Marriage Ceremony for Erin Murray and Victor Marti-Corena, Feb. 15, 2020, Philippi Estate Park, Florida, Wedding Officiant - Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

Erin and Dad Seamus Murray arrive for wedding celebration

*photos by Peg Farrell Bowen

Celebration of Marriage of Erin Murray and Victor Marti-Corena wedding officiant Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP at Phillippi Creek, Sarasota, Florida

Hand Ceremony

Blessing by family and friends

Welcome:

BMM: Erin and Victor, we welcome you and we thank you for the privilege that is ours to share this joyful day with you. We rejoice, Erin and Victor, in who you are for each other. We rejoice in who you are for all of us; We rejoice, today, in the wonder and the power of human love.  Everything, great and small, is held in connectedness and relationship in the presence of the Divine. Our human language for this is the language of love. We rejoice today in love coming to expression in you as you celebrate your marriage.

Reader: Reading 1 John 15: 9-12 

A reading from the Gospel according to John

                        Jesus said to his disciples:
                        “As my God  has  loved  me,

                        so have I loved you.
                        Live on in my love.
                        And you will live on in my love

                        if you keep my commandments,
                        just as I live on in God’s love

                        and have kept God’s commandments.
                        I tell you all this that my joy may be yours

                        and your joy may be complete.
                        This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

BMM: Reflection

Let us rejoice that to live in love is to live in God. In human love, in the love to which Erin and Victor bear witness today, there is more than the eye can see – in love, God comes to human expression in us. We now celebrate Erin and Victor’s  marriage commitment.

RITE OF MARRIAGE

Exchange of Vows

BMM: Erin and Victor, in the presence of your family and friends I ask you to state your intentions.

Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?  We have.

Will you love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?  We will.

Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up to love God and to love others as themselves?  We will.

Exchange of vows

BMM: Erin and Victor, You have declared your consent before God and this community of your loved ones.  May your consent remain strong and fill you both with wisdom, compassion and great joy.  What has been joined together here let no one divide.  ALL: Amen

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

BMM: And now as you exchange rings let them act as an ever-present symbol of your commitment and your faith in each other.

BMM: (Blesses the rings with water from holy well in Ireland)

May our loving God bless these rings which you give to each other as a never-ending symbol of your love and faithfulness.  All: Amen.

(The wedding officiant hands rings to Erin and Victor)

Victor: (places ring on Erin’s finger and says)

Erin, take this ring and wear it as a sign of my love and fidelity.    

Erin  (places ring on Victor’s finger and says )

Victor, take this ring and wear as a sign of my love and fidelity. 

Hands Ceremony

Erin and Victor:  Please face each other and take each other’s hands, so that you may feel the gift that they are to you. 

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children and guide them along life’s journey.

These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.

These are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Sign of Peace: (hug, kiss)

Erin and Victor ,you may now show a sign of your love and affection for one another.

Final Blessing: Let us raise our hands in blessing:

In the words of a popular Irish blessing: May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, the rain fall soft upon your fields and may you be held in the palm of God’s hands! All: Amen.

May we all go forth in love and peace rejoicing with Erin and Victor on this glorious wedding day.   All: Amen.

It is with great joy that I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Marti-Corena

 Marriage Ceremony for Erin and Victor, Feb. 15, 2020

Welcome:

BMM: Erin and Victor, we welcome you and we thank you for the privilege that is ours to share this joyful day with you. We rejoice, Erin and Victor, in who you are for each other. We rejoice in who you are for all of us; We rejoice, today, in the wonder and the power of human love.  Everything, great and small, is held in connectedness and relationship in the presence of the Divine. Our human language for this is the language of love. We rejoice today in love coming to expression in you as you celebrate your marriage.

Reader: Reading 1 John 15: 9-12 

A reading from the Gospel according to John

                        Jesus said to his disciples:
                        “As my God  has  loved  me,

                        so have I loved you.
                        Live on in my love.
                        And you will live on in my love

                        if you keep my commandments,
                        just as I live on in God’s love

                        and have kept God’s commandments.
                        I tell you all this that my joy may be yours

                        and your joy may be complete.
                        This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

BMM: Reflection

Let us rejoice that to live in love is to live in God. In human love, in the love to which Erin and Victor bear witness today, there is more than the eye can see – in love, God comes to human expression in us. We now celebrate Erin and Victor’s  marriage commitment.

RITE OF MARRIAGE

Exchange of Vows

BMM: Erin and Victor, in the presence of your family and friends I ask you to state your intentions.

Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?  We have.

Will you love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?  We will.

Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up to love God and to love others as themselves?  We will.

Exchange of vows

BMM: Erin and Victor, You have declared your consent before God and this community of your loved ones.  May your consent remain strong and fill you both with wisdom, compassion and great joy.  What has been joined together here let no one divide.  ALL: Amen

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

BMM: And now as you exchange rings let them act as an ever-present symbol of your commitment and your faith in each other.

BMM: (Blesses the rings with water from holy well in Ireland)

May our loving God bless these rings which you give to each other as a never-ending symbol of your love and faithfulness.  All: Amen.

(The wedding officiant hands rings to Erin and Victor)

Victor: (places ring on Erin’s finger and says)

Erin, take this ring and wear it as a sign of my love and fidelity.    

Erin  (places ring on Victor’s finger and says )

Victor, take this ring and wear as a sign of my love and fidelity. 

Hands Ceremony

Erin and Victor:  Please face each other and take each other’s hands, so that you may feel the gift that they are to you. 

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children and guide them along life’s journey.

These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.

These are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Sign of Peace: (hug, kiss)

Erin and Victor ,you may now show a sign of your love and affection for one another.

Final Blessing: Let us raise our hands in blessing:

In the words of a popular Irish blessing: May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, the rain fall soft upon your fields and may you be held in the palm of God’s hands! All: Amen.

May we all go forth in love and peace rejoicing with Erin and Victor on this glorious wedding day.   All: Amen.

It is with great joy that I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Marti-Corena

Marriage Ceremony for Erin and Victor, Feb. 15, 2020

Welcome:

BMM: Erin and Victor, we welcome you and we thank you for the privilege that is ours to share this joyful day with you. We rejoice, Erin and Victor, in who you are for each other. We rejoice in who you are for all of us; We rejoice, today, in the wonder and the power of human love.  Everything, great and small, is held in connectedness and relationship in the presence of the Divine. Our human language for this is the language of love. We rejoice today in love coming to expression in you as you celebrate your marriage.

Reader: Reading 1 John 15: 9-12 

A reading from the Gospel according to John

                        Jesus said to his disciples:
                        “As my God  has  loved  me,

                        so have I loved you.
                        Live on in my love.
                        And you will live on in my love

                        if you keep my commandments,
                        just as I live on in God’s love

                        and have kept God’s commandments.
                        I tell you all this that my joy may be yours

                        and your joy may be complete.
                        This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”

BMM: Reflection

Let us rejoice that to live in love is to live in God. In human love, in the love to which Erin and Victor bear witness today, there is more than the eye can see – in love, God comes to human expression in us. We now celebrate Erin and Victor’s  marriage commitment.

RITE OF MARRIAGE

Exchange of Vows

BMM: Erin and Victor, in the presence of your family and friends I ask you to state your intentions.

Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?  We have.

Will you love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?  We will.

Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up to love God and to love others as themselves?  We will.

Exchange of vows

BMM: Erin and Victor, You have declared your consent before God and this community of your loved ones.  May your consent remain strong and fill you both with wisdom, compassion and great joy.  What has been joined together here let no one divide.  ALL: Amen

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

BMM: And now as you exchange rings let them act as an ever-present symbol of your commitment and your faith in each other.

BMM: (Blesses the rings with water from holy well in Ireland)

May our loving God bless these rings which you give to each other as a never-ending symbol of your love and faithfulness.  All: Amen.

(The wedding officiant hands rings to Erin and Victor)

Victor: (places ring on Erin’s finger and says)

Erin, take this ring and wear it as a sign of my love and fidelity.    

Erin  (places ring on Victor’s finger and says )

Victor, take this ring and wear as a sign of my love and fidelity. 

Hands Ceremony

Erin and Victor:  Please face each other and take each other’s hands, so that you may feel the gift that they are to you. 

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children and guide them along life’s journey.

These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.

These are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Sign of Peace: (hug, kiss)

Erin and Victor ,you may now show a sign of your love and affection for one another.

Final Blessing: Let us raise our hands in blessing:

In the words of a popular Irish blessing: May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, the rain fall soft upon your fields and may you be held in the palm of God’s hands! All: Amen.

May we all go forth in love and peace rejoicing with Erin and Victor on this glorious wedding day.   All: Amen.

It is with great joy that I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Marti-Corena

Register for New Course: Introduction to Contemporary Feminist Scholarship with a Focus on Women in the Hebrew Scripture as Role Models in 21st Century

This course presents an introduction to contemporary feminist scholarship with a focus on a biblical understanding of the women in the Hebrew Scripture as role models for contemporary women and men in the 21^st century.

TEXT(S) and RESOURCES

Primary resources for an overview of the Hebrew Scriptures are: Women’s Bible Commentary: Revised and Updated by Carol A. Newsom, Sharon H. Ringe, Jacqueline E. Lapsley Editors, Miriam Therese Winter, WomanWisdom, Bridget Mary Meehan, Praying with Women of the Bible.

  And “How to Interpret the Bible from a Feminist Liberationist Perspective” by Barbara Reid 

Additional Resource: Nan Merrill, Psalms for Praying and other resources that students bring to the course.

CLASS FORMAT

This course is offered as an independent study or in a cohort model. Cohorts use a blog format (www.blogger.com) to foster an interactive learning community. Students post assignments and are encouraged to comment on each other’s posts.

ASSIGNMENTS

Create four short, one page, reflection papers (1-2) pages on 4 women of their choice and relate their significance for ministry in the 21st century.

Or

Create an educational, artistic or dramatic interpretation of 4 women in the Hebrew Scriptures to share in your ministry setting.

Or 
Another approved project that will enhance your ministry

Course Cost: $100

Press Release: ARCWP Responds to Pope Francis' Letter , "Beloved Amazon", Embrace the Ordination of Women in Non-Clerical, Circular Model to Achieve the Full Equality of Women in a Global Church!

Press Release: 

From: Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

Contacts: Janice Sevre -Duszynska , 859-684-4247, rhythmsofthedance1@gmail.com

Bridget Mary Meehan 703-505-0004, sofiabmm@aol.com
https://arcwp.org

ARCWP Responds to Pope Francis' Letter , "Beloved Amazon",  Embrace Ordination  of Women in Non-Clerical, Circular Model to Achieve the  Full Equality of Women in a Global Church!

Pope Francis’ recent letter, Querida Amazonia ("Beloved Amazon")  fails to make the connections between destruction of the earth, poverty and women's inequality in the Church.  We cannot ignore that women's equal status  in sacramental ministry and decision-making in the Church is essential for the voice of God to rise up for justice on our earth now. 

While Pope Francis makes the connection between ordination and clericalism, though well-meaning, he is operating out of a male, patriarchal model that diminishes women. 

The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests is part of a worldwide movement that ordains women to foster an inclusive church of equals in a non-clerical model of priestly ministry as a prophetic act of justice. We welcome all to the Eucharistic table including LGBTQI and divorced, and are living out a healthy liberated circular model of the sensus fidelium, the Spirit moving through the people of God. 

With Mary Magdalene at the tomb, we are Easter Morning people  proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel to a world immersed in the heavy chains of patriarchal domination of sexism, capitalism, militarism, and the degradation of our Holy Mother Earth. Embracing the ordination of women in a non-clerical circular model to achieve the full equality of women in a global Church is the only way forward. 

Chant: Ubi Caritas by Owen and Moley O Suilleabhain, in Fields of Grace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0injwZZEYI&feature=youtu.be

ARCWP Priest Katy Zatsick Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Her Ordination with Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sun City, Florida

As part of their celebration of Katy Zatsick's ordination each member of MMOJ in Sun City blessed each other in celebration of their call to serve God's people in diverse ministries. 

Shared Homily: What gifts do women priests bring to the community? For liturgy? 

What gifts do men bring? What have you experienced as differences between male and female priests?

What is common for both women and men priests? 

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests at Gladdening Light Symposium Share Good News About Women Priests and Inclusive Catholic Communities

Kathryn Shea ARCWP, Kathie Ryan ARCWP, Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, Joan Chesterfield ARCWP, Mary Theresa Streck ARCWP with Gladdening Light Organizer Randy Robertson

Mary Theresa Streck ARCWP and Kathie Ryan ARCWP with Mirabai Starr

Elena Garcia ARCWP, Rabbi Shapiro, and Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

Mary Theresa Streck ARCWP and Rabbi Shapiro

Last Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 6-9 ,  members of the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida  and Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community in Albany, New York attended Gladdening Light Symposium in Winter Park, Florida. Present were Mary Theresa Streck ARCWP, Upper Room, Joan Chesterfield ARCWP, Upper Room, Kathryn Shea ARCWP and MMOJ, Elena Garcia ARCWP and MMOJ, Kathie Ryan ARCWP, Upper Room, Patricia MacMillan MMOJ, Ann Cooke MMOJ, Jack McKillop MMOJ and Mary Montavon, MMOJ  Elena Garcia is a presider at MMOJ in Sarasota and in a House Church Community in Valrico, Florida that meets monthly for liturgy. Mary Theresa Streck, and Kathie Ryan are liturgical presiders at Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community in Albany, New York. See https://arcwp.org, https://marymotherofjesus.org, https://www.upperroomicc.org


We had wonderful opportunities to share with conference presenters and participants throughout the weekend. Elena  Garcia ARCWP shared  at a comment session that there are women priests in the Roman Catholic Church and inclusive Catholic communities. The entire audience responded by applauding the good news of our prophetic witness!

We loved the entire symposium. The theme was wild surrender, inter-spirituality in a time of trial.  

Mirabai  Starr prayed this Invocation in our closing Liturgy:

"The fire of the Holy Spirit 
comes pouring into the open chamber of your mother heart,
in your midst all are welcome.
Through your voice, everything is understood.
Blessed Mother,
May all faiths find sanctuary in you. 
May all paths flow like mountain streams
into the river-valley of your love
and praise the Holy One
with a thousand voices. 

If you would like to get a flavor of Rabbi Shapiro lectures, you can listen to this "Holy Rascal" in the following Youtube lecture. 

https://youtu.be/2GROfvzOs_I

In this Gladdening Light lecture, he introduced a beautiful prayer. 

"May you be free from fear.

May you be free from compulsion.

May you be blessed with love.

May you be blessed with peace."

The Symposium  lectures will be posted on the Gladdening Light website: https://gladdeninglight.org/