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Part of our mission in Rome during the first week of the Synod was to bring Mary Magdalene with us. We brought her story to the Dicastery of Divine Worship in our meeting to advocate for an expanded lectionary, we brought her words with us in our prayer services at Caravita and the Basilica of Santa Sabina, and we brought her depiction through the artwork of Laura James on holy cards that we shared throughout the city. But did you know we also brought her witness through posters that we carried with us on our journey? From the Basilica of St. Praxedes to Trastevere, from St. Peter's Square to the Jesuit Curia, Mary Magdalene was our travel companion along the way. And were we blessed to have her with us!
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October 20, 2024
Today Marisa Hulstine invites us to explore Jesus’s insistence that glory is in care for the other, not in status and power; engage Palestinian writer and revolutionary Ghassan Kanafani’s message from occupied Palestine about “what life is and what existence is worth;” and embody a renewed relationship to power and Jesus’s message with a contemplative journal exercise and the artwork of Malak Mattar.
"By speaking about the Gentiles or the Roman system, Jesus shows the abuse of ruling from the top down. The systems of domination leveled against the weakest, lorded over the people, forcing them to subscribe to roles that prevent a flourishing life are the systems Jesus resists. Therefore, to care for the marginalized was to defy the system’s power."
Marisa Hulstine (she/her) is a PhD student at the University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology who studies theology and ethics through the power of storytelling and the arts as a method for rebuilding healthier embodiment theologies. Originally from Colorado, Marisa grew up within the purity culture of conservative Christianity. Nurturing a relationship with her own body and with God, Marisa seeks an embodiment ethics that moves beyond the harm of Christian purity culture. Marisa received her undergraduate degree from Anderson University in Indiana and graduated from Union Theological Seminary with both a Master of Arts in Religion and a Master of Sacred Theology degree. Outside of the academy Marisa engages in organizing work and writing where she reimagines what it means for all bodies to flourish.
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Catholic Women Preach
Rebecca Malone preaches for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, offering a reflection on what it means to share in Jesus' glory:
"In Jesus, glory can be so much more: serving, giving, caring. His glory is a radiance, a glow, a place to remain and abide. We want to be close, not to push ahead of everyone else, but so that the warmth of his glory becomes our home . . ."
Rebecca Malone, a resident of Montreal, Canada, serves in children’s ministry at her parish. Her particular focus is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Raised in New York, Rebecca attended the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula in the Bronx, where she was inspired and formed in faith by the Ursuline sisters. Today, she pursues a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies at the Aquinas Institute of St. Louis University and serves on the board of the Center for Children and Theology.
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| Pentecost Project- New Highlight! |
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Following the Spirit on a WHIMM: The Story of the Washington Home Inclusive Monthly Mass
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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 be highlighting communities that have been emboldened to live the Gospel in new and creative ways. Today we introduce you to WHIMM-Washington Home Inclusive Monthly Mass.
Excerpt:
" 'Mary and I heard about a Mass organized with the Roman Catholic Women Priest Movement that was taking place in Maryland,' shared Jane. 'This was the first time there was one in the DC area that we had heard about. So we went to this Mass at somebody’s house, and it was so… electric.' After experiencing this type of liturgical celebration, Jane and Mary felt as though more people needed access to an inclusive and intimate Liturgy in a home setting led by a woman priest. So they decided to try their hand at some organizing."
READ MORE...
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| Litany of Those Who Accompanied Us |
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On the morning of Friday, October 5, 2024, the FutureChurch team along with Rita Houlihan, Lucy Rieger, and Rose Lue gathered at the Church of Saint Sabina in Rome for a simple prayer service to uplift the names of those whom we carried us on our journey to “bring Mary Magdalene to the Synod.”
We are grateful to everyone who contributed to our “Mary Magdalene Goes to the Synod” campaign to support our efforts to expand the lectionary and offered names for us to carry with us during our travels. It was an honor and sacred experience to carry these names with us and to pray with them:
Ann
Marie Reisert Bailey
Victoria Baldwin
Josue Behnen, OSB
Hermilia Benavides
Sam Bowns
Sr. Mary Brinkman
Margaret Brogden
Sr. Anne Campbell
Mary Cara
Anita M. Caspary, IHM
Richard Conley
Geraldine Cortissoz
Pat Coughlin
Beverly Cramb
Eleanor Dallimore
Lydia Tinajero Deck
Lizzie Berne DeGear
Sr. Andre Dembowski, RSM
Anna DePierro
Mary Gallagher Dolan
Sr. Barbara Doherty, SP
Rosemarie Dougherty
Jacquelyn Dubay, OSB
Katherine Elsner
Kenny F
Margaret Fissinger
Patricia Flood
Deceased members of FutureChurch
FutureChurch founders and members past and present
Grandmother’s Mother
Carmen Golden
Antoni & Maria Gozdz
Sr. Hope Greener
Margaret Ellen Grellis
Angela Hastie
Olivia Hastie
Marmete Hayes
Kathrene Blish Houlihan
Rita Houlihan
Sr. Rita Anne Houlihan, RCN
Mary Margaret Howard
Jane Wolford Hughes
Sisters of the Humility of Mary
Susan Jensen
Sr. Theresa Kane, RSM
Mary Keldermans
Sr. Kate Kuenstler
Sr. Madonna Kolbenschlag, HM
Rosalie Kuns
Cecelia Lavinghouse
Martha Ligas
Andrea Long
Louis
Rita Lyons
Mary Magdalene Advocates
Mary Magdalene Spirituality Center
Crista Mahoney
My Mother
Sr. Molly Neville, SNJM
Sr. Katherine O’Donnell
Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ
Frances Padberg, SSND
Sr. Patricia Parachini
Yvonne Parrino
Sr. Anne Patrick, SNJM
Emaleen Patten
Paula
Rose Pentecost
Beryl Petrus
Rosalie Reinhardt
Sr. Mary Reuter, OSB
Lucy Rieger
Deborah Rose
Patrick Ryan
Mary Agnes Sammon
Sr. Christine Schenk, CSJ
Margaret Bernice Schilling
Sr. Mary Schrader
Mary Schultz
Sr. Maria Tardani, OP
Todd
Sr. Margie Tuite, OP
Nickki Valdez
Mary Magdalen Valuckas
Sr. Mary Anthony Wagner, OSB
Mary Walek
Sr. Miriam Ward
Monica Willis
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| Upcoming FutureChurch Events |
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| Thursday, November 7th & Tuesday, November 12th at 7:00pm ET (via Zoom). |
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| Courage in the Spirit: Translating Synodal Talk into Action |
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Night One: Thursday, November 7 at 7pm ET
Bishop John Stowe, O.F.M. Conv.
Keynote Presenter
FutureChurch is honored to welcome Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., the Bishop of Lexington and the Bishop President of Pax Christi USA as our keynote presenter. Bishop Stowe has been a courageous and consistent ally to those marginalized and excluded by both Church and society, including women and the LGBTQ+ community.
Night Two: Tuesday, November 12 at 7:00pm ET
Deborah Rose
Louis J. Trivison Award
FutureChurch will present the 2024 Louis J. Trivison Award to Deborah Rose in gratitude for her decade of joyful and prophetic leadership at FutureChurch and in celebration of her innumerable contributions to the cause of Church reform and renewal.
Kayla August
CHRISTINE SCHENK AWARD
FutureChurch will present the 2024 Christine Schenk award to Kayla August in celebration and recognition of her powerful living witness to the importance of women’s preaching and for her efforts to uplift the voice of the laity and marginalized in every area of Church life, leadership, and ministry.
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| January 8, 2025 | 6:00pm ET |
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“The Mystics Would Like a Word” with Shannon Evans
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Is there a Christian spirituality that embraces the entire reality of womanhood? In her new book, The Mystics Would Like a Word, Shannon K. Evans suggests the answer is an emphatic 'yes.'
There is a spirituality that meets us in every part of our lives, developed by the women who came before us. Six mystics—Teresa of Ávila, Margery Kempe, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Catherine of Siena, and Thérèse of Lisieux—revealed a faith big enough to hold the female experiences of sex and desire, the yearning for bodily autonomy, the challenges of motherhood and identity, as well as life with male authority and—sometimes—violence. These women, self-determining, stubborn, and unapologetically themselves, asked questions in their time that are startlingly prescient today, and fought for women’s experiences to be heard, understood, respected, and recognized as holy.
This event will be followed by a month-long weekly book club where participants can register to participate in discussion and reflection in community with one another. More information coming soon!
Shannon K. Evans is the spirituality and culture editor at the National Catholic Reporter and the author of the books Feminist Prayers for My Daughter: Powerful Petitions for Every Stage of Her Life and Rewilding Motherhood: Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality.
With interest in ecofeminism, social change and contemplative practice, Shannon leads workshops and retreats across the country that spark curiosity and compassion. She has partnered with the Jesuits of Canada and the U.S. and is a frequent contributor to Franciscan Media.
Having previously lived in Indonesia for two years, Shannon loves to travel, but is happiest at home on the Iowa prairie with her family and beloved chickens.
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| Other Opportunities and Resources |
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| 22nd Annual Pat Reif Memorial Lecture | Claremont University |
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| Moving a Mountain: One Woman’s Quest to Restore Women’s Ordination in the Roman Catholic Church |
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Bishop Jane Via is a Roman Catholic Woman Priest and Bishop. How could this be since women are not allowed to be ordained in the Roman Catholic Church? The answer is that since 2002, conscientiously defying Canon Law 1024, over 140 women have been ordained in the Catholic Church. It all began with seven courageous women ordained in “apostolic succession” on the Danube River in 2002. They have become known as the Danube 7.
Jane Via is one of those women. When she learned of the Roman Catholic Womenpriest (RCWP) movement in Europe, she recognized her call to become an ordained priest in the Roman Catholic rite. Rather than leave the church, her love and faith led her to call the church to change. Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Jane’s action honors his quote for the Church. Since that time, Jane has accomplished much as an ordained priest and now, as an elected bishop in the RCWP.
Come here Jane's story, either in-person or via zoom:
Monday, Oct. 21, 2024 | 7:00 PM—9:30 PM PDT—Harper Hall Board Room, 150 E. 10th St, Claremont, CA 91711—CGU Campus
Zoom link: https://cgu.zoom.us/j/87227512...
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| Benedictine Sisters of Erie | Erie, PA | June 2025-June 2026 |
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| Benedictine Peacemakers Monastic Immersion- Applications Open! |
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The Benedictine Sisters of Erie invite applicants to the 2025 – 2026 cohort of the Benedictine Peacemakers Monastic Immersion. As an evolution of monastic life, the Benedictine Peacemaker program is a model for approaching personal formation, spiritual community, and good work in the Benedictine spiritual and monastic tradition, with a particular focus on the practice of peacemaking. The monastic immersion year will be filled with spiritual exploration, growth in community, experiential learning, classes, and action within the Erie community. The program is open to women in their early 20s through early 30s. Housing, food, and a stipend are provided, as well as transportation and health insurance if needed. More information can be found at eriebenedictines.org/benedictine-peacemakers. contact Michelle Scully (mscully@eriebenedictines.org) with any questions.
Apply Here.
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| A New Publication from Pax Christi USA |
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| Seeking Wisdom's Light: Reflections for Advent and Christmas 2024 |
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"Seeking Wisdom's Light," this year's Pax Christi USA Advent reflection booklet, is written by Leslye Colvin, a writer, spiritual companion, and contemplative activist. Leslye's poetic and thought-provoking reflections will be a welcome part of your daily prayer life during the Advent season, and can lead to rich and meaningful sharing within your prayer community.
Order Here.
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| A New Publication from New Ways Ministry |
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| CORNERSTONES Sacred Stories of LGBTQ+ Employees in Catholic Institutions |
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Cornerstones: Sacred Stories of LGBTQ+ Employees in Catholic Institutions is a new anthology of 12 stories of faith, sacrifice, joy, and pain by LGBTQ+ people who have been employed by Catholic parishes and schools.
The collection was edited by Ish Ruiz and Mark Guevarra, two gay Catholic men who themselves have been church employees, and is published by New Ways Ministry, a Catholic outreach that educates and advocates for equity, inclusion, and justice for LGBTQ+ persons.
The anthology’s stories are grouped in three categories: LGBTQ+ people fired from Catholic schools, LGBTQ+ people fired from Catholic parishes, and LGBTQ+ people who continue their employment in Catholic institutions with support from their employers.
Order Here.
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| Interested in Joining The Fireplace Community? |
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The Fireplace is seeking new members for its residential community! Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis.
Founded in 2021, this May The Fireplace Community became an independent organization. As we build out our operations, we are especially looking for residents with experience or interest in co-ops, intentional community, faith leadership, or nonprofit boards.
Learn more about The Fireplace Community here.
Apply 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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