A Saint Phoebe Day Reflection |
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Blessing of the Week |
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Image: Detail of "Woman Preaching." Copyright 2008 by Laura James. Used with permission.
It was 11:20 on a Sunday, and I felt my heart beating and my palms begin to sweat. Was I really going to do this? I knew that I was capable, but I had never imagined I would be invited to this table. And yet there I was, my first week on staff at the Community of St. Peter, and it was my turn to give the homily.
I had given presentations before, written dozens of theological reflections, and had been a lector for ages. But this time, it wasn’t a reflection I was invited to give. It was a homily. As a woman formed in the Catholic tradition, I was stepping into new territory.
As nervous as I was to step up to that ambo and preach, I wasn’t experiencing uncertainty, or doubt, or having second thoughts. I had felt called to this, and I wasn’t about to look back.
As the post-Gospel Alleluias rang out, I knew it was time. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and stood, slowly making my way to the center of the worship space. I got there, adjusted the microphone, took a pause. In that moment, as the first word escaped my lips, my nerves faded away. I had heard correctly. This is where I was called.
In the middle of that very first homily, lightning clapped through the skylight, thunder boomed, and the congregation applauded. I couldn’t help but think I was experiencing divine and human affirmation alike that morning.
I’m now going on three years on staff at the Community of St. Peter, having preached over 50 homilies to date. And each time I step up to that ambo, I pause in gratitude, for not for one second do I take this opportunity for granted. I am standing on the shoulders of my foremothers in faith, and paving the ways for granddaughters yet to come.
In hope,
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Martha Ligas |
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The Just Word
Writing for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Suntina Spehar invites you to explore displacement and suffering in the Bible and in our times with the help of theologian Catherine Keller; engage Catholic Social Teaching’s emphasis on family, community, and participation; and embody resistance to destruction with the help of Dorothy Day and The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA).
"As a reader, we reflect on this passage within our own contexts, challenged to realize grief amongst the rubble and reframe grief into action in solidarity with our kin. Further, we are called to intervene: 'I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel.' We must understand our duty to care for others and create understanding of displacement and destruction. It takes great courage to stand against a person whom we disagree with or who has hurt someone we love...By this practice, we find ourselves permeated by love, and driven by the desire to hold space for realities of demolition and suffering, and refute passivity and complacency."
Suntina Spehar obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (neuroscience) and Theology from College of Saint Benedict and a Master of Arts in Social Ethics from Union Theological Seminary, where most of her work centered around feminist and ecological theology. She currently works in the non-profit sector with youth programming and development.
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Catholic Women Preach
Preaching for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Carolyn Jacobs, MSW, Ph.D. offers a reflection on community:
"The challenges of our church and our world are invitations to continuous discernment of how to dialogue, to forgive, and to be obedient to the urgings of the Spirit. We live in a time when we need to step out and invite others to prayer, dialogue, and action. We need to trust the Holy Spirit to guide us. For the challenges invite us to become open to our personal and collective vulnerabilities in creating and nurturing communities of faith that are inclusive. To remember that we are not alone, that we are because others exist in the world surrounding us. We trust that whatever challenging circumstances or people we meet on our journeys, we are called to listen for God’s voice as we gather in groups of two or more and hold in our hearts the love of our neighbors as ourselves."
Carolyn Jacobs, MSW, PhD is Dean Emerita and Elizabeth Marting Treuhaft Professor Emerita of the Smith College School for Social Work and Spiritual Director. Dr. Jacobs was a member of the School’s faculty for 35 years, serving as the dean 14 of those years, as well as director of an Advanced Certificate Program in Spirituality and Social Work Practice for seven years. She received her MSW from San Diego State University, her doctorate from the Heller School of Brandeis University, and her training as a spiritual director from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. She maintains a spiritual direction practice and is committed to creating spaces for health care providers to discover the rich resources of contemplative practices from many wisdom traditions in developing resilience for self and others.
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SIGN OUR PETITION |
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Tell the Whole Story About Mary Magdalene on Easter Sunday |
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For centuries, Mary Magdalene has been misrepresented as a repentant prostitute who, after encountering Jesus, repented and spent the rest of her life in private prayer and penitence, thus damaging and diminishing her true role as an early and important leader in the Church.
Telling her true story can not only vindicate her memory, but also help reclaim the rightful role for women in the Church.
Join us in calling on the global church to tell the full story of Mary Magdalene’s apostolic witness to the Resurrection every Easter Sunday so that all Catholics can be inspired by the Good News of her faith, courage, and ministry.
SIGN SOON! Deb will carry your signatures with her to the October Synod Assembly in Rome and deliver them to the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
And please consider sharing with your communities and networks:
- Through email
- On social media
- In your parish/community bulletin
Simply copy and paste: https://futurechurch.org/petition
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NEW! FutureChurch Pilgrimage |
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May 2-7, 2024 |
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Walking the Way: Following in the Footsteps of Our Black Catholic Foremothers in Faith
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Learn about the Black Catholic sisters who forged new paths for justice and freedom for all. Experience our U.S. history and learn about our Nation's prophetic leaders who confronted slavery, segregation, and racism in all its forms as we visit iconic Civil Rights sites in five major cities.
Each participant will have the opportunity to learn, pray, and engage in the rich heritage of our Black Catholic sisters creating opportunities to deepen our awareness of the struggle for freedom and strengthen our resolve to work for racial and reparative justice in our parishes, dioceses, communities, and in our country.
DATES: May 2-7, 2024
DESTINATIONS: Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Montgomery, AL; Selma, AL; New Orleans, LA
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Respect Women: A Catholic Plan for Justice with Emily Reimer-Barry, Ph.D. |
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Emily Reimer-Barry, Ph.D. presents FutureChurch’s first Respect Women Lecture. In her presentation, Dr. Barry addresses obstacles to women’s full participation in the leadership and decision-making of the Church and the justice consequences of such exclusion. She also presents an action plan for structural change and the full inclusion of women.
Watch the Presentation
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WATERmeditation: “Truth and Reconciliation: Religion, Racism, and the Legacy of Sister Thea Bowman” with Cheryl Nichols
September 11, 2023 at 7:30pm ET | Online
Join WATER as Cheryl Nichols offers reflections on racism in religion, especially Roman Catholicism. She will highlight Sr. Thea Bowman’s life and work engage in the ministry of dismantling racist structures, attitudes, and relationships. This will be a springboard for our shared silence followed by conversation. All are welcome. No previous experience in meditation is expected.
Details/Registration
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Sexuality and the Sacred: A Five-Part Webinar Series
Dates: September 13, October 4, October 18, November 8, December 13, 2023
"What is the connection between spirituality and sexuality?" This and other questions concerning human sexuality will be the focus of this five-part webinar series. Join Spirit Alive: The CSJ Institute for Faith Inquiry and Education for this opportunity to consider how the Church understands sex, sexuality, gender, and human love in light of contemporary questions.
Speaker Details/Registration
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A Synod of Firsts and Surprises: Looking Ahead on the Synodal Journey with Kristin Colberg, Ph.D.
September 13, 2023 at 7:00pm ET | Online via Zoom
Join the Association of Pittsburg Priests as they welcome Kristin Colberg who will consider the newness of the synod by looking at what has happened so far and what might be expected in October in Rome…and beyond.
Details/Registration
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Women of the Earliest Christian Communities: Disciples, Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers
Thursdays September 21, 28, October 5, 12, 19, and 26th at 7:00pm ET | Online via Zoom
Join the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New Jersey for this six-week mini course conducted by New Testament scholar Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, PhD. Registration is free.
Details/Registration
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Spirit Unbounded Event: "Human Rights in the Emerging Catholic Church"
October 8 -14 | Live and Online
Join Spirit Unbounded October 8-14 for this week-long live and online event. 'Human Rights in the Emerging Catholic Church’ will tackle those human rights denied to Catholics and the underlying reasons. The hierarchical model is broken. The Spirit is unbounded. This will be an educational opportunity of a life-time and a festival of hope with activists, thinkers, poets, musicians and ordinary Christians from all around the world.
Details/Registration
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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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