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Tower of strength.
The standard bearer.
Pathway for relationship.
Barrier breaker.
Keeper of essential knowledge.
These are just some the ways Dr. Carolyn Osiek, Laura Boysen-Aragon, Martha Ligas, and Molly Cahill describe how they see and understand the powerful story of Mary Magdalene and her position as the one who first shared the Good News of our salvation. Tuesday’s panel, “Mary Magdalene: Her Easter Proclamation and Why it Matters” was born out of our desire to highlight Mary Magdalene’s impact on women wrestling and resting in and around the Church – to tell her story is one thing, but to live her story is another.
Each of our speakers offered insight into how her proclamation on the first Easter has shaped them- from offering messages on hope, highlighting her desire for truth, and feeling the solidarity of knowing what is like to be overlooked. She is a prophet, an apostle, the apostle to the apostles. She trusts Jesus and is trusted by Jesus. She embraces her humanity; grieving, pleading, and celebrating. She is the messenger of hope: “I have seen the Lord for he has said things to me.” (John 20:18)
In the Gospel of Mary, an extra-canonical text outside the Catholic lectionary, we see Mary paying no mind to barriers of her time. Standing up to the apostles who say that Jesus loved her more than any. When Peter argues with her about the Resurrection, she “turns his heart toward the good.” (Mary 5:9) Steadfast and true, Mary encounters Jesus who says to her: “How wonderful you are for not wavering at seeing me!” (Mary 7:3)
In these next weeks of the Easter season, may we not waver. May we see Jesus through the eyes of Mary Magdalene. A standard bearer, tower of strength, pathway for relationship, barrier breaker, and the keeper of essential knowledge.
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| FutureChurch Mourns the Death of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton |
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Retired Detroit Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton died on Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the age 94. Bishop Gumbleton was known for his advocacy and activism on a number of important social issues from nuclear disarmament, to ending hunger, to eradicating racism. An active participant in the Catholic peace and justice movement, Gumbleton was a founding member of both Pax Christi USA and Bread for the World. He was also courageously outspoken on issues of justice in the Church – including the ordination of women, the inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community, and accountability for perpetrators of clergy sexual abuse.
“Bishop Gumbleton was a good friend, ally, and source of inspiration to so many who worked for justice in the world and in the Catholic Church,” said Russ Petrus, executive director of FutureChurch. “His prophetic presence in the hierarchy and his compassionate solidarity at the peripheries will be sorely missed.”
A long-time friend of FutureChurch, Bishop Gumbleton was present and co-presided at the 2013 prayer service for the transition of leadership from founding executive director Christine Schenk, CSJ to her successor Deborah Rose, who retired at the end of 2023. Schenk described Bishop Gumbleton as a “grace-filled, loving, and inspiring leader.” And Rose said “he banished shadows with his light.”
Bishop Gumbleton briefly served as a member of the FutureChurch board and most recently as board member emeritus.
FutureChurch joins his family, friends, and loved ones in prayer and thanksgiving for his life: Eternal rest, grant unto him, Loving God, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.
To learn more about Bishop Gumbleton, his life, and his work and ministry read this article from the National Catholic Reporter.
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Just Word
Today Liam Myers invites us to explore communality and redistribution of resources as shown in the gospels; engage solidarity with the poor as a sacramental action; and embody this necessity to a deep solidarity with the help of Doubting Thomas.
"[...] during Easter-tide, Christians are pointed to the broken body of Christ as a source of resurrection faith. This faith is grounded in wounds of empire, Christ’s conquest of death, his resurrected body, and the living out of Christ’s ministry as the Church engaged in unapologetic solidarity with the poor and oppressed. "
Ryan Felder (they/them) is a graduate from Union Theological Seminary (MDiv), Yale Divinity School (STM), and will be pursuing a PhD at Union Theological Seminary in Theology. They have worked as a worker-cooperative organizer, community worker, and are currently pursuing ordination in the Episcopal Church.
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Catholic Women Preach
Preaching for the Second Sunday of Easter, Layla A. Karst reflects on our call to be credible witnesses to the Resurrection in today's world:
"We are an Easter people, a community of missionary disciples, beloved of God and witnesses to the resurrection. Ours is a church that is called to be radically inclusive. Our Easter joy is abundant enough to share with all and still have more left over. Our joy is deep enough to hold grief and sorrow and anger and doubt without fear. We are recognizable by our joy, yes, but also by our wounds, and by the Spirit within us that greets all with a word of peace."
Dr. Layla A. Karst is an assistant professor in the department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University where she teaches and writes at the intersection of liturgy and ecclesiology. She is currently studying the theology and practice of lay preaching in Catholic communities and their implications for building a more synodal church. She holds a PhD from Emory University and an MDiv from the University of Notre Dame.
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| "Mary Magdalene Goes to the Synod" to Expand the Lectionary |
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There is a lot at stake for women and for the Church as a whole in the choice of scripture passages we proclaim on Sundays. The ways in which we understand and know God are formed within the liturgy. What we pray and sing, as well as the stories we re-tell in public worship form and shape what we believe about God, ourselves, and our relationship to God and to one another.
Many Catholics do not realize that important stories of our foremothers in faith are excluded from or diminished in our lectionary. Catholics are deprived of learning about the gifts, grace, courage, leadership and ministry of women like Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, Junia, and Shiprah and Puah. Lifting up and telling the stories these faithful women will help Synod participants and all Catholics understand that women were and, should now be, leaders and ministers in our Church.
As we head towards the 2024 Synod, help us spread the word that women’s history is Salvation History and should be included in our lectionary!
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| Mary Magdalene: Her Easter Proclamation and Why It Matters |
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In last week's presentation, Mary Magdalene: Her Easter Proclamation and Why It Matters, FutureChurch Program Associate Olivia Hastie moderated an intergenerational panel of women in scholarship and ministry. Panelists explored how Mary Magdalene continues to inspire us 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.
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| Upcoming FutureChurch Events |
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| April 16, 2024 | 7:00 PM EST |
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African American Readings of Paul Part II with Lisa Marie Bowens, Ph.D.
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Join FutureChurch as we welcome back Princeton Theological Seminary Associate Professor of New Testament, Lisa Marie Bowens, who will continue the discussion her ground breaking book, African American Readings of Paul: Reception, Resistance, and Transformation.
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| Director, Preach all Ways Initiative, Marian University |
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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.
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| Program Director, Mercy Center Burlingame |
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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.
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| Executive Director, Centre for Biblical Formation in Jerusalem |
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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.
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| Teresa of Ávila and Peacemaking in a Nuclear Age: A Contemplative Conversation |
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July 15-18, 2024 |Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, 46556
Keynote Speakers Include: Mary Frohlich, RSCJ; Mary Ann Hinsdale, IHM; Maria Teresa Morgan; Margie Pfeil; and Lori Stanley. For more information about the event, contact Dan Horan at dhoran@saintmarys.edu.
Young Adult Scholarships Available!
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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