While to some it may seem the stunt Gov. DeSantis of Florida engaged in by sending migrants to Martha’s Vineyard made an important point about rich people being insulated from the horrors of the destitute, it is never, ever moral to use people as pawns. This is exploitation, a sin. As a Roman Catholic, Gov. DeSantis should be familiar with Jesus saying, “what you do for the least of my brothers and sisters you do for me”.
I am deeply disturbed by the powers that be that use the plight of the marginal to drum up support for cruel, repressive policies. Who benefits from having a vulnerable, desperate and impoverished population of foreigners with no legal status in our land? Could it be some employers and complicit politicians that want to further erode workers’ rights in this nation?
The answer I believe is in following all those dollar bills the governor hopes will pour into his election coffers, that claim “In God We Trust.” If indeed we trusted God, we would turn over the tables of the money changers every time leaders in our nation use human beings as throw-a-ways. Shame on Gov. DeSantis and all those who think like him that the solution to our hurting, suffering Central and South American neighbors is to make them the scapegoat for political inaction on meaningful immigration reform.
A more truthful, symbolic action would be for Gov. DeSantis and his followers to raise funds to send back the Statue of Liberty to France for safekeeping until and if such a time arrives when this country regains its moral footing.
The midterm election is next month. Do your duty and vote for the candidates prepared to do the work that will make this country moral again.
(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
Welcome!Andrea. Welcome to Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community!
Whoever you are, Wherever you are,
Just as you are, You are welcome at this table.
(Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)
Liturgy Introduction. Michael. We celebrated the anniversary of the beginning of Vatican Council II and the feast of Pope John XXIII in October 2008, our first at St Andrew. And this is the tenth year since we first celebrated Papa Giovanni’s membership in the official ranks of the saints!
In the words of our opening song, our theme is: The Spirit Is A-movin’.
We are a community committed to the reforms of Vatican II! Let us pause to remind ourselves to remain faithful to Vatican II values: the equality of all members of Christ’s Church, the holiness of all our sisters and brother regardless of their creed, gender, sexual preferences, religion, race, or nationality. Remember times when we have fallen short of these values. (Pause)
Let us imagine our imperfections, the chaos and messes of our lives all brightly lit by a love that heals and transforms us as we evolve and grow in awareness of our divinity and our humanity.
(Pause briefly. Then extend hand over heart.)
All: I’m sorry. I forgive you. Thank you. I love you.
Russ. 60 years ago, Papa Giovanni offered this prayer at the opening of the Second Vatican Council on Oct 11, 1962:
Let us pray. Almighty God! In you we place all our confidence,
Look down kindly on these people of your Church.
May the light of your grace help us
in making decisions and in making laws.
Graciously hear the prayers which we offer you
with unanimity of faith, voice, and mind.
O Mary, help of Christians, help of bishops,
arrange all things for a happy and helpful outcome.
With your spouse, St Joseph; the holy apostles, Peter and Paul;
St John the Baptist; and St John the Evangelist, intercede to God for us.
Jesus Christ, our loving redeemer,
To you be love and glory forever.
All: Amen
We break open God’s Word
Michael. We have four readings from Vatican Council II. Our response to each reading will be 🎶 The Spirit is a-movin all over, all over this land. (x2)
Cheryl. 1st Reading: Papa Giovanni’s Introductory Comments at the Second Vatican Council (Oct 11, 1962)
Ecumenical councils like this, whenever they gather, are an occasion for the celebration once again of the unity between Christ and the Church….
I confidently trust that under the light of this council
the Church will become richer in spiritual matters
and, with this new energy, will look to the future without fear, bringing itself up-to-date where needed.
As I go about my daily work as pope, I sometimes have to listen, with much regret, to voices of persons who,
though burning with zeal,are not endowed with too much sense of discretion or measure.
These people can see nothing but a decline of truth
and the ruin of the Church in these modern times.
They say that our era, in comparison with past ones, is getting worse,and they behave as though they had learned nothing from history, which is, nonetheless, the teacher of life.
I feel I must disagree with these prophets of gloom
who are always forecasting disaster as though the end of the world was at hand.
In fact, at the present time, Divine Providence is leading usto a new order of human relationswhich, by the very effort of the people of this time,is directed toward the fulfillment of God’s great plans for us.
Everything, even human differences,leads to a greater good for the Church….
The council now beginning rises in the Church
like daybreak, a forerunner of most splendid light.
It is now only dawn.
And already, at this first announcement of the rising day, how much sweetness fills our heart!
(Pause for a few moments to reflect)
Michael. These are the inspired words of Papa Giovanni, and we respond 🎶
The Spirit is a-movin all over, all over this land. (x2)
🎶The Spirit is a-movin’.
Jim. 2nd Reading:Constitution on the Church,Christ is the Light of the nations
The most central and clear message we have for all people emerges from the metaphor where we come to understand that we are family.
We who claim to be the Church,
we who claim to be the Body of Christ,
must resemble Christ as much as possible.
We must take the part of the poor whenever we can;
we must defend those without power;
we must avoid seeking our own glory
and act with humility and self-sacrifice for the good of all.
The Church itself is always in need of being renewed and forgiven, purified for its mission.
Laypeople have the obligation to constantly developa more profound grasp of their Christian faith.
There are times when laypeople have a serious obligation to express their opinions and insights about the Church.
Laypeople should be open to all the different
talents, gifts, and experiences they bring to the Church.
In order to receive what they really need, they must express their needs and wants openly.
Pastors must give real responsibility to parishioners
and encourage them to take initiative in their parishes.
Such authentic trust and cooperation between the laity and their spiritual leaders holds great potential for the Church.
(Pause for a few moments to reflect)
Michael. These are the inspired words of Vatican Council II,and we respond 🎶The Spirit is a-movin all over, all over this land. (x2)
Lee. 3rd Reading:The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy
The Liturgy is the summit toward which the Christian life is directed and the very source of that life to begin with…
In the Eucharist, the eternal covenant between God and humankind is renewed and Christ’s love is rekindled in us.
Precisely because it is so central to us, and so important in the Christian journey, the faithful who come to Liturgy must be well disposed, ready to participate,and actively engaged in the rites.
It is not enough simply to follow the letter of the law, making sure that our liturgiesare “correct” and “proper.”
Because of their baptisms, all the faithful have both a right and a duty to full and active participation in the Liturgy…
There is to be more reading from Scripture, with more variance and suitability.
Sermons should be drawn mainly from Scripture and should proclaim God’s wonderful works,
the mystery of Christ and the wonderful moment
that we share together at Mass…
The use of Latin is preserved but the use of the mother tongue, which may be of great advantage to the people,
is also permitted when requested by the local bishops…
The Church does not wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters where it is not necessary, and local customs may be introduced into the Liturgy provided they are not based on superstition or error….
We hereby call for all to enter intothe promotion and restoration of the Liturgy with zeal!
(Pause for a few moments to reflect)
Michael. These are the inspired words of the Council fathers,and we respond 🎶The Spirit is a-movin all over, all over this land. (x2)
Joan M. 4th Reading: Constitution on the Church in the Modern World
The joy and hope, the grief and anxiety of the people of this age, especially of those who are poor or in any way afflicted:
this is the joy and hope, the grief and anxiety, of the followers of Christ.
Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts.
The Christian community is, after all, a community of women and men truly linked with humankind and its history, bearing a message of salvation intended for all people.
This council, therefore, having already looked in depth at the Church itself, now turns its attention on the whole of humanity.
We want to state clearly our understanding of the presence and function of the Church in the world of today.
The Christian vision is that the world was created
and is sustained by God.
It was freed from the slavery of sin by Christ.
It is now being re-created and brought to its destiny
under the Holy Spirit.
We now offer to the world the honest assistance of the Church in fostering human harmony which is our destiny.
In this, we follow our teacher, Christ,
who came to give witness to truth and to serve and not be served….
In language understandable for each generation,
the Church should be able to give a meaningful answer to questions people have about life: both now and after death.
We must, in other words, read the signs of the times.
One of those signs is the profound and rapid change
that is everywhere….
History speeds along on so rapid a course that one can scarcely keep abreast of it,
and we humans have now passed from a rather static understanding of reality to one much more dynamic and evolutionary!
Because change occurs so rapidly today and thought patterns differ so widely,
the Church needs to increase the activityof adapting herself to this age.
To do this, she calls for help from the people living in the world who understand these times so well….
In all this, the Church’s assistance to the world
and the world’s assistance to the Church
there is one single intention on our part:
that God’s Reign be established and that all men and women be made whole.
(Pause for a few moments to reflect)
Michael. These are the inspired words of the Council fathers,and we respond 🎶The Spirit is a-movin all over, all over this land. (x2)
Shared Homily
Michael. You heard Papa Giovanni in his comments to begin the Council:
“I confidently trust that under the light of this council
the Church will become richer in spiritual matters
and, with this new energy, will look to the future without fear, bringing itself up-to-date where needed.”
He was a joyful, hopeful, confident Church reformer. We all remember him throwing open the windows of the church to let the world in—and the Spirit out!
After 60 years, we still need his hope as we continue to reform our Church!
And a sentence from our 4th reading from the Church in the Modern World:
“Because change occurs so rapidly today
and thought patterns differ so widely,
the Church needs to increase the activity
of adapting herself to this age.
To do this, she calls for help
from the people living in the world
who understand these times so well….”
What a remarkable new path to progress—a reciprocal process in which the Church not only teaches the world, but also learns from the world!
Those are a few of my thoughts.
Please add your comments about today’s celebration or any other thoughts you want to share with the community.
Profession of Faith. Cheryl &All:
We believe in God, who creates all things, who embraces all things, who celebrates all things, who is present in every part of the fabric of creation. We believe in God as the source of all life, who baptizes this planet with living water. We believe in Jesus Christ, the suffering one, the poor one, the malnourished one, the climate refugee, who loves and cares for this world and who suffers with it. And we believe in Jesus Christ, the seed of life, who came to reconcile and renew this world and everything in it. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of God, who moves with God and who moves among and with us today. We believe in everlasting life in God. And we believe in the hope that one day God will put an end to death and all destructive forces.
(Gurukul Theological college, India / adapted by Keld B. Hansen 2009)
Prayers of the CommunityJoan M.
(A brief silence before we bring our community prayers and offerings to the table)
We bring to the table prayers for our community and the world.
(Response: Christ, you graciously hear us!)
We bring to the table our MMOJ members who aren’t with us today. We hope we will be able to return to St Andrew soon for hybrid liturgies. We pray. R
We bring to the table Mary Kay and other MMOJ members with serious and chronic health conditions. We pray. R
We bring to the table our fellow citizens who work to address our national pandemic of racism and police violence. May we support efforts to promote justice for all who suffer from systemic racism. We pray. R
We bring to the table today our many fellow Floridians suffering the ravages of hurricane Ian. We remember those who have died and those who have lost their homes, possessions, and businesses. May we support their efforts to rebuild their lives. We pray. R
Who and what else shall we bring to the table today?
(Please turn your mic on to offer a prayer, then mic off.)
Christ, we will be your presence in the world today and every day of our lives. All: Amen
Offering of Our Gifts at the table
(Have bread and wine/juice on your table)
Jim. O Holy One, we bring you our gifts from creation, bread 🥖of the grain 🌾 and wine 🍷 of the grapes 🍇. We recognize that they are holy in you their creator. And we know that they will make us holy, one with you and one with each other.
Eucharistic Prayer.Michael. Let us begin our Eucharistic prayer in song:
(Mary Al & All): Merciful God, send your Spirit now to settle on this bread and wine, and fill them with the fullness of Jesus.
And let that same Spirit rest on us, converting us from the patterns of this passing world, until we conform to the shape of Jesus whose food we now share. Amen
We Remember Jesus(hand extended in blessing).
(Russ & All): On the night before he died, while at supper with his friends, Jesus took bread 🥖 , said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to them saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat. This is my body which will be broken for you.”(Pause)
In the same way, Jesus took the cup of wine🍷. He said the blessing, gave the cup to his friends and said, “Take this all of you and drink. This is the cup of my life-blood. Do this to remember me.”
(Joan M &All): Remember, gracious God, your Church throughout the world. Make us open to receive all believers. In union with all people, may we strive to create a world where suffering is diminished, and where all people can live in health and wholeness.
🥖🍷 Thru Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, gracious God.
(Joan M & All): This is Jesus who liberates, heals and transforms us and our world. All are invited to partake of this banquet of love. We are the Body of Christ.
(All receive, saying, “Be Christ to the world today!”)
Mary Al. We pray our common prayer that Jesus taught us:
All: Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echoes through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! May your beloved community of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.
(Adapted from The New Zealand Book of Prayer | He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa. This version of the Lord’s prayer was influenced by Maori theologians)
Prayer after CommunionLee.
We give you thanks and praise, O Holy One,
for blessing us with Papa Giovanni,
peasant by birthand by choice,
servant of your servants,
worker for peace on earth,
brother to all people of good will.
In baptism, John put on Christ:
to love the world, to be of good cheer,
to undo the arrogant and lift up the lowly,
to speak new words to the weary.
How he lived that gospel word:
“Be cunning as serpents, simple as doves.”
How he preached the gospel word—
not proclaiming doom
but rushing—in love—to the world’s side.
Raise up in us, your people the church,
the Spirit that filled blessed John:
modest for ourselves, but bold for you,
setting off unafraid for places we have never been
and ever seeking our peace in your will.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother.
All: Amen.
Mary Al. Prayers of Thanksgiving. Introductions. Announcements.
Final blessing🎶 Irish Blessing
https://youtu.be/2mWaoGn_jTY1:51
Andrea. Go in the peace of Christ, let our service continue!
All: Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
Concluding 🎶. When the Saints God Marching In, Linda Miller & Jack Meehan
https://youtu.be/xvIHW-UbtgA
_______________________________________
To add an intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email toJoan Meehan jmeehan515@aol.com
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
