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Saturday, June 10, 2023

Photos and Homily for the Ordination of AndreaGrace Weaver as a Deacon in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP on June 10, 2023
















































It is with great joy that we gather today to ordain AndreaGrace Weaver a deacon in Lincoln Massachusetts. 


AndreaGrace describes her call to diaconal ordination as rooted in deep faith and compassionate service.


Like Deacon Phoebe, and the thousands of women deacons in the first 1200 years of Christianity, AndreaGrace will, preach the Gospel, anoint the sick, comfort the grieving, care for the needy, preside at baptisms, weddings, funerals and house church liturgies. 


She will be ordained in the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests, which is part of the international RCWP movement that began in 2002 with the ordination of seven women on the Danube. Our first women bishops were ordained by an anonymous male bishop with apostolic succession. On April 19, 2009, I was ordained a bishop by women bishops who were ordained by Bishop X. 


Therefore, our ordinations are valid but, in violation of Church law, Canon 1024, which states that only a baptized man can receive Holy Orders. In 2008, the Vatican issued a decree of automatic excommunicated for the ordination of a woman. Our response is : we reject excommunication as an unjust punishment. We will continue to serve our beloved church in a renewed priestly ministry that welcomes all to celebrate the sacraments in inclusive, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered communities wherever we are called. 


We are walking in the footsteps of heroic women saints like Hildegard of Bingen, Joan of Arc, Mother Theodore Guerin and Mother Mary Mackillop who followed their consciences and withstood hierarchical oppression including interdict, excommunication and death. 


We know that Church leaders have reversed outdated teachings, unjust laws and harsh punishments in the past. Sometimes this happens when the person is safely dead! In Joan of Arc’s case, she was declared a saint after being burned at the stake. In our times, Pope Benedict canonized St. Hildegard of Bingen and the two formerly excommunicated nuns, Mother Theodore Guerin from the United States and Mother Mary MacKillop from Australia. Apparently, excommunication is not a barrier to living a holy life!



Women priests practice prophetic obedience to the Spirit by disobeying an unjust man-made law rooted in sexism. We affirm the Church’s teaching of the primacy of conscience and refuse to accept discrimination in our Church. Our movement offers a path toward gender justice and the healing of centuries-old misogyny in the institutional Church.


  The teachings and example of Jesus assure us that the God of justice sets us free to love and to set others free from laws and structures that oppress. It is our hope that Pope Francis lifts all excommunications and penalties against women ordained in our movement.


Roman Catholic Women Priests, are not leaving, but leading the Church we love toward a discipleship of equals in which everyone is blessed, and everyone is loved, especially rule breakers. We are on the inside edge of the Catholic Church ministering to all who long for a welcoming spiritual home that nurtures the soul and lives justice in the world.


In women priests’ led inclusive communities and ministries, we invite all to the table to celebrate sacraments including those who are excluded from receiving sacraments in the institutional Church like the divorced and remarried and LGBTQI. We are turning the hierarchical, top-down pyramid upside down. In people-empowered communities of beloved companions, partners in the Gospel and spiritual equals in Christ, we are creating what Pope Francis refers to as a “big tent” Church!  This means  as Irish author, James Joyce wrote being Catholic means “here comes everyone!” 


The Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests ordains women into a new model of priestly ministry rooted in our baptismal equality and oneness in Christ. In Galations 3:27-28, St. Paul writes: “All of you who have been baptized into Christ, have clothed yourselves in Christ. In Christ, there is no Jew or Greek, slave or citizen, male or female. All are one in Christ Jesus. Our call is to live Gospel equality now with compassionate hearts in the liberating power of the Spirit. 



 Since 7 women were ordained on the Danube 20+ years ago. Women priests now minister in over 34 USA states and are also present in Canada, Europe, South and Central America, South Africa, Philippines and Taiwan. In 2023, there are close to 300 members. There are two women priests’ groups in the U.S., Roman Catholic Womenpriests-USA (RCWP-USA) and the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests (ARCWP). We are honored to have with us today Jean and Ron and Jane from RCWP USA our sister organization. 


In preparation for the upcoming Synod to be held in Rome in October, Catholics around the world -including members of the hierarchy –have been discussing the need for expanding women’s roles in the Church including the ordination of women as deacons and priests. 


In a surprising, historical change, Pope Francis announced that 70 non-ordained people- including women- will vote alongside the bishops at this historic Synod. Including women in decision-making is a hopeful, positive sign on the path to the full equality of women in the institutional Church.


Some commentators say that the Roman Catholic Women Priests’ Movement is rocking the foundation of the Church. I believe that we are a holy shakeup because courageous Catholic women from around the world -like AndreaGrace- are answering the call to ordained ministry to set the Church and world ablaze with Spirit-filled love!







Christina Moreira ARCWP Shares Good News about Women Priests at International Festival


 

Desde España, vamos haciendo comunidad en diálogo con otras mujeres y con otros movimientos, aquí os traigo la próxima sesión que
me gustaría compartir con todas  el "I Diálogo de Paz entre Religiones 2023", bajo el título "Las Mujeres como líderes de cambio en las Religiones". Tendrá lugar este martes 13 de junio, a las 19:00 h (hora española), online y en abierto para todos. Contaremos con dos testimonios de gran compromiso en el trabajo por la igualdad en dos religiones con el mismo tronco común judaico: la rabina judía Sandra Kochmann y la presbítera católica Christina Moreira. Ambas han tomado caminos personales, liderando grupos y comunidades, para ejercer un cambio en las mentalidades, en la convivencia religiosa y en el modo como profundizar en los propios valores y sabiduría.
Os dejo mi contacto por si ocurre cualquier incidencia:
Tfno 00 34 676817226
Con cariño, ánimo y esperanza de la mano de la Ruah Bendita
Christina, vuestra compañera

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

AndreaGrace ARCWP-Christ Alive! Community Liturgy on June 6, 2023- Sudbury, Massachusetts

Painting by Sandy Hall


 

Pentecost Eucharistic Liturgy

June 6, 2023


Welcome

 

AG: We gather as sisters in Christ at His Eucharistic Table – Eucharist – meaning thanksgiving. Let’s begin by going around and saying:

1. Our name and 
2. One way we grew this year or one thing we learned!

 

 

Opening Song:  One Spirit, One Church by Kell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVYTtIelZ3M

 

We are a pilgrim people,
we are the Church of God.
A family of believers,
disciples of the Lord.
United in one spirit,
ignited by the fire.
Still burning through the ages,
still present in our lives.

1. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
and in our hearts take up thy rest;
come with thy grace and heav’nly aid
to fill the hearts which thou hast made.

2. O Comforter, to thee we cry,
thou gift of God sent from on high.
Thou font of life and fire of love,
the soul’s anointing from above.

 

 

 

Opening Prayer

 

AG:  We gather joyfully for this year-end celebration and the feast of Pentecost. We begin in the name of God, Divine LoveJesus Love Personifiedand Holy Spirit, Breath of God’s love.

All: Amen.

 

BM:  Our God is with you.

All: And also with you.

 

AG:  Let us pray in the words of the Early Christ Movement

 

EM:

We give thanks to you,

every life and heart stretches toward you,

name untroubled,

honored with the name of God,

praised with the name of the Father.

To everyone and everything 

comes the kindness of the Father,

and love

and desire.

And if there is a sweet and simple teaching

it gifts us mind, word and knowledge:

mind that we may understand you;

word, that we may interpret you;

knowledge, that we may know you.

We rejoice and are enlightened by your knowledge.

We rejoice that you have taught us about yourself.

We rejoice that in the body

you have made us divine (gods) through your knowledge. 

The thanksgiving of the human who reaches you 

is this alone:

That we know you.

We have known you,

O light of mind,

O life of life,

we have known you.

O womb of all that grows, 

we have known you.

O womb pregnant with the nature of the Father,

we have known you.

O never-ending endurance of the Father who gives birth, 

so we worship your goodness.

One wish we ask:

we wish to be protected in knowledge

One protection we desire:

that we not stumble in this life.

AMEN.

 

Reconciliation Rite

BM: Jesus our Savior, you fulfilled your Easter promise by sending us your Holy Spirit. May the Spirit unite all people of the earth. Jesus, have mercy

All: Jesus, have mercy. 

AG: May your Holy Spirit dispel all divisions, heal the broken hearted and comfort the lost and forsaken. Christ, have mercy. 

All: Christ, have mercy. 

BM: You showed yourself to your apostles and disciples and breathed the Holy Spirit on them. Renew in us the presence of the same creator Spirit. Jesus, have mercy. 

All: Jesus have mercy. 

AG: Let us pause now for reflection. 

Please place your hand over your heart and breathe in God’s boundless love and forgiveness for you (Pause) 
and for all those whom you are called to love and forgive. (Pause

ALL: May our loving God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. 

 

 

LITURGY OF THE WORD

 

Our first reading is from the book of the Actsof the Apostles 2:1-21

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were blown away. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues… They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”

Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?”

Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”

That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen:

“In the Last Days,” God says,
“I will pour out my Spirit
    on every kind of people:
Your sons will prophesy,
    also your daughters;
Your young men will see visions,
    your old men dream dreams.
When the time comes,
    I’ll pour out my Spirit
On those who serve me, men and women both,
    and they’ll prophesy.
I’ll set wonders in the sky above
    and signs on the earth below
And whoever calls out for help
    to me, God, will be saved.”

 

This is a reading from the book attributed to the gospel writer known as Luke and we affirm them by saying:

 

ALL: AMEN

 

Responsorial Psalm 102: Lord Send Out Your Spirit by Ken Canedohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mOT3KIGK4w

 

ALL Response:  Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord my God, you are great indeed

How manifold are your works, O Lord!

The earth is full of your creatures. Response

 

If you take away their breath,

they perish and return to their dust.

When you send forth your spirit,

they are created,

and you renew the face of the earth. Response

 

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

may the Lord be glad in his works!

Pleasing to him be my theme;

will be glad in the Lord. Response

 

Second Reading:  A Reading from Bread for the Journey - The Breath of God Within Us by Henri Nouwen

 

When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God breathing in us. We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it. 

 

The Spirit of God is like our breath.  God’s spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it.  It is the Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy.

 

These are the inspired words of Henri Nouwen and or community affirms them by saying:


ALL: AMEN

 

 

Gospel Acclamation: 

AlleluiaALL: Alleluia 

You Come Oh Divine Love – in so many ways, In Word, In Jesus, In Spirit

Come – set our hearts and our lives on fire

AlleluiaALL: Alleluia 

 


A reading from the Gospel of John 20:19-23 

Later on that day, the disciples had gathered together, but, fearful of the Jews, had locked all the doors in the house. Jesus entered, stood among them, and said, “Peace to you.” Then he showed them his hands and side.

The disciples, seeing the Master with their own eyes, were awestruck. Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”

Then he took a deep breath and breathed into them. “Receive the Holy Spirit,” he said. “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?”

These are the inspired words of the gospel writer known as John and we affirm them by saying

ALL: Amen.

 

Homily

 

 

Statement of Faith

AG: Let us profess our faith:

 

ALL: 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 Faith-Filled

AG: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our bodies from things like cancer, cardiac diseases, broken bones, hormonal imbalances, food allergies and Long COVID… 

 

BM: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our minds from things like mental illness, memory loss, ADHD… 

 

AG: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our emotions from things like depression, fear, anxiety, mood-swings, hopelessness, all those who are contemplating violence… 

 

BM: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are transitioning into this world – pregnant women and unborn babies – and we who are transitioning home to you… 

Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our relationships with one another, we who have caused pain, who have been bullied or suffered abuse of any type, who have been betrayed…

 

AG: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of our leaders at every level – from our homes, to our places of work, worship, education, leisure and health; from our towns, to our states, countries, worlds; for all who are entrusted to care for Mother Earth … 

 

 

 

AG: Jesus, we bring to your banquet table all of us who are suffering in our spirits from hopelessness, who are desperately searching for you, who are afraid to take the next step in our relationship with you… 

 

AG: Oh Divine Love, we trust in your parental love that gathers us in, that covers us with peace-filled coziness, that kisses and heals us, that never lets anything separate us. Thank you for this amazing love. Thank you for caring for all in our heart. Amen!

 

 

Liturgy Of The Eucharist

 

Offertory

Offertory Song: All That I Am, All That I Do

 

REFRAIN: All that I am, all that I do,
All that I'll ever have, 
I offer now to you. 

Take and sanctify these gifts
For your honor, Lord.
Knowing that I love and serve you
Is enough reward. REFRAIN



All that I dream, all that I pray,
All that I'll ever make, I give to you today. 

 

 

BM(lifting the bread) 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.

 

AG(lifting the chalice) 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

BM:  Our God is with you.  All:  And also with you. 

 

BM: Lift up your hearts.  All: We lift them up to our God.

 

BM: Let us give thanks to our loving God.

 

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

 

AG: Spirit! Power and Passion of our being,
press upon our hearts your profound love.
Move through the fragments of our days;
enable us to sense your fiery Presence
consecrating our most insignificant moments.

Spirit! Blessing for the heart grown weary,
encircle us with your loving energy,
empower us with your active gentleness.
Deepen within us a faith in your dynamism
which strengthens the weak and the tired.

 

We are filled with gratitude and thank you as we sing:

Here in this Place – Holy Holy Holy by Christopher Grundy

https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ 

 

ALL: Holy One may Your presence here open our minds

May Your Spirit among us help us to find

You are rising up now like a fountain of grace

From the holy ground, here in this place. Here in this place.

 

Holy holy holy, God of love and majesty

The whole universe speaks of Your glory

From the holy ground here in this place. Here in this place.

 

BMSpirit! Breath of Life, Touch of Mystery, 1
you are the ribbon of inner connection,
uniting us with the groaning of all creation.
Because of you, our lives gathers into a oneness.
Keep us attentive to this interdependence.
Fill our being with constant compassion
and a deep hope that knows no bounds.

BM: Please extend Your hands and join in the prayer of blessing.

 

ALLSpirit, you are within this bread and wine, and each of us 
as we become more deeply the Christ Presence in our world.

 

On the night before he faced betrayal and death, Jesus shared supper with his 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. 

 

Lift plate as the community prays the following:

 

ALL: When Jesus 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, go and share my love with one another.

 

 (pause)  Lift the cup as community prays the following:

 

Then Jesus 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) 

 

BM: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

 

All: Bread and wine are transformed by Your Spirit and 

we are transformed when we open ourselves to Your Spirit. 

Every time we share this bread and wine, 
we choose to be transformed. 

We choose to love as You love us.

 

 

BMLoving 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, peace, joy, hope and love
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.

 

BM: You have gathered us around this table in friendship, with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, St. Hildegard of Bingenthe apostles and 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.

 

AGYou 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.

 

 

BM holds Bread, AG holds cup.

  

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. AMEN

 

 

 

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

 

ALL:  Our Abba and Mama God

who is in heaven, in each of us and all of creation

Holy are your many names.

Your kin-dom come

Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven.

You give us all that we need today.

Please help us to accept your abundance.

Soften our hearts so that we may forgive others… and ourselves.

Thank you for Your mercy and compassion and

For companioning, guiding and protecting us always. Amen.

 

 

 

BM: 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. 

 

BM holds up the bread, AG holds up the cup

 

Bishop: This is the Bread of Life and the Cup of Blessing. 

How blessed are we who are called to this Table.

 

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

 

Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace.

 

Please receive Communion with the words: The Spirit is within us.

 

Communion Song: Sacred Silence by Tom Booth 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNZ62clakqQ

 

Sacred silence, Holy ocean
Gentle waters, washing over me
Help me listen, Holy Spirit
Come and speak to me

God my father, Christ my brother
Holy Spirit, sanctifying me
Lord I'm sorry, please forgive me
Come and set me free

Sacred silence, Holy ocean
Gentle water, washing over me
Help me listen, Holy Spirit
Come and speak to me

Holy Mary, Gentle mother
God's pure vessel, praying for me
Saints and Angels, all in heaven
Come and be with me

Sacred silence, Holy ocean
Gentle water, washing over me
Help me listen, Holy Spirit
Come and speak to me
Come and be with me
Come and speak to me

 

 

 

Prayer After Communion:

BM: Spirit! Dwelling Place, Sanctuary of Silence,1
you are the home for which we deeply yearn.
You are the resting place for which we long.
We find both comfort and challenge in you.
Grant that we may keep our whole selves open
to the transforming power of your indwelling,
that we may ever know the blessings
of your tremendous companionship.

 

ALL: Amen!

 

 

Laying on of Hands

 

Veni Sancte Spiritu (Come Holy Spirit) - A TaizePrayer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmLm01o5Iko

 

Veni Sancte Spiritus (repeating chant).

Come, Holy Spirit, from heaven shine forth with your glorious light
Come, Father of the poor, come, generous Spirit, come, light of our hearts

Come from the four winds, O Spirit, come breath of God; disperse the shadows over us, renew and strengthen your people

Most kindly warming light! Enter the inmost depths of our hearts, for we are faithful to you. Without your presence we have nothing worthy, nothing pure

You are 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

On all who put their trust in you and receive you in faith, shower all your gifts. Grant that they may grow in you and persevere to the end. Give them lasting joy!

 

Other songs to be played:

• Spirit Come by Grace Williams
• Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford
• Pour Yourself in Me by Rickie Byars

 


Final Blessing

 

Blessing Prayer Adapted from Mirabai Starr

I bless you with knowing the presence of

The Beloved One 

Shekinah, the Indwelling of the Divine Feminine Immanence 

Her Embodiment 

And Mother-Heart 

I bless you with Her Presence flowing into every open window in our souls right now.

I bless you with every cell of our bodies receiving an infusion of Her fierce and tender 
Mother-Wisdom.  

I bless you with the strength to speak truth to power in these fractured times.  

I bless you with the tenderness and humility to listen deeply 
to those that we are conditioned to otherize. 

I bless you with being reminded again and again when we forget 

that we belong to each other,  

and we belong to you.  

Amen. 

 

 

Send Down the Fire by Marty Haugen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKbWrjWF06Q

 

Refrain: Send down the fire of your justice,
Send down the rains of your love;
Come, send down the Spirit,
breathe life in your people, and we shall be people of God.

Call us to be your compassion,
Teach us the song of your love;
Give us hearts that sing,
Give us deeds that ring,
Make us ring with the song of your love. REFRAIN

Call us to learn of your mercy,
Teach us the way of your peace;
Give us hearts that feel,
Give us hands that heal,
Make us walk in the way of your peace. REFRAIN

Call us to answer oppression,
Teach us the fire of your truth;
Give us righteous souls,
'Til your justice rolls,
Make us burn with the fire of your love. REFRAIN

Call us to witness your Kingdom,
Give us the presence of Christ;
May your holy light
Keep us shining bright,
Ever shine with the presence of Christ. REFRAIN

 

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