Novena to St. Brigid of Kildare - Patroness of Peacemaking- 9 Days of Prayer for Peace- January 24th- Feb. 1st

I invite you to pray this beautiful Novena for peace-making and justice -doing for the next nine days. According to the stories about St. Brigid of Kildare, she brought feuding Celtic tribes together on a journey to kinship and community.  May we join hearts and voices in prayer to lift our nation and world to end hatred and division and build relationships to foster the well-being of all our sisters and brothers and our earth. Bridget Mary Meehan  ARCWP

St. Brigid of Kildare-  gratitude to artist Mary Ann Matthys

St. Brigid's Prayer

You were a woman of peace.

You brought harmony where there was conflict.

You brought light to the darkness. You brought hope to the downcast.

May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious,

and may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world.

Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.

Brigid, you were a voice for the wounded and weary.

Strengthen what is weak within us. Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.

May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit.

Amen

(author unknown)

In Catholic tradition, a novena continues by praying three Our Father's, three Hail Mary's, three Glory Be's.

Included below are both the traditional and  feminist version of the prayers. Follow your preference.

Traditional Version of Prayers. 

Our Father:

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the Glory now and forever.)

Amen

Hail Mary:

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Glory Be:

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

A Feminist Version of Prayers:

The Prayer of Jesus

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

we celebrate your many names. 

Your wisdom comes. 

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.

(The Prayer of Jesus as interpreted by Miriam Therese Winter)

The Hail Mary:

Hail Mary, Full of grace, Our God is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother and Friend,

Be with us now , at our hour, and beyond. Amen.

(This version is from www.upperroomicc.org/liturgy-and-prayer/companion-rosary/

A Celtic Version of The Glory Be: 

Glory to the One in Three, as it was in the beginning, is now, and evermore shall be. Amen.

Roman Catholic Bishops condemn Trump's immigration orders for stoking fear, anxiety Catholic leaders urge solidarity with migrants, say actions 'raise urgent moral and human concerns'

  https://www.ncronline.org/news/bishops-condemn-trumps-immigration-orders-stoking-fear-anxiety?utm_source=NCR+List&utm_campaign=c303636406-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025_01_23_02_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6981ecb02e-c303636406-231352076

National Catholic Reporter by Camillo Barone

Catholic advocacy groups, southern border dioceses and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops are expressing deep concern after President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting immigration on his first week in the Oval Office.

Particularly troubling to these groups are his actions tied to the declaration of a national emergency at the southern border and his attempt to end birthright citizenship, a right long upheld under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution to anyone born on American soil, regardless of their parents' immigration status.

Federal immigration authorities also will now be allowed to conduct enforcement actions in traditionally protected areas, including churches and schools, marking a sharp departure from previous policies, according to a Jan. 21 statement by the Department of Homeland Security, which said the move empowers agents to make arrests without restrictions tied to "so-called 'sensitive' areas."

Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services, president of the U.S. bishops' conference, delivers a homily to fellow bishops at the opening Mass of the conference's fall plenary assembly Nov. 11, 2024, in Baltimore. (OSV News/Catholic Review/Kevin J. Parks)

"Some provisions contained in the Executive Orders, such as those focused on the treatment of immigrants and refugees, foreign aid, expansion of the death penalty, and the environment, are deeply troubling and will have negative consequences, many of which will harm the most vulnerable among us," said Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. bishops' conference.

Broglio in a statement praised Trump for his other executive order that states there will be only two sexes, male and female, under federal law. He also reiterated that the Catholic Church and the bishops' conference are not aligned with any political party.

Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso criticized Trump's executive orders on immigration, describing them as measures that "deeply affect our local community and raise urgent moral and human concerns." 

Seitz, whose Texas diocese is on the U.S.-Mexico border, denounced the Department of Homeland Security's decision to permit immigration raids in schools and churches, stating that it "strikes fear into the heart of our community, cynically layering a blanket of anxiety on families when they are worshiping God, seeking healthcare, and dropping off and picking up children at school."

The El Paso bishop also condemned the reinstatement of the Remain in Mexico policy and the "indiscriminate" closure of the border to asylum-seekers, describing the actions as "violating due process and restricting the few legal options available to the most vulnerable who knock on our door seeking compassion and aid."

Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, is seen at St. Lucy's Church in Newark, New Jersey, Jan. 13 during an interfaith gathering of religious leaders committed to supporting immigrants facing the threat of mass deportation by the incoming Trump administration. (OSV News/Gregory A. Shemitz)

"Whatever your faith and wherever you come from, we make your anxieties and fears at this moment our own," Seitz said, speaking directly to immigrants at the border. "We stand with you in this moment of family and personal crisis and pledge to you our solidarity, trusting that the Lord, Jesus Christ, will bring about good even from this moment of pain."

The Diocese of El Paso said it will respond to Trump's new policies by educating immigrants on their rights, providing legal services and offering humanitarian aid. The diocese also said it is preparing to deliver additional aid to migrants stranded in Ciudad Juárez, across the Mexican border from El Paso. 

Trump's immigration crackdown also includes dismantling programs established under President Biden. The CBP One app, which allowed migrants to book legal asylum appointments at the U.S.-Mexico border, was abruptly terminated, leaving tens of thousands of migrants stranded.

Archbishop John Wester of Santa Fe, New Mexico, called for comprehensive reform that balances compassion for immigrants with the concerns of American citizens.

"The United States owes much to immigrants," Wester said. The archbishop said he rejected mass deportation and "overly simplistic" solutions such as open or sealed borders. Citing his Catholic faith, the archbishop emphasized the inherent dignity of every person, urging leaders to approach the issue with wisdom and humanity.

"The heart of this complex issue lies in the fact that it concerns human beings, each created in the image of God with inherent dignity. We must not treat them as mere pawns in a game of chess nor politicize them," Wester said.

The archbishop highlighted the plight of immigrants fleeing violence and injustice, recounting a family in Tegucigalpa whose home was targeted by gangs. He also challenged misconceptions about immigrants, noting their positive impact on the economy and lower crime rates compared to native-born citizens. 

Send Messages of Support and Solidarity to Bishop Mariann Edger Budde

 

Called out of our Comfort Zones to be Prophets of Justice, Liturgy on Jan. 25, 2025 , 4:00 PM, Bridget Mary Meehan

 (permission given to adapt for inclusive communities)

MMOJ Third Sunday of Extraordinary Time, Jan. 25, 2025, Presiders: Bridget Mary Meehan and Luca Cruzat, Reader: Beth Ponce and Prayer Leader: David Ponce, IT: Cheryl Brandi and Mike Rigdon

Theme: Called out of our comfort zones to be prophets of justice.

Sister Joan Chittister- Contemporary Prophet of Justice, Equality and Human Rights

(See recent video featuring Joan Chittister with Liz Cheney: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybbDuHkJmaE)

Bishop Mariann Budd:

https://youtu.be/xwwaEuDeqM8?si=SlUwYLgGh7h08xN5

Theme: Called out of our comfort zones to be prophets of justice.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93473708926?pwd=VHFKZGJ5N3ljbzZtVU1qQVRZY1lodz09

Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
Passcode: 552967

GREETING AND WELCOME: 

Luca: Welcome:
We warmly welcome you to the inclusive Catholic Community of Mary Mother of Jesus on Zoom.  We invite you to pray the liturgy where it says “All.”  Whoever you are, wherever you are, you are welcome to celebrate Eucharist at our open loving table.

Opening Song:

America by Peter Mayer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H75FyL1Y0-8

Transformation Rite: 

Bridget M: Called to be aware that the power of love energizes us to do good, we pray:

  All: May our love lead us to help right wrongs.

Bridget M: Called to see negative behaviors and unloving actions in ourselves that harm others, we pray:

All: May we make choices that lead to freedom and healing.

Bridget M: Called to respond- like Jesus- to the cries of the oppressed and exploited, we pray:

 All: May we give of our time and resources to create a more equitable world.

(pause)

Luca: Opening Prayer:

Holy One, like Jesus we are anointed by the Spirit to raise our voices as prophets of justice to challenge unfair policies and unjust laws that impoverish communities, and demonize marginalized people. May we listen to Spirit’s call wherever it leads us including out of our comfort zones. 

ALL:  So be it.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Beth:

First Reading: The Spirit as Urban Pigeon by Carmen Nanko-Fernandez

For too long we have domesticated the Holy Spirit, imagining a peaceful white dove as a comforter to support the status quo, or as an advocate without the sharp edge of advocacy. We prefer a Spirit less persistent, less irritating, less demanding than the one that gets Jesus run out of his own hometown. We do not appreciate a dis-comforter who shakes us out of our comfort zones who finds in our diversity new ways to make common cause. We avoid a Spirit who vexes and cajoles us to be prophetic advocates working collaboratively with those of us and among us who are pushed to the margins in Church and society. The incarnation of the Spirit is not best represented by a white dove; it is more like the ubiquitous urban pigeon, disruptive, discomforting, irritating. 

These are the sacred words of Carmen Carmen Nanko-Fernandez and we respond to them by saying 

All: May it be be so.

Responsorial Psalm: Who will speak if we don't? by Marty Haugen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ70EZqlCys

David: Second Reading:  A Sermon by Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, at the Service of Prayer for the Nation at the National Cathedral on Jan.21st.

Bishop Marianne Budd pleaded with  President Trump to “have mercy” on LGBT individuals and illegal immigrants.

She asked him  “to have mercy” on people “in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away and that you help those who are fleeing war zones and persecution in their own lands to find compassion and welcome here. 

Our God teaches us that we are to be merciful to the stranger, for we were all once strangers in this land,” she continued. “May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and walk humbly with each other and our God.”

These are the sacred words of Bishop  Marianne Budd and we respond to them by saying 

All: May it be so.

Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford

https://youtu.be/xoJN0owUoWA

Beth: Gospel: Luke 4: 14-21

Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had grown up, and
on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed 

to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 

“The Spirit of God is upon me
because the Most High has anointed me
to bring good news to those who are poor.

God has sent me to proclaim liberty to those held captive,
and recovery of sight to those who are blind,
and release to those in prison-to proclaim the year of our God’s favor.

Rolling up the scroll, Jesus gave it back to the attendant and sat down.

 The eyes of all the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he said to them,

 Today, in your hearing, this scripture is fulfilled.”

All who were present spoke favorably of him. They marveled at the elegance of the words on 

Jesus’ lips. They said, “Surely, this isn’t Mary and Joseph’s son?”

Jesus said to them, “Undoubtedly, you’ll quote me the proverb, ‘Physical, heal yourself’, and say

 “Do here in your own country the things we heard you did in Capernaum.’ But the truth is, prophets never gain acceptance in their hometown.”

At these words, the whole audience in the synagogue was filled with indignation. 

They rose up and dragged Jesus out of town, leading him to the brow of the hill with the intention of hurling him over the edge. But he moved through the crowd, and walked away.

These are the sacred words of the author known as Luke, and we respond 

to them by saying 

All: May it be so.

Bridget Mary: Homily Starter:

The Spirit calls us out of our comfort zone to be prophets of justice.

This week I was deeply moved by the courage of Bishop Mariann Budd - the Episcopalian bishop who spoke truth to power to President Trump in a sermon at a prayer service at the National Cathedral. She expressed her concern over “the culture of contempt” and  said she feared “the loss of equality” for some who lose in political debates.

When I first felt the call as a teenager to dedicate my life to God as a nun, it felt like a big step out of my comfort zone - leaving my close  knit family in N. Virginia and entering the convent with 90 other postulants in the IHM motherhouse in Immaculata, Pennsylania. 

Twenty-five years later, I ventured out of my comfort zone  when I returned to the IHM community I had left over 40 years ago for a Band Reunion.  My sisters- both the ones still in the Order and those who had left- had many questions. Some sisters were shocked that I was actually excommunicated by the institutional Roman Catholic Church. 

 I felt their prayerful support and  was grateful that I did not need to worry about being thrown out of the retreat center where we spent the weekend! 

Even though the Vatican refuses to accept women priests, I am called to keep on leaving  my comfort zone and ordain women to foster prophetic justice and baptismal equality everywhere I go including on the Tiber in Rome in the shadow of the Vatican. 

In the gospel story, when Jesus returned to his hometown in Nazareth with a transformative message of his call to bring the good news of God’s liberating, all-embracing, healing love for all, his home town reacted by trying to throw him over a cliff! 

The words attributed to Jesus ring true in every age: “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country.”

As Carmen Nanko Fernandez reminds us – perhaps, our image of the Holy Spirit needs a makeover -from a peaceful white dove, to a disturbing, urban pigeon that unsettles us.  

She writes: “We prefer a Spirit less persistent, less irritating, less demanding than the one that gets Jesus run out of his own home town. We do not appreciate a dis-comforter who shakes us out of our comfort zones, who finds in our diversity ways to make common cause. We avoid a Spirit who vexes and cajoles us to be prophetic advocates collaboratively with those of us and among us who are pushed to the margins in Church and society …” 

 Like Jesus, we too sometimes find ourselves pushed to the margins, and taken out of our comfort zones in the holy work of the disruptive, discomforting and irritating Holy Spirit! 

Like Jesus, we may sometimes face disapproval and push-back from family, friends and neighbors.

 In our times now.  Martin Luther King’s famous quote “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" means that any act of injustice, no matter where it occurs, undermines the pursuit of justice for everyone everywhere.

In our time, in our world, in our country, I believe this is where we are. The Spirit of God is calling us out of our comfort zones like our beloved Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Sister Joan Chittister, Liz Cheney and Bishop Mariann Budd.

 In these times of great distress, we cannot be silent. There is always something we can do to make life better for someone and to engage in prophetic advocacy for those in need. 

As a community, MMOJ has been partnering with groups in Sarasota to serve the impoverished, unhoused and hungry in our local area.  

As we discern our call in the weeks and months ahead, let’s ask ourselves -in the gigantic challenges we see before us- what is the Spirit of Discomfort calling us to do to bring prophetic justice and equality to our world?

Community Sharing: What did you hear in the readings, songs, or homily today that inspires or challenges you?

David and All: Statement of Faith:

We believe that God is love and that Divine Presence is beyond anything we can imagine.

We believe in Jesus, prophet and teacher, who journeyed on the earth, proclaiming good news, healing the sick, liberating those bound by fear, and inviting everyone to an open table.  

We believe in Sacred Spirit, Wisdom Sophia, breathing in us and loving through us.

We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who, help us on our journey. 

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

Beth: Prayers of the Community: 

 We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table.

 

Our response is: All: May our love bring healing in our world.  

We pray for the devastated families of those still suffering from fires, hurricanes and all the natural disasters in our world. R

We pray for peace and  justice for all nations throughout the world R

We pray that our political and religiou leaders, including President Trump, that they will put the flourishing of all people before power and greed.

We pray for our MMOJ intentions on our community prayer list. (Joan shares)

Our response is: All: May our love bring healing in our world. 

For what else should we pray?

Our response is: All: May our love bring healing in our world.  

Beth: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and service. Amen

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS

Bridget Mary: Blessed are You, Holy One, through Your divine providence we have this bread, to share, the Bread of Life. 

 Bridget Mary and All: Blessed are You, Holy One, forever.  

Luca:  Blessed are You, O Loving One through Your divine providence we have this wine to share, our spiritual drink. 
 Beth P and All: Blessed are, You, Holy One, forever.

Bridget Mary:  Nurturing One, we are united in this sacrament by the love of Jesus, whose presence draws into the energy of holy anger for action for justice.

 Bridget Mary and All:  Amen, may it be 

PREFACE:

Beth: God loves through us 

David and All:  And energizes our work for justice.

Beth: Lift up your hearts. 

 David and All: We lift up our hearts and embrace all. 

Beth : We are blessed when our passions guide us to take action to alleviate wrong and correct wrongs in our suffering world.

David and all: Amen

Beth: In the pondering of our deepest desires right wrongs, and serve our sisters and brothers in need, with the angels and saints, we sing:

Holy, Holy, Holy: by Karen Drucker, Video by Mary Theresa Streck

https://youtu.be/orKBBIj5LZA

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER:

Luca: Like Jesus, may we follow the Spirit when we are called out of our comfort zones. May we discover the path to wisdom in times of chaos and struggle. May we act to right wrongs and speak truth to power on behalf of all who are exploited in our world today. May we be a hand to hold and a safe place for our sisters and brothers to gather at the table of love. 

(Please extend your hands in blessing.)

Bridget Mary and All: As we bless this bread and wine, we celebrate the outpouring Spirit within us, around us and among us blessing our bodies and nourishing our souls..

(Community holds bread and prays together)

Bridget Mary and 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. Do this in memory of me.” 

Pause

(Community holds cup up and prays together)

Luca and ALL:  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. Do this in memory of me.”  

Luca and All: Let us proclaim the sacred presence dwelling among us:

The Spirit call us -like Jesus- to speak truth to power;

The Spirit calls us-like Jesus- to uproot unjust practices;

The Spirit call us is-like Jesus- to love with passionate hearts.

Bridget Mary: We walk in communion with Mary, mother of Jesus and all the saints in heaven and on earth who triumphed over evil, loved tenderly, did justice and served generously. We remember our loved ones in the Communion of Saints. 

(pause for silent prayer)

(Community members hold their plates and cups during Doxology)

Luca : Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit, may we respond to exploitation and injustice by serving God’s people and all creation.  

The Great Amen. Linda Lee Miller

https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg 

Luca : THE PRAYER OF JESUS
 and All:

 We pray together the prayer of Jesus:

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

we celebrate your many names. 

Your wisdom comes. 

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.

(The Prayer of Jesus as interpreted by Miriam Therese Winter)

THE SIGN OF PEACE

Bridget M. Let us share a gesture of deep peace with everyone in the circle of life as we bow and pray: 

All: Namaste! Namaste! Namaste!

LITANY FOR THE BREAKING OF BREAD

Luca and ALL: 

Loving God, You call us to speak truth to power. We will do so. 

Loving God, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will do so. 

Loving God, You call us to holy anger and prophetic action. We will do so.

Bridget Mary:  This is the Bread of Life and Cup of Blessing. How happy are we who are called to this Table. Let us share the Bread of Life and Cup of Blessing saying:

You are the Body of Christ

COMMUNION Song: Where did Jesus Go? by Sara Thomsen, Video by Denise Hackert-Stoner

https://youtu.be/biPM_MTQVgI?si=weMLdEuVOvBM6U40

Luca: Prayer after Communion:

May the Spirit guide us out of our comfort zones to take action on behalf of justice. May we follow Jesus’ example as we grow in love and compassion for our sisters and brothers in need. May we be the face of God to the suffering in our communities and world.

All: Amen, May it be so! 

 

Bridget M.:  Introductions/Thanksgivings/Announcements

Dismissal:

With wisdom and courage, let us go forth to work together to do good for those in need. In so doing, we live our prophetic call to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

Community Blessing:

Luca: Let us raise our hands and bless each other.

May we be prophets of justice in the face of rejection and turmoil.

May we serve our sisters and brothers generously.

May we be a blessing to the world!

Our Closing Song is: We the People by by Nimo Patel 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6P_okJIW1dI

If you want to add a prayer intention to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email to Joan Meehan.  jmeehan515@aol.com

If you want to invite someone to attend our liturgy, please refer them our website : https://marymotherofjesus.net

 

To support our community, please send your check to:

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

 

Please support our community, send your check to:

 

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
5342 Clark Road #3079

Sarasota, FL 34233 

Liturgy prepared by by Bridget Mary Meehan https//:arcwp.org

MMOJ Third Sunday of Extraordinary Time, Jan. 25, 2025, Presiders: Bridget Mary Meehan and Luca Cruzat, Reader: Beth Ponce and Prayer Leader: David Ponce, IT: Cheryl Brandi and Mike Rigdon

Theme: Called out of our comfort zones to be prophets of justice. Sister Joan Chittister- Contemporary Prophet of Justice, Equality and Huma...