|
A Prayer for Strength
Rock and Refuge, Stronghold of Souls, Unshakeable One,
infuse your strength into the places where I feel the greatest weakness.
Permeate the parts of my life that continually challenge my patience.
Increase an ability to accept those who seem to be most unacceptable.
Lessen any tendency in my spirit that gives way to a loss of hope.
Reinforce an awareness of the daily manifestations of your presence.
Boost my spirit when I think I cannot manage what is mine to be and do.
Provider of Purpose, Firm Foundation, Enduring Love,
support my determination to give the best of my self to others.
Fortify the forgiveness you have placed and nurtured in my heart.
Sustain a solid belief that I can get through what appears insurmountable.
Bolster my efforts to be a person who reaches out to those who suffer.
Foster greater trust in you when worries and anxieties attempt to prevail.
Impart the courage I need to change what appears to be unchangeable.
In you I find sufficient strength, abounding love, and secure serenity.
By: Joyce Rupp, in Prayer Seeds: A Gathering of Blessings, Reflections, and Poems for Spiritual Growth
|
|
|
|
November 17, 2024
Today Jerry Maynard invites us to explore the vocation of adventuring; engage the teachings of Creation Spirituality to embrace this adventure; and embody these lessons with the help of Howard Thurman and “Tide and the River Rising (Oars)” by Cindy Kallet.
"Our vocation of adventure is our souls prompting us to dive deeply into this life and engage with it. Adventure allows us to stand flat footed on the ground and look at the horizon with extravagant wonder! But adventure also demands of us a sober reckoning with the delusions that distort our vision; keeping us from the work of peace, justice, and reconciliation."
Rev. Dr. Jerry Maynard (he/they) is The People’s Priest; a spiritual renegade and social revolutionary. As a Two-Spirit Indigenous Person (Xochihua) Father Jerry strives to offer healing medicine at the intersections of church & society through pastoral care & public witness in Houston, TX. A respected leader in progressive christian and interfaith circles, Father Jerry has played crucial roles in grassroots efforts to foster radical inclusion and social justice. As a scholar and educator, Dr. Jerry has published books, essays, and articles that cover timely and timeless topics including postmodernism, protest chaplaincy, queer hermeneutics, practical spirituality and much more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Catholic Women Preach
Preaching for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Martha Ligas offers a reflection on being open to the Promised One who draws near in times of despair:
"Maybe Jesus is reminding us of something that we need to hear when we’re at our lowest. When we feel the most despair, the most fear, the most anxiety, that is when God is the closest to us. That is when we are the least alone. That is when the Promised One is right at our door."
Martha Ligas (she/her) serves as the Pastoral Minister at the Community of St. Peter in Cleveland, Ohio, and Program Associate at FutureChurch. Both spaces give her room to ride the coattails of the Spirit by reimagining what it means to create faith communities of belonging. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry from Fordham University. Martha lives in Cleveland, OH with her partner and their pets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| November 20, 2024 | 7:00pm ET |
|
|
Cleveland In-person Catholic Women Preach Book Launch
|
|
|
|
|
Join FutureChurch, series co-editor Russ Petrus, five Catholic Women Preach preachers, and Sr. Christine Schenk, CSJ as we celebrate the release of the third and final volume of the ground-breaking and award-winning book series, Catholic Women Preach: Raising Voices, Renewing the Church (Orbis Books).
The event will feature opening remarks by FutureChurch co-founder, Sr. Christine, and panel of Cleveland-area preachers who will reflect on their participation in Catholic Women Preach project and the importance of Catholic Women Preach in their lives of faith.
Time:
7:00 – 8:00 PM ET
Venue:
Community of St. Peter
7100 Euclid Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44103
Copies of all three volumes (Years A, B, and C) will be available for purchase at the event.
*While this event is being planned as an in-person event, a YouTube livestream will be available to all through the Community of Saint Peter YouTube Page.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| December 7, 2024 | 11:00am ET - 1:00pm ET |
|
|
Prepare the Way: Planting Seeds of Hope in Disorienting Times
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| January 8, 2025 | 6:00pm ET |
|
|
“The Mystics Would Like a Word” with Shannon Evans
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Resources for the New Liturgical Year |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Catholic Women Preach- Year C
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Inclusive Lectionary- Year C
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Pentecost Project |
|
|
Following the Spirit on a WHIMM: The Story of the Washington Home Inclusive Monthly Mass
|
|
|
|
|
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 WHIMM-Washington Home Inclusive Monthly Mass.
Excerpt:
" 'Mary and I heard about a Mass organized with the Roman Catholic Women Priest Movement that was taking place in Maryland,' shared Jane. 'This was the first time there was one in the DC area that we had heard about. So we went to this Mass at somebody’s house, and it was so… electric.' After experiencing this type of liturgical celebration, Jane and Mary felt as though more people needed access to an inclusive and intimate Liturgy in a home setting led by a woman priest. So they decided to try their hand at some organizing."
READ MORE...
|
|
|
|
| Other Opportunities and Resources |
|
|
|
| Benedictine Sisters of Erie | Erie, PA | June 2025-June 2026 |
|
| Benedictine Peacemakers Monastic Immersion- Applications Open! |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A New Publication by Nancy Sylvester, IHM |
|
| Journey-Faith in an Entangled World |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A New Publication from Pax Christi USA |
|
| Seeking Wisdom's Light: Reflections for Advent and Christmas 2024 |
|
|
"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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| A Study on Priestly Callings of Catholic Cisgender and Transgender Women and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals |
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
