from left to right: Rosa Manriquez RCWP , Jane Via RCWP, Jen O'Malley RCWP, Janice Sevre Duszynska ARCWP Jack Wentland, CORPUS/Progressive Catholic Coalition
Today we celebrate Veteran’s Day and we honor those who have served our great country. We honor those who have died to protect our freedom. We honor and pray for those who have fought and come home wounded; mentally and physically. And, we honor and pray for those who are still in war zones, fighting and protecting our nation. And we pray for their families who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice greatly. The 1926 congressional resolution authorizing Armistice Day, as it was originally called, directed the holiday to be observed “with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations.”
I have a humorous personal story about Veterans’ Day I would like to share. My best friend on this Earth was my “Mama”, my maternal grandmother. I am who I am because of her. She was a rebel in her time. She told me every Veteran’s Day the same story. “Your Papa and I married on Armistice Day, and I always said to him, ‘Bill, we started war on Armistice Day’!” And then she would just cackle every year, like she had never told me this story before. Papa was a veteran. But, in the last year of her life, Veteran’s Day was different. She didn’t tell me the story, and I was waiting for it. So, I finally said to her, “Gram, tell me the story about Papa.” And she said, “No. Because the truth is, we started a short life of love on Armistice Day.” And several days later, she said, “I hope Bill will forgive me, but I don’t believe in war. I think war tears families apart and is never the answer to peace. And I think the war took him early from me and our children.” My Papa died when my mom was only nine, and on my aunt’s seventh birthday.
I always knew from a very young age that my grandma was a woman of great wisdom. She was not highly educated. I think she completed 8th grade. But, she had a profound sense of all that was morally right and she held strongly to her beliefs. She was a woman of great faith, although she did not always agree with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, even though she was a devote Irish Catholic. So, I guess I come to where I am now very honestly. When I think of “wisdom”, I think of her. And I am so grateful to have been blessed to have her in my life. Happy Anniversary, Mama and Papa.
And on our Second Reading , which I almost did not use today, and today’s Gospel….I’ll sum it up by saying, these writings were written in a time of great turmoil and confusion. People could not make sense of the crucifixion and Resurrection. It was a time of fear and anxiety. Fear of not joining Jesus in Heaven. Fear that they were abandoned here on Earth. Fear of never seeing Jesus again. Fear was a great motivator then. And for those times, maybe that is what they needed. But fear does not motivate us any longer. It does not drive us to be like Jesus. We have evolved as a spiritual people, and love and compassion motivates us now.
Richard Rohr, often speaks about Jesus as our “Wisdom Teacher”; not Savior, not Prophet, not Messiah, but Wisdom Teacher; an official title in some world religions. Richard Rohr is also a “Wisdom Teacher”. He wrote this about the second coming, “Let’s try to hear this message in a much more exciting and positive way. Jesus is not talking about the second coming of Christ. He’s not talking about you death, either. What he’s talking about here is the forever coming of Christ, the always coming of Christ, the eternal coming Christ… now... and...now...and now. You see, Christ is always coming; God is always present.”
And, as a Hopi Elder said, “We are the Ones that we have been waiting for.”
Wisdom walks about seeking those who are worthy, and graciously appears in their paths and meets them in every thought.
Shared Homily/Community Reflections
Profession of Faith
ALL: We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery beyond all definition and understanding, the heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that ever will exist.
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's prophets, mystics, and saints.
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus as a vehicle of divine love, a source of wisdom and truth, and an instrument of peace in the world.
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One, the Wisdom that is our innermost life, the breath moving in our being, the depth living in each of us.
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it happen.
Prayers of the Community
Presider: We are a people of faith; we believe in the power of prayer. We are mindful of God’s unconditional love and care for each of us. And so, we bring the needs of the people to our merciful and gracious God. After each intercession, please respond: Compassionate God, we ask you to bless our petitions. (intentions)
Presider: Healing God, we ask you to strengthen us in our concerns and care for one another, here and throughout the world. We ask you to bless our efforts for justice and equality so that, with our sisters and brothers, we may promote cultures of peace and nonviolence on our planet. We ask this in your Holy name. Amen.
Offertory Procession and Song: “You Are Mine” #462, all verses
Presider: Blessed are you, God of Creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer…this grain of the earth that human hands have made for our use. It will become for us the bread of life.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.
Presider: Blessed are you, God of Love, through your goodness we have this wine to offer…this fruit of the vine that human hands have prepared for our use. It will become for us our spiritual drink.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.
Gathering of the Gifted
Presider: Jesus, who has often sat at our tables, now invites all of us to join him at his. Everyone is welcome to share in this meal. (The invitation is to everyone to join around God’s family table.)
ALL: Loving and caring God, we – your people – are united in this sacrament by our common love of Jesus. We are in communion with everyone, everywhere, who shares your gift of compassion - especially to all those who are marginalized and oppressed. May we love tenderly, do justice, and walk humbly with you in solidarity with our sisters and brothers. May we live always as prophetic witnesses to the gospel of Jesus. Amen.
Presider: Friends, let us recognize the presence of our God who is with us here now.
ALL: Fill us with reverence for our Creator, for one another, and for all creation.
Presider: Let us lift up our hearts.
ALL: We lift them up to the One who has gifted us with love so that we may be an expression of that love to all others, with no exceptions.
Presider: God dwells in each one of us.
ALL: We experience, practice, and pursue community with one another.
Eucharistic Prayer
Presider: O Holy One, you have been called by many names by many people in the centuries of our planet’s life. Yet, no name truly defines you or describes you. We celebrate you as the marvelous, loving energy of life who created us and our world. We celebrate you as the Source of light and life and love, and we celebrate your presence and all-ways care.
(Eucharistic prayer adapted from the work of Diarmuid O’Murchu and Jay Murnane)
Voice 1: O Holy One, we stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history – a time when humanity must choose its future.
As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future holds both peril and great promise.
May we recognize that, in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms, we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny.
United with our vast universe, with our Mother-Planet and her people everywhere, with one another and You, Loving God, our spirits dance and sing this song of praise:
Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker
Voice 2: We give grateful thanks for those who came before us, for all those who gave from their hearts, who gave from their lives, that there might be a better world, a safer world, a kinder world, we pray for peace in their names.
And we pray for the children, that they may live, that they may have children of their own and that it will go on - this great blossoming that is meant to grow and spread in all time – we pray for peace in their names.
And we pray for all peoples of this earth who have no voice in this, For the animals that have no voice in this, For the plants, the trees, the flowers that have no voice in this, For all who share this earth with us we pray for peace in their names.
We thank you for our brother, Jesus. He showed us so simply, so tenderly, how the world is in our hands. He had nothing in this world but your love, companions on the journey, and his very self. Together, that was more than enough, and that remains our clarity in the midst of confusion: the miracle of healing, new hope, nurturance, nourishment, liberation and life.
(Please extend hands over our gifts as we say together)
ALL: You pour out your spirit anew upon this bread and wine and upon us as we reflect more deeply the Christ Presence in our world
On the night before he faced his own death and for the sake of living fully, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions and friends. He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet.
When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the Passover bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:
Take and eat; this is my very self.
(pause)
He then raised high the cup of blessing, said the grace, and offered them the wine saying:
Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life, for you and for everyone,
for liberation from every oppression. Whenever you do this, Re-member me!
(pause)
Voice 3: Loving God, we have looked for others to save us and to save our world. Yet, we are called, and blessed and sent into the world to establish justice and show the blessed fulfillment that comes with simplicity and the giving of ourselves in love. We will make new our commitment to the harmony of the original vision of creation.
We will open up wide all that has been closed around us, and our small circles. Like Jesus, in all openness, we will be filled with your own Spirit and renew the face of the earth.
ALL: For it is through our learning to live as he lived, and why he lived, and for whom he lived,
that we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to worship you truly, Life-giving God,
at this time, and all time, and in all ways. AMEN
Presider: Gracious God, through us you have set the banquet table and invited all of us to the feast. Here we celebrate your divine love beyond what words can describe. Here your divine compassion connects us to the young and the old, the most and the least, the first and the last…your whole creation.
ALL: Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, Creator God, forever and ever... (and everyone sings)…Amen.
ALL: (holding hands): Our Father and Mother, who are in heaven, blessed is your name…
Presider: God, we have just prayed that “your kindom may come among us.” Strengthen in us your grace and love so that we may open our hearts to make it real - and our hands to serve one another.
ALL: We give ourselves willingly and joyfully to one another. .
The Sign of Peace
Presider: Jesus, you said to your disciples, “My peace I leave you; my peace I give you.” Look on the faith of those gathered here today and …
ALL: …. grant us that peace. O Loving God, following the example of Jesus and with the strength of the Spirit, help us spread that peace throughout the world, to everyone, everywhere, no exceptions. Amen.
Presider: May the peace of God be always with us, and let us extend that peace to one another as we join hands in a circle of love and sing Let there be peace on earth #532 using the following:
“… with God as creator, family all are we …” and “With every breath I take, let this ...”
Litany for the Breaking of the Bread
Presider: Loving God… All: you call us to Spirit-filled service and to live the Gospel of peace and justice, we will live justly.
Presider: Loving God… All: you call us to be your presence in the world and to be bearers of understanding and compassion, forgiveness and healing everywhere in your name. We will love tenderly.
Presider: Loving God… All: you call us to speak truth to power and live equality. We will walk humbly with you.
Presider: This is Jesus, who liberates, heals, and transforms us and our world. He calls us, his sacred people to open doors that are closed and share our bread on the altar of the world. All are invited to partake of this banquet of love. ALL: In communion with our sisters and brothers we eat of one bread and drink of one cup. We are all the body of Christ.
Communion: You Are The Face of God – Karen Drucker
Presider: Loving God, may this Eucharist in which we share Christ’s healing love deepen our
oneness with you and with one another. May we reflect, like Mary, your liberating, mothering
love for all your people everywhere. And may wonder, wisdom, and thanksgiving fill us with knowledge, understanding and experience of your love and compassion in us, your sacred people. We ask this in the name of her Son, Jesus the Christ. ALL: Amen.
Introductions, Gratitudes, and Announcements
Closing Community Blessing
(Let us all extend an arm to one another in mutual blessings)
ALL: Let us go with Jesus, the One who is always with us and whose light guides us on our journeys. May our hope be that the Sun of Justice will rise one morning on all humankind. May the God of Peace, our constant companion, lead us along paths of solidarity and hope, and give us the joy of being united in God’s love. Amen.
Closing Community Hymn and Commissioning: “Nobody Can Stop The River From Flowing” – Kathy Sherman
Nobody Can Stop The River From Flowing
Nobody can stop the river from flowing,
Nobody can stop the river from flowing,
Nobody can stop the river from flowing,
We are going forward and we’re flowing like a river.
Nobody can stop compassion from flowing,
Nobody can stop compassion from flowing,
Nobody can stop compassion from flowing,
We are going forward and we’re flowing like a river.
Nobody can stop the hope that is flowing,
Nobody can stop the hope that is flowing,
Nobody can stop the hope that is flowing,
We are going forward and we’re flowing like a river.
Nobody can stop the peace that is flowing,
Nobody can stop the peace that is flowing,
Nobody can stop the peace that is flowing,
We are going forward and we’re flowing like a river.
We are going forward and we’re flowing like a river.
Closing Community Commissioning
Presiders: As we leave here in the peace of Christ and the joy of God, let us be the joyful and compassionate people that God created us to be. Let our service continue.
RCWP at Eloy Detention to Witness for Justice for Immigrants Left to right, Janice Sevre Duszynska, Jane Via, Rosa Manriquez , Jen O'Malley, Jack Wentland http://www.soaw.org/border/
"...While we’re witnessing a gradual sexual revolution, I believe there’s another revolution moving us beyond either/or to both/and thinking. We are being drawn through andbeyond mere equality into unionwith the divine, with ourselves, and with every other being. This is arelational wholeness, a synergy, and a life energy greater than the separate or combined parts.
For many years, I studied and led men’s rites of passage, which invited men on journeys ofpowerlessness.While men often need to experience powerlessness, it is rather clear in the New Testament that Jesus invariably assures women of their power. I do think there’s great value in men getting in touch with their feminine side (and for women to access their masculine side), but what really matters is that we’re all headed in the same direction, regardless of the path we take: union with God.
Gender is a combination of biology, psychology, and personal history; these are all good and necessary entrance points to the temple, but spirituality is learning how to live in the temple itself (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). [2] What makes spirituality “spiritual” is precisely that it has the power to connect us with our Core and the Center, and not just the circumference. Authentic spirituality brings us toward the essence and not just the accidents. Unfortunately, much of our sexuality remains on the surface, the externals, which is actually a form of materialism.
Masculine and feminine journeys may use different symbols, stories, images, rituals, and metaphors that get us to enter the temple. We must honor the need for action, movement, building, repairing, rescuing, and heroic hardship that men often enjoy. We must honor the community, relationships, empathy, intimacy, healing, and caring that many women usually value. In the end, however, the object and goal of all spirituality is finally the same for all genders: union, divine love, inner aliveness, soul abundance, and generous service to the neighbor and the world.:
VATICAN CITY — "Pope Francis has openly denounced the continuing possession of nuclear weapons by various world governments, in what appears to be a departure from the Roman Catholic Church's prior acceptance of the Cold War-era global system of nuclear deterrence and mutually assured destruction.
In a talk Nov. 10 to participants in a high-profile Vatican conference on nuclear disarmament, the pope also seemed to indirectly criticize world leaders such as U.S. President Donald Trump, who has openly threatened nuclear war with North Korea over that country's continuing development of nuclear arms.
Francis told the conference participants — who include the U.N. High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, NATO's deputy secretary general, and 11 Nobel Peace Prize laureates — that humanity cannot fail "to be genuinely concerned by the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental effects of any employment of nuclear devices."
"If we also take into account the risk of an accidental detonation as a result of error of any kind, the threat of their use, as well as their very possession, is to be firmly condemned," he said.
"International relations cannot be held captive to military force, mutual intimidation, and the parading of stockpiles of arms," the pope continued. "Weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, create nothing but a false sense of security. They cannot constitute the basis for peaceful coexistence between members of the human family."
While previous popes have called for the abolition of nuclear weapons, they also granted conditional moral acceptance to the system of nuclear deterrence, which arose after World War II when the United States and the Soviet Union stockpiled nuclear weapons in order to discourage either country from launching an atomic attack.
Pope John Paul II, for example, said in a message to the U.N. in June 1982 that the system of deterrence could be judged "morally acceptable" as "a step on the way toward a progressive disarmament."
The Vatican conference, hosted Nov. 10-11 by the new Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, is the first major international gathering on disarmament since 122 countries signed a new U.N. treaty in July that calls for the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.
The Vatican is one of three signatories that have already ratified the agreement. None of the nuclear powers and no NATO members have signed on to the measure.
The disarmament conference is taking place as Trump is on an 11-day visit to several Asian nations. In South Korea Nov. 8, Trump warned North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that his quest to acquire nuclear weapons is putting his regime "in grave danger" and threatened: "Do not try us."
Cardinal Peter Turkson, the head of the Vatican dicastery, said at the conference's opening Nov. 10 that the event was planned long before Trump's visit to Asia was announced. "It just happens to be a happy coincidence," Turkson joked, adding: "If we believe in divine providence, that was part of it."
Turkson said he and the participants at the event had gathered "for a very candid conversation about how to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons."
In an apparent nod to North Korea, he added: "This conversation is urgently needed, given the current tensions among nuclear weapons states and given the tensions between nuclear weapons states and states seeking to become nuclear weapons states."
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State, told the conference their considerations take place during a "decidedly disheartening state of affairs" across the world.
Parolin noted that 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's encyclical Populorum progressio, which proposed that the world's governments set aside a portion of their military spending for a global fund to relieve the needs of impoverished peoples.
Paraphrasing the encyclical, he stated: "Is it not plain to everyone that such a fund would reduce a need for those other expenditures that are motivated by fear [or] stubborn pride? Countless millions are starving. We cannot approve a debilitating arms race."
'Ethic of nuclear deterrence not morally warranted'
One of the speakers at the Vatican conference said he hopes it refocuses world attention on the nuclear ban treaty.
"At a time of irresponsible nuclear brinksmanship over North Korea … the Holy See is engaged in a high-profile effort to change the debate and refocus attention on the disarmament momentum generated by the July nuclear ban treaty," said Gerard Powers, director of Catholic Peacebuilding Studies at the University of Notre Dame's Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.
"The Holy See is sending a clear message that the moral imperative of nuclear disarmament is and should be at the center of the Church's international agenda for peace," said Powers, speaking in an interview earlier in the week.
San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy, who is to speak at the conference Nov. 11 on the role of the church in the global disarmament discussion, also said the wider church should reevaluate the conditional acceptance given to the global system of nuclear deterrence during the Cold War.
"I think the church should be saying the ethic of nuclear deterrence is not morally warranted any longer," said the prelate, who also serves as a member of the U.S. bishops' committee on international justice and peace.
McElroy pointed to the fact that the conditional acceptance of deterrence was given with the understanding that the nations of the world would gradually move to disarm.
"Deterrence was accepted in a specific set of conditions; namely, that the nations of the world, individually and together, would be moving toward disarmament," he said. "That has not happened."
"The condition under which there was a limited acceptance … those conditions have evaporated," said McElroy, who is also set to speak later in the month at a conference in South Korea on how Catholic peacebuilding principles can be used to help promote reconciliation on the Korean peninsula."
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, talks with Bishop Robert W. McElroy of San Diego during a conference on building a world free of nuclear weapons, at the Vatican Nov. 10. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
The GOP tax plan is a shameful document that betrays every value I hold dear as a person of faith.
How can we give more tax cuts to the wealthy and continue to ignore the needs of the majority of our country, especially the workers struggling to make a living and the poor who have nothing? According to Matthew 25, Jesus said, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do unto me.”
This proposed tax plan is a moral travesty that violates the common good of everyone, except the rich. We need a tax plan that is fair and just for everyone.
Wealthy corporations and individuals do not need more tax breaks that will more than likely be paid for in the future by cuts to programs like Medicare and Social Security.
We, the people, should contact our elected representatives before this tax plan becomes a reality and it is too late.
The Scottish Episcopal Church has elected its first female bishop.
The Rev Canon Anne Dyer was appointed the new Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney by the Episcopal Synod.
Canon Dyer is currently the Rector of Holy Trinity Church in Haddington, East Lothian. She is also a member of the Scottish Episcopal Institute Council.
The See of Aberdeen and Orkney became vacant last November when the Rt Rev Dr Robert Gillies retired as Bishop of the diocese.
Canon Dyer said: "I am delighted to be elected by the bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church to serve as bishop in the United Diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney.
"It will be a privilege to lead the people of this diocese as they continue to make known the love of God to those in their communities and beyond.
"I am looking forward to both the challenge and excitement of serving and worshiping together in diverse locations across the diocese and to joining the College of Bishops."
The 60-year-old was ordained a deacon in 1987 and became a priest in 1994 in Rochester, Kent.
The Most Rev Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said: "Anne brings with her a wealth of experience in theological education and mission development, and has so many of the gifts sought by the diocese together with a deeply loving and generous personality.
"I am also delighted that those gifts have allowed us to elect a woman to our College of Bishops."
En esta ocasión, se nos ha presentado la oportunidad de compartir y acompañar en la ciudad de Lechenich-Alemania, en la conmemoración de “La noche de los cristales rotos”, acontecimiento ocurrido hace 79 años, en la noche del 9 de Noviembre de 1938.
Este fue el primer capitulo de violencia nazi contra nuestros hermanos judíos. Murieron esa noche 90 judíos, sus casas, sinagogas y negocios, fueron destrozados.
Hemos realizado una marcha, pacifica, conmemorativa a la Kristallnacht (La noche de los cristales rotos) desde el cementerio judío antiguo al nuevo en Romerhofweg con referencia también a Colombia y con posterior reunión en el centro de la comunidad evangélica.
El Equipo organizador, inicia la marcha, contando la historia. Historia que fuimos escuchando a lo largo de las estaciones o paradas que hicimos alrededor de la ciudad.
Al inicio de la marcha pacifica. Participamos 120 personas, llevando luces.
Hubo participación personas mayores y de jóvenes, quienes llevaban pancartas que decían: “No al olvido, no a la violencia”. El verles en la marcha, fue impresionante. En las escuelas, ellos escuchan la historia del sufrimiento de su pueblo, no para repetir la historia, sino, para no olvidarla y honrar la memoria de quienes padecieron semejante infamia.
En la segunda estación, presentamos un saludo respetuoso y solidario a los participantes, a nombre de Colombia, compartiendo dicha conmemoración y uniéndonos a ellos, evocando la muerte y asesinato de nuestros líderes sociales, religiosos/as, ambientalistas, defensores de los Derechos Humanos, no solo de Colombia, sino de América Latina, como Berta Cáceres (Guatemala), Nestor Paz (Bolivia). De los nuestros imposible no mencionar a Monseñor Gerardo Valencia Cano, a las religiosas de la Compañía de Maria,(ODN), Teresita Ramirez y Yolanda Cerón, a Alvaro Ulcué (sacerdote indigena) Sergio Restrepo, Héctor Gallego y otros más.
Mencionamos los ultimos acontecimientos de nuestro país, como las amenazas sobre la Comunidad de Paz de San José de Apartadó, las comunidades de Buenaventura, Tumaco (Nariño) y Quibdó. El escandaloso número de asesinatos de en solo 8 meses de 101 lideres asesinados, después de firmado el Acuerdo de Paz.
En la tercera parada, los participantes, en especial los jóvenes, llamaron por sus nombres a los hermanos/as judíos, asesinados en esta ciudad. Y recitaron el poema: “Juntos”.
Seguimos caminando, hacia la cuarta y última estación. Vale la pena mencionar, que siempre la marcha, estuvo guiada y acompañada por los carros de la policía, siempre en actitud de protección, debido al terrorismo, que nunca se sabe, dónde va reventar su mecha.
Al terminar, fuimos invitados a orar juntos/as, la oración que nos enseño Jesús: El Padre Nuestro, y quien dirigió esta ultima parte, nos pidió continuar en el fortalecimiento de la Esperanza, para que lo que en Alemania sucedió, nunca jamás vuelva a suceder, ni aquí, ni en Europa, ni en el mundo, y a despojarnos del miedo.
REPORTE GRÁFICO DE LA CONMEMORACIÓN “LA NOCHE DE LOS CRISTALES ROTOS”
After the recent tragic shooting in Texas, several people asked how do you cope with so much hatred and loss, when sorrow fills your heart? I do not have any magic answers to why bad things happen to good people. I believe that the Divine Spirit dwells within us, loves through us, encourages and embraces others through us. Each of us is the dwelling place of God, a temple of God's Spirit. This means that the same spiritual power that was within Jesus is within each of us. Jesus said if you want to move a mountain, then tell the mountain to move. We can experience the spiritual power of Divinity within us. Every time we pray, we experience the flow of the Spirit within us, we can tap into the spiritual energy within us to heal and bless ourselves and others. Every time we pray for others, Christ's love is being released in our world. As we pray and love one another, we grow more deeply in consciousness of our oneness with the Holy One and with our sisters and brothers. We grow in compassion and oneness in solidarity with our sisters and brothers who suffer. We become present to their suffering without being able to take away their pain or grief. How do you pray in situations like this? I think the best advice is to let the Spirit pray within you. This could mean, let the Spirit weep within you for loss of innocent lives. The early church practice of praying in "tongues" -which people who belong to Charismatic churches or prayer groups are familiar - may be one approach to try. My friend and co-founder of Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community, Jack Duffy prays in "tongues" and shares encouraging words, prophetic utterances with our community on a regular basis when he is able to attend our liturgies in Sarasota, Florida. I used this powerful prayer of praise as a member of a prayer community for many years. Theologian Krister Srendhal, former dean of Harvard Divinity School define praying in tongues, also known as Glossolalia as a facet of what I like to see as high voltage religion. It is obvious to me that to some people and in some situations, the experience of God is so overwhelming that charismatic phenomena are the 'natural' expression. In the history of religious and of the church there is an honorable place for ecstasy. Who said that only rational words or silence would be prayer?" (Paul Smith, Integral Christianity, p. 130) So, whether you pray in tongues or in silence, it does not matter. Pray as you can and the Spirit of love within you will be released to heal and transform your heart and will touch those you are praying for and weeping with in their loss and grief. Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, www.arcwp.org
Sister Martha Ann Kirk, posing in front of the Brackenridge Villa on the UIW campus, long has supported the ordination of women as deacons and priests. Sister Martha Ann Kirk has always considered herself a feminist.
I visited Sister Martha Ann Kirk in San Antonio and shared with a group of women clergy at Incarnate Word. It was a delightful time of dialogue and blessing for all who attended. Bridget Mary
Catholics have paid stipends for Masses because they were taught that "at the clink of the Mass bell, a soul from purgatory springs," This indulgences mentality irritated Martin Luther and was one of the issues that led to the Protestant Reformation. It should disturb Catholics today that the institutional church is dragging its feet in abandoning this practice and the Medieval theology it reflects on purgatory and the poor souls. Bridget Mary
Roger Vermalen Karban is a priest of the Belleville, Illinois., diocese and pastor-emeritus of Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Renault, Illinois. He holds a licenciate in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and did his scripture studies at St. Louis University. He teaches scripture courses at St. Louis University and Southwestern Illinois College.
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