Translate

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Mary Mother of Jesus : Untier of Knots, pray with us to untie the knots of inequality in our Church , Prayer for World Meeting of Families in Ireland


Hail Mary,  full of  God's presence,
companion on the journey, you walk with us to untie the knots of patriarchy, 
abuse and inequality in our Church and world
May it be so.
Amen, Alleluia
Bridget Mary Meehan, https://arcwp.org
sofiabmm@aol.com
703-505-0004

Ireland Day11: Visit with Ana Birmingham Doran in Killarney and Visit to St. Mary”s Cathedral, Killarney

https://www.facebook.com/540066240/posts/10156534362576241/
https://www.facebook.com/540066240/posts/10156534315606241/

Ireland: Day 11 A Surprising Invitation from World Meeting of Families (WMOF) to Dinner and Symposium in Ireland My Response: Happy to Attend!

Response: I received this invitation in email today from Bishop Suzanne Thiel in the United States.  This letter is being shared on email across the U.S. We are not sure of the source or how it came to us. 

Since I am in Ireland I sent a positive response to this invitation. I hope that WMOF  is embracing an open table where all voices are heard and all are welcome.  If this so, then Ireland will be leading the way to a renewed model of Church. 

The theme "Women’s Leadership Symposium, Voices of Impact- Women Leaders Shaping Global Change” certainly fits the mission of the international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement. We are enthusiastic promoters of the full equality of women in every aspect of the Church's life and our prophetic witness is bringing change in inclusive Catholic communities and ministries now. 


We are here and we are ready. It would be a grand day if the World Meeting of Families in Ireland included women in our movement who are dedicated to global change beginning with the Church itself. Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan, (originally from Rathdowney, Ireland) https://arcwp.org, sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004
Archbishop’s House,
Dublin
Dear Ms. XXX
Pope Francis and the World Meeting of Families
The Holy See’s (Vatican) World Meeting of Families (WMOF), the largest worldwide family conference, is held every three years. This summer, it will be hosted in Dublin, from 21 to 26 August. Pope Francis personally chose Ireland for the conference and will be travelling to Dublin to participate.
For the very first time, the World Meeting of Families will be followed by a new and extremely important Women’s Leadership Symposium, “Voices of Impact: Women Leaders Shaping Global Change” on the evening of 24 August and the morning of 25 August. We would be honoured if you would agree to join us on the stage to share your wisdom and experience. A Festival of Families Concert for the Pope will follow on the evening of 25 August in Croke Park featuring Irish and international music artists to include Sir James Galway, Andrea Bocelli and Riverdance. And Pope Francis will celebrate a Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park on August 26. You and your guests would be our honoured guests for both.
The Women’s Leadership Symposium will spotlight the role of women within the family alongside their role as change agents starting and running businesses, fighting poverty and human trafficking, providing health care and education for the poor and, for many, leading corporations, NGOs and countries. This discussion couldn’t be more timely or more important. Our goal is to bring strong women’s voices together for two dedicated inspiring sessions that spark legacy conversations going forward.
“Voices of Impact: Women Leaders Shaping Global Change” will begin at 18.00 on Friday 24 August with an invitation-only dinner and program. On Saturday 25 August, the Symposium will continue bringing together women change makers from across the globe from 8.00 to 11:00 at the RDS in Dublin. The Symposium is based on the simple yet powerful premise that the changing role of women across all spectrums of life is having a real and positive influence on the future of society. We will share real stories from women that powerfully connect with the audience and, via media, throughout the world. Our speakers will focus on the challenges women face serving their families, their careers andtheir communities; and the challenges women face while helping to build flourishing and sustainable societies.
We very much hope you can join us and have asked our strategic advisor, Susan Davis, to follow up with your office (202 414 0777 or susan.davis@susandavis.com). You may also contact her assistant, Sheridan Davis, at 202 414 0789, or sldavis@susandavis.com. Our World Meeting of Families Secretary General, Father Tim Bartlett, is available for discussion as well.
We would be honoured by your participation for this groundbreaking event, and look forward to your reply.
Archbishop Diarmuid `Martin,
Archbishop of Dublin.

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Ireland- Day 8: Visit and Lunch with Noirin Ni Riain and Mark Patrick Hederman at Glenstal Abbey

https://www.facebook.com/540066240/posts/10156527750951241/

Today we  had a delightful conversation with Noirin Ni Riain and Mark Patrick Hederman, the former Abbot of Glenstal. and a delicious lunch prepared by Noirin at her home outside the Abbey. 



Noirin shared that her priestly ministry is flourishing especially her wedding ministry. She has officiated at 23 weddings this year and 35 more scheduled. Noirin was ordained by One Spirit Learning Community. 



Mark Patrick shared the story of the journey of the Healing Christ icon from Russia to Glenstal Abbey. Here it is in the Icon Chapel below. Mark Patrick wrote about it in Walkabout.






We shared an update on our international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement's growth and  our travels in Ireland to promote ARCWP.

We are blessed by our friendship and mutual support for a renewed priestly ministry. 

Ireland 8: Praying with Abbot Mark Patrick Hedeman, in Gaelic and English, in Icon Chapel, Glenstal Abbey, County Limerick

Iihttps://youtu.be/93u3ANIKnDc- Gaelic

https://youtu.be/dtP_20CRnaQ - English

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Ireland Day 7: Interview in Radio

https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/The_Hard_Shoulder/Highlights_from_The_Hard_Shoulder/230662/Bishop_Bridget_Meehan_asks_Pope_to_apologise_to_women

There was also a live interview on Midlands radio on Monday, Aug. 7th.

Ireland Day 7: We Are Church Ireland

Eucharist led by Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan

http://wearechurchireland.ie/event/eucharist-led-by-bishop-bridget-mary-meehan/

Date:        Sunday 5 August 2018
Time:       10am
Venue:     St Andrew's Community Centre, 468 South Circular Road, Rialto, Dublin 8
Bridget Mary Meehan was born in Rathdowney, County Laois.
She is a passionate reformer and was once an IHM nun and now, a Roman Catholic Woman Priest in Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP) since her ordination in Pittsburgh on 31 July 2006. She was ordained a bishop in Santa Barbara on 19 April 2009. Her community worship at Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida. All are welcome to receive the Eucharist. We are living Gospel equality now in a vibrant people-empowered community of faith. She wrote a book about her call and journey to a renewed priestly ministry entitled, "Living Gospel Equality Now: Loving in the Heart of God." Currently there are over 250 women ordained as deacons, priests and bishops in ARCWP.

Ireland Day 7- Article In Irish Newspaper, Irish Independent-Female Bishop - Pope Must Apologise

Bridget Mary Meehan Contact: sofiabmm@aol.com, 703-505-0004

One correction: There are 260 in international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement.
https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/female-bishop-calls-on-women-to-join-movement-36005939.html


Sarah MacDonald
A female bishop has called on Pope Francis to publicly apologise to the women of Ireland for the Church's "toxic" policies towards them.
Bishop Bridget Meehan (70), who has been excommunicated by the Catholic Church, celebrated a liturgy in Dublin at the weekend.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, she hit out at the Church's "collusion in devastating policies that hurt women's lives" in Magdalene laundries and mother and baby homes.
"Pope Francis needs to ask forgiveness for the abuse of women by the Catholic Church in Ireland. My cousin suffered cruelty when she was pregnant at a home. She said she wants to hear an apology from Pope Francis, the Church hierarchy and the State, all of whom were in collusion," she said.
She added that the Church had "devastated women through abusive practices" such as its ban on artificial contraception and its ban on women priests.
"The Church is responsible for the suffering of millions of women's lives around the world," she said of the contraceptive ban and highlighted that two-thirds of those in poverty globally are women and their dependent children.
"Pope Francis has got to change toxic Church teaching about contraception as a first step."
Referring to the 50th anniversary of the controversial papal encyclical Humanae Vitae, which banned contraception, Bishop Meehan asked: "When are we going to finally say to couples to make decisions on contraception according to their own conscience?
"The heart of this is patriarchy - males making rules about women's lives, males that have no clue of what it means to be pregnant."
Co Laois-born Bishop Meehan became a priest in the first USA ordination of a woman in Pittsburgh in 2006 and was later ordained a bishop in California in 2009. There are 60 women worldwide who have been ordained Catholic priests, although the Vatican deems such ordinations illicit and excommunicates any women who is ordained.

Radio Interview:

On 8 August 2018 at 07:58, Bridget Mary Meehan <sofiabmm@aol.com> wrote:
Thanks John for the interview on NwsLink.
Could you send me the link?
Blessings,
Bridget Mary
 Reply  Reply All  Forward

Monday, August 6, 2018

Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community - Sunday Liturgy - August 5, 2018


Kathleen Ryan, ARCWP, and Bridget Ball Shaw led the Upper Room liturgy with the theme: "You are Enough!  Kathie Ryan's homily starter is printed below the readings.

Opening Meditation - Peace Prayer

Close your eyes if you are comfortable.
Just Breath.
Find the place where your soul resides.  Be there. 
Find the blessed part of your soul.  Feel gratitude for it. 
Find the broken part of your soul.  Feel gratitude for it. 
You are enough. 
Let peace fill your body, your soul.
You are filled with peace.  Share that peace with the person to your right.
You are enough.
Share the peace that fills you with the person to your left.
You are enough.
Let the peace within you spill into the hearts of everyone here in our circle.
The peace within you is enough to share with the whole world.  Share it.
You are blessed.
You are broken.
You are enough.


Opening Song: Lead Me, God
 John D Becker
https://youtu.be/-Qm5JG8zVhk


Blessed are the poor in spirit, longing for their God,
for God's coming kin-dom shall be theirs.
Blessed are the sorrowing, for they shall be consoled,
and the meek shall come to rule the world.

Lead me, God, lead me, God, by the light of truth
to seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way; be my truth; be my life, my God, and lead me, God, today.

Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be theirs,
and the pure in heart shall see their God.
Blest are they whose hunger only holiness can fill,
for I say they shall be satisfied.

Blest are they who through their lifetimes sow the seeds of peace;
all will call them children of our God.
Blest are you, though persecuted in your holy life,
for in heaven, great is your reward.

First Reading: Each Soul Completes Me

My Beloved said, My name is not complete without yours.
I thought: How could a human’s worth ever be such?
And God knowing all our thoughts—and all our thoughts are innocent steps on the path—then addressed my heart.
God revealed a sublime truth to the world, when He sang,
“I am made whole by your life. Each soul, each soul completes me.”

These are the inspired words of Hafiz and the community affirms these words by saying AMEN

The Gospel according to John

After gathering the leftovers of the loaves and fishes the disciples went down to the sea, boarded their boat and headed toward Capernaum. The next day, the crowd, which was still on the other side of the lake, remembered that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gotten into that boat with the disciples, but that his disciples had set off alone.

The crowd found Jesus on the other side of the lake and asked him “Rabbi when did you get here?”  Jesus said “you are looking for me because you have eaten your fill of bread. You should not be working for perishable food but for life giving food that lasts.”  They then asked: What are we to do to perform the works of the Holy One?

These are inspired words of John a disciple of Jesus.  The community affirms these words by saying AMEN

Rain Down
Jaime Cortez
https://youtu.be/pmOswvlS6CQ


Rain down Rain down
Rain down your love on your people
Rain down Rain down
Rain down your love, God of life

Faithful and true is the Word of our God
All of God's works are so worthy of trust
God's mercy falls on the just and the right
Full of God's love is the earth

We who revere and find hope in our God
Live in the kindness and joy of God's wing
God will protect us from darkness and death
God will not leave us to starve
God of creation, we long for Your truth
You are the water of life that we thirst
Grant that Your love and your peace touch our hearts
All of our hope lies in You.

Kathie’s Homily Starter:

John’s gospel loosely takes up where last week’s gospel of the loaves and fishes end. I say loosely because after eating and then collecting the leftovers the disciples left and rowed across the lake, while Jesus moseyed on and later walked across the lake, slightly scaring the disciples out of their skin.  The people realized the disciples had rowed off but also knew Jesus had not been in that boat. Hence their question “Rabbi when did you get here?”  Jesus doesn’t really answer them but rather reminds them to work for “life giving food”.  I imagine if we heard someone today say you should work for “life giving food”, we would have a good discussion of exactly what is life giving food? (Maybe Jesus is starting a new trend a shared homily) The gospel writer points to this likely discussion when the crowd asks: “what are we to do to perform the works of the Holy One?”

Before we start sharing our thoughts about this “life giving food and what are we to do?  Let’s go back a moment and look at the first reading and our theme. The question in the first reading: How could a human’s worth ever be such? Isn’t that just another way of saying to ourselves, who me? I am not enough, I am not possibly the one to perform the works of the Holy One. And the Holy One answers “Each soul, each of you completes me” You are enough.   Blessed and Broken, you are enough- Blessed we each have the grace to perform the works of the Holy One, Broken we make mistakes, we learn-we love again –we are enough.  As a matter of fact, just like the loaves and fishes we are not only enough we have leftovers too.



It Is Time for #MeToo in the Catholic Church in Ireland, Beginning with Pope Francis' Visit

My Irish cousin shared with me this week the abusive treatment she received at the hands of nuns  n a Magdalene home for unwed mothers in the 70's. She said she had to scrub steps when she was 8 months pregnant and had to wait years before she could be reunited with her son. She said it was a system of lies and deceit that broke her heart and brings back painful memories to this day. When Pope Francis comes to Ireland, she hopes to hear a sincere apology. It is time for a #MeToo Movement in the Catholic Church to end the practices and change the toxic teaching that has had devastating consequences in women's lives in Ireland and around the world. Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, https://arcwp.org 

Sunday, August 5, 2018

Ireland : Day 5, Dublin, Ireland - Mass- Celebrating An Inclusive Table, Aug. 5, 2018


https://www.facebook.com/540066240/posts/10156519252296241/ (view more photos at link on facebook)

Approximately 30 people attended our liturgy today in Dublin including women discerning a call to ordination and members of We Are Church Ireland and progressive Catholics from the Dublin area who support inclusivity, justice and equality for women in the Church and world. Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, https://arcwp.org, 703-505-0004


Left to right: Jeanne McDonald, Bridget Meehan ARCWP, Mary Theresa Streck ARCWP,  



Welcome

Opening Song:  We Come to Your Feast by Michael Joncas

We place upon your table
a gleaming cloth of white:
the weaving of our stories,
the fabric of our lives;
the dreams of those before us,
the ancient hopeful cries,
the promise of our future:
our needing and our nurture
lie here before our eyes.

Refrain: We come to your feast,
we come to your feast:
the young and the old,
the frightened, the bold,
the greatest and the least.
We come to your feast,
we come to your feast
with the fruit of our lands
and the work of our hands,
we come to your feast.

We place upon your table
a humble loaf of bread:
the gift of field and hillside,
the grain by which we're fed;
we come to taste the presence
of him on whom we feed,
to strengthen and connect us,
to challenge and correct us,
to love in word and deed.
Refrain

We place upon your table
a simple cup of wine:
the fruit of human labor,
the gift of sun and vine;
we come taste the presence
of him we claim as Love,
his dying and his living,
his leading and his giving,
his love in cup outpoured. 
Refrain

We gather 'round your table,
we pause within our quest,
we stand beside our neighbors,
we name the stranger "guest."
The feast is spread before us;
you bid us come and dine:
in blessing we'll uncover,
in sharing we'll discover
your substance and your sign. 
Refrain




Greeting

Presider:  In the presence of God who is the Source of all Being, and of Jesus our brother and of the Divine Spirit within us, we welcome all to the table of infinite love.
All:  Amen.


Rite of Reconciliation and Transformation:
Presider: We pause now to ask forgiveness for our Church’s failures to share the Bread of Life at an inclusive table of hospitality.

All: We are sorry, please forgive us. 
Cantor: Glory to God glory, O praise God alleluia, Glory to God glory, O praise the name of our God.
All:  Glory to God glory, O praise God alleluia, Glory to God glory, O praise the name of our God.

Opening Prayer

Presider: O Beloved, we celebrate your infinite love in our deep communion with one another and with all creation. May we work together for justice and equality as we warmly welcome everyone to the Table of Plenty to share the Bread of life. 
All: Amen. Alleluia!

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: EX 16:2-4, 12-15
The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
The Israelites said to them,
"Would that we had died at God’s hand in the land of Egypt,
as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread!
But you had to lead us into this desert
to make the whole community die of famine!"

Then God said to Moses,
"I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.
On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, "What is this?"
for they did not know what it was.
But Moses told them,
"This is the bread that God has given you to eat."

Responsorial: Psalm 100 and Ubi Caritas

Cantor: Ubi caritas et amor, Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
All: Ubi caritas et amor, Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.

Psalm 100
Sing a joyful noise to the Beloved all peoples of the earth!
Serve love with a glad heart!
Join hands in the great dance of life!
Know that the Beloved of your heart is the Divine Presence!
Love created us, and we belong to the Most High;
We are born to be loving expressions of the Creator’s Divine Plan.

All: Ubi caritas et amor, Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.

Open the gates of your heart with gratitude and enter Love’s our with praise!
Give thanks to the Beloved; bless Love’s holy name!
For love is of God, and lives in your heart forever with faith,
truth, and joy, now and in all that is to come.
Alleluia! Amen!

All: Ubi caritas et amor, Ubi caritas, Deus ibi est.
Second Reading: An Open Table

The open table of Jesus’ public life challenged the discriminatory social code of honor and shame which denied the Jewish peasantry the right to share meals with members of other social classes. By embracing an open table, Jesus taught a seminal truth of the Reign of God: all people are to be included as equals in the community of God’s people. The Eucharist can mean no less for us today.  These are the inspired words of Robert C. Wild.

Gospel Acclamation:  ALLELUIA!   (sung)

Gospel: Jn 6:32-35

Jesus said to those gathered,
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
my Abba gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world."

So they said to him,
"Sir, give us this bread always."
Jesus said to them,
"I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst."


Homily Starter: Bridget Mary Meehan

As Ireland gets ready to welcome Pope Francis and celebrate the World Meeting of Families here, creating an open table where all members of our families are welcome has become a major challenge and source of controversy.

In John’s Gospel the writer portrays Jesus as the new Moses, and just as the former Moses fed the hungering people in the desert (with manna from heaven) so the new Moses nourishes by sharing material and spiritual food at an open table where all people are to be included as equals in the community of God’s people.

The Gospels depict Jesus sitting down for a picnic of loaves and fish on a hillside, at an intimate dinner with women friends, Mary and Martha, as well as with despised tax collector Zacchaeus and at a dramatic banquet with an uninvited guest, a woman with long hair who washed his feet.

The message is clear: Jesus shared food with sinners, prostitutes, tax collectors, religious leaders, the elite and the poor.

His example of inclusivity and warm hospitality is one that all of us need today including the planners of the World Meeting of Families.
 Jesus fed everyone, so should we, so should the Catholic Church.

-->
As one writer observes: “No hierarchy, magisterium, structure, or ritual must be allowed to hinder the inclusive, empowering hospitality that the open table denotes. “

Shared Homily

Profession of Faith
 
We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery 
beyond all definition and rational understanding, in whose infinite love all creation exists and evolves.

We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Presence,
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 reflection of divine compassion and healing
a source of wisdom and truth, 
and an instrument of peace and healing in the world. 
 
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One, 
the life 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. 
General Intercessions

Presider:  Let us rejoice together in the dance of creation.
That we may care for the earth in which the Holy One is revealed,
Response: Let it be so! 

Presider:  That those in leadership in our church wholeheartedly embrace an open table,
Response: Let it be so! 

Presider:  That we, the Body of Christ, the Church, have the courage to live the Gospel of inclusivity,
Response: Let it be so! 

Presider:  That those who have crossed over may dance forever in God's presence,
Response: Let it be so! 

(Other Intentions)
Response: Let it be so! 

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Presentation of the Gifts

Presider:  We gather around the table with the gifts of bread, wine, and our own lives to offer.  Through this sacred meal may we become your new creation as we trust your Presence at work in our lives doing infinitely more than we can imagine. 
All:  Blessed be God for forever. 

Eucharistic Prayer

Presider: The Holy One dwells within you.  
All:  And loves through you.  

Presider:  Lift up your hearts. 
All:  We lift them up to the Great Spirit dwelling everywhere.

Presider: Let us give thanks that we are co-creators in the miracle of life. 
All:  It is right to proclaim our oneness with All.

Side One: We give thanks for the God of infinite love in our glorious gifts and blessed failures. We marvel at Divine Elegance revealed, everywhere in the cosmos and in every moment of our lives.

Side Two: We join hands in the sacred dance of life as we experience the Heart of Compassion connecting us and making us more deeply one and we sing:

Holy, Holy, Holy One, God of Justice, God of light
All of Creation is filled with your glory
Hosanna in the highest,
Blessed are we who come in your holy name.




Side One: We affirm the women and men who are living Jesus’s example of an open table in our church and world today. We pause now to remember them. (Time for spontaneous remembrance)

Side Two: As we eat and drink this bread and wine we remember Jesus who showed us that everyone is welcome at the Feast.

All: (please all extend hands as we recite the epiclesis and consecration together)

We are filled with the same Spirit that was in Jesus as we now invoke the Divine Presence upon our gifts of bread and wine and upon us around this Table of nurturing love.

On the night before he died, Jesus gathered for the Seder supper with his friends. At this meal, he took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
Take and eat.  Whenever you do this, you remember me.
(PAUSE)

All: At the end of the meal, Jesus took a cup of wine, gave it to his friends and said:
Take this, all of you, and drink. Every time you do this, you remember me.
 (PAUSE)

Presider: Let us proclaim the Sacred Mystery:
All: We rejoice that the Spirit of God is moving through us as we create a bigger table where all are welcome.

Side One: We are one body, for we all share in this one bread. And so, as we honor Jesus in this sacred meal, may we cherish each other and all people around an inclusive table. 

Side Two: We commit our lives to prophetic witness for justice and equality. We support all who suffer rejection on the margins and promote deeper communion and greater diversity.

All: Like Jesus we believe in the infinite power of Divine Love embracing everyone. 

Presider: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
All:  Our Father and Mother…

The Sign of Peace:
Presider:  The peace of Jesus is always with you.  
All: And also with you.  
Presider:  Let us share peace with each other

Peace is flowing like a river by Carey Landry



Peace is flowing like a river,
flowing out of you and me.
Flowing out into the desert,
setting all the captives free.



Love is flowing like a river, …

Healing’s flowing like a river, …

Alleluia, alleluia…




Litany for the Breaking of Bread

Presider:  Aware of our sisters and brothers who suffer injustice,
All: we speak truth to power,

Presider: Aware of discrimination and exploitation against LGBTQI and women,
All: we work for justice and equality,

Presider: Aware of our connection with everyone and everything,
All: we live in kinship with all creation.

Presider: Let us eat the bread of life and drink the wine of unending delight in memory of Jesus.
All:  We are the Body of Christ

Communion Song  One Bread, One Body by John Michael Talbot

Refrain:
One bread, one body, one God of all
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we though many,
throughout the earth
We are one body in this one God.

Gentile or Jew, servant or free
Woman or man, no more (Refrain)

Many the gifts, many the works
One in our God of all (Refrain)

Grain for the fields, scattered and grown
Gathered to one, for all (Refrain)

Communion Meditation: Room at the Table by Carrie Newcomer




Let our hearts not be hardened to those living on the margin
There is room at the table for everyone
This is where it all begins, this is how we gather in
There is room at the table for everyone

Too long we have wandered, burdened and undone
But there is room at the table for everyone
Let us sing the new world in, this is how is all begins
There is room at the table for everyone

There is room for us all
And no gift is too small
There is room at the table for everyone
There's enough if we share
Come on pull up a chair
There room at the table for everyone


No matter who you are, no matter where you're from
There is room at the table for everyone
Here and now we can be, the beloved community,
There is room at the table for everyone

There is room for us all
And no gift is too small
There is room at the table for everyone
There's enough if we share
Come on pull up a chair
There room at the table for everyone

There is room for us all
And no gift is too small
There is room at the table for everyone
There's enough if we share
Come on pull up a chair
There room at the table for everyon


Prayer After Communion
 
Presider: Spirt of life, we go forth to co-create a bigger table where all are welcome and no one is excluded from the Eucharistic Banquet. We go forth as companions working for a more compassionate, just and equal world.
All:  Amen

CONCLUDING RITE

Presider:  Jesus continues to accompany us
All:  and heals, empowers and loves through us.


BLESSING

Presider: Please extend your hands in mutual blessing.

All:  In the spirit of St. Bridget of Kildare, we welcome the poor and sick to the feast, for they are God’s children. We welcome the marginalized and excluded to the feast, for they are God’s joy. Together, in a circle of love, we sing a new church into being.

Concluding Hymn: Sing a New Church by Michelle Sherliza and Delores Dufner



Summoned by the God who made us,
Rich in our diversity,
Gathered in the name of Jesus,
Richer still in unity.

Refrain:
Let us bring the gifts that differ,
And in splendid varied ways.
Sing a new church into being,
One of faith and love and praise.

Radiant risen from the water,
Robed in holiness and light,
Male and female in God’s image,
Male and female, God’s delight.
Refrain

Trust the goodness of creation;
Trust the Spirit strong within.
Dare to dream the vision promised,
Sprung from seed of what has been.
Refrain

Draw together at one table,
All the human family;
Shape a circle ever wider
And a people ever free.
Refrain



Bridget Mary Meehan and Mary Theresa Streck (authors of liturgy)
Association of Roman Catholic Woman Priests




The Roman Catholic Women Priests (RCWP) initiative is a renewal movement within the Roman Catholic Church. Our goal is to achieve full equality for all within the Church as a matter of justice and faithfulness to the Gospel. The Women Priests movement advocates for a new model of inclusive priestly ministry in the church. We stand in the prophetic tradition of holy obedience to the Spirit who calls all people to discipleship. The movement began with the ordination of seven women on the Danube River in 2002. Today there are over 124 women priests and 10 bishops worldwide. Our women priests are ordained in Apostolic Succession. The first women bishops were ordained by a male Roman Catholic bishop in apostolic succession and in communion with the pope. 
For further information: https://arcwp.org or contact Mary Theresa Streck, Program Coordinator: mtstreck@gmail.com


People's Catholic Seminary (PCS) offers programs to inspire and educate individuals and groups who embrace a vision of spirituality that is inclusive, liberating, empowering and equal. PCS provides educational programs that foster an expanded worldview of our liberating God of compassion present in all and working for justice for all through systemic change. As co-creators and companions on a journey, we share the wisdom of God in our sacred texts, theologies, sacred practices, sacramental celebrations, and lived experiences.






Global Ministries University (GMU) and People’s Catholic Seminary (PCS) are collaboratively offering a Master of Pastoral Ministry degree. The degree is granted by GMU and PCS is providing the course of study. This affordable master’s program is designed for those who are walking the pathway to ordination, the ordained, and members of our inclusive communities who seek to continue their education within an interactive supportive seminary environment. Credit is awarded for life experience and previous education. Global Ministries University is an accredited member of the International Association of Distance Learning.
For more information about the degree, please contact Bridget Mary Meehan and Mary Theresa Streck https://pcseminary.org/  and peoplescatholicseminary@gmail.com