Bishop Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger Has Presided at Funerals and Weddings with Roman Catholic Male Priests In Austria- A Step Forward!
Bishop Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger presided at this funeral at which two Roman Catholic male priests also participated. (See photo I am sorry photo would transfer).
The funeral took place in an Austrian parish church (baroque style). The 2 priests are Roman Catholic male priests but even though they protested to the diocese that Bishop Christine was invited to preside, the wishes of the relatives of the deceased took precedence.
This is not the first time that Bishop Christine has made history. Last year she presided at a funeral held in a cathedral. There were 8 Roman Catholic male priests who participated in the liturgy and 500 people attended. Bishop Christine has also co-presided with a male Roman Catholic priest at a wedding in Austria.
This makes sense to me-- let the people choose! And they chose both a Roman Catholic Woman Bishop and Roman Catholic male priests! Three cheers for Austria!! Perhaps, this will be a trend for the future of partnership and equality in the Catholic Church!
Bridget Mary Meehan
Posted by Bridget Mary at 8:31 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Life with those once Homeless
Today a college group had promised to take our residents bowling. The Preakness is a lower-economic apartment complex with a pool that is broken and 2 roofs we were told need to be replaced today. At the last minute the college students canceled the outing. I was upset as these folks do not have the money to go bowling or any small pleasure Americans take for granted. These young sorority sisters did not know what they were doing: building expectations then disappointing the residents once again.
Ginny and Carrie directors of the program immediately went to plan B: a BBQ and cook out. The afternoon was cool but sunny so tables could be set up on the porch of the club house so residents could socialize. Some of the apartment folks were invited to come. The owner of the apartments was in from Boston and remembered our dinner was on Wednesday so she dropped in, waited on folks and cleaned up too. She really bonded with the residents when she met them in the fall and was very happy to see "old friends."
JR and Dave did the cooking on the grill and it was the first time I saw JR who is facing major surgery really look happy. I thought "we need to do this all summer, once a week." I spent a long time talking with Walter who is a mystic, for example; "I was recently in the library and saw two men sitting on the bench on the third floor. I knew I was supposed to speak to them." Walter went over began a conversion, "I know you are planning to do something. Please do not do it." He found out that they were planning to commit suicide. He was able to convince them to seek out help at the Catholic Action.
What is amazing to him was he had attempted to commit suicide after returning from the service and unable to find a job to take care of his wife and newborn child. He went to the bridge over the Ohio River and jumped in. On the way to water which Walter said was, "Like hitting a cement wall" he heard, "It is not your time yet." He hit the water and is the first person to live doing so.
During the Christmas store, a local charity, Walter was security and one night kept a robbery from happening. He was awarded a good sum of money, interviewed on TV etc. Walter had plans on purchasing a car with his reward. However his son who does not have health insurance had a serious auto wreck. While driving with his daughter he had to have a seizure "He just froze at the wheel and we hit a wall." This son is 38 and has raised 3 daughters on his own. Two of the children are entering college this fall. Without a thought Walter turned his reward money over to his son to cover the bills.
Walter said, "It is more important to be good, to care for family than to have material possessions." Would that America were as wise as this one-who-has-been homeless is. I felt graced to be in his presence. Walter asked me to pray for him before he left, I felt I needed his prayers.
Michael who had been a brick layer all his life raised five daughters one now a lawyer, one a PHD. Michael spent a long time sharing about the residual suffering from a stroke he had about 4 years ago. "People don't know what it is like. They call me "slow poke." Some days I can't hold a glass, other days I do fine." Michael walks with a cane and loves to read. He is proud of his daughters and he does have his favorites. Michael said, "I set limits with the older girls, but the youngest named Michelle can do no wrong. "She tells me, "I am named after you daddy" and I can't say a thing because she is like me." But his eyes are shining as he talks to me and his voice is strong as he speaks with love in his voice.
I like Michael and it hurts me to hear him say, "It is so hard, I want to do, but I can't do things that used to be easy."
Everyone enjoyed the evening of dinner-hot dogs and beans; some played dominoes. I thought "Those young women lost a lot by not enjoying the company of these very special men and women, my friends."
Blessings everyone. I hope you reach out to those around you and use your gifts to build community with the love who is Jesus.
Ginny and Carrie directors of the program immediately went to plan B: a BBQ and cook out. The afternoon was cool but sunny so tables could be set up on the porch of the club house so residents could socialize. Some of the apartment folks were invited to come. The owner of the apartments was in from Boston and remembered our dinner was on Wednesday so she dropped in, waited on folks and cleaned up too. She really bonded with the residents when she met them in the fall and was very happy to see "old friends."
JR and Dave did the cooking on the grill and it was the first time I saw JR who is facing major surgery really look happy. I thought "we need to do this all summer, once a week." I spent a long time talking with Walter who is a mystic, for example; "I was recently in the library and saw two men sitting on the bench on the third floor. I knew I was supposed to speak to them." Walter went over began a conversion, "I know you are planning to do something. Please do not do it." He found out that they were planning to commit suicide. He was able to convince them to seek out help at the Catholic Action.
What is amazing to him was he had attempted to commit suicide after returning from the service and unable to find a job to take care of his wife and newborn child. He went to the bridge over the Ohio River and jumped in. On the way to water which Walter said was, "Like hitting a cement wall" he heard, "It is not your time yet." He hit the water and is the first person to live doing so.
During the Christmas store, a local charity, Walter was security and one night kept a robbery from happening. He was awarded a good sum of money, interviewed on TV etc. Walter had plans on purchasing a car with his reward. However his son who does not have health insurance had a serious auto wreck. While driving with his daughter he had to have a seizure "He just froze at the wheel and we hit a wall." This son is 38 and has raised 3 daughters on his own. Two of the children are entering college this fall. Without a thought Walter turned his reward money over to his son to cover the bills.
Walter said, "It is more important to be good, to care for family than to have material possessions." Would that America were as wise as this one-who-has-been homeless is. I felt graced to be in his presence. Walter asked me to pray for him before he left, I felt I needed his prayers.
Michael who had been a brick layer all his life raised five daughters one now a lawyer, one a PHD. Michael spent a long time sharing about the residual suffering from a stroke he had about 4 years ago. "People don't know what it is like. They call me "slow poke." Some days I can't hold a glass, other days I do fine." Michael walks with a cane and loves to read. He is proud of his daughters and he does have his favorites. Michael said, "I set limits with the older girls, but the youngest named Michelle can do no wrong. "She tells me, "I am named after you daddy" and I can't say a thing because she is like me." But his eyes are shining as he talks to me and his voice is strong as he speaks with love in his voice.
I like Michael and it hurts me to hear him say, "It is so hard, I want to do, but I can't do things that used to be easy."
Everyone enjoyed the evening of dinner-hot dogs and beans; some played dominoes. I thought "Those young women lost a lot by not enjoying the company of these very special men and women, my friends."
Blessings everyone. I hope you reach out to those around you and use your gifts to build community with the love who is Jesus.
The Story I Read to my Storytelling Class Today
I am taking a course from Pascal Bautte OSB and married priest. He asked us to write a story less than five minutes in length. I chose to write about where and when I was notified that my son, Lt. Jason Scott was injured in Iraq. The two men in the class had served in the Korean War, the three women including myself were grandmothers and peace makers and against war. One of the women asked me for a copy of the story. This is the first time I have written about that phone call and my experience of it.
I chose this event because of my feelings, the setting and the impact it had on my life. This notification started my individuation as a person (Jungian term). I have not stopped yet and will only stop when I die for it is a life long process and I have 62 years of unconsciousness to work on.
The News
I marched against the Vietnam War and in 1967 held my new-born daughter in my arms, “War is not healthy for children and any living thing” was and is my favorite poster saying.
I had a son Jason who joined the Army and was sent to
On an earlier visit to
I decided to spend a long weekend with my grandchildren 8, 7 and 3 in Tampa Fl. On Friday night October 15, we headed out to a Halloween party at the local zoo and went to bed about 10 PM. I read for a while and switched off the light. At about 1 in the morning, my bedroom light turned on.
“Mom, Dad just called Jason has been seriously injured.”
I came up from a deep sleep, “Lisa, What is going on?’
“Dad didn’t know, the army called, said Jason had been Very Seriously Injured VSI. He was on the way to Landstull (
I began to cry.
I got out of bed and we went to the family room where Charlie, Lisa’s husband sat.
A light from the kitchen provided our only illumination.
We were all groggy and in shock.
My only son…
I sat down by Charlie on the sofa.
Lisa and I began to cry.
We sat and hugged each other, reviewing the little information we had.
We cried in fear and our anguish.
“Lisa we don’t know what happened, we don’t know if Jason will live or die. Will he be blind? Will he never walk again? Let’s pray.” I led the prayer “Loving God heal Jason that he might live. Take all our feelings and use them to heal Jason. We choose not be angry but to forgive those who injured Jason.”
I had entered the combat zone and I will never leave.
Monday, April 26, 2010
What A Monday!
Got called for jury duty but was not picked as one of the 13 needed.
Would have been an interesting case. A Muslim supervisor fired a Roman Catholic because the plaintiff argues, "Religious discrimination" The Roman Catholic was a temp worker at a large employer. The firing arose he argues because he did not support the Muslim riots after the publishing of cartoons a couple of years back. Remember some folks were even killed by Muslims.
I can imagine the RC has his job record muddied. There were lots of legal types for the employer. I hope he gets an "impartial hearing" I told the juror, before I knew she would be picked, "I worked for Dept of Corrections. Wardens were always getting PO'd at a guard, firing them for no cause and we at the Director's level would have to defend the mess at arbitration." Same thing here I think.
I have no doubt the Muslim was mad as heck at the cartoon situation, not violent, and firing this RC was a way of showing his loyalty to Islam and expressing his own hostility. Since the RC was a temp, won't get his job back but maybe a settlement of some kind. At least that is my thought as a non-juror.
Then off to the eye MD's for yearly exam. Except this cute young MD said, "Your eyes are great, don't come back for two years!" They had hardly changed but because I did not go back last year when the glasses I did get were not working I headed out to the "ouch zone" I no longer have glasses insurance and ordered up myself a new pair of trifocals! $500 at least for my "afternoon out." Yipes I am so very glad that I have money for health care for now at least.
Came home, ate dinner then off to the YMCA for a treadmill, weights, back exercises and stretches. Now to bed.
I am so grateful for life and all my options. May your lives be so blessed.
I feel as if my soul is still sinking into being a priest.
I do not know what God has in store for me,
but I will be patient as God creates the door for me to walk through.
Would have been an interesting case. A Muslim supervisor fired a Roman Catholic because the plaintiff argues, "Religious discrimination" The Roman Catholic was a temp worker at a large employer. The firing arose he argues because he did not support the Muslim riots after the publishing of cartoons a couple of years back. Remember some folks were even killed by Muslims.
I can imagine the RC has his job record muddied. There were lots of legal types for the employer. I hope he gets an "impartial hearing" I told the juror, before I knew she would be picked, "I worked for Dept of Corrections. Wardens were always getting PO'd at a guard, firing them for no cause and we at the Director's level would have to defend the mess at arbitration." Same thing here I think.
I have no doubt the Muslim was mad as heck at the cartoon situation, not violent, and firing this RC was a way of showing his loyalty to Islam and expressing his own hostility. Since the RC was a temp, won't get his job back but maybe a settlement of some kind. At least that is my thought as a non-juror.
Then off to the eye MD's for yearly exam. Except this cute young MD said, "Your eyes are great, don't come back for two years!" They had hardly changed but because I did not go back last year when the glasses I did get were not working I headed out to the "ouch zone" I no longer have glasses insurance and ordered up myself a new pair of trifocals! $500 at least for my "afternoon out." Yipes I am so very glad that I have money for health care for now at least.
Came home, ate dinner then off to the YMCA for a treadmill, weights, back exercises and stretches. Now to bed.
I am so grateful for life and all my options. May your lives be so blessed.
I feel as if my soul is still sinking into being a priest.
I do not know what God has in store for me,
but I will be patient as God creates the door for me to walk through.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
An Inclusive Liturgy for Healing.
I am feeling mellow and tired after a beautiful day of liturgy.
Got up early to make the wonderful yeast rolls I use for the bread. Since I am on a restricted diet I forgot that I don't use eggs. Opened up the fridge, "NO eggs, yikes" So my yeast proving in a 2 cup measure, I dashed off to the Kroger's. "Wait, the local gas station may have eggs. Everybody sells everything in the 21st century." I stopped and sure enough Amish eggs, even. So I grabbed them and out the door I ran.
Back to the kitchen, the yeast was literally at the top of measuring cup! Happy little one-celled fellows, of course I had given them a "teaspoon full of sugar" to grow on and they sure did. The recipe makes two pans of 12 dinner rolls each. I would take the extra to give away.
Judy who called me to schedule one could not come because her husband who suffers from Parkinson disease had a TIA on Friday and was being released today. She felt badly but we all understood. Her son is a professional horse trainer and is here for the 3 week spring session of racing at Keeneland. Ray her spouse really likes his sons so this was blessing as Ray was confused and out of it. Her son stayed with him so Judy could go home to rest. It is so difficult for families with some of the chronic diseases of seniors. Ray has been ill for over 10 years: stroke, heart attach, Parkinson disease. I asked her was she getting help and she agreed that she would schedule home health care and PT for him. Judy is a lovely saint from Ireland and a true friend.
As I re-read the Scripture readings for the day I saw in synchronicity that today's reading from the AlAnon blue book was perfect for the day. It is a reminder that we cannot change the abuse in the RCC (alcoholic in our relationship). What we can change is our behavior which supports the abuser. As they say in AlAnon; "We didn't cause the behavior, we can't cure it, but we can contribute to it." Which lay Roman Catholics have done and done and done. As they say in AlAnon, we keep doing the same behavior and expect things to change-we are insane, our lives are unmanageable. As adult Roman Catholics must come of age, change our behavior and "stop the abuse" and I am not only talking pedophilia.
As I was thinking on the Good Shepherd I realized that my creche is still up and that I had plenty of sheep and a Shepherd to place on the altar as the center of focus. Which I did, I had my camera and am sorry that I did not take a photo, I will next time.
So six of us gathered at Ann's beautiful home built in 1882. She is an artist and creates masterpieces-that is the size of the painting. She is a long time feminist but always wanted to stay within her Roman Catholic tradition as she converted when she was 15. I will not name all the women as some are connected directly to the Roman Catholic Church and all attend their parishes regularly.
All the women want healing for themselves and and Roman Catholic faith community which was the theme for our Good Shepherd Sunday liturgy. I borrowed from the CTA liturgy of Ann Arbor MI for the gathering of the circle. A lighted candle is passed around and each person brings a joy, gratitude, something that happened this week, intention for the liturgy. This is a quiet time of reflection and acknowledging the needs in our life's circles. We bring these needs to our liturgy.
We used the liturgy written by a RCWP community of San Diego CA. We had used it when I co-celebrated with Bridget Mary in Sarasota at Easter time. I won't type it all but here is the Creed from Sr. Joan Chittester OSB:
We believe in God who made us all and whose divinity infuses life with the sacred.
We believe in multiple revelations of God, alive in every human heart, expressed in every culture, found in all the wisdoms of the world.
We believe in Jesus, the Christ, who leads us to the fullness of humanity, to what we are meant to become.
Through Christ, we become new people, called beyond the consequences of our brokenness, lifted to the fullness of life.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of God on earth, who keeps the Christ vision present to souls yet in darkness, gives light to hearts now blind, infuses energy into spirits yet weary, isolated, searching and confused.
We believe in God who is life
Amen to courage, to hope, to spirit of truth, to nature, to happiness, to wholeness, to the partnership of women and men in God's plan, to the Christ who calls us beyond the boundaries of ourselves, to forgiveness, and to everything that stretches our hearts to the dimensions of God.
In all of this, we can surely believe, as God does.
Amen.
For the homily which is always shared when I preside, I wrote this meditation as a "homily starter." I will include it all as a model by which you may write your own. The theme was the Good Shepherd so to by-pass all our "previous learning" I wrote it so Jesus could speak to each of us within our own heart. The Evangelical Christians always ask, "Do you have a personal relationship with our Lord?" This is how we may create the relationship; the St Ignatius Exercises are another way.
Follow my voice, if you wander, focus on my voice again. However this experience follows the Spirit and if she leads you to another place it is okay. All flows from the Spirit.
Close your eyes with your feet on the floor your hands resting comfortably. Your body relaxed, stretch if you need to. Breathe gently in/out, in/out (until the group seems to be relaxed) a 30 seconds or so.
Find yourself in a safe place...
See a bridge before you...
Cross over the bridge...and see the path before you.
Follow the path which leads you back through time...
Until you find yourself in Jerusalem and countryside at the time of Jesus...
Find yourself in a green space with Jesus and with sheep grazing...
Say hello to Jesus...
Share with Jesus your own need for healing...
How does Jesus respond? What does he say?....
Share with Jesus the need for healing in the RCC...
How does Jesus respond? What does he say?...
Share with Jesus anything you have on your heart...
Listen to Jesus' reply...
Ask Jesus for his blessing...
It is time to leave knowing you can return to be with Jesus whenever you choose...
Say goodbye to Jesus, you may give him a hug...
Jesus says good bye to you...
It is time to leave, wave goodbye to Jesus who now stands with the sheep...
Return to the path...
Retrace your footsteps through time till now...
Cross the bridge...
Return to this room...
When you are ready open your eyes...
The women stayed in the silence for a few minutes and then I opened up the circle for sharing. A couple of women wanted "marching orders" from Jesus but instead he said "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." He asked them to be patient that he knew the situation and was in control. Jesus blessed each one and for women he looked differently. For one he was a young boy in his teens "One who has been molested?" For another a strong vibrant male in his prime. Each woman was affirmed, not told what to do but to trust as the gospel asks us to do. Each woman had her own unique experience...our personal relationship with Jesus.
We blessed the bread and wine, we shared around the circle. We each read paragraphs of the Canon. We all lifted our hands and said the prayers of Consecration together.
At the end of the mass, we opened the circle to "Go in the peace of Christ. Let our service to God and each other begin."
Amen, Alleluia.
May each of you and all of you have a blessed week knowing our Loving Shepherd Jesus watches over us.
Got up early to make the wonderful yeast rolls I use for the bread. Since I am on a restricted diet I forgot that I don't use eggs. Opened up the fridge, "NO eggs, yikes" So my yeast proving in a 2 cup measure, I dashed off to the Kroger's. "Wait, the local gas station may have eggs. Everybody sells everything in the 21st century." I stopped and sure enough Amish eggs, even. So I grabbed them and out the door I ran.
Back to the kitchen, the yeast was literally at the top of measuring cup! Happy little one-celled fellows, of course I had given them a "teaspoon full of sugar" to grow on and they sure did. The recipe makes two pans of 12 dinner rolls each. I would take the extra to give away.
Judy who called me to schedule one could not come because her husband who suffers from Parkinson disease had a TIA on Friday and was being released today. She felt badly but we all understood. Her son is a professional horse trainer and is here for the 3 week spring session of racing at Keeneland. Ray her spouse really likes his sons so this was blessing as Ray was confused and out of it. Her son stayed with him so Judy could go home to rest. It is so difficult for families with some of the chronic diseases of seniors. Ray has been ill for over 10 years: stroke, heart attach, Parkinson disease. I asked her was she getting help and she agreed that she would schedule home health care and PT for him. Judy is a lovely saint from Ireland and a true friend.
As I re-read the Scripture readings for the day I saw in synchronicity that today's reading from the AlAnon blue book was perfect for the day. It is a reminder that we cannot change the abuse in the RCC (alcoholic in our relationship). What we can change is our behavior which supports the abuser. As they say in AlAnon; "We didn't cause the behavior, we can't cure it, but we can contribute to it." Which lay Roman Catholics have done and done and done. As they say in AlAnon, we keep doing the same behavior and expect things to change-we are insane, our lives are unmanageable. As adult Roman Catholics must come of age, change our behavior and "stop the abuse" and I am not only talking pedophilia.
As I was thinking on the Good Shepherd I realized that my creche is still up and that I had plenty of sheep and a Shepherd to place on the altar as the center of focus. Which I did, I had my camera and am sorry that I did not take a photo, I will next time.
So six of us gathered at Ann's beautiful home built in 1882. She is an artist and creates masterpieces-that is the size of the painting. She is a long time feminist but always wanted to stay within her Roman Catholic tradition as she converted when she was 15. I will not name all the women as some are connected directly to the Roman Catholic Church and all attend their parishes regularly.
All the women want healing for themselves and and Roman Catholic faith community which was the theme for our Good Shepherd Sunday liturgy. I borrowed from the CTA liturgy of Ann Arbor MI for the gathering of the circle. A lighted candle is passed around and each person brings a joy, gratitude, something that happened this week, intention for the liturgy. This is a quiet time of reflection and acknowledging the needs in our life's circles. We bring these needs to our liturgy.
We used the liturgy written by a RCWP community of San Diego CA. We had used it when I co-celebrated with Bridget Mary in Sarasota at Easter time. I won't type it all but here is the Creed from Sr. Joan Chittester OSB:
We believe in God who made us all and whose divinity infuses life with the sacred.
We believe in multiple revelations of God, alive in every human heart, expressed in every culture, found in all the wisdoms of the world.
We believe in Jesus, the Christ, who leads us to the fullness of humanity, to what we are meant to become.
Through Christ, we become new people, called beyond the consequences of our brokenness, lifted to the fullness of life.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of God on earth, who keeps the Christ vision present to souls yet in darkness, gives light to hearts now blind, infuses energy into spirits yet weary, isolated, searching and confused.
We believe in God who is life
Amen to courage, to hope, to spirit of truth, to nature, to happiness, to wholeness, to the partnership of women and men in God's plan, to the Christ who calls us beyond the boundaries of ourselves, to forgiveness, and to everything that stretches our hearts to the dimensions of God.
In all of this, we can surely believe, as God does.
Amen.
For the homily which is always shared when I preside, I wrote this meditation as a "homily starter." I will include it all as a model by which you may write your own. The theme was the Good Shepherd so to by-pass all our "previous learning" I wrote it so Jesus could speak to each of us within our own heart. The Evangelical Christians always ask, "Do you have a personal relationship with our Lord?" This is how we may create the relationship; the St Ignatius Exercises are another way.
Follow my voice, if you wander, focus on my voice again. However this experience follows the Spirit and if she leads you to another place it is okay. All flows from the Spirit.
Close your eyes with your feet on the floor your hands resting comfortably. Your body relaxed, stretch if you need to. Breathe gently in/out, in/out (until the group seems to be relaxed) a 30 seconds or so.
Find yourself in a safe place...
See a bridge before you...
Cross over the bridge...and see the path before you.
Follow the path which leads you back through time...
Until you find yourself in Jerusalem and countryside at the time of Jesus...
Find yourself in a green space with Jesus and with sheep grazing...
Say hello to Jesus...
Share with Jesus your own need for healing...
How does Jesus respond? What does he say?....
Share with Jesus the need for healing in the RCC...
How does Jesus respond? What does he say?...
Share with Jesus anything you have on your heart...
Listen to Jesus' reply...
Ask Jesus for his blessing...
It is time to leave knowing you can return to be with Jesus whenever you choose...
Say goodbye to Jesus, you may give him a hug...
Jesus says good bye to you...
It is time to leave, wave goodbye to Jesus who now stands with the sheep...
Return to the path...
Retrace your footsteps through time till now...
Cross the bridge...
Return to this room...
When you are ready open your eyes...
The women stayed in the silence for a few minutes and then I opened up the circle for sharing. A couple of women wanted "marching orders" from Jesus but instead he said "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." He asked them to be patient that he knew the situation and was in control. Jesus blessed each one and for women he looked differently. For one he was a young boy in his teens "One who has been molested?" For another a strong vibrant male in his prime. Each woman was affirmed, not told what to do but to trust as the gospel asks us to do. Each woman had her own unique experience...our personal relationship with Jesus.
We blessed the bread and wine, we shared around the circle. We each read paragraphs of the Canon. We all lifted our hands and said the prayers of Consecration together.
At the end of the mass, we opened the circle to "Go in the peace of Christ. Let our service to God and each other begin."
Amen, Alleluia.
May each of you and all of you have a blessed week knowing our Loving Shepherd Jesus watches over us.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The Suffering of Our Church Who Oppresses
I attended a meeting of pre-VOTF today. Some RC parishioners in Lexington, where the Bishop has his cathedral are so upset they have begun to explore establishing a VOTF chapter. They want to see what actions they may take to force transparency in the Catholic parishes including the diocese itself.
They are looking at possibly forming a VOTF chapter or a least using their resources to attack the problem itself. Four of us met today because some had thought there was a Federal law that requires transparency from non-profits. Doing the research, KY opted out of having its non-profits comply. So we cannot use Federal law to gather the data folks would like to have.
I argued for Call To Action to make a presentation on their resources for parishes and after the meeting I sent Bob Heineman an email asking for such resources or even a visit from him to discuss options with the group. I don't know what he can do if anything but I thought I would give it a try. I like CTA because they are action-oriented.
During the meeting a member began to share confidential stories of the suffering caused by this church especially for gay priests. We were all in shell-shock by the time she ended. The injustice is so great I was speechless and very angry. "We must walk with the priest. We must tell him what we are doing and why. If necessary we must support him financially. Stand with our priests against oppression and injustice."
We were winding down the meeting and I felt called to prayer. We held hands, "Dear Loving Wisdom, Send your wisdom upon us. Provide your guidance that we might choose to do the work of justice. May we stand with those who are hurting." By this time I began to cry, no weep is the word. I had said earlier, "We are at the foot of the cross. We must offer Jesus who suffers all we can do to ease his pain. A cup of water for those who suffer." We must be strong and make the decisions for justice.
I have another quandary. The RCWP who was here was very vocal about being a priest. I do not want to repeat her behavior as it is not about my priesthood but the Way of Jesus. Yet these discussions are so intense I feel I must let the members know as we are speaking of transparency and I feel I am not being transparent with them.
They are looking at possibly forming a VOTF chapter or a least using their resources to attack the problem itself. Four of us met today because some had thought there was a Federal law that requires transparency from non-profits. Doing the research, KY opted out of having its non-profits comply. So we cannot use Federal law to gather the data folks would like to have.
I argued for Call To Action to make a presentation on their resources for parishes and after the meeting I sent Bob Heineman an email asking for such resources or even a visit from him to discuss options with the group. I don't know what he can do if anything but I thought I would give it a try. I like CTA because they are action-oriented.
During the meeting a member began to share confidential stories of the suffering caused by this church especially for gay priests. We were all in shell-shock by the time she ended. The injustice is so great I was speechless and very angry. "We must walk with the priest. We must tell him what we are doing and why. If necessary we must support him financially. Stand with our priests against oppression and injustice."
We were winding down the meeting and I felt called to prayer. We held hands, "Dear Loving Wisdom, Send your wisdom upon us. Provide your guidance that we might choose to do the work of justice. May we stand with those who are hurting." By this time I began to cry, no weep is the word. I had said earlier, "We are at the foot of the cross. We must offer Jesus who suffers all we can do to ease his pain. A cup of water for those who suffer." We must be strong and make the decisions for justice.
I have another quandary. The RCWP who was here was very vocal about being a priest. I do not want to repeat her behavior as it is not about my priesthood but the Way of Jesus. Yet these discussions are so intense I feel I must let the members know as we are speaking of transparency and I feel I am not being transparent with them.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Kindness
I know nothing about digital cameras. My 35mm film camera was dropped once too many times and it quit latching closed. So I asked my sister who owns one then headed off the Office Max where I found that my arthritic fingers could not handle the wee, wee little controls. The OM man was very nice, "try Murphy's they might have something." In yesterday's paper there it was synchronicity: an add for a Canon with $30 off so I headed off to the store.
Don the manager waited on me. I told him my concerns and we looked at the Canon 120 that has larger controls except for the close/far away shot tiny, tiny control roller ball. I seemed to be able to manipulate all the controls and he walked me through taking a photo, reviewing and deleting it. At the same time we talked about RCWP and my becoming a priest. He is not Catholic and says he cannot understand how they could abuse children that way. I said, "When you believe you have absolute power, you become corrupt. We are working to change that." Don approved and wished us well.
I told him I needed the camera because the botanist for the Daniel Boone National Forest said the "lady slippers are blooming this week." I am so excited as I have only seen them once in Blacksburg VA in my 17 years there. So IF I catch them with the digital I will put up a photo if I can get someone to help me with transferring photos from memory to computer.
I want to say "Thank you" to Don and to all the men and women who have jobs in retail and provide kind service to customers such as myself with very little knowledge of a product. Blessings everyone, have a nice week end.
Don the manager waited on me. I told him my concerns and we looked at the Canon 120 that has larger controls except for the close/far away shot tiny, tiny control roller ball. I seemed to be able to manipulate all the controls and he walked me through taking a photo, reviewing and deleting it. At the same time we talked about RCWP and my becoming a priest. He is not Catholic and says he cannot understand how they could abuse children that way. I said, "When you believe you have absolute power, you become corrupt. We are working to change that." Don approved and wished us well.
I told him I needed the camera because the botanist for the Daniel Boone National Forest said the "lady slippers are blooming this week." I am so excited as I have only seen them once in Blacksburg VA in my 17 years there. So IF I catch them with the digital I will put up a photo if I can get someone to help me with transferring photos from memory to computer.
I want to say "Thank you" to Don and to all the men and women who have jobs in retail and provide kind service to customers such as myself with very little knowledge of a product. Blessings everyone, have a nice week end.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
It is Hard to Loose a Friend
Since last fall I have been working with the Catholic Action Center in Lexington KY. They secured HUD money to take those experiencing homelessness and place in apartments. I have been "a friend" for them.
Each Wednesday we have a supper and Ginny CAC Director updates on current events: auto wash (earned a bus pass and about 20 dollars for each washer), forming a softball team, creating a vegetable garden at the apartments (owner has given permission), providing a meal for the children who live at the apartments through out summer vacation (a resident would earn $12 a day as supervisor for the meal. 30 children are needed to make a center) a UK group wants to take the residents out bowling. The residents participated in taking a census of the homeless for the official USA census. I understand they found some folks at night at shelters.
Ginny announced that Sam (not real name) would no longer be with us. He was on parole and failed to report on time (I am assuming he missed more than once.) so was sent to prison for a one year sentence. This was from a drug charge. Sam was fun and loved stories as his father was a preacher in the coal fields of KY. He is a twin and his twin is also in prison. After Christmas visits, Sam proudly showed me the photos of his grandchildren although he is only in his 40's.
I was counting on his successful recovery from addiction and finding and holding a job. My brother Joe died at age 51 from a alcoholic-related heart attack. So I relate to these men and women as my siblings. I feel so badly when they take steps backward especially in Sam's case which lost him an apartment and an opportunity to start again.
I am going to try to find a way to stay in contact with Sam if possible through the Catholic Action Center. Please keep him in your prayers and all the men and women live at the Preakness.
Many blessings for all those who work at the Catholic Action Center and volunteers and all who financially or in-kind support the corporeal works of mercy in Lexington and throughout the country and world.
Each Wednesday we have a supper and Ginny CAC Director updates on current events: auto wash (earned a bus pass and about 20 dollars for each washer), forming a softball team, creating a vegetable garden at the apartments (owner has given permission), providing a meal for the children who live at the apartments through out summer vacation (a resident would earn $12 a day as supervisor for the meal. 30 children are needed to make a center) a UK group wants to take the residents out bowling. The residents participated in taking a census of the homeless for the official USA census. I understand they found some folks at night at shelters.
Ginny announced that Sam (not real name) would no longer be with us. He was on parole and failed to report on time (I am assuming he missed more than once.) so was sent to prison for a one year sentence. This was from a drug charge. Sam was fun and loved stories as his father was a preacher in the coal fields of KY. He is a twin and his twin is also in prison. After Christmas visits, Sam proudly showed me the photos of his grandchildren although he is only in his 40's.
I was counting on his successful recovery from addiction and finding and holding a job. My brother Joe died at age 51 from a alcoholic-related heart attack. So I relate to these men and women as my siblings. I feel so badly when they take steps backward especially in Sam's case which lost him an apartment and an opportunity to start again.
I am going to try to find a way to stay in contact with Sam if possible through the Catholic Action Center. Please keep him in your prayers and all the men and women live at the Preakness.
Many blessings for all those who work at the Catholic Action Center and volunteers and all who financially or in-kind support the corporeal works of mercy in Lexington and throughout the country and world.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Why Do I Leave Messes?
As I begin my journey as a RCWP, I am looking at my life and trying to discern even at this age "Why do I do the things I do?" Knowing why I do such things prepares me for persons who may come to me for pastoral counseling.
When I was small I shared a room with my brothers which included one closet for three kids. I remember having a dresser drawer, not a dresser, to myself and a box with some things under my bed.
I was neat after I married and when I lived as a single parent with Lisa often sharing an apartment with other mothers. Sorta like living at home: no room for any stuff. My first "alone" apartment was with Lisa when she was 6 and I was a graduate student at MSU, East Lansing MI.
After I married Dow and we moved to Blacksburg VA I became "messy" in my office. We had a person come in, I think one half day a week, to do some general house cleaning. When Dow and I lived in Chicago it was the same thing. My office was messy and the dining room table where I kept mail etc was also messy. The common areas I shared with Dow were neat as Dow did not like messes.
I thought this propensity to have a messy office work space was due to my emotional life being "messy" too. I was depressed, anxious, fearful and neurotic. Of course while I lived my marriage I couldn't identify those feelings.
After I left Dow in the spring of 2007, I moved to a two bedroom apartment in Edgewater, Chicago. I admit that the whole apartment became messy which I blamed on my 3 day a week work and going through a horrendous divorce process. My divorce was finalized in Sept of 2008 and I moved to Lexington Ky on May 1 2009. So...I have been here a year and boxes are still not unpacked! Nothing hung on the walls. I keep up with the small galley kitchen cause I have to eat and cook regularly. The rest of the apartment has gone rogue.
I can say I was gone for two months almost immediately after I moved in to care for my sister Connie in Michigan. I was then in and out during the fall and winter as I headed to Fl. for two ordination ceremonies, probably for another 2 months. Then counting time for trips to MI and DC etc. I was probably gone for another month. Bringing my total time in KY to about one-half year. Oh and I changed apartments because of heat loss in the original which meant packing it all up and moving across the parking lot.
But I wonder if this "messiness" is a behavior connected to being in "transition?" After leaving Dow, I have felt "on the move." Now this can mean both spiritually and physically. It is something I am praying about and feel it is connected to our family her/history. I have a brother and sister who are much like me. The three youngest in the family I can call "neat freaks." Their homes look like furniture stores, everything in its place. Two of them have children so it is not connected to being single or having children.
What does the emotional life in an alcoholic home instill? Messiness or perfection or does a child make a choice in emotional reaction for one or the other? I am beginning to work the 12 Steps of AlAnon. I will see if the roots of my choice are revealed to me. I know I want to change the behavior, the question is "how" do I instill a new behavior when I live alone and I alone are impacted by the results of a messy house?
AlAnon has a slogan "You can only take care of what is on your side of the street." I feel that messiness IS on my side of the street. I make plans to clean and "don't get to it." Today I exercised, made medical appointments, worked out for two hours, worked on FB and emails. Didn't do any cleaning and the front room floor has lost space to walk. I didn't get called to jury duty for tomorrow so I will try to begin to clean. Going to sleep early so I can get up early and "seize the day" as I have Dream Circle tomorrow and dinner with those once homeless now in apartments.
It may seem a small problem yet I know that my internal space is reflected in my outer space.
Prayer request:
Found out a Corpus (married) priest friend was in very serious auto accident over the weekend is intubated and in SICU. Please say a prayer for Lee's complete and speedy recovery and for strength and courage for his wife of many years.
When I was small I shared a room with my brothers which included one closet for three kids. I remember having a dresser drawer, not a dresser, to myself and a box with some things under my bed.
I was neat after I married and when I lived as a single parent with Lisa often sharing an apartment with other mothers. Sorta like living at home: no room for any stuff. My first "alone" apartment was with Lisa when she was 6 and I was a graduate student at MSU, East Lansing MI.
After I married Dow and we moved to Blacksburg VA I became "messy" in my office. We had a person come in, I think one half day a week, to do some general house cleaning. When Dow and I lived in Chicago it was the same thing. My office was messy and the dining room table where I kept mail etc was also messy. The common areas I shared with Dow were neat as Dow did not like messes.
I thought this propensity to have a messy office work space was due to my emotional life being "messy" too. I was depressed, anxious, fearful and neurotic. Of course while I lived my marriage I couldn't identify those feelings.
After I left Dow in the spring of 2007, I moved to a two bedroom apartment in Edgewater, Chicago. I admit that the whole apartment became messy which I blamed on my 3 day a week work and going through a horrendous divorce process. My divorce was finalized in Sept of 2008 and I moved to Lexington Ky on May 1 2009. So...I have been here a year and boxes are still not unpacked! Nothing hung on the walls. I keep up with the small galley kitchen cause I have to eat and cook regularly. The rest of the apartment has gone rogue.
I can say I was gone for two months almost immediately after I moved in to care for my sister Connie in Michigan. I was then in and out during the fall and winter as I headed to Fl. for two ordination ceremonies, probably for another 2 months. Then counting time for trips to MI and DC etc. I was probably gone for another month. Bringing my total time in KY to about one-half year. Oh and I changed apartments because of heat loss in the original which meant packing it all up and moving across the parking lot.
But I wonder if this "messiness" is a behavior connected to being in "transition?" After leaving Dow, I have felt "on the move." Now this can mean both spiritually and physically. It is something I am praying about and feel it is connected to our family her/history. I have a brother and sister who are much like me. The three youngest in the family I can call "neat freaks." Their homes look like furniture stores, everything in its place. Two of them have children so it is not connected to being single or having children.
What does the emotional life in an alcoholic home instill? Messiness or perfection or does a child make a choice in emotional reaction for one or the other? I am beginning to work the 12 Steps of AlAnon. I will see if the roots of my choice are revealed to me. I know I want to change the behavior, the question is "how" do I instill a new behavior when I live alone and I alone are impacted by the results of a messy house?
AlAnon has a slogan "You can only take care of what is on your side of the street." I feel that messiness IS on my side of the street. I make plans to clean and "don't get to it." Today I exercised, made medical appointments, worked out for two hours, worked on FB and emails. Didn't do any cleaning and the front room floor has lost space to walk. I didn't get called to jury duty for tomorrow so I will try to begin to clean. Going to sleep early so I can get up early and "seize the day" as I have Dream Circle tomorrow and dinner with those once homeless now in apartments.
It may seem a small problem yet I know that my internal space is reflected in my outer space.
Prayer request:
Found out a Corpus (married) priest friend was in very serious auto accident over the weekend is intubated and in SICU. Please say a prayer for Lee's complete and speedy recovery and for strength and courage for his wife of many years.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Today I Walked in the Forest
I have been called to jury duty for the month of April. I checked last night and didn't have to report today (not tomorrow either). I thought I can be called any day this week so I best use my time. I just got back from FL last Wednesday so I thought "I want to see wildflowers," my favorite from my childhood in MI. My mother used to have a wildflower garden on the North side of the home I grew up in. I loved going with her to dig them up from the woods and I loved looking them grow next to the little well in front of our small wooden frame home and under two huge willow trees that edged our home.
So off to the Daniel Boone National Forest (about 55 miles from Lexington) I went and within it to a State resort called "Natural Bridge." I got there about 3 PM (having left much later because of household chores this morning) but the air was very warm and the sun was shining. I parked by the lodge for the trails were out back of the lot and began a two hour adventure to walk to the natural bridge and down again, about 2.5 miles.
I was immediately struck by how difficult the climb was. I am 67 (exercise most days of the week) and after a mile of rugged up/down over rocks, sometimes straight up I was out of breath, my legs felt like a 100 pounds and I was soaked in sweat. I thought "I definitely don't have to do formal exercise today." Was the work worth it? Without a doubt because the flowers were exquisite in their abundant beauty.
Fields of red and white trilliums-pick them and they will die; miniature blue iris, short height phlox everywhere, an open space filled with a marvelous wild-geranium looking plant, but I don't think it was, growing on top of huge boulders , bluets my favorites from VA, purple and one-inch white violets growing in crevices on the sandstone formations which edged the trail on the left side.
God's creation always overwhelms with its majesty and my own smallness. The plants of this forest have been evolving for millions of years. I hugged first the maples then the pines. I begin to cry for each of them. God's work of millions of years and humanity is destroying it within a century. I asked their forgiveness and asked them to teach us to care for all our mother planet earth has given. It felt so good to hug each tree to let them know this woman loves them equally. I know that in hugging them, God was hugging them for that is who we are-daughters and sons of God. So in my tears I smiled and remembered Fr. Teihard De Chardin SJ who understood the universe to be the body of God. And when we love we bring God to consciousness.
I know I will go back I love the forest and when I lived in VA I never visited the forest enough now I will. I want to walk all the trails, to take a picnic lunch and to sit and eat and look out and be in God's creation. And my heart overflow with gratitude for the gift of life: mine and all that lives.
So off to the Daniel Boone National Forest (about 55 miles from Lexington) I went and within it to a State resort called "Natural Bridge." I got there about 3 PM (having left much later because of household chores this morning) but the air was very warm and the sun was shining. I parked by the lodge for the trails were out back of the lot and began a two hour adventure to walk to the natural bridge and down again, about 2.5 miles.
I was immediately struck by how difficult the climb was. I am 67 (exercise most days of the week) and after a mile of rugged up/down over rocks, sometimes straight up I was out of breath, my legs felt like a 100 pounds and I was soaked in sweat. I thought "I definitely don't have to do formal exercise today." Was the work worth it? Without a doubt because the flowers were exquisite in their abundant beauty.
Fields of red and white trilliums-pick them and they will die; miniature blue iris, short height phlox everywhere, an open space filled with a marvelous wild-geranium looking plant, but I don't think it was, growing on top of huge boulders , bluets my favorites from VA, purple and one-inch white violets growing in crevices on the sandstone formations which edged the trail on the left side.
God's creation always overwhelms with its majesty and my own smallness. The plants of this forest have been evolving for millions of years. I hugged first the maples then the pines. I begin to cry for each of them. God's work of millions of years and humanity is destroying it within a century. I asked their forgiveness and asked them to teach us to care for all our mother planet earth has given. It felt so good to hug each tree to let them know this woman loves them equally. I know that in hugging them, God was hugging them for that is who we are-daughters and sons of God. So in my tears I smiled and remembered Fr. Teihard De Chardin SJ who understood the universe to be the body of God. And when we love we bring God to consciousness.
I know I will go back I love the forest and when I lived in VA I never visited the forest enough now I will. I want to walk all the trails, to take a picnic lunch and to sit and eat and look out and be in God's creation. And my heart overflow with gratitude for the gift of life: mine and all that lives.
A Poem from Mother Nature
Yesterday I took a walk in the UK arboretum located on the campus about a mile from my apartment. I experienced this poem as I walked in the sunshine.
Walking in the Arboretum
Sun shining
Greenness to the blueness above
Birds singing at spring's birth
A tree before me
rising and stretching toward the sun
Wondering at the pink on its branches
Looking closely
Touching tenderly
The budding uncurling oak leaves.
Like a newborn's fingers and toes
one inch
exquisite, perfect in form
captured by its magnificence
I touched lovingly overwhelming beauty
Caressed the newborn leaf
Holding it tenderly in my heart.
Mother Nature smiled proudly at Her creation.
Walking in the Arboretum
Sun shining
Greenness to the blueness above
Birds singing at spring's birth
A tree before me
rising and stretching toward the sun
Wondering at the pink on its branches
Looking closely
Touching tenderly
The budding uncurling oak leaves.
Like a newborn's fingers and toes
one inch
exquisite, perfect in form
captured by its magnificence
I touched lovingly overwhelming beauty
Caressed the newborn leaf
Holding it tenderly in my heart.
Mother Nature smiled proudly at Her creation.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
A Letter from Hans Kung to the RCC Bishops on the Crisis
Here is a cite to a letter by Hans Kung, RC theologian and a contemporary of Pope Benedict. A must read:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0416/1224268443283.html?sms_ss
As always Kung speaks truth to power. However read and ponder what action you can and will take to heal the RCC from this systemic corruption. Do disseminate the letter widely. The apostles of our age continue to speak.
Part of me says, "The gates of hell will not prevail against the church?" What if we understand that the RCC is a gate to emotional hell as it has been for so many children of both sexes? I am speaking spiritually and emotionally.
This institutional structure must be destroyed for without death new life cannot be born.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0416/1224268443283.html?sms_ss
As always Kung speaks truth to power. However read and ponder what action you can and will take to heal the RCC from this systemic corruption. Do disseminate the letter widely. The apostles of our age continue to speak.
Part of me says, "The gates of hell will not prevail against the church?" What if we understand that the RCC is a gate to emotional hell as it has been for so many children of both sexes? I am speaking spiritually and emotionally.
This institutional structure must be destroyed for without death new life cannot be born.
A Metaphor for the Corruption in the RCC
I sent this post to my sister and brother RCWP today.
I offer it to you with the same intentions, "How can we heal the corruption in the RCC?"
I offer it to you with the same intentions, "How can we heal the corruption in the RCC?"
As I have been reflecting on the evil/corruption in the RCC today, a dream I had as a CPE student (2002) came to mind. In the ER, I spent time with a mother whose son in law had used her
The patient’s suffering was overwhelming. I tried to understand how such a thing could happen? Was there any meaning? That night I had this dream.
I share it for your own reflection of where we are, what we are living, what we confront and a response. In the dream circle I attend, a person shares a dream and each of us then “own the dream as mine.” We experience the dream as our own and share the insight as it arises from own unconscious. I offer the dream with this purpose in mind.
I was at a party filled with many people. Everyone was very gaily, beautifully, formally dressed. I am now in a smaller room with some of the guests. It is bright and decorated like a sitting room.People are conversing, standing, sitting with drinks and food in their hands. Mingling amongst the people is the Devil/evil. No one seems to take particular notice of the devil. (He is banal)
“Evil” is animal and human, male and female. It is evil as a shape-changer. When I look at him; he is both animal and human. He looks reptilian, like a dinosaur head the one with the horn-like protuberance at the back of the head. Then his face is human but like a Neanderthal.
He is clothed in a dress. The fabric is white chiffon (?) but so white it looks blue. It has a print of “smudges” that are black. He approaches different people and with his hands that have long manicured nails like a woman’s he is “picking at” them. He is trying to influence them? To get their attention?
I become angry. “What is he doing?” I know he must be stopped. I confront him, he says to me, “If you bless me, I will grow stronger; I must be killed.” I know that I have the will to “kill” him. I feel tremendous strength within me. I will go head-to-head with him. I will confront him. I am not afraid.
(End of dream)
I remember reading a book while in Jungian analysis at that time. The story with the role of woman as life giver and destroyer. It is about the dark side of a woman’s soul. The energy to destroy. A woman is sent to destroy the evildoer. She must first “go down” and be persecuted herself.The men cannot do the work of destroyer, she must do it and she does.
I am writing in psychological and spiritual terms. I am convinced that women are called to and must do the work, the males in the institutional RCC cannot.
You may share the dream I ask that you cite it as mine. Blessings as we seek the Spirit’s way of healing and reconciliation for us,
__._,_.___
Saturday, April 17, 2010
A Saturday of Meetings
The Bishop of Lexington KY has abused his power over and over again. Having been in Lexington a year, I am not up to date on his shenanigans. So when a friend told me of a "exploring the possibility of a VOTF chapter" I signed on to the meeting. About 20 wise elders met this morning and plan to meet again next week.
The discussion included his recent firing of a woman because she quoted the facts regarding women deacons in early Christianity. (Folks they weren't married to deacons, the women were deacons. See work of Dr. Dorothy Irvin) My comments focused on supporting the writer, sending letters to the editor and holding a press conference on the Cathedral steps when the bishop refuses to listen to our "concerns." I also recommended that we look into CTA membership as they are an activist reform group in the RCC with about 25, 000 members, VOTF has the same.
There was much undercurrent of fear: in the proposals, of others and how they might react, not wanting to be "strident." I thought, but not till later, we are worried about "being strident" when priests raped our sons and daughters and bishops moved the perpetrators to a new parish with new victims time after time? I encouraged the folks to be "fearless" in their actions for "silence is complicity." It was reported that one of the local Protestant non-denominational churches is 50% ex RCCs. How long will we wait till saying "No Mas" as this RCC destroys the spirit in our members and faith communities.
People want goals and objectives, we sure have acculturated the "business model" as the only way to do things. So some will write a position statement and others will work on next steps. By 11:30 we had done all we could till next meeting for the large group(in May after Mother's Day.)
The folks from Preakness were holding a auto wash to raise money in the front parking lot so after I had my car washed and gave a donation. They were proud to be washing cars and happy about the "good job" and thanks from the folks who had their cars washed. It was a perfect day in the 60's and sunny.
I invited a couple of women to the liturgy next week, not sure if they will come but got to get the word out. We are creating alternatives!
Then on to the AlAnon workshop on the 4th step "Taking an inventory of ourselves" Four different ways to do the step where presented by 4 different members some of who have been in the program for 20 years or more. This is an important step for we identify our deficits and our assets. Two hours well spent, no charge so I felt comfortable to purchase books that I thought might be helpful.
Got home in time to fix a salad for dinner, found I need feta cheese, then off to a "reward myself" movie: Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton. Certainly nothing like the original. I really liked the Mad Hatter played by Johnny Depp. He sure is a cutie! Alice is a plucky young women like Princess Lea of Star Wars fame. I liked it except for the violence, didn't think it needed to be so violent and scary. The Cheshire cat was fabulous, so was the Queen of Hearts. I thought the white queen was rather ditsy myself. That woman really did need a "champion."
The discussion included his recent firing of a woman because she quoted the facts regarding women deacons in early Christianity. (Folks they weren't married to deacons, the women were deacons. See work of Dr. Dorothy Irvin) My comments focused on supporting the writer, sending letters to the editor and holding a press conference on the Cathedral steps when the bishop refuses to listen to our "concerns." I also recommended that we look into CTA membership as they are an activist reform group in the RCC with about 25, 000 members, VOTF has the same.
There was much undercurrent of fear: in the proposals, of others and how they might react, not wanting to be "strident." I thought, but not till later, we are worried about "being strident" when priests raped our sons and daughters and bishops moved the perpetrators to a new parish with new victims time after time? I encouraged the folks to be "fearless" in their actions for "silence is complicity." It was reported that one of the local Protestant non-denominational churches is 50% ex RCCs. How long will we wait till saying "No Mas" as this RCC destroys the spirit in our members and faith communities.
People want goals and objectives, we sure have acculturated the "business model" as the only way to do things. So some will write a position statement and others will work on next steps. By 11:30 we had done all we could till next meeting for the large group(in May after Mother's Day.)
The folks from Preakness were holding a auto wash to raise money in the front parking lot so after I had my car washed and gave a donation. They were proud to be washing cars and happy about the "good job" and thanks from the folks who had their cars washed. It was a perfect day in the 60's and sunny.
I invited a couple of women to the liturgy next week, not sure if they will come but got to get the word out. We are creating alternatives!
Then on to the AlAnon workshop on the 4th step "Taking an inventory of ourselves" Four different ways to do the step where presented by 4 different members some of who have been in the program for 20 years or more. This is an important step for we identify our deficits and our assets. Two hours well spent, no charge so I felt comfortable to purchase books that I thought might be helpful.
Got home in time to fix a salad for dinner, found I need feta cheese, then off to a "reward myself" movie: Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton. Certainly nothing like the original. I really liked the Mad Hatter played by Johnny Depp. He sure is a cutie! Alice is a plucky young women like Princess Lea of Star Wars fame. I liked it except for the violence, didn't think it needed to be so violent and scary. The Cheshire cat was fabulous, so was the Queen of Hearts. I thought the white queen was rather ditsy myself. That woman really did need a "champion."
Friday, April 16, 2010
How Do Men and Women See and Experience a RCWP?
While in Fl at Easter I had the privilege of concelebrating the liturgy with my bishop Bridget Mary and her community Mary Mother of Jesus in Sarasota. They meet in a United Church of Christ building at 6PM on Saturday evening for the community's weekly mass.
About 60 folks were present and for about half this was their first RCWP mass. Afterwards a woman came to me and asked for prayers as Jack (member of the healing charismatic movement) and I had offered to pray individually for those who would like to have prayer for any reason.
She said this was her first time at a RCWP and was very open, "Katy your presence, your face shines. You are very special, you are a priest." I responded by saying, "What you see and experience is Godde's unconditional love for you." Her words were not the first time I had heard these words. I have heard them from hospice patients "You shine; there is a light about/in you" I heard them after the liturgy of my ordination to the priesthood "Your presence is different." People have said they have seen the presence in the photo of me taken that day.
When I am at the altar during liturgy, I let go of me and, through my eyes as Henri Nouwen taught when praying with icons, Jesus looks out and sees the people before me. Jesus is in my place. I know Jesus is present with us at all times and most clearly in the Eucharist. Now that I preside in larger congregations I do believe that Jesus is present for the People of God if we invite Him and are open to His presence. I believe the people present are open to seeing a woman in the Imago Dei. They have faith and know that a woman can represent Jesus in their midst. And so He is present to the people if I am open to His taking my place.
What people see and experience is the unconditional Love of Jesus for them, not me. For although I am capable of loving others and my community only God loves in this totally unconditional way. Only love, no limits, no judging all accepted into the Being who is God. Thus we believe and say "We are in the kindom of God."
Blessings everyone,
About 60 folks were present and for about half this was their first RCWP mass. Afterwards a woman came to me and asked for prayers as Jack (member of the healing charismatic movement) and I had offered to pray individually for those who would like to have prayer for any reason.
She said this was her first time at a RCWP and was very open, "Katy your presence, your face shines. You are very special, you are a priest." I responded by saying, "What you see and experience is Godde's unconditional love for you." Her words were not the first time I had heard these words. I have heard them from hospice patients "You shine; there is a light about/in you" I heard them after the liturgy of my ordination to the priesthood "Your presence is different." People have said they have seen the presence in the photo of me taken that day.
When I am at the altar during liturgy, I let go of me and, through my eyes as Henri Nouwen taught when praying with icons, Jesus looks out and sees the people before me. Jesus is in my place. I know Jesus is present with us at all times and most clearly in the Eucharist. Now that I preside in larger congregations I do believe that Jesus is present for the People of God if we invite Him and are open to His presence. I believe the people present are open to seeing a woman in the Imago Dei. They have faith and know that a woman can represent Jesus in their midst. And so He is present to the people if I am open to His taking my place.
What people see and experience is the unconditional Love of Jesus for them, not me. For although I am capable of loving others and my community only God loves in this totally unconditional way. Only love, no limits, no judging all accepted into the Being who is God. Thus we believe and say "We are in the kindom of God."
Blessings everyone,
Easter visit: Healing and Reconciliation
During Easter I visited with my daughter, her spouse and my three grandchildren ages 13, 12 and 8 in Tampa FL. I held our first family Seder Holy Thursday and there was plenty of reading time during the ritual for all. For Easter we headed to the beach for my 13 year old grandson to go para-sailing. JC was born in Jan and the weather finally agreed to let him "hit the water" at 80 degrees. We ate our Easter picnic lunch on the boardwalk, first time and delightful.
During the visit Lisa and I attended a counseling session regarding our relationship and my role in the family especially with my grandchildren. Times are challenging for the family and I sought healing for my daughter and my grandchildren. We were honest and open about Lisa's needs for support and my and concerns and ability to respond. After the session we hugged each other as we returned to our car.
I love my daughter and family and came away from the visit with a feeling of deep peace. I have now done all I could do to make amends with my daughter for my own failings as Lisa's mother. It was my unfinished business with Lisa and her family. Lisa is a matron of her own generation and is making decisions for her family to the best of her ability and understanding.
My Easter Good News:
It is never too late to say "Let us begin again as we are today." It is never too late to say, "I am sorry." Let us during this Easter season be open to reconciliation and the deepening of our relationships. You can do it as Jesus walks with us on our spiritual path to Emmaus where ever we live.
I recommend AlAnon to all who face situations when attending is appropriate. It is anonymous and follows the 12 step AA programs. AlAnon is free and the literature is tremendous. Alateen is for teens of alcoholic families. I joined in October 2009 and have learned so much about "what is on my own side of the street" and what belongs to another. My mother was an alcoholic and I find that my siblings and I carry on the behaviors of ACOAs. I am truly sorry that I did not join before now. I will help when I can knowing God is in control of Lisa's and my grandchildren's lives.
I write this as I explore "who I am" as a RCWP. For as I did as I studied in the CPE program I want to know how I am unconscious of my own behavior and thus impact negatively on those with whom I minister. Being a chaplain was one challenge; being a RCWP is at a whole new level of transparency.
Blessings everyone
During the visit Lisa and I attended a counseling session regarding our relationship and my role in the family especially with my grandchildren. Times are challenging for the family and I sought healing for my daughter and my grandchildren. We were honest and open about Lisa's needs for support and my and concerns and ability to respond. After the session we hugged each other as we returned to our car.
I love my daughter and family and came away from the visit with a feeling of deep peace. I have now done all I could do to make amends with my daughter for my own failings as Lisa's mother. It was my unfinished business with Lisa and her family. Lisa is a matron of her own generation and is making decisions for her family to the best of her ability and understanding.
My Easter Good News:
It is never too late to say "Let us begin again as we are today." It is never too late to say, "I am sorry." Let us during this Easter season be open to reconciliation and the deepening of our relationships. You can do it as Jesus walks with us on our spiritual path to Emmaus where ever we live.
I recommend AlAnon to all who face situations when attending is appropriate. It is anonymous and follows the 12 step AA programs. AlAnon is free and the literature is tremendous. Alateen is for teens of alcoholic families. I joined in October 2009 and have learned so much about "what is on my own side of the street" and what belongs to another. My mother was an alcoholic and I find that my siblings and I carry on the behaviors of ACOAs. I am truly sorry that I did not join before now. I will help when I can knowing God is in control of Lisa's and my grandchildren's lives.
I write this as I explore "who I am" as a RCWP. For as I did as I studied in the CPE program I want to know how I am unconscious of my own behavior and thus impact negatively on those with whom I minister. Being a chaplain was one challenge; being a RCWP is at a whole new level of transparency.
Blessings everyone
Where to start? Bridget Mary's Blog
I was ordained February 6 2010 in Sarasota and so much is happening. I am a MBTI Perceiver so I am having trouble organizing it all.
First of all I want to give you two sites to go to for information:
For background on the RCWP movement see http://www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org/
For "what is happening right now" see http://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/
I recommend that you bookmark them and can refer to them for the "latest"
First of all I want to give you two sites to go to for information:
For background on the RCWP movement see http://www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org/
For "what is happening right now" see http://bridgetmarys.blogspot.com/
I recommend that you bookmark them and can refer to them for the "latest"
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Vigil on Easter Eve/Easter Day
I am heading off to Easter Vigil at a RCC in Lisa's neighborhood. 60 folks are to be baptized this evening so I expect to be home very, very late! A blessed Easter everyone.
The vigil was awesome. 50 of the 60 folks who were baptized were children. More than one said, "I want to become a RC because my family is." I couldn't figure out why they were not previously baptized. beyond me.
The priest invited all young children to come to the altar and sit on the floor so they would have a "first row seat." I thought that is really neat! Then before each person was baptized, a reader would read a statement by the person telling "why I want to be baptised." Some wanted to know Jesus better, some the Spirit. Members who were confirmed included from the Pentecostal, Lutheran, Methodist and Episcopalian Christian faith communities. Three persons became RC because they were engaged to RC. One a soldier on leave and returning to Iraq. I pray he will return for his planned fall wedding.
This morning I attended with my daughter Lisa a Sonrise service at St Stephens parish located about a mile away. I had never attended two Easter liturgies and never attended a RCC sunrise service. We gathered at 7 AM before dawn with the 3/4 moon still bright in the sky. By half-way through the liturgy we saw the sun peaking through trees and the early morning fog. We watched as it quickly hit the tree line as it rose into a glorious Easter gold!
Early afternoon we headed to the beach to take JC parasailing for the first time. His mother Lisa had parasailed probably when she was about the same age. If you are on FaceBook, friend me, and you can see the album with the photos.
It was a picture perfect sailing day and JC enjoyed it. 1200 feet of tether and I would say about a 15 minute "ride in the sky." It is so cool how you land, grab a bar above you and you are standing up on the platform of the boat. A perfect way JC chose to celebrate turning 13, the first of my grandchildren to do so. We ate our picnic lunch: sandwiches, chips and salsa and Faygo pop on the boardwalk as Jonathan pondered if he will sail next year when he becomes 13. As the cashier said, "Memories are the very best gift to give." JC had chosen this activity when I asked him what he wanted for his birthday in January. May JC's heart, mind, thoughts and actions soar far into the future and a life of happiness and success.
I felt so blessed to be able to be with my family this Easter. The wonder of the God of Evolution who created us to live in families. After 14 billion years here we are all over the earth in families of all different sizes, shapes, colors, faiths, cultures, languages. A diversity of human life all Sacred, all Blessed.
I have dedicated my priesthood to the knowledge that we are all from one Source who created humanity in Love to bring the universe to consciousness. We are called to live lives of Compassion for that is what we are created to do. From Self to family to community to nation to all of the world larger and larger are the ripples of compassion until all the universe is encircled in love. and we call this "God's Embrace."
Blessings everyone during this Easter Season of new life.
The vigil was awesome. 50 of the 60 folks who were baptized were children. More than one said, "I want to become a RC because my family is." I couldn't figure out why they were not previously baptized. beyond me.
The priest invited all young children to come to the altar and sit on the floor so they would have a "first row seat." I thought that is really neat! Then before each person was baptized, a reader would read a statement by the person telling "why I want to be baptised." Some wanted to know Jesus better, some the Spirit. Members who were confirmed included from the Pentecostal, Lutheran, Methodist and Episcopalian Christian faith communities. Three persons became RC because they were engaged to RC. One a soldier on leave and returning to Iraq. I pray he will return for his planned fall wedding.
This morning I attended with my daughter Lisa a Sonrise service at St Stephens parish located about a mile away. I had never attended two Easter liturgies and never attended a RCC sunrise service. We gathered at 7 AM before dawn with the 3/4 moon still bright in the sky. By half-way through the liturgy we saw the sun peaking through trees and the early morning fog. We watched as it quickly hit the tree line as it rose into a glorious Easter gold!
Early afternoon we headed to the beach to take JC parasailing for the first time. His mother Lisa had parasailed probably when she was about the same age. If you are on FaceBook, friend me, and you can see the album with the photos.
It was a picture perfect sailing day and JC enjoyed it. 1200 feet of tether and I would say about a 15 minute "ride in the sky." It is so cool how you land, grab a bar above you and you are standing up on the platform of the boat. A perfect way JC chose to celebrate turning 13, the first of my grandchildren to do so. We ate our picnic lunch: sandwiches, chips and salsa and Faygo pop on the boardwalk as Jonathan pondered if he will sail next year when he becomes 13. As the cashier said, "Memories are the very best gift to give." JC had chosen this activity when I asked him what he wanted for his birthday in January. May JC's heart, mind, thoughts and actions soar far into the future and a life of happiness and success.
I felt so blessed to be able to be with my family this Easter. The wonder of the God of Evolution who created us to live in families. After 14 billion years here we are all over the earth in families of all different sizes, shapes, colors, faiths, cultures, languages. A diversity of human life all Sacred, all Blessed.
I have dedicated my priesthood to the knowledge that we are all from one Source who created humanity in Love to bring the universe to consciousness. We are called to live lives of Compassion for that is what we are created to do. From Self to family to community to nation to all of the world larger and larger are the ripples of compassion until all the universe is encircled in love. and we call this "God's Embrace."
Blessings everyone during this Easter Season of new life.
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