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“A Thanksgiving Blessing”
May an abundance of gratitude burst forth
as you reflect upon what you have received.
May thanksgiving overflow in your heart,
and often be proclaimed in your prayer.
May you gather around the table of your heart
the ardent faithfulness, kindness, and goodness
of each person who is true to you.
May the harvest of your good actions
bring forth plentiful fruit each day.
May you discover a cache of hidden wisdom
among the people and events
that have brought you distress and sorrow.
May your basket of blessings surprise you
with its rich diversity of gifts
and its opportunities for growth.
May all that nourishes and resources your life
bring you daily satisfaction and renewed hope.
May you slow your hurried pace of life
so you can be aware of, and enjoy,
what you too easily take for granted.
May you always be open, willing,
and ready to share your blessings with others.
May you never forget the Generous One
who loves you lavishly and unconditionally.
-Joyce Rupp
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Thanksgiving week from all of us at FutureChurch!
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| Join Us for Our Advent Retreat Next Saturday! |
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| December 7, 2024 | 11:00am ET - 1:00pm ET |
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Prepare the Way: Planting Seeds of Hope in Disorienting Times
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Join FutureChurch for this time of reflection as we explore how John of the Cross’s Dark Night can help us trust and cooperate with God.
"And now its winter, winter in America." These words by poet and musician Gil Scott Heron describe many people's experiences in our current social landscape and as we approach Advent 2024. The season of winter can be cold, dark, and feel isolating and paralyzing. But it is also a time when seeds of life are lying dormant to sprout when the time is right. Our gathering will explore how John of the Cross's teaching on the Dark Night can help to trust and to cooperate with God during these disorienting days. Our time together will involve sharing, silent prayer, and presentation.
About our Retreat Leaders:
Laurie Cassidy, Ph.D. is a theologian and anti-racist activist and currently teaches in the Christian Spirituality Program at Creighton University. Cassidy was associate professor in religious studies department at Marywood University in Scranton. Her books include, Desire Darkness and Hope: Theology in a Time of Impasse (2022) edited with M. Shawn Copeland and most recently Praying for Freedom: Racism and Ignatian Spirituality in America (2024). Her activism is rooted in contemplative practice and for almost forty years she has engaged this connection through spiritual direction, retreats, and workshops across the United States. Cassidy also studied at the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA and is a trained mindfulness facilitator. Her research, teaching and writing explore the political and cultural impact of Christian mysticism in personal and social transformation.
Elise Gower (she/her) is personally and professionally committed to cultivating intentional community around the tradition and values of Ignatian spirituality. Her career has been focused in ministry, community engagement, and leadership development. She has extensive experience working in Jesuit higher education and the USA East Jesuit Province. Elise is drawn to the art of sacred storytelling and its value in collective antiracism work and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Elise centers queer inclusion in faith spaces. She is currently pursuing a master’s in clinical social work to explore the interconnectedness of mental health and spirituality.
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This Advent, our Just Word authors are exploring communities of resistance and preparation as we lean into Advent in uncertain times: The Zapatista Movement, The Poor People's Campaign/ Unión de Vecinos, The Young Lords, and Black Reconstruction communities in the South. Please join us for an Advent of learning and preparation!
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December 1, 2024
Today Hilary Klein invites us to explore lessons from the Zapatistas, a revolutionary movement for land and indigenous autonomy in southern Mexico; engage its lessons for collective liberation, in tandem with liberation theology and Mayan spirituality; and embody these lessons with examples of Zapatista women.
"As we, in the United States, grapple with the rise of white nationalism, the undermining of democratic institutions, attacks on reproductive rights, and a worsening climate crisis, some lessons from the Zapatista movement might be more relevant than ever."
Hilary Klein has been engaged in social justice and community organizing for three decades. She spent several years working with women’s cooperatives in Zapatista territory and is the author of Compañeras: Zapatista Women’s Stories (Seven Stories Press, 2015).
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Catholic Women Preach
Preaching for the First Sunday of Advent, Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley offers a reflection on hope in God's righteousness and justice:
"When we seek a life centered in abiding in God’s way - we are walking humbling with God. It is then that God guides the humble to justice and teaches us in the way of truth."
Valerie D. Lewis-Mosely, RN, OPA, is the retired Director of Religious Education at the Church of Christ the King - Jersey City, New Jersey, a historical Black Catholic Parish. She now serves in various capacities across the nation as a mentor to youth and young adults; evangelist, retreat leader and revivalist and public speaker, life coach and Spiritual Director. Catechesis to children and youth and women’s spirituality and empowerment are a major component of her ministry as a pastoral associate. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theology at Caldwell University, Caldwell, New Jersey, and Xavier University of Louisiana Institute for Black Catholic Studies.
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| Videos of the Week: FutureChurch's 34th Annual Fall Event, "Courage in the Spirit: Translating Synodal Talk into Action" |
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The full presentation of night one (Nov. 7, 2024) of FutureChurch’s 34th Annual Fall Event, “Courage in the Spirit: Translating Synodal Talk into Action.”
FutureChurch is honored to welcome our keynote presenter, Bishop of Lexington, KY, Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. Bishop Stowe’s leadership and ministry is a bright light for justice and equality in both the church and society.
And we’re excited to hear from a panel of students who wrote a courageous open letter to Pope Francis and Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith Prefect, Cardinal Fernandez, in response to Dignitas Infinita. Representing a larger coalition are: Sarah Hansman, Alyssa Duffner, Virginia Schilder, Sarah Morris, and Isabel Thurston.
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The full presentation of night two (Nov. 12, 2024) of FutureChurch’s 34th Annual Fall Event, “Courage in the Spirit: Translating Synodal Talk into Action.” FutureChurch is honored to welcome our award recipients:
- We present our 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.
- We present our 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.
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| Resources for the New Liturgical Year |
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Catholic Women Preach- Year C
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The final volume in the popular series featuring homilies on the Gospel readings for Sunday and holy days by Catholic women from around the world.
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The Inclusive Lectionary- Year C
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The Inclusive Lectionary is an excellent resource for worshipping communities of all kinds who are looking to include all of their members and exclude patriarchal language.
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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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| 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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| 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 by Nancy Sylvester, IHM |
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| Journey-Faith in an Entangled World |
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Do you desire to express your experience of God in ways that reflect your evolving understanding of self, others, and the world? Do you feel that the world is at an impasse yet desire to do something about our future? Journey-Faith in an Entangled World is a good place to start. Using the metaphor of an Art Exhibit, where your words are paint and paper is your canvas, Nancy Sylvester, IHM, invites you to become an active participant with her as she grapples with integrating her faith experience with contemporary insights from theology, philosophy, science, and psychology. Critical to this synthesis is contemplation and its capacity for transformation both of self and of one’s engagement with the world.
Nancy Sylvester, IHM, founded the Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue in 2002. Prior to that she served in elected leadership positions both within her religious congregation, the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) of Monroe, MI., and in the Presidency of the national Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). She served on the staff of Network, a D.C. based Catholic Social Justice Lobby, for fifteen years, ten years as Executive Director. Nancy is a well-known speaker, writer and process facilitator.
Order Here.
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| A Study on Priestly Callings of Catholic Cisgender and Transgender Women and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals |
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Sullivan Oakley, a doctoral student in clinical psychology at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California, is currently recruiting participants for a qualitative study exploring experiences of cisgender and transgender women and gender non-conforming individuals who have experienced a calling to Roman Catholic Priesthood. The study aims to amplify the voices of individuals who experience this calling and promote wider visibility, understanding, and dialogue about this experience.
Eligible participants will: Identify as a cisgender or transgender woman or a gender non-conforming (gender queer, non-binary, agender, gender fluid) individual who has experienced a personal call to the Roman Catholic priesthood which they are not eligible to pursue in the institutional Church, be 18 years of age or older, live in the United States, and have fluency in English.
Interviews will last ~90 minutes and participants will receive a $40 gift certificate. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please contact Sullivan at soakley@wi.edu.
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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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