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(Photo Credit: OSV News/Bob Roller)
This week, FutureChurch would like to lift up the participants of "Aqui Estamos: March and Vigil to Stand with Migrants" as our profile in holy courage. According to a recent NCR article, this past Monday's march drew hundreds of participants who rallied, marched, and held vigil in solidarity with migrants. The event, which took place on the feast of St. Óscar Romero, was a demonstration of community and a plea for greater justice and mercy in U.S. immigration policy. In attendance were archbishops and bishops from Mexico, Canada, and the U.S., interfaith clergy, immigration advocates, and others who felt compelled to stand with and for our migrant siblings.
Thank you, march organizers and participants, for your demonstration of solidarity and courage!
Do you know of an individual or community who has displayed holy courage in recent times? Tell us about them! Email Martha at martha@futurechurch.org.
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March 30, 2025 | Fourth Sunday of Lent
Today Bruce Adema invites us to explore the Prodigal Son with the help of Henri Nouwen; engage the lessons of the Gospel story; and embody these lessons with the help of Nouwen’s reflections on Rembrandt’s “The Return of the Prodigal Son.”
Reflecting on the prodigal father as a revelation of God, [Henri] Nouwen wrote: 'Here is the God I want to believe in: a Father who, from the beginning of creation, has stretched out his arms in merciful blessing, never forcing himself on anyone, but always waiting; never letting his arms drop down in despair, but always hoping that his children will return so that he can speak words of love to them and let his tired arms rest on their shoulders. His only desire is to bless.'”
Rev. Bruce Adema is Executive Director of the Henri Nouwen Society. A Canadian who received his university and seminary training in the United States, he has served in Canada and the Philippines as pastor, church planter, theological educator, and senior denominational leader.
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March 30, 2025
Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Sr. Lynn Marie Ralph, SBS, offers an imaginative and powerful retelling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son:
"The prodigal daughter needed a complete makeover. She needed healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There are many women who need healing, especially from all types of abuse. The anxiety that builds up, sudden panic attacks, being alone and feeling as if love is lost. The prodigal daughter needed to be home with her mama."
Sister Lynn Marie Ralph is a Sister of the Blessed Sacrament whose congregation was founded by Saint Katharine Drexel. She has been a member of the religious order for forty-two years. Currently Sister Lynn Marie is the Coordinator of Pastoral Care at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Meadowbrook, PA, where she has the opportunity to minister with a diverse group of ministers that include Jewish, Baptist, Christian, as well as Catholics.
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| Just Word Commentary for the Solemnity of the Annunciation |
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March 25, 2025 | Solemnity of the Annunciation
Today Manato Jansen invites us to engage trust in God in challenging times, through Mary’s choices; engage trust in the Divine can lead us to seeking our own power; and embody trust in God with voices from our readings and the example of Marsha P. Johnson.
"In the context of her positionality as a rural, young girl of low economic and social status, [Mary's] openness to welcome a seemingly impossible transformation reminds us that there was much at stake in her words 'let it be.' What does this say about the spirit of Mary and the nature of God? The liberating message in this text is that the Annunciation of the Lord is the beginning of the disruption of power: God Incarnate is chosen to be birthed among the powerless, the threatened, among those placed on the margins."
Rev. Manato Jansen serves at Pres House Campus Ministry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also serves as homilist and presider at the Benedictine Holy Wisdom Monastery and leads ecumenical services at St. Mary’s Care Center in Madison. Manato served in hospital and college chaplaincy in Boston during his time at Harvard Divinity School (MDiv ’22) and was ordained in the American Baptist (ABCUSA) tradition. Manato is passionate about cultivating LGBTQ+ affirming communities in the church and providing spaces for young adults to engage in topics around death and grief.
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| Pentecost Project- NEW HIGHLIGHT! |
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ALTernative LITurgies: Abounding Grace in Chicagoland Living Rooms
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With the fire of Pentecost and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, we at FutureChurch are engaging in a new project to recognize and celebrate communities that are embodying the mission of Pentecost. Over the next several months, we will continue highlighting communities that have been emboldened to live the Gospel in new and creative ways. Today we introduce you to Alt-Lit.
“I’ve never been in a space where both my talents can be lauded, and my brokenness cared for in such an affirming way. I think that comes from that consistent dedication to community that all of us have.” - Claire Erlenborn, Alt-Lit Participant
Read More about Alt-Lit...
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Lent 2025: "What Is Mine To Do?" Session 3: Praying with and for Immigrants and Refugees
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As so many in our midst are becoming increasingly marginalized and vulnerable you may be asking, “what can I do?” Led by the Spirit and rooted in our Gospel values, FutureChurch is pleased to offer this 2025 Lenten Series – “What Is Mine To Do?”
Inspired by the Anointing Woman of Mark’s Gospel (14:3-9), who – in Jesus’ words – “did what she could,” FutureChurch is offering several opportunities designed to help each of us prayerfully discern how we are being called to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable and marginalized and to uphold and defend the dignity of all people.
Our series continued on Wednesday evening as we prayed with and for the Immigrant and Refugee community, who face increasing threats to their dignity, freedom, lives, and livelihoods.
Developed in collaboration with the FutureChurch team, our prayer service was led by Mayra Cervantes, Damaris Molina, Giovanni Perez, Maria Luna, and Yolanda Chavez. The reflection was offered by Yunuen Trujillo, a faith-based community organizer, immigration attorney, and FutureChurch board member.
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| April 2, 2025 | 7:30pm ET |
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Lent 2025: "What Is Mine To Do?" Praying with and for the Environment
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The next program in our "What Is Mine To Do" series will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd at 7:30pm ET.
Join us for this prayer service for the care of all creation and environmental justice. In the wake of devastating natural disasters all around the world and recognizing the increasing effects of climate change, this service will focus on the environment and the impact of ecological degradation on communities and families' health, safety, and livelihoods.
This service is developed by Ariell Watson Simon, FutureChurch Sunday Liturgy Coordinator.
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| April 2 | 3-4:30pm EST | via Zoom |
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| Creatively Caring for the Most Vulnerable: Stories of Female Entrepreneurship and Hope |
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The Catholic Church advocates for immigration policies based on human rights and the dignity of all people. This Conversation in the Spirit seeks input from all who desire to treat immigrants with dignity and respect. Women, bring your clergy! Clergy, bring women from your parish or ministry. We will receive three brief testimonies prior to our small group Conversation in the Spirit. This event is hosted by Women in the Church and Immigration Working Groups for the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests and facilitated by Ignatian Encounters Ministry.
Stories from the Border - Radical Hospitality in Action - Joanna Williams is the principal executive officer of the Kino Border Initiative (KBI) which has a vision of migration with dignity.
Sanctuary People - Dr. Gina Pérez is a cultural anthropologist, professor, and award winning author at Oberlin College. Her new book, Sanctuary People explores sanctuary movements and practices with and among Latinas/os.
Creating Pastoral Responses to Immigrants in Need - Dr. Cecilia González-Andrieu is a celebrated theologian and award-winning author committed to a faith that does justice. She is professor of Theology and Theological Aesthetics at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.
Click HERE to Register.
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| April 5 | 1:15pm-4:00pm ET | Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center; Madison, CT |
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| "Mary Magdalene in the Ministry of Jesus: Seeking and Proclaiming Resurrection" Art Exhibit |
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Painted by Laura James and commissioned by Rita L. Houlihan, this art exhibit began with an urgent mission to bring the Mary Magdalene of scripture to the public’s attention. To make this vision real, Rita turned to Laura James and her rich talent for creating compelling images of quiet, joyful, and sometimes, loud spiritual experiences.
This exhibit will be available for viewing from March 14 - May 11, 2025. Please join Rita and Laura on April 5th for an introduction and Q&A from 1:15pm-2:15pm ET, followed by a "meet and greet" reception from 2:30pm-4:00pm ET.
Click here for more information about the exhibit.
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| April 7 | 7:00pm ET | via Zoom |
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| “Integral Ecology, the Vatican Observatory, Castel Gandolfo: New Dimensions in the Implementation of Laudato Si” |
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All are invited to register to hear Christiana Zenner, PhD speak on “Integral Ecology, the Vatican Observatory, Castel Gandolfo: New Dimensions in the Implementation of Laudato Si”, Care of Creation on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 7 PM via Zoom. She teaches theology, Science and Ethics at Fordham University and has authored two books, Just Water: Theology, Ethics, and Fresh Water Crises and Beyond Laudato Si. The event is sponsored by the Association of Pittsburgh Priests.
Register here.
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| We seek changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life and leadership. |
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FutureChurch is a national 501(c)(3) organization and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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