Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy, Feb.13, 2021, Feast of St. Valentine, Presiders: Kathryn Shea ARCWP and Lee Breyer , Readers: Joan Pesce and Jerry Bires , Music Minister: Linda Lee Miller

            Zoom link for video- 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85108095506?pwd=Y3IyS0xkaWZ1WGRUOXlZMm5qcE1Fdz09

ID 851- 0809-5506

Password 1066                                

                                                     

                               Theme:  “….as Jesus has loved us.”

Welcome

(Kathryn) Welcome, everyone, to this liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus in Sarasota, Florida.  We have all been shown, even educated, by the example of Jesus of Nazareth how we could live a blessed life.  We are all supported and strengthened by the same Spirit on our journeys.  In so many important ways, we are all one. And at this time, we have come together in our shared liturgies as brothers and sisters to share the stories of Jesus and to “break bread”. 

(Lee)  In using Zoom, each of us will be “muted” for much of the liturgy. That means that we will not be heard by others …but that does not have to affect our prayerful spirits.  We certainly invite everyone to pray the liturgy where the text you have says ALL, and where there is music, feel moved to sing your hearts out, you won’t bother anyone.  We ask the readers to “unmute” themselves to be heard for their spoken parts …and then, when finished, to “re-mute” themselves. After the homily, we ask those who would like to make a comment to follow the same “mute” and “unmute” procedure as the readers  to unmute when they would like to say something and then re-mute when finished.

Welcoming Song: I Am the One Within You- Sung by Linda Lee Miller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Fi9dK_6dY&feature=youtu.be

Opening Prayer

(Kathryn)  Oh Holy One, we are certainly blessed to be able to gather with you as we celebrate our oneness with one another and in you.  You gave us the most sacred of commands: “Do onto others, as you would have them do unto you.”  We look forward for that day when everyone actually follows your desire.  But until then we know that your Spirit supports us always as we try to live each day with a conscious awareness of our responsibility to bring forth your peaceful Kin-dom on earth.

Community Encounters

(Lee)  Compassionate God, we ask you to send your Spirit to us so that we may live more fully according to your will -- to the teachings and examples that Jesus gave us while in his bodily time on earth.  Help us to hear and understand Wisdom’s messages so that we can compassionately act on them in our encounters with others. May we remember the standard of behavior that Jesus gave us: to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. And then when we act that way, we may be truly worthy to be called your “blessed people.”

Glory to God

(Kathryn)  Loving God, heart of the universe, we thank you for the breath of the Spirit that supports us in our search for peace and blessings within ourselves, with our brothers and sisters, and with all those with whom we come in contact. We thank you for the breath of the Spirit that is always supporting us in our search to accomplish this.  

ALL: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgn_8q1UWwk&feature=youtu.be 

Liturgy of the Word

(Lee):  Today’s first reading is taken from the first book of the Old Testament, Genesis.  In its beginning, it describes the relationship that God made with Noah; it reveals how close they became. This passage today is from chapter 9 - verses 8 to 16  - and will be proclaimed to us by Joan P.  

(Joan P) YHWH said to Noah and his family, “I’m establishing my covenant with you and your descendants who come after you, and with every living creature that is with you. I am setting up covenant with you – it is that all persons will never again be swept away by the waters of a flood; never again will a flood destroy the earth.”

Then YHWH said again:  “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you, as well as every living person for ageless generations. From now on, I am putting my rainbow in the clouds; and when it appears there, I will see it and remember the eternal covenant that I have set up between me, you, and every last living creature on earth.  

This is the Word of God.

And we express our gratitude for it by saying:  ALL:  Thanks be to God!

(Lee ) And today’s second reading written long after Genesis describes how the people of the community in Colossae were to respect the covenant of which they were a partner, how they were to act with one another. This is what Paul wrote to them. (Colossians 3: 12-15)  It will be presented to us by Jerry.

(Jerry B)  Because you are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt compassion, with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with one another; forgive whatever grievance you may have against one another – forgive them in the same way as God forgives you.  Above all else, put on love that binds the people together in perfect unity. Let Christ’s peace reign in your hearts since, as members of one body, you have been called to that peace.

These are the inspired words of Paul; they are directed to us since we are “God’s chosen ones.” For that, let us say “Thanks be to God”.

ALL:  Thanks be to God!

Alleluia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIHnZn3JjcM&feature=youtu.be 

(Kathryn)  Today’s gospel is from the book of Mark, the story that is in his chapter 8, verses 1-10.  It will be proclaimed by (Joan P)

(Joan P)   There was a time when Jesus was out with his disciples, and after a while, he found himself with a hungry crowd on his hands. He called his disciples together and said, “This crowd is breaking my heart.  They have stuck with me for three days, and now they have nothing to eat.  If I send these people home hungry, they’ll faint along the way – some of them have come a very long distance.” 

One of his disciples responded, “What do you expect us to do about it?  Buy food out here in the desert?”

 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they said.

So Jesus told the crowd to sit down on the ground.  After giving thanks, he took the seven bread loaves, broke them into pieces, and gave them to his disciples so they could hand them out to the crowd. They also had a few fish.  He pronounced a blessing over the fish and told his disciples to hand them out as well.  Then the crowd ate its fill.  Seven sacks of leftover food were collected. There were well over four thousand people at the meal. 

Then Jesus sent them home. He himself went straight to the boat with his disciples and they set out for another place.

This is an inspired story of how Jesus was responsive to the needs of his listeners. And being listeners today, we can all say, ALL: Thanks be to God.

Alleluia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIHnZn3JjcM&feature=youtu.be

Shared Homily and Community Reflections

Homily Starter: Lee Breyer

Profession of Faith

(Kathryn and ALL):  We believe in the Divine Mystery, beyond all description and understanding, the heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that will ever exist in this expanding universe.

We believe in Jesus of Nazareth, the human Jesus … an enlightened soul who carried the message of God’s Word everywhere he went.  Jesus showed us how we could heal ourselves from our spiritual weaknesses. Jesus is the heart of God’s compassion.  He is the bright star in the firmament of God’s prophets, mystics, and saints.  And it is through him that we have become a new people.  We are can share an important and key teaching of his message: that we are all holy, we were born holy, and we shall be holy forever.

We believe in the Spirit, the one who inspires our innermost life.  She keeps the Holy One present to all those who are searching for meaning and wholeness in their lives.  She strengthens our call to follow Jesus as a vehicle of god’s love.  She is the one who helps each one of us reach deep within ourselves so that she can energize us when our spirits grow weary.

And we believe that God’s kin-dom is “here and now,” stretching out all around us and it is experienced by those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, and hands to share it with all those with whom we come in contact.

Prayers of the Community

(Jerry B)  With heads and hearts mindful of God’s unconditional love that is embedded in each one of us, let us all bring our needs and those here with us today.  After each intercession, let us respond: Healing God, grant us your blessing.

That those who are suffering with Covid-19, may find some degree of comfort in their suffering.  Healing God….

That those who find themselves in a quite sad state of aloneness resulting from the safety and healing processes of the virus.  Healing God…

That those who are in housing or financial difficulties find the means needed to relieve at least some of the painful results of their challenging situations.  Healing God…

That those in broken homes and families, especially those living on our borders, find physical and mental relief.  Healing God….

And for whom or what else do we pray today ……  (please make your intentions here) 

Joyful God, we know you attend to our prayers and respond with your wisdom and love.  In you, we place our faith.  ALL: Amen.

Offertory Prayer

Please lift up your bread and fruit of the vine for this short blessing, then you can put it down.

(Lee): Blessed are you, Jesus of Nazareth. It is through your goodness that we have this bread and wine and our own lives to offer.  Through this sacred meal may we gain our strength to live the new lives that we are called to in our current temporary settings. 

ALL: Blessed be God forever.

(Kathryn):  Divine Presence, we believe that you are always with us, loving in each one of us, and healing others through us.

ALL: Namaste (with a facing hands and a nod gesture)

(Lee) We are grateful for our many blessings as we are able to gather together through Zoom.

Eucharistic Prayer

(Kathryn)  Ever present and always caring, loving God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. In you we live and move and have our very being. Your Spirit dwelling in us gives us the hope of unending peace and joy with you.  Your gift of the Sprit, who raised Jesus from the dead, is the foretaste and promise of the paschal feast of heaven.  We join together with all those who have gone before us and now live in the eternal now, as we sing…

SONG:  We are holy, holy, holy …you, I, we. 

https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA

(Russ)  We thank you, God, for the gift of Jesus in history – and the gift of Jesus in faith.  You raised him up from among your people to baptize us in your Spirit.  His life was moved by his vision of your presence among us.  He burned with insight and truth, revealed you in his life well lived He showed us, through his example , not only how we should live but also for what we may die.

(Ann C)  When his time had come, Jesus suffered for what he deeply believed and taught – namely, that.it was his conviction that love is stronger than death.  And then, as a model of the depth of his belief in that for those in ages to come, he opened wide his arms and died.  The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead showed us that life is eternal and love is immortal. Jesus is with us today and he will be though the end of time.

Ann and ALL:  O God, let your Spirit of life, healing and wholeness come upon these pieces that were gathered from vines and the field and are with us today as we celebrate this liturgy. May she have them become for us the Body and Blood of the resurrected Christ, our brother.    Please extend an arm toward your bread and wine as we pray the Consecration together.  

(Lee)  We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died.  He gathered with his friends to share a final Passover meal. And it was at that supper that he took bread, said the blessing and shared it with them saying: take this, all of you, and eat it.  This bread is you; this bread is me. We are one body, the presence of God in the world.  When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you.  This is the new and everlasting covenant.

In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing and gave it to his friends saying: take this all of you and drink it.  This wine is you; this wine is me. We are one blood, the presence of God in the world.  When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.     

Let us proclaim this mystery of faith…

Kathryn and ALL  Jesus has died.  Christ has risen.  The cosmic Christ lives in and through us in the world today 

We believe that the Spirit of God works through us, She can and will do more than we could ever know or even imagine. The Spirit gives us the strength to be compassionate carriers of the Gospel message. Amen.                

The Prayer of Jesus

(Lee)  So let us then let us pray to God with the words Jesus taught us.  It has been, modified a bit for a more current setting by the Center of Concerns and MMOJ.  

(Russ)     Our God who is in Heaven…and in all of us here on earth, the rich and the poor, the well-satisfied and the hungry, the free and the oppressed, the leadership and the marginalized, and everyone incircles of community ad especially the excluded.  Blessed is your name, our Comforter and Sustainer.

Russ and ALL: May your kin-dom come.

(Ann C)  May your kin-dom come and your will be done…in our actions as we struggle with the complexities of this world and try to confront greed and the desires of power in ourselves, in our nation and in the entire global community.

Ann and ALL: May your kin-dom come.

(Russ)   Give us this day our daily bread…bread that we are called to share., bread that you have given us abundantly, and the bread that we are to distribute fairly, nourishing the health and welfare of all your holy family, with no exceptions.

ALL:  May your kin-dom come.

(Ann C ) Forgive us our trespasses…for those times that we have turned away from the struggles of other peoples and countries, and for those times we have thought primarily – and sometimes even only – of our own selves.

ALL:  May your kin-dom come.

(Russ)  Lead us not into temptation…the temptation to close our minds, our ears and our eyes to the unfair global systems that create ever-larger and longer-lasting gaps between the rich and the poor, the temptation to think it is just too complex and difficult to bring about more alternatives.

ALL: May your kin-dom come.

(Ann C)  Deliver us from evil…the evil of a world where violence happens even in Your name, where the wealth for a few is more important than the economic rights of all, where gates and other barriers between people are so hard to bring down for peace. 

ALL:  May your kin-dom come, O God, for Your’s is the kin-dom and the glory.  Your will shall bring about peace and justice in the blessed time to come.

Passing the Peace of Christ

Kathryn:  In Christ, we are mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters to one another.  We have been given the gifts of compassion and peace.  

As members of Gods Blessed Family, let us share those gifts with one another always in our actions and now in a song

Song: Let there be peace on earth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPH4LRASWbo&feature=share 

Communion: as we eat the bread and wine that we consecrated

Lee: Loving God, you all us to live the Gospel of peace and justice.  We will live justly.

Kathryn: Loving God, you call us to be Your presence in the world. We will love tenderly.

Lee:  Loving God, you call us to speak truth to power. We will walk with integrity.

Kathryn:  And, in all these things, we will live with our lives.

Kathryn:  We have Jesus with us here in the Bread of Life and the cup of the new Covenant.  Let us now eat and drink the Sacred Meal.

(Please take/share Communion at this time.)

Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion

Joan P & ALL:  Let us go forth in compassion and peace, holding fast to what is good and rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. May we always be the Face of God to the world reflecting well God’s compassionate and caring presence in us to everyone we meet.

Gratitudes - Introductions – Announcements

Closing Blessing   (please extend an arm in mutual blessing

Jerry:  May our gracious God bless all of us gathered here on Zoom for our Celebration.  We ask this always in the name of our God – our Creator, in the name of Jesus – our Model, and in the name of the Holy Spirit – our Sanctifier, as we minister to one another and to all those we meet on our journeys.  Be with us as we all continue on our paths and follow in the footsteps of Jesus.  This since we are the Face of God in the world.

Closing Song

Send Us Your Spirit – Linda Lee Miller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldUy7jK7Dyk&feature=youtu.be

If you want to add an intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email to katyrcwp@tampabay.rr.com

If you want to invite someone to attend our liturgy, please refer them to the day’s liturgy at MaryMotherofJesus.org      

To support our community, please send your check to:

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

St Andrew UCC, 6908 Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34238

Homily for Ordination of Diane Burroughs ARCWP and Jill Striebenger ARCWP, Feb. 11,2021, Ocala, Florida by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

This is the day God has made let us rejoice and be glad in it as we celebrate the priestly ordination of Diane Burroughs and the diaconate ordination of Jill Striebenger.

Diane Burroughs will be ordained a priest today in ARCWP. “My life has been a journey toward this moment, she writes,  “each twist and turn has been a stepping stone to the next, including a Masters in Theological Studies. 

When I found the House Church of Mary and Joseph,  led by Fr. John and Rev Dena I knew I was where I needed to be. After giving homilies there for about a year and a half John’s illness became worse and they relocated  to Michigan to be with family. 

The House Church Community of Mary and Joseph  decided to continue, and invited me to preside at liturgies there  I now stand with the House Church of Mary and Joseph and the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests who have supported and encouraged me on this journey to ordination.

Jill comes to ARCWP with education and background in: military, business, marriage, mothering, disability advocacy, and intellectual pursuits in history, theology, and mythology. It is her lived experiences as a woman in the world with  a life-long practice of prayerful spirituality that has led her to ordination. 

 Her sacred practices helped her to realize that we do not need to go through  another person to find God. The Holy One’s presence is within us and can be found everywhere. 

In preparation for her diaconal ordination, Jill completed courses with People’s Catholic Seminary in contemporary theology, spirituality and ministry . Currently, she serves as a prayer leader at MMOJ and will co-preside at Liturgies  on Zoom in the coming year.  

Diane and Jill chose the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes for their ordination because of their devotion to Mary. Mary appeared to Bernadette on February 11, 1858 at a grotto near Lourdes, now one of the most popular Marian shrines in the world. People from every corner of the globe come there to pray for healing for all kinds of ills. 

In the Gospel of Luke, Mary, mother of Jesus, proclaims  a passionate liberation song about God turning the world upside down  for the excluded and marginalized so that justice will flourish.  Her prayer, known as the Magnificat, reminds us that the Spirit works through us as we confront racism, sexism, ageism , violence and poverty.   Like Mary, we believe “nothing is impossible with God” including women priests in the Roman Catholic Church

Catholics today are challenging  an unjust  man-made  Church law that prohibits women’s  ordination.  Like the Community of Mary and Joseph here in Ocala, they are creating inclusive faith communities with women priests  where all are welcome. As ARCWP ordains women for public ministry, we are bending the arc  towards gender equality in the Roman Catholic Church. 

Our international women priests’ movement ,which  began in 2002 with the ordination of seven women on the Danube is flourishing. In 2021, there are a total of  282  members spread across Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia. 

Now, let us  celebrate the ordination of Jill and Diane who are called to proclaim the Gospel and preside at sacraments in inclusive communities and ministries where love heals and miracles happen every day. 

ARCWP Ordination of Diane Burroughs as a priest and Jill Striebenger as a deacon

 

Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests - Liturgy of Ordination -Priesthood Diane Burroughs ARCWP, Diaconate Jill Striebinger ARCWP, Ocala, Florida, Feb. 11, 2021, 1 PM

Zoom Link:  

The Zoom link will be open at 12:30pm. Please join us by 12:55pm. 

Zoom link: 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87132292387?pwd=cnJJN1pwLyt5aU51d1ZHVDZraXYrUT09

Meeting ID: 871 3229 2387
Passcode: 880869

You are invited to join us via Zoom. Please wear a stole and have bread, wine/juice and a candle as we pray together the Eucharistic prayer.

Ordination Liturgy  Team:  

MC- Mary Theresa Streck, ARCWP,  IT: Peg Bowen ARCWP,,  Cantor: Dennis McDonald, ARCWP

Photographer-:Joan Chesterfield,  Ordaining Bishop :Bridget Mary Meehan

Location: Oasis Club House 8063 SW 106^th Place, Ocala, FL 34481

WELCOME

MT: Good afternoon. My name is Mary Theresa Streck and I am a Roman Catholic Woman Priest from Albany, New York.  I have the privilege of being a member of the Pastoral Team of the Upper Room Inclusive Catholic Community. Today I will lead you through the ceremony.

An ordination is a holy ceremony.  We are requesting that you please silence your cell phones now. 

We, the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, welcome you to the public ordination of Diane Burroughs as priest and Jill Striebinger as deacon. 

We gather together on this journey of Good News for those who long for the fullness of the Body of Christ for the life of the world. 

 

Historical and archaeological evidence reveals that women and men served as deacons, priests and bishops during the first twelve hundred years of the church’s history.

In the ordination of deacons and priests, we continue in the renewal of our first Christian traditions.  We celebrate the fact that Jesus invited women as well as men to become leaders in building the kin-dom and sent the Spirit, Wisdom-Sophia, to dwell with us and lead us forward in being Church.

We celebrate with joy the indwelling of our God among us. Our liturgical style is inclusive, which is expressed in several ways. We include female biblical images of God. You are invited to participate in the words of consecration and the doxology leading to the Great Amen. Our Eucharistic Table is open to all. 

Our presiding Bishop is Bridget Mary Meehan. Bridget Mary is a member of the Pastoral Team at Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota, Florida. 

We thank Peg Bowen who is facilitating the IT and Dennis McDonald who recorded the litany of the saints for this joyous celebration.

MT: We now welcome Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan who, as presiding Bishop, gathers us as the universal church.  Please stand and join in singing our opening song: All Are Welcome 

All Are Welcome (Marty Haugen)

https://youtu.be/js8RtT0mJpc 

Let us build a house
where love can dwell
And all can safely live,
A place where
saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive.

Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions;

All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where prophets speak,
And words are strong and true,
Where all God's children dare to seek
To dream God's reign anew.

Here the cross shall stand as witness
And a symbol of God's grace;
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

Let us build a house where love is found
In water, wine and wheat:
A banquet hall on holy ground,
Where peace and justice meet.

Here the love of God, through Jesus,
Is revealed in time and space;
As we share in Christ the feast that frees us:

All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.

OPENING PRAYER

Bishop:  We gather joyfully for this ordination and we begin in the name of God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit,

All: Amen.

Bishop:  Our God is with you.

All: And also with you.

Bishop:  Let us pray:  Loving God, Jesus, our brother, taught the disciples not to be served but to serve.  We pray for these ordinands, that they may serve their sisters and brothers.  May they be effective in their work and persevering in their prayer, performing their ministry with compassion and concern for all.  

All:  Amen.

MT: Please be seated as we present the candidates for ordination.

PRESENTATION of CANDIDATE FOR DIACONATE

MT: Program Companion Diane Dougherty, will present the candidate for diaconate on behalf of the assembled community and the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

Diane D: Jill Striebinger.

Jill: Here I am. I am ready.

Diane D: Dear Bishop, the holy Church asks you to ordain our sister, Jill, to the diaconate.

Bishop: Do you know if she is worthy?

Diane: Those responsible have been asked.  They testify that they find her worthy.  I will give witness and represent the church, the Body of Christ, as we present Jill for ordination.

Bishop: In the name of Jesus, we choose you, Jill, as our deacon.  

All:  Thanks be to God.  

MT:  Let us signify our approval by singing "Amen."

PRESENTATION of CANDIDATE FOR PRIESTHOOD

MT: Dena O’Callaghan, Program Companion, will present the candidate for the priesthood. 

Dena: Diane Burroughs

Diane: Here I am. I am ready.

Dena: Dear Bishop, the holy Church asks you to ordain our sister, Diane, to the priesthood.

Bishop: Do you know if she is worthy?

Dena: Those responsible have been asked.  They testify that they find her worthy.  I will give witness and represent the church, the Body of Christ, as we present Jill for ordination.

Bishop: In the name of Jesus, we choose you, Diane, as our priest. 

All:  Thanks be to God.  

MT:  Let us signify our approval by singing "Amen."

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Reading 1: The Proper Place for Devotion to Mary 

Recognition of this relationship between God and humankind in the ongoing creation of the world is one of the most ancient teachings of liturgical theology. If it applies to Mary, it also applies to us.

The proper place for devotion to Mary is a clear one: she is the mother, the woman, the human participant in the work of God.  She is the one who heard the Word of God in her heart and followed it to the end, whatever the cost to herself. By her unconditional fiat, she became the perfect recipient of God’s will that each of us would like to be. Her life belongs not simply to her own life but the life of the world as well.

It is in Mary that we see God’s creative will being done. In her, God not only prevails over the inherent weakness of mortality but brings it to the fullness of life.  In the memories of the May altars, the crowning of May queens, and the droning of a thousand decades of the Rosary, all those ideas came to life in me and generations of others, came to heart in us, came to stay forever.

These are the inspired words of Joan Chittister, prophet and spiritual leader, and we affirm these words by saying, Amen.

—from The Liturgical Year, (Thomas Nelson Publication, a division of HarperCollins) by Joan Chittister

Sung Response: You Have Anointed Me (the Dameans)

https://youtu.be/vUMdXhZB08U

Your spirit O God is upon me.

You have anointed me.

To bring glad tidings to the lowly, 

To heal the broken hearted, 

You have anointed me. 

To proclaim liberty to captives, 

Release to prisoners, 

You have anointed me. 

Your spirit O God is upon me.

You have anointed me.

To announce a year of favor,

To com-fort those who mourn, 

You have anointed me. 

To give them the oil of gladness, 

And share a mantle of joy 

You have anointed me. 

Your spirit O God is upon me.

You have anointed me.

Eightfold Alleluia

https://youtu.be/IC4nbwmQDVw

Gospel: A reading from the Gospel of Luke 

(1:46-55) 

Mary said:

My soul proclaims your greatness O God,

And my spirit rejoices in you, Holy One.

For you have looked with favor on me 

And all generations will call me blessed.

For you have done great things for me

And Holy is your Name.

Your mercy reaches from age to age .

You have scattered the  proud in their conceit.

You have deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.

You have come to the aid of your people, mindful of your compassion- the promise you  made to Abraham and Sarah

and their descendants forever.

(Adapted from The Inclusive Bible)

These are the inspired words of Luke and we affirm them by saying, Amen.

Homily: Bridget Mary Meehan

ORDINATION RITE

MT:  As the People of God gather in hope and love, we now invoke the Spirit of God within these women called to serve as priest and deacon, and within us all. 

Hymn to the Holy Spirit: Veni Sancte Spiritus (Come Holy Spirit)

https://youtu.be/_0O0gNHgRh0

Come Holy Spirit, 

from heaven shine forth 

with your glorious light 

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Come, Mother of heaven, 

come, generous Spirit, 

come, light of our hearts. 

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Come from the four winds, 

O Spirit, come breath of God; 

disperse the shadows over us 

renew and strengthen your people. 

Veni Sancte Spiritus

You are our only comforter, 

Peace of the soul. 

In the heat you shade us; 

in our labor you refresh us, 

and in trouble you are our strength. 

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Examination of Candidate for Diaconate

MT: We invite Jill, candidate for the diaconate, to please stand.

Bishop: My dear sister, before you receive the Order of Deacon, you are asked to proclaim before the assembly, that you willingly take on this office and ministry.

Bishop: So I ask you: Are you ready to be ordained for ministry in the Church by the laying-on-of hands and by the gift of the Holy Spirit?

Jill: I am.

Representative of Community – Joan Chesterfield: Are you ready to fulfill the office of deacon faithfully and serve the people of God? 

Jill: I am.

Bishop: Are you ready to carry out the ministry of deacon in selfless dedication and in support of our bishops and priests?

Jill: I am.

Bishop: Are you ready to celebrate the mysteries of Christ faithfully as has been handed down to us, for the glory of God and the flourishing of grace among God's people?

Jill: I am.

Bishop: Are you ready to live from the Spirit within, to be a person of prayer, and in this Spirit, to pray with and for the People of God for the whole world?

Jill: I am.

Representative of Community – Joan Chesterfield: Are you ready to support the poor and the sick and to help the homeless and those in need?

Jill: I am.

Bishop: Are you ready to shape your life after the model and example of Christ, whose body and blood are entrusted to you to share with the people of God?

Jill: With the help of God, I am ready.

Bishop: May God complete the good work already begun in you.

All: Amen.   

Examination of Candidate for Priesthood

MT: We invite Diane, candidate for the priesthood, to please stand.

Bishop: My dear sister, before you receive the Order of Priest, you are asked to proclaim before this assembly, that you willingly take on this office and ministry.  So I ask you: Are you resolved to be ordained for priestly ministry in the church by the laying-on-of our hands and the gift the Holy Spirit?

Diane: I am.

Representative of Community – _________________: Are you ready to fulfill the office of priest faithfully and serve the people of God? 

Diane: I am.

Bishop: Are you ready to celebrate the mysteries of Christ faithfully as has been handed down to us, for the glory of God and the flourishing of grace among God's people?

Diane: I am.

Representative of Community – ________________: Are you ready to live the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and teaching the faith of Jesus and our church? 

Diane: I am.

Bishop: Are you ready to consecrate your life to God's holy work with all of creation and to unite yourself closely to the Christ who lived and taught us justice in the beatitudes and in the works of mercy? 

Diane: I am, with the help of God.

Bishop: May God complete the good work already begun in you.

All: Amen. 

Litany of Saints and Prostration of Candidates

MT: Diane and Jill, please stand. We invite the ordinands’ assistants to place the prostration cloths.

MT: We now invite the Jill to prostrate and Diane to sit with open hands while the litany of saints is sung.  The prostration and open hands are acts of loving surrender to God.  We call upon those who have gone before us in the communion of saints, our friends, the prophets of God, and all holy women and men.

Bishop: In gratitude, we pray to our loving God who grants abundant grace and blessings to these women, called to be deacon and priest. 

Litany of the Saints: (sung by Dennis McDonald, ARCWP)

https://youtu.be/TIkeAFSA-zM

At the end of the Litany of Saints: 

Bishop: Let us pray:  Gracious and Loving God, You hear our prayers and those of your angels and saints. You pour out upon these women the blessing of your wisdom and the grace and integrity of the order deacon and priest.  As we approach the moment of ordination, hold them close to you with your unfailing love.  You are with us now and always.  

All: Amen.

MT: We invite Jill to come forward to her chair for the laying-on-of hands.  Bridget Mary will now ordain Jill a deacon.

Laying-On-of-Hands for Deacon

MT: We come to the most sacred moment of the ordination rite, the laying-on-of hands for the deacon, which we celebrate in reverent silence.  The gesture is the prayer and there are no words spoken.  The Bishop lays hands on the ordinand and prays the prayer of consecration over her.  Please join in raising your hands in blessing.

Prayer of Consecration for Deacon

MT: Our bishop will now pray a prayer of consecration for our newly ordained deacon.

Bishop: We praise you, most loving God, and call on your name. You are with us and you give us all grace. You call people into holy service and you choose them for orders in the Church.

Loving God, you renew everything in your energy. You order everything according to your eternal designs. Through your word, your wisdom and the power of love, you provide what we need in the changing seasons of life.

You abundantly blessed your Church and have wonderfully designed the Body of Christ in great diversity of membership. You unite and sanctify us in your Spirit.  

You give your Church life and growth. For the praise of your Name, you have established the threefold ministry of Orders and furnished the Church with holy gifts, as from the beginning, you chose faithful servants for ministering to your holy people.

As the Church began to grow, the apostles, led by the Spirit, set apart seven proven people to be helpers in daily ministry. The apostles themselves wanted to be free for prayer and for the proclamation of the word.

To these chosen ones you entrusted prayer and the table ministry through the laying-on-of hands. We humbly present these deacons before you.

 

Bishop: I now invite you, the assembly, to join me in extending your hands over this woman as we embrace the Spirit in her and in all.

God’s Spirit strengthens you to carry out your ministry faithfully.

God’s Spirit calls you to heal and reconcile.  

God’s Spirit guides you in your work for justice and peace for all. 

God’s Spirit enlivens you in prophetic and liberating obedience. 

Together, we are one in Christ, loving and serving as God’s holy people. 

All: Amen.

Investiture With Stole for Deacon

MT:  We invite Diane Dougherty to come forward and represent us all by vesting this newly ordained deacon for ministry in her stole.

Presentation of the Gospel

Bishop: “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.”

Bishop: It is with great joy that we present to you our newly ordained deacon.

Laying-On-of-Hands for Priest

MT: Bridget Mary will now ordain Diane for the priesthood.

MT: We come to the most sacred moment of the ordination rite, the laying-on-of hands for the priest, which we celebrate in reverent silence.  The gesture is the prayer and there are no words spoken.  Please raise you hands in blessing.

Prayer of Consecration for Priest

MT: Our bishop will now pray a prayer of consecration for our newly ordained priest.

Bishop: Loving and gracious God, you are ever present to us. Your Spirit, Your Breath of Life indwelling with us, is the source of every blessing ensuring our growth and stability. 

In communion with the saints, with your friends, your prophets and our ancestors, your presence is within all of creation. You support us with your gifts of wisdom and patterns of order. You called forth leaders to serve and guide your priestly people. 

The numbers of leaders grew and their ministry was recognized by sacred rites. In the desert, you extended Your Spirit through Moses, to Aaron, Miriam and all the holy women and men of Israel.

You called seventy wise people to help them lead an exiled community from slavery to freedom. Among the children of Aaron and of Miriam, you shared the fullness of your power. You provided worthy leaders in sufficient number for the increasing rites of worship.

With the same loving care, you beckoned women and men for later generations to serve with Jesus' disciples. They continued his work of healing and teaching.  They loved and supported one another, became advocates for justice and prophets of peace.  They preached the Gospel to the whole world.

Loving God, you give this woman the graces of the priesthood.  You renew within her the spirit of holiness. You give her strength, wisdom and the gifts of your Spirit. 

Together with the people of God, You inspire and bless her as she responds to your call in loving service. 

I now invite you, the assembly, to join me in extending your hands over this woman as we embrace the Spirit in her and in all.

God’s Spirit strengthens you to carry out your ministry faithfully.

God’s Spirit calls you to heal and reconcile  

God’s Spirit guides you in your work for justice and peace for all. 

God’s Spirit enlivens you in prophetic and liberating obedience. 

Together, we are one in Christ, loving and serving as God’s holy people. 

All: Amen.

Investiture

MT:  We invite ______________ to come forward and represent us all by vesting this newly ordained priest for priestly ministry in her chasuble and stole.

Anointing of Hands

MT: The hands of our newly ordained priest will now be anointed for priestly service.

 

Bishop: God anointed Jesus, the Christ, through the indwelling of the Spirit.  May Jesus work through you to bless the People of God and to offer table friendship and unity. 

Bishop:  It is with great joy, that I present to you our new priest.

Preparation of Table for Eucharist 

Procession of the Gifts and

Presentation of the Cup and Plate

 

Bishop: Receive these gifts entrusted to you by the people of God for this sacred meal of remembrance and thanksgiving in praise, in hope, and in loving service. 

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Offering of the Gifts

Bishop:  Blessed are You, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made.  It will become for us the bread of life.

All:  Blessed be God forever.

Diane:  Blessed are You, God of all creation. Through Your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.

All:   Blessed be God forever.

Eucharistic Prayer

Bishop:  Our God is with you.

All:  And also with you. 

Bishop: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them up to our God.

Bishop: Let us give thanks to our loving God.

All: It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Bishop: All-loving and ever-living God beyond all imagining, we give You thanks for the gift of awareness that allows us to recognize Your presence and action in our universe. Everything we have, everything we see, everything we do, everyone we love and everyone who loves us, reveals Your sustaining presence.  We thank You for Your presence which animates life and all that exists.  

Jill: You express yourself in human life and through us you sing and dance, speak and write, love and create.  In this we never cease to hope, and for this we always thank and praise You.  We join with the saints of all times and places as they sing forever to Your glory: 

All: Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker 

https://youtu.be/nTewBnxBy30

We are holy, holy, holy,

We are holy, holy, holy,

We are whole.

Spirit Divine, Come to Me,

healing Love, healing Me.

Open my heart, allow me to see,

Beauty and love, lives in me.

You are (I am) holy, holy, holy…

Bishop: Loving God, we live and move and have our being in You. We give thanks for those throughout history who have affirmed your loving presence and moved your people to give witness.  They have witnessed to your presence in lives characterized by love, mercy, compassion, generosity and forgiveness.

  

Diane: We thank you for Jesus, who loved so greatly, taught so clearly, and proclaimed so courageously.  He set people free from images, ideas and religious practices that bound them in fear and a false sense of separation from you. Through Jesus, we know our loving actions become a share in your life.  In Jesus, we see your Spirit challenging us to make your presence more visible on earth.

 

Jill: We thank You for Your Spirit of life and love among us. We are grateful that Your Spirit sets us free to discover your presence within us and in all of creation.  And for this we thank and praise You.  

Bishop: (addressing the assembly) I invite you, the People of God, to extend your hands and pray with me:

All: Loving God, intensify the presence of Your Spirit in these our gifts, as they, and we, become the Body and Blood of Jesus the Christ for our wholeness and the wholeness of all creation.  

All: We remember that on the night before he died, while at supper with his friends, Jesus took the Bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it them saying: Take and eat, this is my body.

 

All: When supper was ended, Jesus took the cup of wine, spoke the blessing and offered it to them saying: Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life in you. Do this in memory of me.

 

Jill: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

 

All: Nurtured by your Word, nourished by your food, called anew to be your people, we acclaim your praise.

Bishop: Loving God, through Jesus You entrusted this pledge of love to us.  We celebrate the memory of his life, death and resurrection, and bring to You the gifts You have given us: reconciliation, justice, and peace. You fill us with Your Spirit in the sharing of this meal. You keep us in communion with one another and with all living beings. Your Spirit makes us a sign of unity, a model of equality and instruments of Your peace.

 

Diane: Inspire our leaders, both religious and political, so that they act without fear to bring your justice. May they become peacemakers who transform your church and society so that all living beings and our planet may thrive.

Jill: You have gathered us around this table in friendship, with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the apostles, and all the saints. May all who are suffering in any way be strengthened and consoled by your Presence. You bless all who have gone before us and bring them into the lasting joy and peace of your presence.

 

Bishop: You gather together women, men and children of every race, language, religion and way of life to share in your one, eternal banquet. In your presence, we give you glory with all creation and with Jesus through whom your goodness flows.

 

  

All: Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit, may all glory and honor be Yours, all-loving God, forever and ever. 

All: Great Amen

https://youtu.be/9DiHBsKjBYQ

Prayer of Jesus

Bishop: Let us pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us: 

Abwoon d'bwashmaya (the Aramaic Translation of the Lord’s Prayer)

This version reworked and derived from http://www.songofhome.com/Klotz.htm

All: Oh Breath of Life,

Creator of the Shimmering Sound

That flows through the conscious place

Within our womb-space

Wherein our heart exists

Giving light, to all.

 From this divine union

and our willing hands,

clear our intention

for co-creation

of a new world of peace. 

Create in each of us

a divine cooperation,

one compassionate action.

And help us fulfill what lies within

the circle of our lives

Each day we ask no more, no less 

Forgive us our hidden past, the secret shames,

As we consistently forgive

That of what others hide. 

Don't let surface things delude us,

but free us from what holds us back

from our true purpose.

 May power be in these statements

And may they be the ground from which all

our actions grow

Sealed in trust and faith.

Sign of Peace

Jill:  The peace of Christ be with you always.

All: And also with you. 

Jill: As we share our joy, let us share God’s abundant peace. Please share a sign of peace and return to your seats when the music ends.

 

Peace Song: Blessing Song by Jan Phillips

https://youtu.be/l1hFUfSb1Ww 

May the blessing of peace be upon you may peace be all you know
may the blessing of peace be upon you may it follow wherever you go. 

Shalom, salaam, shaanti, pacem May peace prevail on earth 

Shalom, salaam, shaanti, pacem May peace prevail on earth. 

(continue with joy, love, light) 

Communion

Bishop: Please join in praying the prayer for the breaking of the bread:

All: Loving God, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. 

           We will live justly.   

Loving God, You call us to be Your presence in the world.  

We will love tenderly.

Loving God, You call us to speak truth to power.  

We will walk with integrity. 

Bishop: This is the Bread of Life. How blessed are we who are called to this Table.

All: Jesus, you affirm our worthiness and by your word, we will heal the world. 

Communion Songs: The Summons

The Summons Words: John L. Bell & Graham Maule,

https://youtu.be/V0aAkOe87mo

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?

Will you let my love be shown?

Will you let my name be known?

Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?

Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?

Will you let me answer prayer in you and me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?

Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?

Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,

And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Would your summons echo true when you but call my name.

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.

In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Prayer After Communion

Bishop: Let us pray.  Loving God, You renew us with spiritual nourishment in this bread and wine. You watch over these newly ordained women and inspire them as faithful ministers of Word and Sacrament to give generously for your glory and for the good of all living beings.  We pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, our brother.

All:  Amen.

Blessing

MT:  Please stand and extend your hands as we pray our final blessing.

Bishop: Loving God, in this moment, You draw us to you and make us aware, not so much of what we've given but of all that we have received and have to share.

All: Amen.

Diane: You bless us and move us forward in prophetic obedience to Your Spirit. 

All: Amen.

Jill: You send us forth in power and gladness and with great courage, to live what we pray and profess.

All: Amen. 

RECESSIONAL

Recessional: Sing a New Church

https://youtu.be/ETV1DXQk_Gk

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

https://arcwp.org