Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Celebrates Pentecost in Sarasota, Florida on June 7, 2014

MMOJ Community celebrates Pentecost 

Over 30 members of Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida gathered for a joyous celebration of Pentecost. One of the earliest metaphors for the Holy Spirit is a nesting, mother bird hovering over the waters of creation. Genesis 1:2,  Feathers were placed  on the altar to symbolize this ancient feminine image of God . Sacred Chrism is on the altar. (used by community for anointing to remind us that we are the face of God in church and world.)

Theme:  Our Hearts Are On Fire:  We Are the Face of God

Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP and Rev. Don Thompson, an ordained Methodist minister  co-preside 

Opening Hymn:  I'll Fly Away All Sing;  
I'll fly away, 
O glory, I'll fly away in the morning;

  When I die, hallelujah, bye and bye.

     I'll fly away.

 

Welcome and Gathering Prayer

Presider:  At Pentecost, we celebrate the outpouring of the Spirit on the disciples and the outpouring of the Spirit on us.  

ALL: We pray for a deeper awareness of the Spirit’s presence and gifts within us and around us and open ourselves to the power of love leading and guiding us to live as the face of God in our world.

First Reading: Acts 2:1-11 ( Read by Nancy Fusillo, ARCWP Candidate)

Maureen McGill ARCWP 

Responsorial Psalm:  Veni. Sancte Spiritus  (Taize) 

 

Second Reading:  1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13) (Read by Maureen McGill, ARCWP)

Rev. Don Thompson proclaims Gospel

Alleluia (Charismatic)

Gospel:  John 20:19-23 ( Read by Rev. Don Thompson)

Meditation: Bridget Mary Meehan

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP shares meditation

Presider:  In her new book, The Unbearable Wholeness of Being, Sister Ilia Delio, a Senior Fellow  in Science and Religion at Woodstock College writes:

“We need to discover the  inner desert of the heart, that still point of love within us that empowers us to do new things. This center of love is God the inner power who seeks to evolve to become more conscious and unified. Our challenge today is to trust the power of love at the heart of life, to let ourselves be seized by love, to create and invent ways for love to evolve into a global wholeness of unity, compassion, justice and peacemaking. “

Become aware of your breath… breathing in and out…

The Spirit of God breathing within you… Take a few moments to journey to your still point.

Become aware that Divine Love, at the heart of the universe,  is forever birthing cosmic life… Become conscious that God’s  love is forever new …

Each day is Pentecost. Each day God is pouring out the Spirit anew…

Become deeply aware of God’s Spirit- loving you, healing you- empowering you and transforming you…

Become deeply aware of God’s Spirit loving through you, healing through you, empowering through you… You are the face of God in our church and world…

Give thanks for the gifts of the Holy Spirit helping you  to join with others to create a new earth where forgiveness, compassion, justice and peace-making are a reality…

Be open to any new gift(s) of Spirit wisdom, hope or healing- that you need to be the face of God in the world…

As a sign of opening yourself to the Spirit, open your hands and let your heart be on fire in love and thanksgiving…

Small Group Sharing

Community Sharing

Anointing/Commissioning with sacred chrism (community anoints one another)

Presider:  O Holy One, Your love is passionately creating and recreating  us and all beings each day.. May we experience your love pulsating through us and through all of life in  the cosmic dance of creation . May we serve others as the compassionate face of God each day as we work for peace, justice and equality in our world .  We ask this through Christ Sophia, the Wisdom of God and through  the Holy Spirit of creativity, healing and empowerment.  Amen.

Anointing Ritual: As you anoint one another with sacred chrism, say “My sister/brother, you are face of God in our world.”

Community anoints one another with sacred chrism

All: (sing)- “You are the face of God, I hold you in my heart…”

Offertory  (Instrumental)

Acclamation:  You are holy… (Karen Drucker)

Sign of  Peace:  Peace is Flowing Like A River

Communion: “We let the love of God wash over us” (Solo)

Blessing of ARCWP Candidates/Applicants:
MMOJ Community blessed Kathryn, Shea Nancy Fusillo, and Nancy Fusillo

Katy Zatsick leads blessing of ARCWP candidates by MMOJ Community

         

left to right:  Katy Zatsick, Bridget Mary Meehan, Don Thompson

Blessed are those who walk hand in hand with goodness,

 for their delight is in the
Spirit of our Loving God. 
In God’s heart you dwell by night and by day.  
Like trees planted by streams of water,
 that yield fruit in due season, 

and their leaves flourish in all that they do, 
they give life, you shall give us all spiritual gifts.

From right to left: Sally Brochu, Maureen Shea, Nancy Fusillo

CLOSING PRAYER: 
O Loving God, giver  of all gifts, 
we thank you for your gift of these women, 
Sally, Nancy, and Kathryn, 
for the building of your kin-dom on earth.  
May they always have the courage
 to follow, promote, and encourage us
 to seek justice for all your people.  
May those touched by their lives be transformed 
and shown your love for justice and peace forever.  
We ask all this through Jesus Sophia 
who taught us how to love.  
So be it!

Recessional:  “We are marching / singing/ dancing in the light of God”
Special thanks to Nancy Fusillo and to Mary Al Gagnon for photos.
www.arcwp.org