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Saturday, September 10, 2022

Photos for Ordination of Rosemary Robinson ARCWP as Priest on Sept. 10, 2022 in San Francisco





























It is with great joy that we gather to ordain Rosemary Robinson a priest in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests in San Francisco today!


Rosemary describes her call to ordination as rooted in her relationship with Jesus who invites her to serve at his table of love, friendship and welcome. She has been blessed with the gift of hospitality and will use her gifts to serve the Body of Christ and to welcome everyone to the table of love. 


In many wonderful ways, women priests are following in the footsteps of the earliest followers of Jesus in the first two centuries after his death.  


Recent thrilling discoveries have revealed a major two-hundred- year- old gap between the historical Jesus and Christianity. In 2013, Westar, a research organization dedicated to cutting edge scholarship in history and religion, launched a seminar to explore the unknown two centuries between Jesus and Christianity. 


They did not find a master narrative “that Christianity acted as a unified, continuous early tradition in unbroken line representing a single truth.” Instead, their research pointed to “multiple and different stories of Jesus peoples (not Christian) in the first two centuries. 



The Seminar’s six major discoveries about the Jesus peoples in the first two centuries are published in After Jesus,Before Christianity: A Historical Exploration of the First Two Centuries of Jesus Movements (2021) and will be the subject of a new course offered by People’s Catholic Seminary in October. 


These Anointed Jesus communities bear some striking resemblances to diverse inclusive Catholic communities served by women priests, who were ordained by women bishops in the international Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement.


1, The first similarity is: Jesus peoples were characterized by their opposition to violence and courageous resistance to the Roman Empire. The Gospel of Mary, for instance, offers comfort and strength in a time of trauma, loss and oppression.


Like the Jesus peoples, the RCWP Movement challenges the domination of empires-specifically, male supremacy -in the institutional church.  We claim our spiritual authority to ordain women priests for public ministry in diverse, inclusive communities to promote the full equality of women in the Church and world. We connect racism with sexism, poverty with inequality, hierarchical domination with female subordination, and LGBTQI discrimination and violence with the abuse of women, children and the destruction of the earth. All reflect different  aspects of patriarchal, structural oppression, abuse and domination. 


2. The second similarity is: Jesus peoples practiced gender bending. They experimented with gender and sexual boundaries. They were neither male nor female, but all were “one” through different lived, experienced realities of gender pluralism. 


Our women priest movement affirms all gender identities as holy and every person as an equal image of the Divine. In Christ, there is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:27-28


3. The third similarity is: Jesus peoples lived in chosen families outside of blood or married relationships.  They experimented with new kinds of associations, clubs and wisdom schools. 


In women priests’ inclusive communities, everyone is welcome to receive sacraments - including those ostracized by the institutional Church, the divorced and remarried, LGBTQI. As James Joyce wrote- being Catholic means “here comes everyone!”


4. The fourth similarity is Jesus people treasured their Jewish identity and followed  Jesus, their Jewish born teacher and leader

 

We follow Rabbi Jesus who treated women as disciples and equals. We walk in the footsteps of Mary Magdalene, apostle to the apostles and visionary leader in the Jesus movement. We are leading not leaving the Church.


 According to additional historical research published in the Harvard Theological Review, contemporary scholars believe that Mary whom we call Mary Magdalene is not Mary from Magdala. The word magdala in Aramaic means tower.  It is a title, not.a place. 


In their examination of ancient sources, the story in John 11 is about Lazarus and one sister, Mary. They argue that neither Tertullian nor Egeria’s diary mentions Martha. When Lazarus is raised from the dead, it is Mary who says the same words that Peter uttered in the synoptic Gospels, “Yes, Lord. I believe that you are the Messiah, the son of God, the one who is coming into the world.”  


Rev. Diana Butler Bass raises the provocative question, “Is it really true that the other Christological confession of the New Testament comes from the voice of Mary Magdalene? That  the Gospel of John give the most important statement in the entirety of the New Testament, not to man, but to a really important woman who will show up later as the first witness to the resurrection…Imagine that possibility that is opening before us!...What dos the church look like? What does a Christianity of Mary the Tower look like?”(Article “Mary the Tower: What would Christianity be like if Mary Magdalene hadn’t ben hidden from view?”)


 5. The  fifth similarity between the first two centuries and our movement is that the early Annointed Communities of Jesus peoples had diverse organizational structures with a variety of practices, beliefs and organizational patterns. 


There are two women priests communities formed in the USA : Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA (RCWP-USA) and the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP). Both organizations share a common vision of ordaining women for a renewed priestly ministry, but, each group has different organizational structures and programs of preparation. Women priests and their local faith communities are autonomous and independent and  reflect a rich diversity of beliefs, practices and organizational patters.  


6. The sixth similarity between the first two centuries and our times is that the Jesus peoples had persisting oral traditions. 

There were “many forms of speaking and writing that were part of boisterous, complicated community dialogue, ritual practice and most of all- intense discussion.”  


During our twenty-year history, members of our women priest movement have engaged in many lively dialogues, and passionate debates topics like our identity as Roman Catholic on the inside edge of the Church.  We use listservs, blogs, videos and social media to communicate with one another and to preach, teach and share liturgical services and resources. 


As we ordain Rosemary today, we are walking in the footsteps of the earliest followers of Jesus. We have come full circle. 

Millions of Catholics are ready for women priests. We are ready and so is Rosemary!


Now, I invite our sister, Rosemary to share... 

 

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Celebration of the Season of Creation #3

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

An Inclusive Catholic Community

Celebration of the Season of Creation #3

September 10, 2022




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

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81534075389?pwd=TTdGY2NxS3AzTW13ODJESkdYME9aUT09


Meeting ID: 815 3407 5389

Passcode: 803326

(Note -- if you have a problem with the above link, open your ZOOM app and insert the Meeting ID number and Passcode)


One tap mobile: 1-312-626-6799



Presiders:  Joan Pesce & Dotty Shugrue

Readers: Jim Brandi,  Cheryl Brandi, Beth Ponce, Andrea Seabaugh,

Joan Meehan, Jack McKillip, Mary Montavon, Suzanne Bires

IT:  Peg Bowen, Cheryl Brandi


Theme:  We are summoned to care for all of creation



Welcome to Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community in Sarasota Florida  


Whoever you are, 

Wherever you are, 

Just as you are, 

You are welcome at this table. 

(Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)


Theme:  Listen to the Voice of Creation

Presider:  Dotty Shugrue

As members of humankind, we are called to listen to the voices of creation. These are voices of those who suffer the impacts of climate change. These are voices of people who hold generational wisdom about how to live gratefully within the limits of the land. These are voices of a diminishing diversity of more-than-human species. These are the voices of the wolf, the bobcat, the lion, tiger, bears, all creatures who live and survive off the land: these are the voices of the whales, the dolphins, the salmon, the tuna, the lobster, the snail, all life within the ocean, sea and lake; these are the voices of the sparrow, the blue bird, the humming birds, the dove, the blackbird, the owl, the crow; all creatures of the sky.


Presider:  Joan Pesce

Opening Prayer:  Creator, Source of all that we are, we gather to honor your Creation as an integrated and holy system of plant, animal and human life placed lovingly side by side with water, air, wind, and earth. We pray for the imagination and resolve to establish a supportive ecology so that all of Creation may not just survive but thrive as a continuing sign of your wondrous love.  Amen


Opening Song:   Canticle of the Sun by Marty Haugen



https://youtu.be/CfJ6WJPUff8



LITURGY OF THE WORD

Reader:  Jim Brandi


A passage inspired by Celtic theologian Pelagius (360-418) adapted:


Look at the animals roaming the forest: God’s spirit dwells within them. Look at the birds flying across the sky: God’s spirit dwells within them. Look at the tiny insects crawling in the grass: God’s spirit dwells within them. Look at the fish in the river and sea: God’s spirit dwells within them. There is no creature on earth in whom God is absent.  When God pronounced that his creation was good, it was not only that his hand had fashioned every creature; it was that his breath had brought every creature to life. Look too at the great trees of the forest; look even at your crops. God’s spirit is present within all plants as well. The presence of God’s spirit in all living things is what makes them beautiful; and if we look with God’s eyes, nothing on the earth is ugly.  Go out into the natural world and look with God’s eyes; listen with God’s ears; know your place within God’s good creation.


These are the inspired words of Pelagius, Celtic theologian, and we affirm them by saying: So Be It











Reader:  Beth Ponce

Second Reading:  Earth Mother, Star Mother by Starwalk 


 

Earth mother, star mother, 

you who are 

called 

by a thousand names,

may all remember 

we are cells in your body 

and dance together.

You are the grain and 

the loaf 

that sustains us each day, 

and as you are patient 

with our struggles to learn 

so shall we be patient 

with ourselves and each other. 

We are the radiant light 

and sacred dark

- the balance -

you are the embrace that heartens

and the freedom beyond fear.

Within you we are born 

we grow, live, and die -  

you bring us around the circle 

to rebirth 

within us you dance 

forever.

These are inspired words of Starwalk, and we affirm them by saying:

Let it be so!












Presider:  Joan Pesce

Gospel:   John 1: 1-5 as written in A New New Testament


In the beginning the Word was

and the Word was with God;

and the Word was God.

The Word was in the beginning with God,

through the Word all things came into being. 

Nothing came into being apart from the Word.

That which came into being in the Word was life

and the life was the light of humanity,

and the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness never overpowered it.


These are the inspired words of the apostle called John, and the community affirms them by saying:   Let it be so!


Celtic Alleluia



https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU


Shared Homily




Prayer Leader:  Andrea Seabaugh

Our Statement of Faith  

 
We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery 
beyond all definition and rational understanding, 
the heart of all that has ever existed, 
that exists now, or that ever will exist. 


We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, 
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, 
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's 
prophets, mystics, and saints. 
 
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus 
as a vehicle of divine love, 
a source of wisdom and truth, 
and an instrument of peace in the world. 
 
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One, 
the life that is our innermost life, 
the breath moving in our being, 
the depth living in each of us. 
 
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now, 
stretched out all around us for those 
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, 
and hands to make it happen. 


Prayers of the Community

Presider: Joan Pesce  


As we prepare for this sacred meal, and as we celebrate the beauty of creation, we bring to this table all concerns we hold in our hearts.


We bring to this table our cares for all life, and we pray that the people of the earth will be more sensitive and committed to taking care of all life on our planet. 


We bring to the table the keepers of flowers, trees, plants, and all growing things that make our earth beautiful.


We bring to the table the protectors of all wild animals working to let them live freely on our earth.


We bring to the table all those who suffer the impact of our neglect of our Earth.


Joan M. will now share with us the prayer requests received:

ALL:  SO BE IT!








Prayer Leader:  Mary Montavon


Please join us, with arms raised, in praying our Eucharistic Prayer. 


Sacred Spirit within us, surrounding us, we lift our hearts in praise and thanksgiving that we are One with you and with one another.  Open our hearts that we may hear the call of all living things in pain, the cries of all animals, the whispers of the wind, the moaning of our earth.   Le us all believe in our power to make all things new.


Holy, Holy:  Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy



https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ



Prayer Leader:  Joan Meehan

Creator of the whole universe, we glory in the environment, especially forests that surround us. May we have the vision and strength to protect all ecosystems and the whole of Your creation, which have been corrupted by human exploitation, pollution, and destruction, so that the all of creation may be renewed and made whole. 

We join with the earth and with each other to bring new life to the land, to restore the waters, to refresh the air.

We join with the earth and with each other to renew the forests, to care for the plants, to protect the creatures.

We join with the earth and with each other to celebrate the seas, to rejoice in the sunlight, to sing the song of the stars.

We join as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery: for the healing of the earth and the renewal of life. 


Presider:  Dotty Shugrue:  Together we call Sacred Spirit upon these gifts of the earth, bread and wine, as we bless them and remember our call to be the Body of Christ in the world. 


On the night before he died, he sat at a table with his friends, both women and men, and relived with them his work, his teaching and wisdom of the universe. Then he went among them as a servant, washing their feet, touching their hearts.  


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


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

Take and drink. 

Whenever you remember me like this, 

I am among you. 

Pause


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


Please receive the blessed bread and cup with the words, “I am a caretaker of Creation”. 


Communion Meditation: So, Will I by Hillsong United



https://youtu.be/C2U7ffUM5Ec
 



Prayer Leader:  Jack McKillip

Let us pray in the manner that Jesus taught his companions to pray:


O Holy One, you are 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 that 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.

(Adapted, Miriam Therese Winter, MMS)



Prayer Leader: Cheryl Brandi

Mystery of Life present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures, embrace with tenderness all that exists. May the power of divine love rain down upon us, that we may protect life and beauty. Help us to reach out to the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes. Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction. Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth. Teach us to discover the worth of each thing, to be filled with awe and contemplation, to recognize that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards divine light and love. We are thankful for the pulse of life that fills us each day. May we be encouraged and strengthened for our struggle for justice, love, and peace in the world.


INTRODUCTIONS  --  THANKSGIVINGS – ANNOUNCEMENTS



Prayer Leader:  Suzanne Bires


Let us raise our hands and pray our closing blessing:

Go out from this place, ready to hear creation’s call. 

Go out, ready to answer, “I am here, standing up for you!” 

And as you go, know that the love of Divine Mystery surrounds you, 

the peace of Christ empowers you, 

and the companionship of the Spirit moves within you 

and all of creation, now and always. 

AMEN



Closing Song:  One Ohana by Marty Haugen



https://youtu.be/NMP-j31Yr88




_______________________________


Please make an offering to your community here at Mary Mother of Jesus.

Your Financial help is needed.

Thank you.


Mailing Address:

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

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


If you want to add an intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email to jmeehan515@aol.com 


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