In the Light of Boundless Love: Living as Saints-in-the-Making by Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP

Bridie Meehan

Jack Meehan

Molly McCarthy

Peg Bowen

Regina Madonna Oliver with Uncle Jimmy Meehan and my mother Bridie Meehan

 

When I think of the saints in my life, I think first of my parents, Bridie and Jack Meehan, who taught me faith not by preaching but through the daily rhythm of love, generosity, and perseverance. I remember my dear Aunt Molly and other aunts and uncles—too many to list—whose laughter filled family gatherings and whose prayers sustained our journeys. I hold in my heart my precious friends Regina Madonna Oliver and Peg Bowen, companions in faith who now dwell in God’s loving embrace. This spiritual bond connects us heart to heart forever. 

And I think of the countless saints in the women priests’ movement—prophetic sisters and brothers who have walked this path of Gospel equality with courage and hope. Their witness continues to inspire us as we build communities of inclusivity and compassion. They remind us that sainthood is not reserved for the canonized few but is a living reality in the communion of believers who embody divine love in every age.

Every morning, I call upon them to walk with me and with all in our historic movement. I imagine each person on my long list as filled with joy in the light of boundless love, present with me and illuminating the path of grace each new day.

The communion of saints is not only those who have gone before us—it is also us, here and now. We are part of that living web of grace stretching through time and space, a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on as we continue the work of justice, peace, and equality in the Church and world.

As we gather at open tables in inclusive sacred spaces with and without walls, we know that the saints are near: our ancestors, our mentors, our friends. Their love surrounds us like sunlight through stained glass—illuminating our own call to holiness, courage, and compassion.

This spiritual awareness fills my heart with joy and deep peace each day. 

Happy All Saints Day to All Saint -in-the Making!

Prayer to the Communion of Saints:

Loving God,
We give thanks for the great communion of saints—
those who have walked before us in faith and love,
and those who journey beside us today.

We remember with gratitude
our parents, our families, our friends,
and all in our women priests’ movement
whose courage and compassion light our way.
May their joy in your boundless love
fill our hearts with hope and peace.

Each day, we call upon these holy companions
to walk with us and with all who seek your justice and tenderness.
May their presence illuminate the path of grace before us,
guiding our steps as we live into your dream of equality and inclusion.

Spirit of the Living God,
bless us to be saints-in-the-making—
people of compassion, courage, and joy.
May we see your face in one another,
and may our lives become radiant prayers of love
for the healing of our Church and world.

Amen. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N5cSnRrY0NU&feature=youtu.be

https://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/2023/10/mary-mother-of-jesus-inclusive-catholic.html?m=1 

MMOJ All Saints Liturgy - 2023

"Authoritarian Breakthrough" By Rev. Ann Harrington ARCWP, published in Daily Reflector

Rev. Katy Zatsick ARCWP in Detroit

No Kings Day, Oct. 18, 2025 was the largest march in US history.  There was much joy, humor and humanity.  Patriots of all stripes demanded a return to the rule of law.  We need to sustain this momentum by engaging in different forms of nonviolent resistance.  

I recently attended the webinar, Interfaith Nonviolent Civil Resistance Training 101.  

Scholars observe the rapidity in which authoritarianism is consolidating in the US.  One of those spoke at the webinar, Maria Stephan, author of “Why Civil Resistance Works”. What follows is some of what she shared.  She said democracies’ death is by a thousand cuts.  You see erosion, the norms keep changing. 

Authoritarianism is a system.  

The attacks on the rule of law, the aggrandizement of executive power have been happening all over the world for the last 20 years, democracies are backsliding, e.g Brazil in 2023.

We are in the midst of an authoritarian breakthrough and in the US, it’s happening quickly.

The autocrat playbook is the same for leftwing dictators or rightwing authoritarian regimes-fear based divide and rule.

They pit people against each other, stifle dissent, get people to bend the knee and remain silent so they can consolidate wealth and power.  

And they use the same tactics:

They direct investigations against critics be they individuals, law firms, universities, or media outlets. They weaponize government depts., they reward law breaking, they give clemency to white collar criminals, (George Santos, the most recent example) pardon insurrectionists, their regulatory agencies pull or threaten to pull licenses.   

They deploy the military domestically; there is federal law enforcement overreach and eventually the autocrat won’t leave.

I urge you to watch this webinar for yourself, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io_ubwg-HpY   It will cost you but one hour of your life.  I pray you think our democracy is worth it.

Bishop Christina Moreira ARCWP : interview with Spanish Television on the Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests

 Christina Moreira ARCWP : Interview with TV station in Spain on the growth of the international  Association of the Roman Catholic Women Priests Movement in Europe and around the globe . With Marie Mandy, French producer of film about movement - The Forbidden Call. 

Rev. Annie Watson ARCWP- Homily at Holy Family Catholic Church, Austin, Texas

 Rev. Annie Watson ARCWP and 

Deacon Stephen Rodriquez of Holy Family Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. 

“Smelling Like a Rose”

Luke 18:9-14

October 26, 2025

Rev. Annie Watson, Holy Family Catholic Church

 

If we had been in the temple that day when the Pharisee and the tax collector came in to pray, who would have passed the smell test? I’m not talking about their body odor. I’m talking abouttheir authenticity and credibility. Who is being truthful and sincere?

People would have assumed that the Pharisee is the most authentic, credible, truthful, and sincere of the two. And they would be wrong. It is the tax collector who comes out smelling like a rose. This is a phrase that mean successfully coming out of a difficult or challenging situation without any negative consequences. Something good and positive happens to us even though it looked like we were going to fail or be harmed. This is what it means to “come out smelling like a rose.”

We can relate to the tax collector. We have all been in situationswhere we thought things were not going to go well for us. We thought the damage we had done could not be fixed. Asking for God’s mercy seems too little, too late. And yet, when all was said and done, we came out smelling like a rose. 

So did the tax collector in Jesus’ parable. He goes to the temple to pray because he is probably consumed with guilt. And for good reason. Tax collectors were notorious for collecting taxes for the Roman Empire and scamming money off the top. 

He is a traitor to his people and therefore he has every reason to believe God’s wrath is about to be unleashed on him. But the fact that he comes to the temple to pray suggests that he wants to make major changes in his life. 

He stands at a distance, unable to lift up his eyes and face other people. He beats his chest, an act of intense emotion and desperation. He knows he is a wilted, broken, and sinful man. And yet his prayer is simple, sincere, and soaked in humility: “O God, be merciful to me a sinner.”

We can describe the tax collector as “a wilted rose with a sweet aroma.” He now passes the smell test. It is the fragrance of grace. He arrives in truth and leaves in mercy. He comes out smelling like a rose. 

The other man who enters the temple to pray is a Pharisee, a member of an elite religious order. The Pharisees are known for their righteous and obedient behavior. They have the respect and admiration of everyone. 

He enters the temple already smelling like a rose, or so he assumes. But it doesn’t end well for him. He is “a rose without afragrance.” He presents as a rose. He prays, fasts, tithes, and keeps the law. He does everything right. But his prayer is a performance, not an act of purity.

He doesn’t ask God for anything because he thinks he already has everything. His righteousness is self-made. If we could use the smell test on him at this moment, we will smell the fragrance, or odor, of pride. 

He says, “O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity.” This is the moment his rose withers. He compares himself to others, but not to God. He doesn’t smell like grace, he reeks of arrogance.

We all come here with a mixed bag of pride and guilt. We arethe Pharisee and the tax collector. They represents both sides of our humanity. But if we want to leave here smelling like a rose, here is the way:

• Come to God honestly — no masks, no comparisons.

• Pray like the tax collector — short, sincere, and humble.

• Let go of the need to be admired, and embrace the need to be forgiven.

• Let your life release the fragrance of grace to others — especially those who feel wilted and unworthy.

Despite what the old country song says, God does “promise us a rose garden” as long as we approach God with authenticity, credibility, truthfulness, and sincerity. Let us be people who smell like grace, not because we’re perfect, but because we know the One who is.