Judy Lee ordained a deacon by Bishop Dana Reynolds

Judy Lee was ordained a deacon by Dana Reynolds, the first U.S. Roman Catholic Womanbishop,

on April 30th in California. Two other women were ordained at this ceremony.

Judy Lee wrote this poem:

The breeze blew gently Through the open doors

And windows of the blessed House that was a sacred church,

Either way a place establishedAnd maintained by love alone,

Bathed in sunlight and nestled In the green brown California hills

Where we ate dinner outside the Night before,

Scented by mountain flowers and aTouch of the Pacific Ocean below

Where surfers in wetsuits catch the Waves and children dance and play.

And a deep orange monarch butterfly Released yesterday by one of us,

Returned and lingeredFor a moment at the window.

Surrounded by a crowd of lovingWitnesses from forever long and now

Welcomed with arms and hearts,

And the voices of angels,

Three women from West, Central And Southern States,And East long before that,

Different as they could be United in purpose and call,

Came to make their vows-

To read, believe and Practice what they teach

And serve the poor and sick

And all who need the love Of Christ out at the margins

Where Jesus met people

And transformed their lives.

Facing a front window where Purple, yellow and red flowers

Swayed gently to the musicThat enveloped them, And all of us,

Vene Sanctus Spiritus,Vene Sancta Spirita,

We three sat expectantly as Sophia Love came gently

To our midst saying softly

Here I Am, are you ready?

And each one rose and said herYes and Amen seven fold.

And the women priests proclaimedThe word with joy and strength,

And our gentle deep womanBishop who had taken the time

And care to know each one of us

And call us in the depth of Our souls, stepped forth andTaught, and blessed and ordained.

All women and men present,All beloved and loving,

Placed their hands upon Our heads in sacred silence.

And tears rolled down our faces

As the empty places were filled

With such love and we saw those Who had gone before get in line

And bless us like the rest,And if we ever doubted the Real presence in the bread and wine,

We never will again.

We, women, are the body of Christ,

And the presence of Jesus in a Broken world,

We, the renewed church

And the servants called womenpriestsAnd deacons hold the Christ light high

And walk the path that Jesus walked,

With Godde’s precious people

,Dancing and swaying and sometimes

Playing a tambourine with multicoloredRibbons in double time syncopation

And joy! Amen, Amen