: Ann Cooke and Anna Davis, Prayer Leaders: Mary Al Gagnon and Andrea Seabaugh, Music Ministers: Linda Lee and Rick Miller IT: Peg Bowen and Rick Miller

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85108095506?pwd=Y3IyS0xkaWZ1WGRUOXlZMm5qcE1Fdz09 

Zoom link for video - 4:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81534075389?pwd=TTdGY2NxS3AzTW13ODJESkdYME9aUT09

 

Meeting ID: 815 3407 5389

Passcode: 803326

(Note -- if you have a problem with the above link, open your ZOOM app and insert the Meeting ID number and Passcode)

Theme: “Love the Earth, as we love ourselves”

Welcome and Gathering

Joan P:  Welcome to our first hybrid liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida.  Some of our MMOJ community is back in person at St. Andrew for the first time in over two years, and some of us are on our Zoom liturgy, participating from many parts of our country and our world.   We are all one community, living and loving in the goodness of our Creator.   

-We invite you to pray the liturgy and respond where it says “All.” 

-All Zoom participants will be muted during the liturgy, except for the  Readers. If you would like to make a comment at our shared Homily time or time of Introductions, please unmute yourself, make your comment, and then, please mute yourself again.  

-Please have bread and wine/juice nearby as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.

-Our theme today is, “Love the Earth, as we love ourselves.” 

Whoever you are, 

Wherever you are, 

Just as you are, 

You are welcome at this table. (Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)

Let us focus our minds and our hearts on our knowledge that we are all one, one world, brought together at this time to transform ourselves and our world through love; love for our Holy One, love for our neighbors, love for ourselves, and love for our planet, Earth.  Let us begin our liturgy by expressing this love through song.     

Gathering Song:  Of The Earth by The Many https://youtu.be/FDW_YEokpxE

Opening Prayer

Kathryn: Oh Holy One, we delight that you are here with us today as we gather with one another, both in person and on Zoom,  as we share this sacred space and celebrate our oneness in and with You.  You told us that “where two or three are gathered in my name, I am among you.” We are grateful you are among us today during these very difficult times on our planet Earth.  In this time of great turmoil, we need to more fully embrace and act upon Your Commandment to “Love One Another.”  As we gather today, may we be ever more mindful of our call and responsibility to care for Mother Earth. 

We also give thanks for our Brother, Jesus, who showed us how to care for all creation and how to Be love.  We have been shown all we need to bring the true kin-dom of our Creator on Earth.  Holy One, we live with the comfort of knowing You walk with us on our journey and that You continue to teach us through Spirit Sophia, Holy Wisdom.  And to this, we say, AMEN. 

Reconciliation Rite

Joan P:  Let us remember we are born in Divine Blessing and that we are perfect in the Holy One’s eyes.  Let us also realize, and forgive ourselves, for not always acting in ways of Divine Blessing, both towards ourselves and others. Now, let us imagine all of the ways we can be brightly lit by a love that heals and transforms us as we evolve and grow in awareness of our divinity and our humanity. 

(Pause for several moments…… Now place hand over your heart as we say the Ho’oponopono prayer)

All: I love you. I am sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. 

Glory to God - by Marty Haugen and video by Bridget Mary Meehan and 

Mary Theresa Streck

https://youtu.be/udjH7EON5IY

Liturgy of the Word

Ann C: First Reading: A Brave And Startling Truth by Maya Angelou (Adapted)

We, this people, on a small and lonely planet
Traveling through casual space
Past aloof stars, across the way of indifferent suns
To a destination where all signs tell us
It is possible and imperative that we learn
A brave and startling truth

And when we come to it
To the day of peacemaking
When we release our fingers
From fists of hostility
And allow the pure air to cool our palms

When we come to it
When the curtain falls on the minstrel show of hate
And faces sooted with scorn are scrubbed clean
When battlefields and coliseum
No longer rake our unique and particular sons and daughters
Up with the bruised and bloody grass
To lie in identical plots in foreign soil

When we come to it
When we let the rifles fall from our shoulders
And children dress their dolls in flags of truce
When land mines of death have been removed
And the aged can walk into evenings of peace
When religious ritual is not perfumed
By the incense of burning flesh
And childhood dreams are not kicked awake
By nightmares of abuse

When we come to it
Then we will confess that not the Pyramids
With their stones set in mysterious perfection
Nor the Gardens of Babylon
Hanging as eternal beauty
In our collective memory
Not the Grand Canyon
Kindled into delicious color
By Western sunsets

When we come to it
We, this people, on this minuscule and kithless globe
Who reach daily for the bomb, the blade and the dagger
Yet who petition in the dark for tokens of peace
We, this people on this mote of matter
In whose mouths abide cankerous words
Which challenge our very existence
Yet out of those same mouths
Come songs of such exquisite sweetness
That the heart falters in its labor
And the body is quieted into awe

We, this people, on this small and drifting planet
Whose hands can strike with such abandon
That in a twinkling, life is sapped from the living
Yet those same hands can touch with such healing, irresistible tenderness
That the haughty neck is happy to bow
And the proud back is glad to bend
Out of such chaos, of such contradiction
We learn that we are neither devils nor divines

When we come to it
We, this people, on this wayward, floating body
Created on this earth, of this earth
Have the power to fashion for this earth
A climate where every man and every woman
Can live freely without sanctimonious piety
Without crippling fear

When we come to it
We must confess that we are the possible
We are the miraculous, the true wonder of this world
That is when, and only when
We come to it.

These are the inspiring words of Maya Angelo and we affirm them by saying, Let it be so. 

Alle, Alle, Alleluia: Linda Lee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID5UGWcS6Ws

Gospel: Joan P John 20:19-31

Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: Peace be to you.

And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw Jesus.

He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Holy One has sent me, I also send you.

When he said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Spirit. 

Go forth, and show all how to follow my path.  Spread my teachings so that all may live in my Light.   

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

The other disciples therefore said to him: We have seen the risen Jesus.  But he said to them: Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you.

Then he said to Thomas: Put in thy finger hither, and see my hands; and bring hither thy hand, and put it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing.

Thomas answered, and said to him: My Lord, and my God.

Jesus said to him: Because you have now seen me, Thomas, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.

Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of his disciples, which are not written in this book.

But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Chosen One, and that believing, you may have life and live life in his name.

These are the words of the Gospel writer known as John, and we are inspired by them by saying, Amen.

Alle, Alle, Alleluia: Linda Lee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID5UGWcS6Ws

Homily Starter – Kathryn

Community Sharing

Communal Statement of Faith

Mary Al:  We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery 
beyond all definition and rational understanding, 
the heart of all that has ever existed, 
that exists now, or that ever will exist. 
 
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, 
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, 
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's 
prophets, mystics, and saints. 
 
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus 
as a vehicle of divine love, 
a source of wisdom and truth, 
and an instrument of peace in the world. 
 
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One, 
the life that is our innermost life, 
the breath moving in our being, 
the depth living in each of us. 
 
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now, 
stretched out all around us for those 
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, 
and hands to make it happen. 

Prayers of and for the Community

Anna D:  We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table.

 

Our response is: ALL: You heal us as we awaken to your call.  

We pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia that they may live in peace without fear and that goodness and sanity will fill the hearts and minds of those that would cause them harm.  ALL: You heal us as we awaken to your call.

We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Joan M shares)

Our response is: You heal us as we awaken to your call. 

For what else should we pray?

Our response is: You heal us as we awaken to your call.

Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Andrea:  O Holy One, you have been called by many names by many people in the centuries of our planet’s life. Yet, no name truly defines you or describes you.  We celebrate you as the marvelous, loving energy of life who caused us and our world to be. We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care.

Ann C: Please join in praying the Eucharistic prayer together:  (Eucharistic prayer taken from the work of Diarmuid O’Murchu and Jay Murnane, adapted)

Ann C and All: O Holy One, we stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history – a time when humanity must choose its future. 

As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future holds both peril and great promise.

May we recognize that, in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are one human family and one Earth and world community with a common destiny.  

United with our vast universe, with our Mother-Planet and her people everywhere, with one another and You, Holy One, our spirits dance and sing this song of praise: 

Song:  Holy, Holy, Holy (Karen Drucker) 

 

https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA

 

Kathryn and ALL: We give grateful thanks for those who came before us, for all those who gave from their hearts, who gave from their lives, that there might be a better world, a safer world, a kinder world, we pray for peace in their name. 

And for the children, that they may live, that they may have children of their own and that it will go on - this great blossoming that is meant to go on and on – we pray for peace, in their name. 

And for all peoples of this earth who have no voice in this,

For the animals that have no voice in this,

For the plants, the trees, the flowers that have no voice in this,

For all who share this earth with us, we pray for peace in their name.

Joan P: We thank you for our brother, Jesus. He showed us so simply, so tenderly, how the world is in our hands. He had nothing in this world but your love, companions on the journey, and his very self. Together, that was more than enough, and that remains our clarity in the midst of confusion: the miracle of healing, new hope, nurturance, nourishment, liberation and life.

(Please extend your hands in blessing) 

Mary Al and All: Your Spirit is upon the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape, and they are gifts of wisdom, light and truth which remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world.

On the night before he faced his own death and for the sake of living fully, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions and friends.  He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet.

When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the Passover bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:

Take and eat; this is my very self.

(pause)

Anna D and ALL: He then raised high the cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered them the wine saying: 

Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life,

for you and for everyone, for liberation from every oppression.

Whenever you do this, Re-member me and all that I have taught you!

(pause)

Anna D and ALL: The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead showed us, by Her action, that life is eternal and that love is immortal. Loving Source of All, we have looked for others to save us and to save our world. Yet, we are called, and consecrated and sent into the world to establish justice and show the blessed fulfillment that comes with simplicity and the giving of ourselves in love.  We will make new our commitment to the harmony of the original vision of creation. 

We will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and our small circles. Like Jesus, in all openness, we will be filled with your own Spirit and renew the face of the earth.

For it is through learning to live as he lived,

And why he lived,

And for whom he lived,

That we awaken to your Spirit within,

Moving us to worship you truly,

O Holy One,

At this time and all time and in all ways.

And we say yes to You!

Great Amen: Linda Lee Miller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy76fpfkNsg

The Abba Prayer

Andrea and All: 

Gracious Spirit,
Who loves us like a mother,
Whose realm is blooming among us now.
And within.
We pray that your compassion guide us in every action.
Give us what we need for each day,
and help us to be satisfied with the miracle of that alone.
Forgiver, whose embrace brings us to wholeness without our asking,
May we reconcile ourselves to one another in humility.
And may we cancel the crushing debts that imprison our neighbours
So that communities of joy and health may flourish.
May we neither profit from nor ignore evil.
But ever work to thwart it with non-violence
As we co-create the realm of peace in this world.
Now and each day.
Amen. (Bret Hesla/wsj)

Sign of Peace:

Joan P: Jesus said to his disciples, “My peace I leave you.  My peace I give you.”  Let us now extend a sign of peace to one another as bow and say, “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste”. 

Ann C:  Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:

Ann C and ALL:  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.

Mary Al: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.  

What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives.  As we share communion, we become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.                          

Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the bread of life.” And “You are the cup of compassion.”

Communion Song: Glorious by David Archuleta

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veNeA9LrLr8

Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements

Closing Prayer

Joan P:   Oh Holy One, we go forth in our calling to serve and committed to our own spiritual transformation so that we might work together to transform our earth to one of peace, equality, and justice for all.  Timeless One, Your eternal love wraps courage around us as we enter into your invitation to bring your Light into the world.  Your ageless presence draws us to you as we step forward, ready to embrace where you lead us. Your sustaining peace rests within our every heartbeat and accompanies us into the unknown future. We have no fear. We are forever grateful to live in your presence and your love.  Amen. 

Community Blessing

Kathryn: Please raise your hands in blessing: And together we say: 

May our hearts be glad on our journey as we dream new dreams, see new visions, and create a new heaven and earth.

May we live and work for compassion and peace, justice and non-violence in our hearts and in those of everyone we meet.

May we learn to bless and honor and hold in reverence all creation, the earth, and one another.

May we live in the grace given to us by our Holy One for all of our lives.

ALL:  Thanks be to God.  Let it be so! Alleluia! 

Closing Song:  Blue Boat Home by Peter Mayer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtZUM0JhLvc&list=RDEMxRn-WF37EvtbCxmFUM_law&start_radio=1&rv=Kq8QAoYCzd8

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