|
|
This week, FutureChurch would like to uplift and celebrate the holy courage of Brother Christian Matson. After coming out publicly on Pentecost in 2024, Br. Christian is now the Catholic Church’s only known openly transgender religious brother. In an NBC News article written after his transition, Br. Christian said: “I was seeing young trans people take their own lives because they felt rejected by their communities, including their religious communities. I could no longer sit in the safety of being stealth and not raise my voice to say, ‘This is wrong.’"
Since his transition, Br. Christian has continued to live his vocation and be a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. Thanks you, Br. Christian, for your courageous example of self-love and for recognizing each and every one of us as children of God.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 23, 2025 | Third Sunday of Lent
Today Romy Felder invites us to explore the symbolism of Jesus’s time in the wilderness; engage where we feel God present in our bodies, through the thinking of Simone Weil; and embody the wilderness, suffering and liberation with a contemplative exercise and I Saw the TV Glow.
"Amidst the suffering from the oppression of the Roman Empire, Jesus refuses to deem those who suffer and perish, from political persecution or disaster, as somehow 'deserving it more' than others. In Christ’s view, everyone who does not repent will perish. Those who do not repent are like the barren fig tree: cursed and thrown out. Yet, our Gospel reading leaves time for those who do not repent. Like the recognition of the Israelites’ suffering in Exodus, God, the vineyard’s caretaker, finds the barren fig tree and promises to bring it to fruition."
Romy Felder (she/her) is a graduate from Union Theological Seminary (MDiv), Yale Divinity School (STM), and is currently pursuing a PhD at Union Theological Seminary in theology and the philosophy of religion. She has worked as a worker-cooperative organizer, community worker, and is currently pursuing ordination in the Episcopal Church.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 23, 2025
Jaime L. Waters preaches for the Third Sunday of Lent, offering a reflection on repentance:
"Repentance allows us to turn our attention to aspects of ourselves and our lives that need more care and correction. The gardener acknowledges the ways that the tree has failed and commits to cultivating the earth and adding nutrients to nourish the tree and help it grow. The gardener asks for time, recognizing that renewal might not happen overnight. Then, the parable simply ends unresolved which I think is very fitting. The missing resolution and the lack of conclusion might signal that we need to finish the story. We have the opportunity to give time and care to nourish ourselves (and others too), and the results hopefully will be very positive! Today’s Gospel reminds us to be intentional about our spiritual growth and development, turning away from sin and turning towards God, so that we, too, may bear fruit."
Jaime L. Waters is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Program Director of Courage to Preach at Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry. She holds graduate degrees from Yale Divinity School (MA, Religion) and Johns Hopkins University (MA, PhD, Near Eastern Studies).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lent 2025: "What Is Mine To Do?" Session 2: Praying with and for the LGBTQ+ Community
|
|
|
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 LGBTQ+ community, who are still struggling for their rightful welcome and inclusion in the church even as they face emerging threats in society. We lift up our lamentations, our love, and our intentions as we stand in solidarity with this community.
We thank the members of the larger FutureChurch network who so beautifully helped us pray:
- Leaders: Sarah Hansman, Sarah Morris, Isabel Thurston
- Readers: Max Kuzma, Christine Zuba, Michael Sennett
|
|
|
|
| March 26, 2025 | 7:00pm ET |
|
|
Lent 2025: "What Is Mine To Do?" Praying with and for Immigrants and Refugees
|
|
|
|
|
The next program in our "What Is Mine To Do" series will take place on Wednesday, March 26th at 7:00pm ET.
Join us for this prayer service which will uplift the voices of our immigrant siblings, who face increasing threats to their dignity, freedom, lives, and livelihoods. There will be time for prayerful reflection and offer ways to stand in solidarity with immigrants.
Developed in collaboration with the FutureChurch team, our prayer service will be presided over by Yunuen Trujillo, a faith-based community organizer, immigration attorney, and FutureChurch board member.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| March 27, 2025 | 8:00pm ET |
|
|
“Bending Toward Justice: Sr. Kate Kuenstler and the Struggle for Parish Rights” with Sr. Christine Schenk, CSJ.
|
|
|
|
|
Join FutureChurch as we welcome Sr. Christine Schenk for a conversation about her newest book!
Bending Toward Justice (Rowman Littlefield, 2024) tells the story of the rampant closings of Catholic parishes across the United States and documents the courageous advocacy of Sr. Kate Kuenstler and hundreds—indeed thousands—of ordinary Catholics whose persistence charted a new course in canon law. Sr. Kuenstler's expertise eventually gave increased leverage to the laity—and their parishes—in the struggle to preserve their parish homes, especially in ethnically diverse and poor neighborhoods.
Christine Schenk, CSJ has worked as a nurse midwife to low-income families, a community organizer, an award-winning writer-researcher, and the founding director of an international church reform organization, FutureChurch. Her first book Crispina and Her Sisters: Women and Authority in Early Christianity (Fortress Press, 2017) received a first place in history from the Catholic Press Association and her most recent work, To Speak the Truth in Love: A Biography of Sr. Theresa Kane RSM (Orbis Books 2019) received first place awards from The Association of Catholic Publishers and the Catholic Press Association.
Schenk also writes a regular column for the National Catholic Reporter and is one of three nuns featured in the award-winning documentary Radical Grace. Schenk graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University and holds two masters’ degrees, one in science from Boston College and an MA in Theology "with distinction" from St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Cleveland.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pentecost Project |
|
|
Building Community Across the Miles with Beyond the Habit
|
|
|
|
|
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 Beyond the Habit.
Excerpt:
“At a time when Catholic sisters are less and less visible in the spaces where they were historically called to minister, Srs. Erin McDonald, CSJ and Colleen Gibson, SSJ have taken to the airwaves to spread the charism of their congregations. Through the power of modern day streaming, since November 2022 the voices of this dynamic duo can be found through the speakers in your car, earbuds, or living room as they interview various theologians, ministers, and other people of faith on real life issues in our world today."
Read More...
|
|
|
|
| April 2 | 3-4:30pm EST | via Zoom |
|
| Creatively Caring for the Most Vulnerable: Stories of Female Entrepreneurship and Hope |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| April 5 | 1:15pm-4:00pm ET | Mercy by the Sea Retreat and Conference Center; Madison, CT |
|
| "Mary Magdalene in the Ministry of Jesus: Seeking and Proclaiming Resurrection" Art Exhibit |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| April 7 | 7:00pm ET | via Zoom |
|
| “Integral Ecology, the Vatican Observatory, Castel Gandolfo: New Dimensions in the Implementation of Laudato Si” |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| We seek changes that will provide all Roman Catholics the opportunity to participate fully in Church life and leadership. |
|
|
FutureChurch is a national 501(c)(3) organization and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
