Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests to Ordain Detroit’s 1st Woman Priest and a Deacon

October 6, 2015

From: The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) 

See: www.arcwp.org

Contact: Janice Sevre-Duszynska, 859-684-4247, 

rhythmsofthedance1@gmail.com

Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, 703-505-0004, 

sofiabmm@aol.com See bridgetmarys.blogspot.com

There was much to celebrate as Pope Francis visited the US.  On Sept. 18-20, 500 women and men gathered in Philadelphia for the third Women’s Ordination Worldwide conference. While Francis met with the US bishops at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, D.C. on September 23, some women priests and male supporters did nonviolent civil disobedience and Francis caught sight of their banners which read: “Pope Francis: Ordain Women Priests,” “Women Priests are Here,” and “Primacy of Conscience.” Because of the continued growth of our movement, on September 24^th ARCWP ordained three women bishops at Pendle Hill.  As the Synod of Bishops meets, the National Catholic Reporter says in an editorial: “The church can wait no longer to embrace gender quality in the church.” See http://ncronline.org/news/people/editorial-are-we-prepared-be-surprised-spirit

On Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 2 p.m. the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests will ordain Jennifer Marie Marcus of Detroit a priest and Terese Rigodanzo- Kasper of Orland Park, IL - South Suburban Chicago a deacon. The presiding bishop will be Michele Birch-Conery of Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. at Nativity Episcopal Church, 21220 W. 14 Mile Road, Bloomfield Township, MI 48301. All are welcome.  A dinner will follow at 4:30 p.m. in the church social hall.

Media are invited to schedule interviews during the time leading up to the ordination and at 1 p.m. at the church on October 10.

Jennifer Marie Marcus of Detroit (248-568-8662) jsmaurelius@aol.com is a feminist, progressive Church reformer, Civil and Employee Rights Attorney, political and social justice activist - advocate and member of the LGBTIQ community.  Jennifer has been an active member of many lay church ministries since the Second Vatican Council. While in law school in 1973, she was a delegate to the First Archdiocese of Detroit General Assembly under Cardinal Dearden.  She is a current member and former board member of Michigan Call-to Action. With a background in theology, she is working on a Doctor of Ministry degree with Global Ministries University.  “I have always believed and worked for social justice in accordance with Christ’s Gospel message of reaching out to the poor and marginalized. I am excited to be ordained a woman priest and proud to stand as a prophetic witness for positive change within our beloved church. I ask for God’s gracious love and mercy to achieve that goal.”

Terese Rigodanzo-Kasper of Orland Park, IL-South Suburban Chicago tkasper@arcwp.org has a life-long  history of music ministry, volunteering and employment within Catholic parishes and schools. She volunteers in hospital Pastoral Care and parish Ministry of Care and worked professionally in Senior Care. “Being a mother and grandmother, I embrace the Feminine Divine and the mystery of this unfolding ministry.” She is completing her theological studies with ARCWP’s preparation program and People's Catholic Seminary.