I am so glad to be back on my blog after a long hiatus of taking care of business during this time of “coronavirus” and the necessary staying home where I remain. I am ministering still mostly from home and “keepin’ on keepin on”. I have been blessed to have the loving support of new friends and old during this time though family is far away. Support makes all the difference.
My prayers are with all who have been touched by the Covid19 virus who do not even know the long term effects. First I pray for all those who went home to God as a result of this siege, especially the many Religious communities and members/residents of Nursing Homes whose whole communities were hit and diminished. The Felician Sisters of Pennsylvania where thirteen were lost at one time comes to mind, and we also lost a dear friend of Pastor Judy Beaumont’s, Sr. Johnette Sawyer O.S.B. from St. Scholastica Priory in Chicago. I can see them laughing together in Heaven now and shepherding us too!
Two family members and two Good Shepherd Community members (to my knowledge) have been through it and all are well enough now after a frightening siege. At both ends of the age spectrum, Jack in his 90’s and Jakeriya, 19, a young mother, were hit hard, sent to the ER then quickly sent home to be treated and quarantined, and thanks be to God, they are well now. Yet our prayers and love remain with all touched by this scourge and their caretakers and loved ones.
Please wear masks, use good sense, and observe distance until this plague passes.
AN Important and Revolutionary NEW BOOK
I am delighted to share that the prominent Catholic Theologian John Wijngaards has a new book out about why women must be ordained in the Roman Catholic Church. As he is a Scriptural scholar I can’t wait to read all of his arguments, they will be persuasive. the book is called “What They Don’t Teach You in Catholic College: Women in the Priesthood And the Mind of Christ” (Acadian Press, 2020) 216 pages, $16.95.
Here is an article announcing Wijngaard’s exciting new book from NCROnline by Hille Haker who teaches Theological Ethics at Loyola University of Chicago. Here’s THE LINK:
There is also another important book written this year (2020) by Jill Peterfeso published by Fordham University Press, New York. It is about our Roman Catholic WomanPriest Movement and it is aptly called :
“Womanpriest: Tradition and Transgression in the Contemporary Roman Catholic Church”
This book, like the now classic “Women Find A Way: The Movement and Stories Of Roman Catholic WomenPriests” edited by Elsie Hainz McGrath, Bridget Mary Meehan, and Ida Raming (2008,VirtualBookworm.cpm Publishing, Inc. ) tells the stories of many women who have been ordained as Roman Catholic Priests since the beginning of the Movement on the Danube river June 29th, 2002. While the edited book contains stories written by several of the ordained priests (including myself) Jill Peterfeso did extensive research and presents her findings with many quotes from priests. There are nearly 300 ordained Roman Catholic women Priests and Deacons who reside all over the world now.
Below are pictures from an Ordination (of Rev. Dianne Willman) in South Africa. The presiding Bishop was our beloved Patricia Fresen, one of our RCWP founders. Fr. Roy Bourgeois is also in the picture. His unceasing support of women priests got him officially laicized but his priesthood is more powerful than ever as he continues to courageously stand for justice for all.
Below Priests of the Eastern Region in the United States
Eastern Region Oct. 14, 2018
Here (below) I am with our Priests from Columbia South America, Rev. Judith Bautista Fajardo and Rev. Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia and Rev. Maria Elena Sierra Sanchez. Below this are Pastor Marina Teresa and I with some members of our Good Shepherd Congregation
And before closing on Books for now, I humbly but heartily encourage you to get my book about Rev. Judith Ann Beaumont as the story of her lifelong service and fight for justice and peace will give you much inspiration and greater detail of a life lived for Christ and culminating in the Priesthood.
The Courage To Love and Serve: The Life Story of Rev. Judith Ann Beaumont-A Roman Catholic Woman Priest And A Saint For Our Times by Judith A. B. Lee, (Outskirts Press, 2020) Here is the LINK:
https://www.amazon.com/author/judyleejudithablee
FINALLY a few words for our unsettling times –I quote a sage on politically fomented discord:
“Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war
in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor,
for patriotism is indeed a double edged sword.
It both emboldens the blood
just as it narrows the mind.
And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch
and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed,
the leader will have no n eed in seizing the rights of the citizenry.
Rather, the citizenry,
infused with fear and blinded with patriotism,
will offer up all of their rights unto the leader,
and gladly so.
How do I know:
For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar”
This is attributed to Julius Caesar, and a word to the wise and those seeking peace and justice with love, is sufficient.
PLEASE VOTE
Love and Peace, Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP
Pastor, Good Shepherd Ministries, Fort Myers, Florida
10/2/2020
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