Roman Catholic Womenpriests :Homily by Bishop Andrea Johnson at Ordination of Theresa Novak Chabot as Deacon

Homily For Diaconal Ordination of Theresa Novak Chabot
Saturday, November 21, 2009

Andrea M. Johnson

Today is a day of great joy for all of us as we gather to witness the ordination to the order of deacon of Theresa Novak Chabot. For Theresa, it is a day of fulfillment and of affirmation of a call she has been discerning over many years of listening to the voice of God in the many experiences and people she has encountered on her journey. It is equally a day of great promise for her ministry yet to come!

This is a pivotal crossroads in Theresa’s life, and in the life of the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire. Theresa has come here to state publicly her submission to God’s call to ordination, and to offer her life in service to God’s people as an ordained minister, called forth from the community.

Theresa has carefully chosen readings from the scriptures for today’s celebration of her yes to God. Her choice of Isaiah 61 confirms for us her clear understanding of her call to serve all God’s people, especially those who are marginalized or suffering. Theresa is clear about God’s abiding presence in all of the circumstances in her own life, and she is mindful that everything that has gone before has been for a purpose – preparing her for this day – and for moving forward in service. She is grateful that she has been blessed with many gifts to share. She feels particularly blessed to be called to serve the people of New Hampshire who, as God’s people everywhere, need to be welcomed into an inclusive and nurturing Catholic community. The meaning of anointing as described in Isaiah 61 is not lost on Theresa. She affirms it as nothing less than being chosen to effect the lifting up and empowerment of people. What a blessing her ordination offers to the Catholic community in New Hampshire!

I must tell you that we in Roman Catholic Womenpriests rejoice in Theresa’s ordination as much as you do. The empowerment of God’s people, particularly the most marginalized, is what our work within the Roman Catholic Church is all about. It is our heartsong! Roman Catholic Womenpriests is about singing a new song to our God – about singing a new church into being. For many years now, many in the Roman Catholic Church have recognized that the ordained ministry in our church has lacked integrity. Many wonderful women and men have prepared themselves, and have offered their gifts of pastoral ministry. But, they have had to “color within the lines” (i.e., accept the roles pre-determined for them by a patriarchal structure that, quite frankly, has been willing to use the gifts of women without offering them a share in the full sacramental and decision-making roles that rightly belong to pastoring). Pastoral ministers in the Roman Catholic Church – women and men – have been required to fulfill their calls within the structures mandated by decision-makers who represent only the viewpoint of ordained men. The initiative called Roman Catholic Womenpriests has intervened to challenge that process! In that light, I take particular delight in Theresa’s choice of gospel reading for today’s liturgy. This stunning passage about the woman with the flow of blood is all about challenging the ground rules! Throughout the gospels, typically a story of healing by Jesus involves Jesus laying hands on people who need healing. This alone was shocking to many, especially when women were involved. But this (quote/unquote unclean) woman took the initiative. She had the audacity to touch Jesus! Note that she also took responsibility for her action! Theresa chose this gospel reading because she clearly understands that she is taking the initiative in the face of stone-walling by the Roman Catholic authorities. She is taking the initiative to say yes to God’s call. Theresa clearly understands what she is undertaking by being ordained into Roman Catholic Womenpriests. She knows that in joining RCWP, she is moving from strategy into prophetic action – from waiting for God to make her path smooth and comfortable to accepting the pilgrim’s walk on the bumpy road, with all its attendant consequences.

Like Isaiah, Theresa understands her prophetic role as empowerer of God’s people. She leads by example! Like the hemorrhaging woman, Theresa is a bold and prophetic and faith-filled initiator of God’s reign of justice and peace. As Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA, it is our joy to welcome her as a sister pilgrim on the way.

Let me close with Theresa’s own words in praise of our faithful and loving God, who never asks more of us than we can give:

Let me take the chance to climb the mountain,
beginning at the base.
I look up and cannot see the summit,
but know it is there,
For I have been called by God.

*********************

For the Spirit of God is upon me,
and I state boldly, “Here I am.”
Whatever else could I say?
I have been called by God.

Amen.