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Next month will mark my one year anniversary of joining the team at FutureChurch. As I look back on the last year, I am most grateful for those who have shown me the very best of what it means to be church. From the presenters in our education programs to the good folks who tune in to learn from them month after month, from the Catholic Women Preach preachers to those who have sent me emails explaining their own circuitous journeys of faith, from my FutureChurch colleagues who remind me of why this work matters to those from our constituent organizations who do similar work from different perspectives- week after week, month after month, I have been inspired by you. It has been a year of HOPE, and a year that has reminded me that “church” means a lot more than just a hierarchical body. The People of God aren't confined to one structure, and certainly not to four walls.
This year I have been most excited to begin work with the Pentecost Project- our new initiative to highlight, celebrate, and amplify the voices of communities that have been emboldened to live the Gospel in new and creative ways. Through this effort, we have so far highlighted The Fireplace Community in Chicago, Pax Priory in Erie, PA, the Community of St. Hildegard in Fairport Harbor, Ohio, and GodSpace in the greater Cincinnati-area and beyond. This week we celebrate our latest connection: The Catholic Women’s Preaching Circle. Through the conversations that this project has inspired, I have not only been filled with hope for the future of the People of God, but I have been buoyed in my own faith here and now.
If you are part of a community that you would like to see celebrated on this platform, or if you are in search of a community to help buoy your own faith, please feel free to reach out. I’d love to hear your story.
And thanks to each of you for being part of mine.
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Just Word
Today Dr. Ish Ruiz invites us to explore the eroticism of embodied faith; engage the erotic as a source of strength, despite its demonization in the Church, with the help of Audre Lorde; and embody the erotic as a celebration of life with the example of Cecilia Gentili’s funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC.
"If we take the incarnation seriously, we can begin to see the body – and, more broadly, human embodied experience – as the location where Jesus chose to reveal himself. Moreover, the call to 'eat the flesh and drink the blood of the chosen one' further drives home the idea that the experience of God is a profoundly embodied one; including, I argue, a sexual one."
Dr. Ish Ruiz is an assistant professor of Latinx and Queer Decolonial Theology at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, and holds a PhD in Theology and Ethics from the Graduate Theological Union. A native from Puerto Rico and a queer Catholic theologian, his research interests explore the intersection between queer theology, Latinx theology, ecclesiology, sexual ethics, liberation, human rights, and Catholic education. He is the author of LGBTQ+ Educators in Catholic Schools: Synodality, Inclusivity, and Justice (Rowman and Littlefield) and has published several articles on the inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in the Catholic Church. Prior to his appointment at the Pacific School of Religion, Dr. Ruiz served at Candler School of Theology at Emory University and at the University of Dayton. He also worked at the secondary school level for 11 years, chaired the Marianist LGBTQ+ Initiative team, offered several workshops to Catholic schools on Catholic LGBTQ+ inclusion, served as a union activist to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ Church employees, presented in several pastoral conferences throughout the US, and has actively ministered to queer Catholics for over a decade. Through his teaching, research, and service, Dr. Ruiz hopes to see a world where Catholicism (and Christianity, more broadly) embrace the diversity of gifts people of all racial backgrounds and sexual identities bring to society and the Church.
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Catholic Women Preach
Sarah Hart preaches for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, offering a reflection on the wisdom of the feast:
"And this is our call and charge; to invite all to the table, to make endless room for others, to leave no one out. Because Wisdom , in love, welcomes everyone to the feast. May we remain in Christ, and in communion with the world, and in the love of God."
Sarah Hart’s enthusiasm about all things creative means that her resume is extensive and varied. A Grammy nominated songwriter/composer, producer, recording artist, author, speaker, workshop educator and worship leader, Sarah brings the joy of her faith into all of her endeavors. She resides in Nashville, TN with her husband, Kevin. They have two amazing daughters, Rose and Evelyn.
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| Pentecost Project |
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Catholic Women's Preaching Circle: Breaking the Cycle of Invisibility
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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 God Space.
Excerpt:
"While uncertain as to whether or not the invitation would garner interest, extending the invitation felt important to Rhonda [Miska]. 'Women often don’t see women preach,' she considered. 'Therefore, women don’t think of themselves as preachers. And so then, if a woman is given the opportunity, maybe she says no, or if she says yes, she doesn’t feel confident and has imposter syndrome. And so I think it’s about breaking the cycle of invisibility where women can try out preaching and gain some experience, gain some confidence, and be in a space of care and support.'"
READ MORE...
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| *October 17, 2024 | 7:00pm ET |
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...for the Catholic Women Preach Year C Virtual Book Launch!
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Join FutureChurch, contributors to the Year C book, and co-editors Elizabeth Donnelly and Russ Petrus as we celebrate the release of the third and final volume of this ground-breaking, award winning series.
The publication of this 3-volume series is an important milestone, not only for Catholic Women Preach, but in the history of our Church!
This October, we celebrate the publication of the third and final volume in this ground-breaking and award-winning series from Orbis Books.
By bearing witness to the contributions and giftedness of Catholic women, Catholic Women Preach has been advancing the conversation with and about women at every level of the Church for the last 8 years. And these collections of faith-filled, inspiring, and challenging reflections – readily available in print format to preachers, faith groups, and classrooms – will continue to push the conversation forward.
Catholic Women Preach: Raising Voices Renewing the Church – Cycle B is the recipient of First Place in Liturgy from the Catholic Media Association Book Awards. It was also recognized by the Association of Catholic Publishers as a finalist for its Excellence in Publishing Award.
The volume for Year A is also the recipient of several awards: 2023 Third Place “Excellence in Publishing Award” from the Association of Catholic Publishers; The Catholic Media Association presented the book with two awards – Honorable Mention in the “Future Church” category and Second Place in “Liturgy.” In presenting the award for Liturgy, CMA wrote:
Catholic Women Preach is one of the more inspiring collection of homilies available today. Based on the deep spirituality and insights of the various women authors, the homilies are solidly based on the scriptures and offer refreshing and engaging insights for homilists and listeners. The feminine perspective has long been absent in the preached word, and its inclusion in this work offers a long overdue and pastorally necessary resource for the liturgical life of the Church.
Come celebrate this historic moment with us! This virtual event is free and all are welcome, but registration is required.
***Date subject to change. We will notify all registrants of a change if necessary.
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| Other Opportunities and Resources |
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| Catholic Women's Preaching Circle- Applications Open! |
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The application period for the fall 2024 cohort of the Catholic Women's Preaching Circle is now open! The circle will meet on Tuesday evenings (September 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 12, 19, 26) and will be co-convened by Christy Hicks Aydt, Kelly Adamson, and Rhonda Miska. More information can be found at Catholic Women's Preaching Circle. The deadline to apply is August 29, 2024, and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. To request an application or if you have questions, please contact catholicwomenspreachingcircle@gmail.com.
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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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