|
During my senior year at Holy Cross, I conducted research on Bodies, Food, and Faith. It was the culmination of the work I had done in theology throughout my time there and a synthesis of the questions in my head and in my heart. I’ve been plus size my whole life, and I often felt marginalized by my tradition, but couldn’t really put words to it. In this research, I stumbled across “Lenten Fasting in the Context of Body Hatred: A Feminist Critique” by Jessica Coblentz, and I started getting the answers I wanted and needed about how my body fit into my life as Catholic.
Last night, Dr. Coblentz gave a presentation on her work for this article. What struck me the most were her comments about how in the context of body hatred, fasting cultures enable structures that moralize body size. During Lent, the pressure to perform fasting is exacerbated by the hope that our bodies will radically become thinner in an effort to prove that we have moral fitness and moral agility. So even someone who is comfortable in their embodied self might feel pressured during Lent to make a change that transforms them physically, simply because they want people to perceive them as active rather than lazy. Dr. Coblentz quoted Michelle Lelwica who writes: “Those of us who recognize both the fabricated quality of the unattainable ideals [of lent and body hatred] and its commercial function may nevertheless find ourselves involuntarily wishing we looked more like it.”
Fasting in the context of body hatred, contends Coblentz, places blame on nonnormative, larger bodies for weak wills and diminished morality. There are ways for us to heal from this though, that include listening to the experience of those in fat bodies or those who have struggled with disordered eating. Within these spaces we might consider a preferential option for those disproportionally affected by cultural body hatred and fatphobia. Finally, Coblentz invited us all to explore body-affirming theologies and spiritual practices in our Christian communities, especially but not only during Lent. So perhaps this weekend you might attend a Lenten fish fry, share a meal with a friend, or reconsider your 40-day fast from chocolate.
But let Dr. Coblentz’s presentation remind us that the body does not assert your morality, and Lent is not meant to be a 40-day fad diet, but rather the invitation to grow in our relationships with God.
|
|
|
|
The Just Word
Today, Eric Martin invites us to explore Jesus driving out the money changers and the sellers in the temple; engage Catholic Social Teaching through the lessons of Catholic resistors; and embody these lessons through the example of the Young Lords and Ade Bethune’s “My House is a House of Prayer.”
"Jesus is not calling for lower prices, [Ched] Myers notes. He is calling for the ceasing of the entire system in overturning – and possibly destroying – the tables of these bankers and dove sellers. 'They represented the concrete mechanisms of oppression within a political economy that double exploited the poor and unclean,' particularly women and lepers. These people were already marginalized and considered lower-class citizens, and the ritual system 'obligated them to make reparation, through sacrifices, for their inferior status – from which the marketers profited.' ”
Eric Martin teaches on theology & social movements in Los Angeles and writes shoddy poems.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Catholic Women Preach
Preaching for the Third Sunday of Lent, Vickey McBride offers a reflection on trusting in God's will for us and our world, especially when anger at injustice consumes us:
"Anger is a natural, human response. It is healthy and often a helpful compass that directs us to urgent needs. But if you ever feel consumed by anger when things don’t go the way you think they should, it might be helpful to remember what the psalmist says: God’s word is right, perfect, clear. God’s word leads us to everlasting life. And while we should stand up for God’s word and act as living witnesses, God does not require us to threaten or shake each other into acknowledging that truth. God’s word is effective. It’s more than factually true, it is existentially true and will, in the fullness of time, come to pass."
Vickey McBride is Vice President for Mission at Saint Martin de Porres High School (Cristo Rey) in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2023, she received the Michael Pressley Award for Excellence in Catholic Education. She has written reflections for the 2024 and 2023 editions of the Living Liturgy Sunday Missal published by Liturgical Press. She also contributed to Five Minutes with the Saints: More Spiritual Nourishment for Busy Teachers, a book of meditations published by Ave Maria Press in 2014. She is passionate about music, spirituality, and building loving communities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Join Us for Upcoming FutureChurch Events! |
|
|
|
3 Opportunities: March 9, 11, and 16th or by Questionnaire
Conversations in the Spirit: FutureChurch Listening Sessions for the Interim Stage of the Synod
Join FutureChurch as we engage together in “Conversations in the Spirit” to deepen our engagement with one another and continue our journey toward the October 2024 Assembly of the Synod on Communion, Participation, and Mission.
FutureChurch will host three stand-alone sessions at different times to allow for as much participation as possible. Each session will last approximately 2 hours. Pick the session that works best for you and your schedule:
*Please note: Small breakout groups engaging in conversation with others will be integral to these sessions. If you are unwilling or unable to participate in a breakout group, these aren’t the sessions for you. Instead, we invite you to fill out our questionnaire. Your input, regardless of whether or not you attend a listening session, will be incorporated into our report, which we will send to the USCCB Synod Committee and post to our website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 2 at 7pm ET
Mary Magdalene, Her Easter Proclamation, and Why it Matters
On Easter Tuesday this year, FutureChurch Program Associate, Olivia Hastie, will moderate an intergenerational panel of women in scholarship and ministry to explore how Mary Magdalene continues to inspire today, why it is important that we reclaim and tell her true story, and what difference it would make in the lives of people of faith to hear the full story on Easter Sunday.
About our Panelists:
Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ was professor of New Testament at Catholic Theological Union at Chicago for 26 years, and is professor emerita from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. She is the author or editor of many books and articles on topics of New Testament and Early Church.
Laura Boysen-Aragón is the Development Director at the Loyola Institute for Spirituality (LIS) in Orange, CA where she brings to her work a deep commitment to Ignatian spirituality and a faith that seeks justice. Laura has felt a strong call to the priesthood for many years. She continues discerning how to live out that call.
Molly Cahill is an assistant editor at America Media, where she previously completed a one-year media fellowship after her graduation from Boston College. She is passionate about theology, activism, journalism, and the arts.
Martha Ligas is a spiritual director, lay minister, preacher, and educator. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Ministry at Fordham University, serves as pastoral minister at the Community of St. Peter in Cleveland, OH, and is communications coordinator for FutureChurch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tuesday, March 19, 8 PM ET |
|
|
The ongoing Synod on Synodality calls for the global church to continue deepening its understanding and practice of synodality, and to “listen more to those on the periphery.” As a response to that call, Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR) is hosting “Sharing Our Wisdom: Speaking to the Synod as a Community of Love,” on Tuesday, March 19 at 8 p.m. ET. In a dynamic event inspired by the model of “conversation in the Spirit,” COR will feature testimonies and wisdom from theologians and advocates who are most excluded from the synodal process and documents and community discernment through sharing in a “town hall” format. We are inviting Synod Delegates and members of the USCCB Synod team to attend and listen to the testimonies and comments presented. The event will be facilitated by Dr. Annie Selak, director of Georgetown University’s Women’s Center.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Director, Preach all Ways Initiative, Marian University |
|
|
As a part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks a Director of the Preach All Ways Initiative to promote their Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by engaging and empowering leaders to develop compelling preaching forms to reach youth navigating major questions of meaning, identity, and relationships. The ideal candidate will be entrepreneurial and have a joy-filled missionary spirit. S/he will be creative, highly organized, opportunity focused, collaborative, and a strong teacher with the ability to empower others in preaching.
See Full Description/Apply Here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Program Director, Mercy Center Burlingame |
|
|
This role is responsible for the creation, development, and oversight of all program functions, and ensuring quality programming in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy charism and Mercy Ministry Corporation values. The Program Director will further the mission of Mercy Center Burlingame through program design, implementation, and evaluation while collaborating with current staff to promote retreats and programs.
Learn More/Apply Here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Executive Director, Centre for Biblical Formation in Jerusalem |
|
|
CBF, affiliated with Notre Dame de Sion (NDS, Rome), promotes understanding of scripture and interfaith peace. It's focus is: the Bible, the People, and the Land. Responsibilities of the job include: Lead CBF, uphold its values, strategize, manage operations, ensure fundraising, and support staff/volunteers.
Learn more here.
To apply, email Sister Margaret Zdunich at director@biblical-program.com.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Toward a Constitutively Synodal Church |
|
|
March 2-14, 2024
This March, Boston College is excited to offer its third Intercontinental Massive Online Course (MOOC). This time the MOOC will address the theme Toward a Constitutively Synodal Church. All videos will be facilitated virtually during the month of March 2024 and will be offered at no cost to participants worldwide. Boston College uses a fully online asynchronous format. Lectures which are pre-recorded and available in Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, Italian, Polish and German can be watched at any time throughout the month of March
Learn More and Access Recordings Here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| "Saintly Six" Virtual Pilgrimage |
|
|
March 10, 2024 | 12:00 PM-2:00 PM ET via Zoom
St. Ignatius Catholic Community of Baltimore, The Antiracism Task Force, the Pastorate of St. Ann, St. Francis Xavier and St.Wenceslaus and the Racial Justice Circle – invite you to celebrate the lives of the “Saintly Six” on a virtual Pilgrimage of prayer and praise.
Join us as we pray and sing a Pilgrimage with our 6 Black candidates for sainthood. Take time to feel their lives and their presence as Servants of God.
This will be 2 hours of prayers, song, slides, testimonies and reflections. We come together through the intercession of the Holy Spirit. We gather in affirmation, solidarity, reverence and recognition of their saintly paths on their Call to love praise and serve God.
Register Here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Becoming a Synodal Church: A Conversation with Massimo Faggioli and Maureen Sullivan, OP at The Center at Mariandale |
|
|
Saturday, March 23 | 2:00-3:30PM, In-Person or via Zoom
The Roman Catholic Church is engaged in a three-year process of listening and dialogue, “The Synod on the Synodality,” which will conclude in October 2024.
This historic time for Catholicism raises important questions about the future direction of the church. Synodality implies a commitment to dialogue and an openness to voices that have been marginalized. Where is the Church now in the Synod process? What is the impact so far? Where does the Church seem to be moving in preparing for October 2024? What may be the implications for the future of the church if a model of synodality takes root in the leadership and day to day life of the church?
Please join The Center at Mariandale for a discussion with a leading church historian, Massimo Faggioli, and an expert on Vatican II, Maureen Sullivan, OP. This 90-minute session will provide opportunity to learn from key scholars, dialogue with people of the faith, and to ask questions important to you.
Fee: $20 Donation
Register Here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| We seek changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life and leadership. |
|
|
FutureChurch is a national 501(c)(3) organization and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
