Mary Mother of Jesus at Sun City Center February 5, 2015 Celebration of the 5th Anniversary of Katy Zatsick ARCWP Ordination to the Roman Catholic Priesthood (Feb 6 2010) “Rabbi, Teacher, Priest”

Katy Zatsick in alb and stole in the middle of MMOJ Sun City Community, Paddy Cooney on far right

The meaning of word Rabbi, Rabboni *

The meaning in Hebrew is “My Great One,” a title that took on the meaning “My master.” By 200 CE it had come to mean a “master” as opposed to “slave” and a master or teacher of students.  In the Christian testament “Rabbi” is used only in direct address to Jesus, not a title. The Gospel of John uses the title for teacher (1:38) Matthew implies that rabbis are teachers amongst the Jews (23:7-8). The address “Rabboni” in John 20:16 is probably employed to express familiarity and devotion.  In the Gospel of Luke only Judas Iscariot calls Jesus “rabbi”

The role of the Jewish Priest, the role of priest in the Christian Testament *

During the period of the ancestors (ca. 2000-1700 BCE) there was no official priesthood.  During the Hellenistic period (ca. 333 BCE to 70 CE) the priesthood dominated the nation. Priests were specially designated officials who served in the temple performing ritual function and conducting the sacrificial services.  As a prestigious, elite class the priests were also expected to preserve the holiness of the sanctuary and uniqueness of the people of Israel. The head of the temple, the high priest, was de facto head of the government of Judea….When a person suffered a disease or physical sign of impurity, the purification rites were performed by a priest.

After the rule of Herod the Great, the Roman prefects who ruled in Judea (6-41, 44-66CE) appointed high priests, many of whom are said to have bought the office.  The chief priests of Jerusalem are presented in all four Gospels as hostile to Jesus.  Acts 6:7 indicates that a great many of the priests in Jerusalem came to faith in Jesus. In time, some Christians transferred the role of the priest as mediator between God and humans onto Jesus, particularly the Letter to the Hebrews. Elsewhere, 1 Peter and Revelation identify Christian believers as the true priests of God. (1 Peter 2:5,9; Rev 1:6; 5:10, 20:6) …See reading below.

Please read the liturgy before our gathering and reflect on the theme.

Please answer these dialog homily questions and requests for prayers.

What is your understanding of the ministry of a priest or spiritual leader? 

What is your experience of a person or persons who have filled this role in your life?

What is the role of priest in the USA in the 21^st century?

What is the role of a RCWP in the USA in the 21^st century?  Characteristics and qualities?

What is the difference (s) between a RCWP and RCC liturgy? Or other church liturgy? Or spiritual gathering.  (Please write the differences down and Katy will collect)

Mary Mother of Jesus at Sun City Center

February 5, 2015

Celebration of the 5^th Anniversary of Katy’s

Ordination to the Roman Catholic Priesthood (Feb 6 2010)

“Rabbi, Teacher, Priest”

All: In the name of God who calls us to priesthood; our brother Jesus who is our Teacher, and Sofia gifting us with priestly ministry.  Amen

All: Opening Prayer:  

God of Faithfulness, enable us to give you thanks for the goodness to Katy, our sister.

Today she comes to rededicate the gift of priestly service which she first received from you.  Intensify within Katy your sprit of perfect love, that she may devote herself more fervently to the service of your presence within us and all of creation and the ministry of evolution of the human spirit. We ask this through our Brother Jesus your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. *

.

First Readings: Wisdom and writing of Spiritual Leaders

Leonardo Boff, Franciscan Liberation Theologian: “Initially, even in the New Testament,” ecclesiastical ministry” is not defined in function of the Eucharist, but in function of the essential apostolicity of the community.  It is the preaching, admonition, upbuilding , solidification, and direction of the community that is decisive.  Being a minister basically has to do with the direction of the community.  Titles are of scant importance…. The community has the inalienable right to celebrate the Eucharist: “Do this as a remembrance of me” It does so through and with its president, who is president not simply because (she/he) has received (his/her) investiture through ordination. On the contrary, first (s/he) is called and designated by the community (Gr.: cheirotonia) this act is understood by the ancient church as manifestation of the Spirit in the community. …We may therefore conclude that a situation in which a community was unable to celebrate the Eucharist because there was no bishop or presbyter present was unthinkable in the early Church.”   

                                                  (Boff reviewing Edward Schillebeeckx on the priesthood p 66).

“We see God in Water, Sun, Air---everywhere” George Goodsriker, Kainai (Blackfoot) Elder Canada”  “How luxurious! God is everywhere.  How much more we could learn about God if we were open to the knowledge that pours into us every minute! What beauty there is in life---in the opportunity to interact with God in everything we do.  Such a life, indeed, becomes a living prayer.  When I see God in water, sun, air everywhere, I live with reverence with everything around me because I know that if I abuse or destroy any of God’s creation, I destroy my relationship with God.”

These too are the Word of God.  All Thanks be to God. 

                                                                    (From Native Wisdom for White Minds, February 1)

Community Psalm Response

All: Jesus you are blessing. May we be a blessing for the world.

Jesus you were a blessing to the poor, the meek, the wounded, and to all who received you.

All: Jesus you are blessing. May we be a blessing for the world.

Help us to be open to you and to know the meaning of your words for our time and place. Turn our minds and our very world of thought around, that we may creatively bring dignity and healing to our people and our planet.

All: Jesus you are blessing. May we be a blessing for the world.

Give us faith in the more that lies within and beyond what we can see and hear.  Teach us to care for another as you have cared for us, that like you, we may be a blessing for our world and praise to God our creator now and forever.

All: Jesus you are blessing. May we be a blessing for the world.

Second Readings (quoted in above definitions)  

Acts 6:7

The word of God continued to spread, while at the same time the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased enormously, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.   

1 Peter 2:5, 9

And you are living stones as well: you are being built as an edifice of spirit, to become a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. ..You, however, are a “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a people set apart” to sing the praises of the One who called you out of the darkness into the wonderful, divine light.”

Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6

To Christ---who loves us … and who has made us to be a kindom of priests to serve our God and Creator---to Jesus Christ be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

You made of (us) a kindom, priests to serve our God, and we will reign on the earth.

Happy and holy are those who share in the first resurrection!  The second death has no power over them.  They will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Christ for a 1000 years. 

The Word of God. All: Thanks be to God.

The Gospel according to Matthew 23: 8-12

“But as for you, avoid the title “Rabbi” for you have only one Teacher, and you are all sisters and brothers. And don’t call anyone on earth your “Mother” or “Father” You have only one Parent---our loving God in heaven.  Avoid being called leaders.  You have only one leader---the Messiah.  The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest.” The Good News of Jesus our Brother.  All: Thanks be to Jesus our Brother and Savior.

Dialog homily

What is your understanding of the ministry of a priest or spiritual leader? 

What is your experience of a person or persons who have filled this role in your life?

What is the role of priest in the USA in the 21^st century?

What is the role of a RCWP in the USA in the 21^st century?  Characteristics and qualities.?

What is the difference (s) between a RCWP and RCC liturgy? Or other church liturgy? Or spiritual gathering.  (Please write the differences down and Katy will collect)

Blessing of Katy on her 5^th Anniversary

All raise their hands in blessing.

Each person will have time to offer a prayer for Katy and all the priestly People of God.

(Please write these down and Katy will collect or send to Katy before Thursday)

Anointing of each person as a priest of the People of God

Please reflect on how you are a gift for the People of God, what is your ministry?

What do you ask for your priestly ministry?

Prayers of the community

Response: All: As priests of God we call upon you, hear our prayer.

Offertory:

Blessed are you, God of all creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer which earth has given and human hands have made.  This bread is our faith community living a ministry of teaching Love who is God.  May we individually and as a community be your priests and live your vision of justice, peace and healing for all.  This will become for us the bread of life.

All:  Blessed be God forever.

Blessed are you, God of all creation.  Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. This drink is our desire as priests to serve the People of God and to bring your love and truth to all and your earth.  This wine and juice will become our spiritual drink.

All:  Blessed be God forever.

My sisters and brothers let us pray together that our gifts may be acceptable to God our Creator.

All:  May God accept these gifts from our hands, for the praise and glory of God's name, and for our priestly ministry with the People of God.

Co-Presider:  Loving God of Evolution and creation, we give you thanks for the blessing of worshiping you as a community.  Accept our gifts and our worship.  By offering ourselves may we be filled with your spirit of truth, knowledge, and compassion every minute, every day for all people and the earth itself.  We ask this through Jesus Christ, our brother.

All:  Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer from Liturgy on Healing by Diarmuid O’Murchu.

Our Father/mother: sung

Sign of Peace…sung, Peace is flowing…Love is flowing…Alleluia, alleluia…

The bread is broken.

All: This is our Creator who is Compassion and Love, who calls each of us to a ministry of teaching, healing and sharing our Way who is Jesus. May we be who we are--the Body of Christ.  May we be what we eat--the Body of Christ. Amen

Passing the bread “We are the Body of Christ.”

Passing the wine “We are the Blood of Christ”

Prayers of thanksgiving and final thoughts

Blessing. Raise hands in mutual blessing

All: God of love, on this joyful anniversary celebration you have fed us the Body and Blood of Jesus our brother, teacher, rabbi, priest.  Refreshed by this spiritual food and drink, may our sister Katy and the People of God advance happily on that journey which began in you and leads to you. Amen

Co-Presiders: Go in the peace of Christ, let our priestly service begin!

All: Thanks be to God.

*Opening prayer and closing blessing adapted from “The Sacramentary”  pg 1150 “Anniversary of religious profession;”  Definitions of Rabbi and Priest from Harper Collins “Bible Dictionary” revised and updated 2011; Community psalm response adapted from “Peoples Companion to the Breviary, The liturgy of the hours with inclusive language” pg 355 Prayer. 

Speaking of Phenomenal Women, A Luncheon A Dialogue for Phenomenal Women with Dr. Debra Meyers, ARCWP

Dr. Debra Meyers on Ordination Day May 2013

Dr. Debra Meyers received her PhD from the University of Rochester and has published six books as a professor of history, religion, and women's studies at Northern Kentucky University.

• Such Order and Civility in the Colonial Chesapeake, Debra Meyers and Melanie Perrault, eds. (Lexington Books, 2015).
• Inequity in Education: Historical Perspectives on American Education, Debra Meyers and Burke Miller, eds. (Lexington Books, 2009).
• Colonial Chesapeake: New Perspectives, Debra Meyers and Melanie Perrault, eds. (Lexington Books, 2006).
• Common Whores, Vertuous Women, and Loveing Wives: Free Will Christian Women in Colonial Maryland, North American Religion Series (Indiana University Press, 2003).
• Mujeres y Religion en el Viejo y el Nuevo Mundo, en la Edad Moderna (Madrid: Narcea, S.A. de Ediciones, 2002).
• Women and Religion in Old and New Worlds, Debra Meyers and Susan Dinan eds. (NY: Routledge, 2001).

Meyers has studied at a Roman Catholic seminary and completed a Masters of Religious Studies and a pastoral care certificate. She was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on May 25, 2013 in Cincinnati.  Her ministry focuses on a growing inclusive Catholic community in Cincinnati and she serves single mothers and their children who make up the vast majority of impoverished people in our country today.

Join us, March 14, 2015 at 12 noon. Court Yard Marriott Cincinnati/MidTown Rookwood 45209.
Tickets: $30.00 per person

Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite

http://www.eventbrite.com/o/angie-brown-7878600838?s=32390759

Altar Girl Debate/Can't Believe We've Come Full Circle on this one again!

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2015/02/04/the-debate-over-altar-girls-does-it-kill-vocations-or-value-girls/?s_campaign=crux:email:daily

"Bishop Christopher Coyne, newly installed leader of Vermont’s Catholics, said in a 2013 appearance on Catholic TV that he doubted the presence of female altar services would negatively impact a young man’s vocation discernment. Plus, barring girls might discourage mothers from encouraging their sons to consider the priesthood, he said.

Related

• San Francisco priest bars altar girls, sparks another controversy

More

“It’s a way of welcoming them to the table, of saying they have an important role in the liturgy, that they’re not second-class citizens because they’re girls,” he said. “I want to encourage the girls to see the Church as inviting,” prompting them to pass on the faith and encourage vocations when they have children."

Healing the Brokenhearted-A Day in the Life: Rev. Judy’s Homily Fifth Sunday in OT

 This is Kathy (middle) with Gini (right) and another ministry volunteer

Healing the Brokenhearted-A Day in the Life: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Feb. 8, 2015

On this Sunday we will walk a while with Job ( Job 7: 1-4,6-7) and then with the Apostle Paul ( I Cor. 9:6-19,22-23) and finally with Jesus (Mark 1: 29-39). This is not going to be an easy walk. The Psalmist pulls it together in saying “God heals the brokenhearted” (Ps 147:3). Let us enter the territory of the brokenhearted and find God there.

I have a dear friend from childhood who recently lost her mother whom she cared for over many years after both of their lives changed and they decided to live together. They were also companions and best friends. My friend wrote to me: “I know that she is better off now with God and out of her suffering but I am brokenhearted”. I understood deeply.

As a pastor and as a person I am no stranger to loss and broken hearts. My own losses are many and my heart has been pieced back together time after time. I understand Job. I understand his depression yet it is very hard to tolerate the depth of it. Like a true depressive Job says: “I will neverexperience joy again”(Job 7:7). One’s heart can break for Job and for all the “Jobs” we encounter who struggle between despair and being lifted out of it with a modicum of faith. Job is an example of deep and remarkable faith in the midst of so much objective suffering that he cannot be blamed for his despair. Neither can clinically depressed people be blamed for not being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But it is sure hard to be with them, their utter sadness and gloom can bring anyone down. Broken hearts may be mended and healed and yet those who cannot see any light tend to have the hardest time healing. They need the hand up that Jesus offered to Peter’s mother-in-law in the Gospel (Mark 1: 31). Several years ago I counseled a young man whose fiancé broke the engagement. “I cannot go on”, he said, “my heart is broken”. Because he was also clinically depressed it took many years before he could move on. Eventually he did find a new love and he has made a good marriage. He has experienced joy again.

Recently, I counseled Kathy, a woman of great faith who experienced major successive losses: of a husband to infidelity, divorce, then death; of her son to drug addiction; of a daughter and her young family to distant deployment in the Armed Forces; of her home to great loss of income; and her health to a crippling illness. Yet,like and unlike Job, she remained steadfast in her faith without wavering. She told me that she had to hold onto her faith or she would “just crash”. She spent her time while waiting for affordable housing volunteering her time with those in need. In the picture introducing this article, Kathy is joined by Gini and another friend at Good Shepherd church. Gini was brokenhearted at the loss of her beloved husband Paul who was a great supporter of our ministry. With his advancing cancer Paul would give Gini a donation for us each time she volunteered to cook and serve for our ministry to the homeless and hungry. She continued this when Paul passed, putting her sadness to work for the kin(g)dom. When we spoke to Gini or Kathy each would always be thankful to God for God’s goodness in the midst of her troubles.

Several months later, Kathy was able to get a new place to live and her spirits were lifted. She created a beautiful home where all neighbors are welcome.

While she still cried volumes sometimes she did keep her faith and did not “crash” as she kept on serving others. She was able to adopt a little dog to ease her loneliness. She loved him very much and her tears abated. Then, in the middle of a night I got a call and could not tell who it was as the person calling was crying so much. Finally she was able to tell me that the dog got out the front door, left ajar for a bit of air, and ran away. “I am brokenhearted” she cried. We talked it through and by the morning the dog had returned-for her joy did come in the morning. We want this to end happily ever after with this good woman and the little dog but later on he bit her badly twice and had to go back to the Rescue Shelter. (Thankfully for the dog who had more energy than this woman could manage, it is a no-kill shelter and he may get another chance). She again told me as she so reluctantly and tearfully had to let him go “I am brokenhearted”. Yet, she increased her volunteer work including reaching out to others in our community of brokenhearted and sometimes broken people as she waits to find an “easier” pet for her daily companion. We talk often as she copes with our people whose mental and physical states are often beyond understanding. I am sure that the right companion dog will be found soon, but her joy at what she has instead of what she does not have is uplifting to me and to all around her. Her house is now a hub of her community where many are hurting.

For her, faith in God and in Jesus the Christ is the center of her life. Like Paul, she has to preach using more actions than words, and she tries to be “all things to all people” learning all she can about their illnesses and their needs. It does not matter to her that some have a history of prison or jail time and it does not matter that her own life is still not in “perfect shape”. Kathy is trying to live the gospel. She wants to offer a hand up to the ill and downtrodden as Jesus did.

When we go through a day in Jesus’ life we see Jesus in relationship with his disciples visiting Peter’s home and taking Peter’s mother-in-law by the hand to lift her from her sick bed. People easily died of fever in those days and so his healing is saving her life. She is so well after his touch that she serves a meal for the group. An original Jewish mother some might say. But by now news of his healing of both the mentally and physically ill has reached the whole village and everyone appears at the door. So he heals them, no matter who they were or what they had, one after the other. Then he tries to rest and makes time to pray rising early. Once again everyone continues to seek him out. Exhausted as he must be, he then moves on to the next village because he must proclaim the good news. He goes throughout the Galilee preaching and healing the broken and the brokenhearted-he gives himself away.

When life makes us feel like Job, may we have the love and compassion of Jesus to keep on going and to give ourselves away so the broken and the brokenhearted are healed to build the reign of God with us.

Amen.

Sign petition that Vatican should remove disturbing image of headless woman on Pontifical Council for Culture's Assembly on Women

https://www.change.org/p/cardinal-ravasi-and-council-members-remove-the-disturbing-image-of-a-headless-bound-woman-on-the-outline-document-for-the-pontifical-council-for-culture-s-plenary-assembly-on-women-s-cultures-february-4-7-2015-and-advocate-for-women-s-equality-in-the

5 Things Pope Francis Can Do Now to Get an "Incisive Female Presence" Pope Urges More Widespread and Incisive Female Presence",

1. Hire women in leadership positions in the Vatican, dioceses and parishes. Set up fair labor practices and protection from firing for disagreeing with hierarchy. Make the goal 50% and give women decision-making power and job protection.
2. Hire top notch theologians, especially feminist theologians, who are critical of centuries of sexism in the church and invite all Catholic Universities to do so immediately. 
3. Drop the excommunications against Roman Catholic Women Priests and our supporters and begin a dialogue on a renewed priestly ministry as a blessing to the church. 
4.  Return decision making power to local churches throughout the world, mandate 50% of parish councils, diocesan councils be women in all pastoral positions. 
5. Recognize that women are fully capable as moral agents to make decisions about their bodies and relationships in light of their consciences. Drop the ban on artificial birth control.

.Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/02/07/pope_urges_more_widespread_and_incisive_female_presence_/1122079

Vatican Conference on Women's Cultures Equality and Differences Ignores Elephant in the Church, Women Priests/ No Surprise! Link to videos , youtube and check out this blog and google!

Check our Women Priests' Videos at following Link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXKfzC66-CqSPaunwyoQ5cA
Alas, the Vatican Conference on Women's Cultures ; Equality and Differences could have offered at least one video about the Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement. After all, Pope Francis has opened up conversation on controversial issues. I know inviting us to the conference might have been a bridge too far for the prelates at this time, but honestly, they could have shown at least one of videos that show enthusiastic participation in inclusive liturgies where all are welcome and all can receive sacraments. We believe that is what Jesus in the Gospels did and so our hearts are open to all God's people, not just the ones that follow man-made canon laws.  

The Vatican can no longer ignore the elephant in their own living room, women priests! 

They have tried everything to stop our movement without success. 


Women Priests are leading the institutional church, with the hierarchy kicking and screaming, into a new future, gender justice!


Long ago, Rabbi Jesus showed the way with women in a discipleship of equals.


It is time for the Vatican to follow Jesus and treat women as equals. God cannot be God and discriminate against women. Neither should the church. Lots of Catholics agree. Surely, this is not a radical idea!
Youtube: Videos: 862  •  Lifetime views: 279,622

The Vatican Conference on Women's Cultures: Equality and Differences showed off the stumbling, bumbling efforts of an all-male hierarchy who make decisions about women's lives behind closed doors. So let's give them credit for a" crumb"as Kate McElwee said in her blog.  

Yes, the Vatican had a meeting about women.  A few women were invited, but they were not equally represented even in a consultation role. (7 women, 52 men)  

From the ridiculous video to the naked woman in bondage art piece, this conference was a debacle that alienated and insulted women across the globe. What were they thinking women wanted? Thinking? This was their first problem!  See Mary Hunt's excellent analysis of the lack of theological coherence and the failure to comprehend contemporary advances in gender studies.

In my view, the Vatican should treat women as Jesus did - as equals and partners-in the church. This means women should have had decision-making power and equal representation at the conference. 
Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org


Article on Vatican Conference:
http://www.ibtimes.com/vatican-conference-womens-cultures-equality-difference-gets-rocky-start-1805806

“...I know many of you are rolling your eyes, but this is a crumb instead of the usual absence of said crumb,” McElwee wrote. She added that one of the videos shared was made by Marinella Perroni, who was president of the Italian Women’s Theologian collective and is considered a strong advocate for women in the church. A female plastic surgeon and Sister Eugenia Bonetti, an Italian nun who fights sex trafficking, were among the other speakers at the event. Still, McElwee said the event had its fair share of low points. She indicated the crowdsourced videos represented a “very selective sampling.” Supporters of her organization -- an advocate for the ordination of  women as priests, deacons and bishops -- submitted videos with the hashtag, but they were not shown..."

NPR Link to Interview with Sister Megan Rick/Prison Abuse

http://www.npr.org/2015/02/05/383839649/supporters-say-imprisioned-nun-is-being-held-in-unfair-conditions=

"VATICAN COUNCIL ON WOMEN WOULD BE FUNNY WERE IT NOT SO INSULTING" by Mary Hunt

http://religiondispatches.org/vatican-council-on-women-would-be-funny-were-it-not-so-insulting/

"It may be Women’s Week at the Vatican, but you have to look carefully at the skirts to find many women. However well-intentioned Vatican officials may be, they embody Murphy’s Law when it comes to women: everything that can go wrong does go wrong. Maybe if women were more than bit players, things might improve.

The Pontifical Council for Culture in Rome, presided over by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi and made up of cardinals and bishops who are all men, are discussing “Women’s Cultures: Equality and Difference” from February 4-7, 2015 in mostly closed-door sessions. There are enough contradictions in that sentence to end my analysis right here.

I persist, if only to encourage others to trust their intuitions about such dubious endeavors and to think about women when they sing the praises of Pope Francis. Women make up slightly more than half of the Catholic population, and many more than half of its active members. Only by ignoring women can Francis fans herald his achievements.

Only by setting aside the all-male priesthood, bracketing any mention of kyriarchal decision-making structures, and passing over outmoded notions of gender can one honestly say that Francis, who captains the ship, is any better than his immediate predecessors when it comes to half of the church.

His own unfortunate choice of women-related words like “Europe is now a ‘grandmother,’ no longer fertile and vibrant” and women theologians are “the strawberries on the cake!” reveal his personal limitations with regard to women. Let every praise of his papacy contain an asterisk until it is no longer necessary. Maybe that will motivate some people who want him to succeed to get working on women’s issues as well as poverty, war, the environment and the like, all of which have disproportionate impacts on women...."
Click on link above to read this excellent article.
Excellent work, Mary Hunt! I appreciate your strong voice always speak truth to power in the Catholic Church and offering a comprehensive critique of patriarchy from a feminist perspective. Your humor adds a wonderful light touch to a heavy topic, sexism in our church and the bungling of the Vatican at this pontifical conference. Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP, www.arcwp.org

"Robes for Women: Demolishing the Gender Gap in Catholic Priesthood" by Michelle Bergmann

http://www.takepart.com/article/2015/02/05/robes-women-demolishing-gender-gap-catholic-priesthood
"Despite the recent rebranding of the Roman Catholic Church, with the liberal Pope Francis addressing climate change and recognizing the LGBT community, the church continues to ban women from preaching the gospel. But a group of rebel women is defying the rules of the Vatican by ordaining women as priests across the U.S.

The goal of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is to yank the Catholic church out of its time warp and bring gender equality to the priesthood—and the way things are looking, the group may just pull it off.

Since the early 1900s, Christian churches—Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, and more—have welcomed women to serve as priests or ministers. Just last week, more than 1,000 people gathered to watch the first female bishop ordained in the Church of England. It’s a movement that the Roman Catholic Church needs to take a cue from, according to 68 percent of American Catholics. So what’s the holdup?

“I think it’s sexism. I think it’s misogyny,” said Janice Sevre-Duszynska, an ARCWP member who was ordained in 2008. “Instead of being frightened of us, [the church] needs to be talking to us.”

To drive that message home to the Vatican, the ARCWP is placing women at the altar—front and center. In January, 80-year-old Rita Lucey, grandmother, wife, and now priest, was ordained in a ceremony in Florida. She’s the second woman to be ordained as a Catholic priest in the past month, and one of 165 since 2002. “Either the church will die or this will occur. In my lifetime probably not, but there is always hope,”Lucey told NBC.

For Lucey and these gutsy women, hope is all they need to keep the governing laws of the Catholic church—which state that only a male can be ordained as a priest—from deterring them from their mission. After becoming ordained, these women frequently receive letters of excommunication, and in extreme cases their photos are circulated to eucharistic ministers, who ban them from receiving Communion during mass.

In response, they befriend other churches that will allow them to preach (including Jewish temples), keep ordaining women, and establish a community of equals. Considering the Vatican’s influence on the patriarchal world, the women’s movement is just as political as it is religious.

“There is disorder, it’s imbalance, and that is not what Jesus is about, ” said Sevre-Duszynska.

From 2013 to 2014, the ARCWP more than doubled the number of women it ordained as priests (including younger women in their 40s), and it is starting to attract younger generations through social media. According to Sevre-Duszynska, reaching young women is crucial to gender perception in the church.

“What happens to women’s psyches? Young girls feel disempowered, less than, or unequal when there are no [female] images of God,” she said. “It is critical that we remember God is beyond gender.”

It’s not just gender status the ARCWP is addressing; anyone is welcome at its table. Its plan is to pave the way for an inclusive, egalitarian Catholic church where anyone—gay or lesbian, married or divorced, artist or lawyer—can preach.

Though the movement may be ruffling feathers in the Vatican, for Sevre-Duszynska, the message is simple: “Where is the sense of welcoming—welcoming gays and lesbians as children of God, and welcoming women as priests? This is something that our world is crying out for.”

"Don't Give into Anti-Gay Bishops, Everyone Deserves Health Care"/Sign Petition on facebook link

http://act.faithfulamerica.org/sign/mercyhealth?referring_akid=509.6328.UbMlri&source=facebook

In the age of Pope Francis, why are Catholic bishops trying to deny health care coverage to people just because they're gay?

One of the nation's largest Catholic hospital systems, Mercy Health, is considering extending health insurance benefits to their employees' same-sex spouses. The decision could set a powerful precedent for other Catholic employers.

But now a handful of right-wing bishops are lashing out at Mercy Health, claiming that extending health care benefits would be like "abandoning the faith when subjected to the cruelty and torture of the Roman Empire."

Mercy Health has rushed to clarify that it is "still exploring" its options, so we need to show just how many Christians support health care access for all families, regardless of sexual orientation.

Sign the petition:

We applaud Mercy Health for recognizing that there's no reason for a Catholic employer to deny health insurance to people because of their sexual orientation -- and we urge them to disregard the inflammatory anti-gay rhetoric of a few bishops who clearly haven't been listening to Pope Francis.

Sparks fly over choice of image for Vatican document for assembly on women | National Catholic Reporter

Sparks fly over choice of image for Vatican document for assembly on women | National Catholic Reporter

Beautiful Reflections from Rev. Chava Redonnet, RCWP

https://judyabl.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/beautiful-reflections-from-rev-chava-redonnet/

Revda. Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia embarking in the  La Balsada  in honor of Mary with her community on the river Cauca, Cali, Colombia

This is an especially insightful spiritual Reflection by Rev. Chava Redonnet of the Oscar Romero Community in Rochester New York. Amen to her words of wisdom.  The hymn she discusses, written in both English and Spanish, was also the offertory hymn at my Ordination to the priesthood on 7/20/2015 along with Gloria Carpeneto of Maryland and Gabriella Velardi Ward of Staten Island, New York as Priests and Mary Ann McCarthy Schoettly, Deacon. As I recall, the choice of that hymn was unanimous and its meaning special to all there.  From that time on Mary Ann became a loving supporter of our Good Shepherd Ministry to the homeless. Her Sophia Community in New Jersey continues their generous support of our ministry as well as Rev. Chava’s ministry to the migrants.  i join Chava in thankfulness for the life of Rev. Mary Ann Schoettly who left these shores too early to join that great cloud of witnesses on the other shore surrounding us with love.

The chorus of that hymn- Lord, You Have Come to the Seashore (Spanish Pescador de Hombres- is particularly meaningful and lovely:

O Lord, with your eyes set upon me,

gently smiling, you have spoken my name:

all I longed for I have found by the water,

at your side,I will seek other shores”.

by Cesareo Gabarain, Published by OCP, 1979,1987.

Rev. Judy Lee

Oscar Romero Inclusive Catholic Church
Bulletin for Sunday, February 1, 2015
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends,
“Lord, when you came to the sea  shore,
you weren’t seeking the wise or the wealthy,
but only asking that I might follow.”

Back in April of 2009 when Mary Ann Schoettly was ordained a priest and I a
deacon in a synagogue in Philadelphia, that was the offertory song. Mary
Ann chose it. I don’t remember what significance it had for her, but when I
think back on it – when I remember standing to receive the offertory gifts
of  bread and wine as a newly ordained deacon, hearing that song all around
— well, I kind of get shivers, because there was no way of knowing then
how important that song would be in my ministry just a few years later.

On the long drive back and forth from the city to way out in the country, I
usually sing. It helps me stay alert! But singing my favorite songs to
Santiago, I sometimes become aware of how many of our hymns and songs are
written from the point of view of persons of privilege. Like “Good King
Wenceslas” – which ends, “you who now will help the poor, will yourselves
find blessing.” The beautiful thing about “Pescador des Hombres,” which we
know in English as “Lord, When You Came to the Seashore” is that it is
written from the point of view of someone without power or privilege,
someone who simply says, take me and use me, Lord.

A transformative moment for me in ministry happened at St Joe’s one Tuesday
afternoon about ten years ago. I was talking with one of our guests, who
was telling a very long story. As I listened, in the front part of my mind
I was hearing her story. In the back part, I was trying to pray for her.
But the prayer wouldn’t come. It was like it was stuck. “Huh,” I wondered.
“Why can’t I pray?” Then I realized that it was because I was praying down.
I was praying like, me and God were going to help her. Like I had it all
together, and she did not. I realized in that moment that if I was going to
pray for her, it had to be the prayer of an equal, one child of God for
another. It was startling because I didn’t realize until then that I had
that attitude.

The good news is, once you’ve had a moment like that, it’s hard to go back.
It’s like you’re standing on the bottom rung looking up, and always aware
that things look different depending on where you are on the ladder – and
that as long as others are standing on that bottom rung, that’s where you
absolutely want to be until you can all climb up that ladder together and
look at the magnificent view. I suspect that’s liberation.

So thanks, Mary Ann posthumous thanks for choosing a song that we would
sing again and again at St Romero’s. Your ministry was shorter than any of
us wanted, but it sure was prophetic!

Still looking for volunteer English teachers for Tuesday nights in the
Spring and Summer, and for a Religious Ed teacher for Thursdays. All in
English!
Keep warm and drive safely in all that snow!

Love to all , Chava
Oscar Romero Church                                    An Inclusive
Community of Liberation, Justice and Joy
Worshiping in the Catholic Tradition           Mass: Sundays, 11 am
St Joseph’s House of Hospitality, 402 South Ave, Rochester NY 14620
A member community of the Federation of Christian Ministries

Retired Call to Action Chapter Developer , Bob Heineman Visits the Women Priests and the Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community

https://judyabl.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/retired-call-to-action-chapter-developer-bob-heineman-visits-the-women-priests-and-the-good-shepherd-inclusive-catholic-community/

On Sunday February 1,2015 the newly retired national Chapter Developer of CTA (Call To Action, the Catholic progressive group seeking renewal and reform in the Roman Catholic Church) visited us at the Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community in Fort Myers, Florida. We were honored to have this courageous pioneer of justice in the church and in the world with us. He attended Mass and participated in our “word upon the word” discussion after the Homily. He said how happy he was to be with this inclusive community that included the poor and often outcast. He brought a word of blessing and encouragement to the people. Afterward he joined us in the Sunday meal and mingled with the people in the fellowship time.

This is Bob (in purple shirt) with Hank Tessandori our ‘deacon’ and, also a Call To Action member, and  Good Shepherd members Ann Palmer, Harry Gary, Donnie Wright and little  Kiya and Riya Battles and the co-pastors Judy Beaumont and Judy Lee.  

Some of our other members who enjoyed meeting Bob, Mrs. Jolinda Harmon and Mrs. Linda Maybin and families with Aleigha Longstreth. .

We were also happy to celebrate Rashawn Tobias’ 22nd birthday this Sunday-

 I have known Rashawn since he was a small sixth grader-look at him now!It is a special joy to have him with us for his Birthday.

Our local CTA Chapter (Southwest Florida Chapter) President is Ellen Mc Nally who, with her husband Jack cooks for, organizes cooks for and comes to serve with our Tuesday Ministry. faithfully.

This is Jack and Ellen with one of our church leaders Nate Chester and Pastor Judy Beaumont. As he likes to share, Nathaniel was once homeless and very alone, now he is housed, reconciled with family, and on Sunday he is a beautiful Lector, Minister of Music and assistant to our elders. He is so happy to have a church family and to reach out and help others. Yesterday (Tues 2/3) Jack was with us once again after recovering from hip replacement surgery. Everyone gave him hugs and applause.

The Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community is thankful to CTA, to Ellen and Jack and Hank and to Bob Heineman for their service,courage, and support. Thanks be to God!

Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP, co-Pastor The Good Shepherd Community