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Saturday, March 27, 2021

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Liturgy, Palm Sunday, March 27, 2021, Presiders Dotty Shugrue ARCWP and Joan Pesce

 


Zoom link:

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

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

ID 851- 0809-5506

Passcode 1066

Theme: “Which Parade Are We/You In?”


Blessing of the Palms (hold your palms up high and gentle wave them)

Dotty: Friends, let us raise our hearts and minds to the mystery of the Holy One, who is fully alive in our world, universe and us. Today, we share the excitement of the people in the holy city of Jerusalem as they welcomed Jesus so many eons ago.  It is with hope we welcome the Christ recognizing that eternal and everlasting presence among us.  We join in the parade of today that celebrates the ministry of Jesus and we believe that ministry will be made real today in our world, through our efforts and the efforts of all believers. 


Joan:  Sacred Spirit, you whom we call by many names, we bless these palm branches and make them holy.  May we, who today hold them high, be bearers of hope as we celebrate the goodness and greatness of all humankind.  May we proclaim that all is made new through our individual efforts to create a new parade, a new triumphant entry with our efforts to create the New Jerusalem. We will follow the example of Jesus’s life, his dedication to his purpose, his love for his companions on his journey, and his acceptance of his destiny in standing for justice and peace.


All:  Amen


Opening Song:  Hosanna to the Son of David by Dan Schutte in the

 

                          


https://youtu.be/MmAFnZ3QGfY

Refrain: Hosanna to the Son of David! O blest is he, O blest is he who come in the name of the Lord


1. Rejoice, daughter of Zion, in the One who brings great joy! Sing praise, children of Judah for the Lord is close at hand


2. Rejoice, all who are thirsting for streams of living joy! Sing praise, children of Judah, for the Lord is close at hand


 3. Rejoice, all who are longing to behold the face of God Sing praise, children of Judah for the Lord is close at hand


4 .Rejoice, all who are searching for the truth of holy light Sing praise, children of Judah for the Lord is close at hand


6. Rejoice, all who are hungry for the taste of living bread Sing praise children of Judah for the Lord is close at hand. 


(Lourdes song library Hosanna to the Son of David Dan Schutte)


                                                

Transformation Rite - Maryal


When inner turmoil and conflict threaten my peace of mind and heart, 

When my life is overly full and I wonder how I will complete what is required,  

When I enter into the pain and suffering of the world’s lack of peace ,


Response:  I rest in the Peace-Giver’s Presence


When I hurt for friends, relatives, and others who are distressed,

When fear of the future rises up and the way ahead is uncertain and unsettled, 


Response:  I rest in the Peace-Giver’s Presence


When my life appears empty and loneliness taunts me,

When I live with concern and apprehension over unresolved issues, 

When I feel a great distance from the One who is the fullness of peace,


Response:  I rest in the Peace-Giver’s Presence


The Liturgy of the Word


Judy and Kevin: 

First Reading:  Excerpts from the sermon preached on Palm Sunday, 2016 at the Hermitage,  Luke 19:28-40 & Psalms 118)


Traditionally, Pilate paraded into Jerusalem on the first day of Passover Week, entering the west gate – the front gate – with legions of chariots, horses, and foot soldiers, dressed for battle and armed with swords and spears.  Rome’s authority would not be questioned.  The majesty with which Pilate enters the front door of the city was meant to inspire awe and fear, respect and obedience.


Meanwhile, at the east gate – the back gate – another parade is underway. This parade was just as carefully staged as Pilate’s entry into Jerusalem. It was a counter-procession, a different vision of what a Kingdom should be, a subversive action against the powers that ruled Jerusalem. Jesus’ humble, yet triumphal, entry into Jerusalem stood in contrast to the magnificence and brutality on display at the opposite end of the city. Jesus brings peace, while Pilate brings a sword.

Jesus’ entrance was planned this way. Two disciples slip into Jerusalem to secure a colt from its owners, who know they are coming. They even have a pre-arranged password: “The Lord needs it.” Literally, the Greek says for the disciples to tell the colt’s owners that the colt’s owner needs it. The words make no sense unless we understand that Jesus’ triumphal entry was designed to rival that of Pilate’s.

They planned it to be a royal entrance. Jesus riding a colt into Jerusalem reflected the Messianic prophesy of Zechariah Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey; on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Those watching the back-door procession knew Zechariah and the prophesy. Jesus’ entry was a symbol of salvation – the return of God’s king to God’s people.


Being a prophet in today’s world doesn’t wield the star-power you’d think it does. You don’t get parades or accolades or even a living wage. You get the back gate, the grateful support of a few, and a lot of angry folks who don’t want change. God is not kind to God’s prophets. More often than not, they end up on the wrong end of a rope.  So it comes as no surprise that God’s Son ends up on a tree by Friday – all because he stood for peace.


These are the words of a scholar from the Hermitage sharing the Palm Sunday Story and we the people affirm them by saying, 


All:  SO BE IT


RESPONSORIAL PSALM:  Spirit of the Living God



https://youtu.be/G0_B0DpTbUI


Joon M.

Second Reading: A reading from the reflections of Joan Chittister, Cry Out, Lent, 2018.


It is your voice and mine, alone as well as together, that are meant to make God’s true nature known in the world. If we don’t point out the breakdowns in human community and make clear the unseen millions in need, they go on being unseen by the many.

It is not a matter of being able to change a thing that must occupy us. It is a matter of being willing to point out the problems – and do something about it – that counts.  To be part of a group intent on change, we must raise a great voice…


Most importantly, we must “cry out” the news of what God wants for the world for as long as it takes.  Our problem is that we expect change to come in our lifetime.  But nothing can ever happen until we ourselves begin to work for it, announcing to others what God desires for us all…  We may not see much improvement in our lifetime, but before we go, we can at least salt the atmosphere with questions where they cannot be ignored.  And that is valor enough for the moment.


These are the words of Joan Chittister and we signify our acceptance by saying SO BE IT


Dotty:

Gospel:  A reading from the Gospel of the apostle called Mark 11:1-10


Jesus was making his way to Jerusalem with his apostles performing miracles and teaching as he traveled. The crowds grew and joined with Jesus as he traveled.  Jesus continued to heal them and teach them.


When they had almost reached Jerusalem, as far as Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent on two of his followers saying to them: “Go to the village facing you and as soon as you get there, you will find a foal tethered, which had not been ridden.  Untie the foal and bring it here to me. And if anyone asks you what you are doing, just tell them the Master wants it and will be sure and send it back.”  The two went and finding a foul tethered outside a door in the street, they untied it.  Some of the bystanders said to them, “what are you doing untying this foal?  And the two followers answered them as Jesus told them and then they were allowed to go.  Then they brought the foal to Jesus, and, when they had laid their cloaks on it, Jesus seated himself on the foal.  Many of the people spread their cloaks on the roads, with some branches which they had cut from the fields. The crowd continued to grow and as they processed into Jerusalem.  The crowd kept shouting and waving their branches saying, “God save him!” and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of our God!  Blessed is the coming realm of our father David and our mother Sarah.  God save him from on high!” 


These are words attributed to the apostle, we affirm them by saying 


All: SO BE IT

  

                                                              

SHARED HOMILY



PROFESSION OF FAITH:  (Jerry and Sue)


We believe in our Creator who has not forgotten us and is ever and always present with us.


We believe in Jesus, prophet and teacher, who journeyed on the earth, blessing the sick, making whole the broken, healing many, instilling faith in his followers so that they insure his legacy till the end of time.


We believe in the Cosmic Christ, the everlasting Presence, one with the universe.


We believe in Sacred Spirit, the breath of wisdom Sophia, the power of the winds enwrapping us in glory.


We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who walk with us in love, who are never far from us, who are separated from us by a mere veil, always near opening our minds to what is difficult to see


We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our Church and our world.  Here we live our prophetic call of Gospel equality.


Prayers of the People:  (Anna)


As we prepare for this sacred meal, we pause to remember all those issues and concerns that burden our hearts.  We express through our communal prayer our desires for healing and peace…


We bring to the table all elected leaders that they will be true to the mandates of the Constitution in providing for the needs of all people of our country, through passing of laws and the development of programs that justly care for all those in need.


We bring to the table all those waiting at our borders for asylum in our country that we as Americans will remember our roots and welcome those who seek a new and better life for themselves and their families.


We bring to the table the immigrant children still being held in inhumane conditions by our own government.  We pray our newly elected officials will act swiftly changing policies that prevent them from receiving asylum in our country.


We bring to the table those we love who need healing.  We pray especially for Dianne,  Mary Kay, and Sally. We assure them that we hold them in our hearts with much love.


We bring to the table our gratitude that Bridget Mary is “healed and Cancer free”.


We place all these prayers, as well as those in our hearts, on our table of celebration.


Before we enter into the most sacred part of our Liturgy today, let us pause and reflect on the gift of each person with us and extend a silent virtual greeting of peace as we listen to this beautiful song:


Pax Amor Christi – Kathleen Deignan, CND, PhD


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i944rcYxqqo


EUCHARISTIC  PRAYER


Beth:  We are blessed by the Holy One in a multitude of ways.

We have bread made from human hands, and wine made from harvested grapes.  These are gifts of the earth, and together they will become our spiritual food and drink.


All:  Blessed is the Holy One


With this bread and wine, we pledge ourselves to the teachings of Jesus as revealed in the Gospels.  We accept our call to be present to all persons in our world. We are committed to the teachings and the ministry of Jesus.


All:  The Holy One is praised forever.


Joan P  With open hands let us pray:


Holy One, we remember the life and ministry of Jesus as we begin this sacred week in our faith history.  We join the parade of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem.  We prepare ourselves to reflect deeply and personally on our call to be true followers of Jesus.  We look to the strength of our personal spiritual and prayerful reflections to come to know what it means to us to embrace the full meaning of the Christian life. 


In solidarity with Jesus, and with all the faithful men and women who have gone before us, we lift up our hearts and sing:


Holy, Holy, Holy


Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy



https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ

 


Russ:  We celebrate, the wonder and beauty of the gift of life, as we recognize the sufferings and joys of being human. We look with hope toward the building of a future rich in diversity with love and understanding as our heritage, marked by our strength and courage to make all things new. 

Jesus, as our teacher you spoke in such ways that hundreds listened to you.  You took time to go apart from the chaos in your life and to pray alone. You were not naive. You knew what the end result would be for challenging the powers who sought to destroy the message of our God of Love.


Russ:  We, too, are called to speak clearly with respect and love, as we challenge the numerous injustices our world faces today.  We are called to the inner life, our spiritual life, to go apart and pray. We seek your strength as we make choices to create a “New Jerusalem”.


(Hold your hand over bread and wine) 


Joan P.Jesus, we celebrate the last meal you had with your followers. We call upon Sacred Spirit, ever and always with us, to bring blessing on this bread and wine as they are made sacred through our faith in the presence of Christ with us. 


Dotty: During Jesus’s life on earth, he lived and died loving the poor, healing the sick and challenging the injustices within society.  Because of his ministry, Jesus was feared by the authorities of his day, and they sought out ways to bring him to his death.


Joan:  On the night before he faced his own death, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions and friends.  He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet. 

 

(All lift your bread and pray) 


Dotty:  When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying: 

Take and eat, this is my very self.  (pause) 

 

All lift your cup and pray) 


Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:

Take and drink.

Whenever you remember me like this,

I am among you.   (pause) 


Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace, remembering that we are bearers of light and hope.


Joan: What we have heard with our ears, 

we will live with our lives.  

As we share communion, 

we will become communion 

both love's nourishment and love's challenge.


You are the Christ alive today.


Everyone consumes the bread and wine at this time


Communion Reflection:  Jerusalem, My Destiny



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBZWRgzBGZc


Dennis:  Sacred Spirit, we remember Mary, the Mother of Humanity, who birthed Jesus into our world. We rejoice that the Universal Christ remains always and ever present within and around us. We remember all those who have transitioned from life on earth to complete union with the Sacred Presence: Mary of Nazareth and all great saints, prophets and martyrs.  We remember our sister priests, strong extraordinary women: Adele, Judy, Tish, Joan and Michele.  We remember, too, family members and friends.  We remember all those whose lives have been lost to Covid, to war, to racism and all other “isms” that exist in our world.  And we remember those you wish to be remembered… Share the names of your loved ones…  All are beloved who have blessed our lives and whose memory continues to inspire us, we remember you.


And we respond together:


All:  Amen


Cheryl:  Let us pray as Jesus taught us:


O Holy One, who is within, around and among us, 

We celebrate your many names. 

Your Wisdom come, 

Your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us.

Each day you give us all we need. 

You remind us of our limits, and we let go. 

You support us in our power, and we act with courage, 

For you are the dwelling place within us,  

the empowerment around us, 

and the celebration among us, now and forever.  Amen  

(Miriam Therese Winter) 


Dotty:  Prayers of Thanksgiving and Announcements


Blessing


Let us raise our hands and bless each other.


Joan M:  May we seek truth boldly and love deeply.

May we march in the parade of all Christians who seek to bring healing and hope to our world.

May we honor our personal need for deep prayer and reflection during this Holy Week. 

May we continue to be people of faith that our life choices will be a blessing in our times and hope to others.


Closing Song:  Canticle of Turning by Rory Cooney

                         


https://youtu.be/b-QR_OZB5ik



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 Or www.BridgetMarys.blogspot.com 


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     

         





Thursday, March 25, 2021

Call for Clothes for Migrant Children on Border- You How You Can Help, Update New Address


Respite Center:

111 S. 15th St.

McAllen.  Tx 78501

 

In addition to underwear, hygiene projects (toothbrushes, etc.) are welcomed.


You can help with situation at Texas-Mexico Border by providing the following items for children:

Underwear for children size 2, 3, 4, 5,6.

Women's simple tops, size medium

Men's tees- size medium

Leggings for women, size medium






 

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

NEW from People's Catholic Seminary - Programs: April - August 2021


People’s Catholic Seminary Programs – 2021

https://pcseminary.teachable.com

peoplescatholicseminary@gmail.com


PCS 505 – A New New Testament 

Cohort begins April 19 at 4pm EDT, 

Independent Study ongoing

https://pcseminary.teachable.com/p/pcs-505-a-new-new-testament-exploring-sacred-texts 

This course provides new perspectives on the legacy of Jesus in the earliest Christian communities that include a fresh mixture of the traditional New Testament Gospels alongside a treasure chest of ancient texts that were lost for centuries and now have been discovered and translated: The Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Thomas, the Acts of Paul and Thecla, the Prayer of Thanksgiving, and The Thunder: Perfect Mind. They reveal a fuller portrait of the life, teachings, and ministry of Jesus that broaden intellectual understanding and spiritual growth.



PCS 703 – Icon Painting with Peter Pearson

Orientation: June 1, 8pm EDT

https://pcseminary.teachable.com/p/pcs-703-icon-writing-with-peter-pearson 

During this course, participants will paint a simple icon following a very methodical process. Peter will present a bit about the history, spirituality, and aesthetics of Byzantine iconography. No previous experience or artistic skill is required, only the willingness to try something new and to trust the instructor.





PCS 310 – Delighting in the Feminine Divine

Cohort begins June 10 at 4PM EDT

Independent Study ongoing 

https://pcseminary.teachable.com/p/pcs-310-delighting-in-the-feminine-face-of-god

This course provides a rich resource for women and men to discover the Divine Feminine within the Christian tradition in Scriptures, the mystics and contemporary writings. It offers participants a new opportunity to weave an awareness of the divine feminine into all aspects of life and to articulate the wisdom of their own spiritual experiences in creative reflections including poetry, prayer, song, dance and journaling. 


Ink and Honey Part 2 – coming in August 2021

Monday, March 22, 2021

"Jesus Wept and Promised Rising":Good Shepherd Church and Three RCWP Priests Preside at Liturgy in Ft. Myers, Florida, by Judy Lee RCWP

 https://judyabl.blog/2021/03/22/jesus-wept-and-promised-rising-good-shepherd-church-and-three-rcwps-celebrate-together-finally/


Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community Gathers Outside For Mass and Fellowship Saturday 3/20/2021

Oh, happy day when Jesus taught my heart to pray, and live rejoicing every day…”

These words from an old hymn describe best the feelings of all of the members and Pastors of our Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community in Fort Myers Florida, as we met for the first time since Covid 19 invaded over a year ago! Three Roman Catholic Woman Priest Pastors presided assisted by Pastor Sarah Faulkner from The Abundant Grace Fellowship that also serves the homeless population here. I, with great thanks, am Senior Pastor and my Associates are Rvda. Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia, RCWP originally or Colombia, SA and Rev. Judith McKloskey, RCWP of Kansas City Missouri who is with us seasonally. Thanks be to God for those who serve and for this congregation many of whom have been together since 2007.

Twenty faithful members from all walks of life gathered outside the homes of two of our members Harry Gary, our church Elder, and Quay Crews whose dear Grandmother Jolinda Harmon (also with us on this special day) helped us to start and build this diverse “inner city” community. Three of our other members, Roger Richardson, Joe Baker and Jewell Simmons also live in this wonderful Goodwill Housing complex that provided a way out of homelessness and inadequate housing for many disabled people. The sheer joy of gathering together and worshipping our loving God together was palpable.

It took a lot of cooperation and love to put all the parts of our afternoon together. The three Priests planned and served the Mass and Pastor Sarah read the Hebrew Scripture and picked up and brought Brenda Cummings and Timothy Vanderwarf and our esteemed CTA President, Ellen McNally with her. Brenda brought a stack of drawings that she made as Easter gifts for all and we put them on the altar with the gifts. Roger picked up Mary Flowers. Natasha Terrell brought her Grandma Jolinda and sister and little nephew, necessitating several trips. Pastor Marina and Jose brought 8 plastic chairs and with Carol Schauf’s kind help we brought assorted goodies for dessert and eight folding chairs and the Altar table, sacred items and linen. Stella Odie-Ali brought the Birthday cake for Timothy and Jakeriya Maybin’s birthday celebration afterward and Dan Shaw, Pastor Judith’s husband, brought water and boxes of Kentucky Fried Chicken for each one for our meal afterward. Mr. Gary opened his home for hospitality and so we also had some inside space as needed. We put our chairs in a big circle and began our worship service with eager anticipation. I welcomed the congregation with the words used by Ecclesia Ministries in its out door services with the homeless and others : “Come unto me all who are weary and carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest….” Several of our people are battling cancer and other serious illnesses and many have other worries in daily living on very limited incomes. These words of Jesus reach them immediately.

We began singing as we always do with “This is the day our God has made, Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” The Mass intentions included our beloved ones who were now home with God, our beloved Pastor Judy Beaumont, our beloved sisters and brothers: Ann Palmer, Jack McNally, Nathaniel Chester (who lived and died two doors from where we were worshipping), Linda Maybin, beloved mother, and daughter of Jolinda Harmon, Lauretta Rasmussen and Dr. Teresa Sievers. Our community of Saints was very much alive with us on this day.

The Scriptures were the ones used for RCIA on this day as we were also affirming the promises of Confirmation made by our Congregation in 2014 and 2016 when Bishop Bridget Mary Meehan and then Bishop Andrea Johnson confirmed 25 members of the church, many here today. Ezekiel 37:12-14 (read by Pastor Sarah Faulkner of AGF); the 23rd Psalm also used by Ecclesia Ministries was led by Harry Gary; Romans 8:8-11 was read by Pastor Marina Teresa and the Gospel John 11:17-45 read by Pastor Judith.

My homily was based in the Gospel, supported by the other readings which shows Jesus as loving friend who takes a chance of entering enemy territory where he was recently stoned, to be with his grieving friends, who weeps with us when we are grieving, and who promises us eternal life beyond death-resurrection-now and forever. How good it is to have a God who is our Friend and who cries with us when we are sad. (AMEN!,AMEN! agreed the people). This account of Jesus raising Lazarus from death (after being dead four days) included calling Lazarus from death with the words “Lazarus, come forth” and Lazarus rising with his grave clothes still wrapped around him. Jesus loved his friends deeply, Jesus made the promise of himself as the way to Resurrection and Jesus prayed, then called Lazarus and waited for response. When Lazarus came forth, Jesus asked those there to remove his grave clothes and let him be free. We focused together both in the homily and in interaction after it and in the prayers of the people on the ways in which life’s events can wrap us in grave clothes-the sickness, fear and isolation of Covid 19-Pastor Marina works directly with Covid patients and requests prayers for all on the front lines, the hate crimes all around us, the gang shootings (Mr. Gary’s grandson was killed by shooting earlier this year), loss of loved ones to both illness and violence, the loss of incomes and the difficulties in making ends meet to survive. All of this and more can cause despair such that we are not really living as we live. Jesus calls us forth to live, to throw off the grave clothes. Mr. Gary made the point that Jesus asked the community to take the grave clothes off Lazarus whereas sometimes we are busy putting grave clothes on others-with our uncharitable words and deeds. And we have the ability to help others remove their grave clothes with love.

And so we focused on what rising again now means, and the promise of life after death as well. With nods and thoughtful looks and AMENS and interaction on these themes the scales of despair and death began to fall away. And hope and joy replaced them all around. Thanks be to God!

The Prayers of the Faithful are always a blessing with this community and today was no different. Almost all present offered his or her own prayer for the world, for the dead, for the church and for the sick. Given the number of those with serious illness present, as part of prayers for the sick the Congregation is asked if anyone would like anointing or prayer and about half present raised their hands. The pastors went to each one and raised hands while I laid hands on and used the oil of Anointing where it was wanted. All would raise hands while the persons next to the one who requested prayer would participate with the pastors. This was a particularly holy time as all prayed.

Pastor Judith McKloskey ended our prayers for the sick with “Holy and life-giving God, sustain us and all people we hold in prayer, by Christ’s presence; help us to know the healing power of Christ’s love…..” We then sang the AMEN from Lilies of the Field with everyone saying our departed Nathaniel’s part: Sing it over! Pastor Judith then gave the Peace of Christ and asked the people to gesture peace to one another. We then sang HOLY GROUND which is the anthem of this congregation . We pronounce all present as Holy Ground. We then began the Eucharistic Liturgy with all of the Pastors and the Congregation consecrating together. The congregation united in saying the prayer Jesus taught us. Oh God, our Father and Mother, Hallowed be your name….”

After Communion Pastor Judith McKloskey sang a beautiful hymn: “Gentle Resting Place”. Then we all blessed one another and Mr. Gary said: Go in the peace of Christ. Let our Service Begin”. And we concluded our worship with earnestly singing “I Have Decided To Follow Jesus”.

Then we removed the altar and set us a serving table for the Birthday Cake and many individual cupcakes while the KFC dinners were passed out. What a joyful group this was as we celebrated Timothy and Jakeriya’s birthdays and also clapped for Grandma Harmon who would be 70 in May. What a blessing it was to be together on this Holy Ground and to share worship and fellowship once again. Indeed, God was present with us, and Jesus was smiling this time, not weeping.

THANKS BE TO GOD!

AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU TOO RISE AND LIVE-NOW AND FOREVER!

Blessings and prayers,

Pastor Judy Lee,RCWP

Pastor Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia,RCWP

Pastor Judith McKloskey,RCWP

3/20/2021