Pope Francis on 60 Minutes this Sunday by Matthew Fox, Comment by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

The Risen Christ appeared first to Mary Magdalene and called her to be the Apostle to the Apostles, so too today, women are being called to Catholic priesthood to proclaim the good news of God’s all -embracing , inclusive love and to live Gospel equality now. 

Bridget Mary Meehan, ARCWP arcwp.org

A recent article in the National Catholic Reporter (a mildly progressive lay-run Catholic newspaper) reported that Pope Francis clearly worries about America. The U.S. church has ‘a very strong reactionary attitude,’ he told a group of Jesuits last year. ‘Being backward-looking is useless.’* Pope Francis is being interviewed by an American woman journalist on 60 Minutes this Sunday. It will be interesting to see how he addresses the American church’s “very strong reactionary attitude.” Some ecclesial fur might be flying. “Pope Francis speaks to Norah O’Donnell about Ukraine, church scandals, migrant crisis.” CBS Mornings It is no secret why the Pope himself can complain that the American church appears “backward-looking” and “useless.” The two popes before him, reigning for 34 years, went out of their way to elevate the influence of Opus Dei and its fascist founder Escriva, for whom they changed the rules to rush through the quickest canonization in history. They also picked young bishops who were from the fascist wing of the church— one of whom, an Opus Dei member, was elected head of the American Catholic Bishops organization. Such prelates are out of tune with Pope Francis. “40th anniversary of the assassination of St Oscar Romero.” Vatican News – English The previous Vatican’s opposition to Archbishop (now Saint) Oscar Romero i s well documented, and of course they made it a priority to dismantle liberation theology and base communities throughout South America. They “killed theology” in Europe, a European theologian told me, and silenced over 108 theologians worldwide (myself included) whom I name in my book, The Pope’s War. They replaced it with a sentimental theology of which the converse side is, as Carl Jung observes, always violence. Super-right Catholics, with their super-right rich capitalist financial supporters, such as the founder of Domino’s Pizza, are out of synch with the current pope also. Busy sponsoring events like a $1000-a-plate-dinner at Mar-a-Lago called “Catholic Prayer for Trump,” they are eager as beavers to embrace  Donald Trump, along with conspiracy theories.  As with politics, religion too is often primed to “Follow the money.”

Be a Mary Magdalene Advocate- Join Future Church's Campaign

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Be a Mary Magdalene Advocate

What does it mean to be a Mary Magdalene Advocate?

The 2024 Synod offers another opportunity to raise awareness about the “woman gaps” in the Lectionary and to share the Good News that women have been integral to shaping our Christian tradition and their inspirational stories should be included in the stories we hear proclaimed on Sundays, holy days, and weekdays.

Mary Magdalene advocates offer help in many different ways by

• Sharing information with others in the community or parish
• Reaching out to bishops and priests 
• Signing our petition and urging others to sign as well
• Writing letters to synod participants, leaders in Rome, etc.

Please join us in raising awareness that too many essential, inspirational stories of our foremothers in faith are not being proclaimed on Sunday or throughout our three-year lectionary cycle.  

FutureChurch is offering training, educational resources, and monthly support meetings so that, together, we can work with other Catholics, including synod participants, our bishops, priests, worship committees, and officials in the Vatican to raise awareness about the need to include more stories of our foremothers in faith in the lectionary.

MMOJ Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy for Pentecost, May 18, 2024, Presiders: Bridget Mary Meehan and Jeanne Schmitt, Readers: Jerry and Suzanne Bires, Prayer Leaders: Dennis Rigdon and Mary Al, IT: Bridget Mary

 

"You shall be my witnesses"

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82083254810?pwd=UVdlNkpRK0Y5UTIvWU91Qk5RUzdvUT09

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Presider: Bridget Mary

Welcome: 

Welcome to Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community. In the Hebrew Scripture, the Spirit of God is described by the feminine image of the Shekinah, a word that can be translated as “the one who dwells.” On the feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the Holy One of burning bushes as She who dwells, within all and around all.  In her radiant presence, we are one people, one Spirit. Each of us is called and gifted with diverse gifts to be witnesses of love- in- action each day.

Gathering Song: River of Jordan by Peter Paul and Mary  - video by Mary Theresa Streck

https://youtu.be/ziy668lQ1eo

Presider: Jeanne

Transformation Rite: (Pause briefly. Then extend arm over your heart) 

All: I let go into the arms of Boundless Love and Infinite Forgiveness and open myself to Spirit moving within guiding me to healing and wholeness.  Amen, Alleluia! 

Gloria: Glory to God by Marty Haugen - video by Bridget Mary Meehan and Mary Theresa Streck

https://youtu.be/udjH7EON5IY

Refrain:

Glory to God, in the highest (3x)

And peace to God’s people on earth.

Presider: Bridget Mary 

Opening Prayer: 

Presider 1: Holy One, Holy Fire, Creative Energy within us and within all, we open ourselves to a new outpouring of Your Spirit. We celebrate with burning hearts your presence and the warmth of your passionate love.  We rejoice in the outpouring of your gifts everywhere as we do all we can to promote justice, equality and peace in our world. We dedicate ourselves to serving our sisters and brothers generously each day. Amen. Alleluia!

Liturgy of the Word:

Reader: Jerry Bires:

First Reading: A reading from the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28)

Thus says our God: “I will pour out my own Spirit on all of humankind. Your sons and daughters will prophesy; your elder folk shall dream dreams, your children shall see visions and even upon the lowliest, the poor, the woman, the forgotten man, will I pour out my spirit. I will work wonders throughout creation.”

This is the inspired word of the prophet Joel and we affirm them by saying:

All: May it be so! Amen, Alleluia!

Veni Sancte Spiritus- Taize, Video by Mary Theresa Streck

https://youtu.be/_0O0gNHgRh0?si=PaH-M4r8kOSmBUbV

Reader: Suzanne Bires:

Second Reading: A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

1ACTS 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

These are the inspired words in the Acts of the Apostles and we respond to them by saying: May it be so, Amen, Alleluia!

Alleluia Alleluia (Eightfold) – Jan Phillips shortened

https://youtu.be/IC4nbwmQDVw

Presider: Jeanne

Gospel: A reading from the Gospel of John

Jn 20:19-22

On the evening of that first day of the week,
the doors were locked in the room,

where the disciples were,
for fear of the Temple Authorities,
Jesus came and stood among them
and said, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, 

he showed them the marks of crucifixion.
The disciples were filled with joy when they saw Jesus, 

who said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As Abba God sent me, so I am sending you.”

After saying this Jesus breathed on them and said, 

“Receive the Holy Spirit.”

This is the inspired words in the Gospel of John and we respond by saying, May it be so, Amen, Alleluia!

Shared Homily

Bridget Mary: Homily Starter: 

Happy Pentecost! Our homily today will be in three parts : a Prayer , a Commissioning Ritual and community sharing. 

Introduction: At baptism, we received a baptismal garment as a sign of our belonging to a community of faith and a reminder of our call to be like Jesus.Through baptism all share in the priesthood of Christ. We were anointed with holy oil as a reminder of our participation in the priesthood of Christ as members of one body.  Today, we will reflect on our special call as a baptized member of the Church to let go of anything that holds us back from living fully our call to care for and love others. You will be invited to place a stole/scarf on our shoulders and anoint your hands as a sign of your commitment to use your Spirit-given gifts to live your baptismal commitment to be the hands and feet of Christ in our world today. After our Commissioning Rite, we will share the many diverse ways we are called and chosen, anointed and empowered by the Spirit to serve those near and far as priest, prophet and leader.

Prayer Reflection:

“Take Nothing for the Journey” by Joyce Rupp, (in her book Out of the Ordinary)

Heal and proclaim…

 were the twelve afraid?

Did they wonder if they could do those things? 

Compared to the quality of your ministry, 

did they feel inadequate and unworthy? 

What persuaded them to go? Your words? 

Your friendship? Their enthusiasm? 

Your deep belief that they could do it?

And you said:

 "take nothing for the journey." 

What did you mean? 

Trust or more than trust? 

Did you perhaps imply that we can't wait 

until we have all the possible things we need? 

That we can't postpone "doing" 

until we are positive of our talents? 

That we can't hold off our commitment 

until we are absolutely sure 

we won't make a mistake?

I think of all the excuses and reasons 

we can give for not serving and giving: 

no time, no talent, no knowledge, 

no energy, no assured results. 

You say, "take nothing.

 Don't worry about your inadequacies. 

I will provide for you. 

Go! Just go! Go with my power. 

Risk the road, risk the work. 

Go! I will be with you. 

What else do you need?"

This is the inspired word of visionary and mystic, Joyce Rupp. 

From Out of the Ordinary

 

Commissioning Ritual:

 We now celebrate our commissioning, a celebration of the gifts of the Spirit in the community of faith. We will use the symbols of stoles and anointing with chrism as a reminder of our baptismal call to live the fullness of the gifts of the Spirit in ministry to all.

As you put on your stole/scarf, say 

I put on this stole as a symbol of my call to ministry.

 

As you anoint your hands, pray, say Like Jesus, I anoint my hands as a symbol of my call to live the Gospel.   

(music is played softly during this time) 

You have Anointed me – shortened – video by MT Streck

https://youtu.be/vUMdXhZB08U

Prayer Leader: Mary Al

Statement of Faith

All: We believe in one God, 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 God's Word,

bringer of God's healing, heart of God's compassion,

bright star in the firmament of God's

prophets, mystics, and saints.

We believe that we are called to follow Jesus

as a vehicle of God's love,

a source of God's wisdom and truth,

and an instrument of God's peace in the world.

We believe that God's 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

Prayer Leader 2:  Dennis

As we prepare for this sacred meal we are aware of our call to serve, and just as Jesus did. We bring to this table our prayers for the community. Please feel free to voice your prayers beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”

(Joan Meehan shares MMOJ Book of Intentions)

Individual Prayers for the community are offered.

Closing Prayer: Dennis

We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen. 

Presentation of the bread and wine

Presider: Bridget Mary

 Blessed are you, God of all life, through your goodness we have bread, wine, all creation, and our own lives to offer. Through this sacred meal we become your new creation.

Presider Jeanne: My sisters and brothers, these gifts give glory to the Holy One.

Jeanne and All: O Holy One, You dwell in all of us, and you accept our gifts and our worship that we offer in service to our faith community. We do this in memory of our brother, Jesus. Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer

Prayer Leader: Dennis

The Holy One, Shekinah, Source of all life, is with you.

Mary Al and All: 

And also with you.

Prayer Leader: Dennis

We lift up our hearts.

Prayer Leader: Mary Al and All

We lift them up to the Holy One, the Love of our Hearts. 

Prayer Leader: Dennis

 We give thanks and praise to our compassionate God.

Prayer Leader Mary Al and All: It is right to give the Holy One thanks and praise.

 Prayer Leader : Mary Al 

 Please join in praying our Eucharistic prayer:

Dennis and All: 

O Divine Flame of Love, your glowing embers dance in our hearts. Your passionate presence kindles our souls. You purify us with the searing truth that ignites our spirits. As the glowing embers of a fire penetrate the cold around us, so your tenderness sets our hearts aglow. We celebrate your nearness this day as we remember your Pentecost miracles.

Dennis and All:

The wind of your Spirit life has blown across our world in the gentle breezes and thunder storms of your vision in your prophets and visionaries among us. We praise and exalt you forever with grateful hearts as we sing:

Holy Holy Holy  - Karen Drucker

https://youtu.be/9XywpRw3OPw?si=WMU88iQ4KxzCY_XZ

We are Holy, Holy, Holy… 

You are Holy, Holy, Holy,…

Spirit divine, Come to me

Feeling love, Healing me .

Open my heart, Allow me to see,

Beauty & love, Lives in me.

Presider: Jeanne and All 

Passionate God, you kindle your fire of enthusiasm within us. You speak to us with assurance and excitement and reveal to us the infinite, boundless, depths of your love for us. 

Presider: Bridget Mary and All

 You awaken us to your promises to be always present in our lives, no matter what the obstacles or setbacks we experience. You consume us with such a hunger and thirst for justice that our words and actions inflame others to become signs of your justice. You give us eyes to see human need, hearts to care for our sisters and brothers and hands and feet to lighten others burdens.

Invocation of the Holy Spirit (extend you hand in blessing)

Presider Jeanne and All: 

You bless us O Sacred Spirit and you enliven all that exists. You transform these gifts of bread and wine, and our lives, by boundless grace that nourish and sustains us on our journey. 

Presider: Bridget Mary and All

 On the night before he faced his own death for the sake of the life of everyone of us, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions. He reminded them of what he taught them and bent down and washed their feet. Jesus returned to his place at the table, lifted the Passover bread and spoke the blessing, and then broke the break with these words,

Bridget Mary and All: 

Take and eat, this is my very self.

Presider Jeanne and All: Jesus then raised high the cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered them the wine with these words:

Jeanne and All: 

Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life for you and for everyone. Whenever you do this, you remember me.

Prayer Leader Jim: Let us proclaim the mystery of wonder in our midst:

Dennis and All: 

Christ of the Cosmos you are the spark of love in whom we believe; the Wisdom of Sophia in whom we trust; and the desire for justice that consumes us.

Prayer Leader: Mary Al   

As we celebrate the memory of Jesus, we remember our political and religious leaders, especially Pope Francis. We remember the communion of saints and all who have inspired and loved us. 

(pause to mention names).  

Prayer Leader: Dennis: May our hearts be merry as we dream new dreams and see new visions. May we recognize Christ present in every person everywhere. May we, like Jesus, become Spirit Fire, as we fan the flames of love over the entire cosmos… 

Presiders hold Bread and wine. 

Presider: Bridget Mary and All:

For it is through living as Jesus lived,

That we awaken to your Spirit within,

Moving us to glorify you,

O Holy One,

At this time and all ways.

 

All: Great Amen by Linda Lee Miller

https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg

Communion Rite:

Prayer of Jesus

Presider: Jeanne 

Let us join hands, and pray together the prayer that Jesus taught us.

The Prayer of Jesus

Gracious Spirit,
Who loves us like a mother,
Whose realm is blooming among us now.
And within.
We pray that your compassion guide us in every action.
Give us what we need for each day,
and help us to be satisfied with the miracle of that alone.
Forgiver, whose embrace brings us to wholeness without our asking, may we reconcile ourselves to one another in humility.
And may we cancel the crushing debts that imprison our neighbors, so that communities of joy and health may flourish.
May we neither profit from nor ignore evil.
But ever work to thwart it with non-violence, as we co-create the realm of peace in this world, now and each day.
Amen. (Bret Hesla/wsj)

Sign of Peace 

Presider Jeanne: 

Let us offer one another a sign of peace- 

All: Namaste, Namaste, Namaste

Prayer for the Breaking of the Bread

Presider: Bridget Mary 

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. 

(Presiders hold up bread and wine)

Presider: Jeanne 

Let us pray our communion prayer together. 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. We are the Body and Blood of Christ in our world. 

Communion Song: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford-video by MTStreck

https://youtu.be/xoJN0owUoWA

 Prayer After Communion:

Presider: Bridget Mary

Shekinah, Holy Spirit, You who dwell within us and all around us, may we go forth nourished by your gifts to bear witness to you everywhere we go and in the events of every day. May we go forth in the power of your outpouring love energizing us to set the world ablaze in Pentecost joy! Amen! Alleluia

Thanksgiving, Introductions and Announcements

Final Blessing

Presider: Jeanne:  Let us raise our hands and bless one another!

Jeanne and All: 

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

God’s Spirit calls you to heal and reconcile  

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

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

 

Presider: Bridget Mary

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

Recessional: You Will Be My Witnesses

https://youtu.be/1ug9EG1qZA4?si=3gQrhJf0un4lTtzo

This Liturgy was written by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP and ,Mary Theresa Streck ARCWP

Please send donations to:

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
5342 Clark Road #3079
Sarasota, FL 34233

Please send intention for our community prayer book to Joan Meehan.

Jmeehan515@aol.com

Our website:

www.marymotherofjesus.net

MMOJ Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy for Pentecost, May 18, 2024, Presiders: Bridget Mary Meehan and Jeanne Schmitt, Readers: Jerry and Suzanne Bires, Prayer Leaders: Dennis Rigdon and Mary Al, IT: Bridget Mary

  "You shall be my witnesses" Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82083254810?pwd=UVdlNkpRK0Y5UTIvWU91Qk5RUzdvUT09 Meeting...