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"Feminist theology isn't just girls thinking about things."
–Natalia Imperatori-Lee
This week FutureChurch featured Natalia Imperatori-Lee and Julie Hanlon Rubio in a conversation on Faith, Feminism, and the Catholic Church. Drs. Rubio and Imperatori-Lee shared about their latest books and the dance between feminism and Catholicism. I was grateful in particular for the way in which Dr. Imperatori-Lee unpacked feminist theology. After reminding us all that “feminist theology isn’t just girls thinking about things,” she went on to describe the importance of the methodology employed by feminist theologians. She explained that the work involves a deconstructing of problematic elements of Scripture or tradition, but the deconstruction never takes place in a vacuum. It is a creative process of deconstructing the elements that are problematic or outdated and creatively using the tradition at hand to reconstruct the element “in a more liberative key.”
I love this phrase– “a more liberative key.” It reminds me of a piano with a key out of tune. A pianist can play the most beautiful piece, but if a key is out of tune everything will sound a bit off. This is often my experience in traditional parish settings that do not employ inclusive language in their Liturgies. The ritual of the Liturgy is so beautiful, but when there is such an important key out of tune, such as gendering God, or excluding texts with women from the lectionary, the whole celebration feels out of tune. The piece changes.
Feminist theology, then, is an imperative methodology for Catholicism, because it helps to ensure that the lived tradition is in tune, or “in a more liberative key.” I’m grateful to Dr. Imperatori-Lee for this insight, and for all feminist theologians who work to “empower a new generation to move our understanding of God to new places” (Imperatori-Lee). It’s not easy work, added Dr. Rubio, but “"There is something when [feminism and Catholicism] come together that is worth staying for and worth struggling for.”
I couldn’t agree more.
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Just Word
Today Marianne Agnes invites us to explore the quest for solidarity in our communities, amidst division, with the help of today’s readings; engage the call to know our neighbors; and embody robust community with the help of contemplations by James Baldwin, and the Palestine solidarity of the Local 10 Chapter in the San Francisco Bay Area of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
"The latter verses in John say 'My sheep hear my voice… I know them, and they follow me.' Let us take this admonishment to listen to truth, to our shared truths, to hear one another’s stories and see our own stories in those of our neighbors. To truly listen is to be curious, and to be curious is to be open to transformation. It is through connection with one another that we can know transformation and change, and once we are changed by one another we become inextricably bound in solidarity."
Marianne Agnes is a reformed pastor’s daughter originally from Tennessee, now based in Philadelphia. She is the recipient of the 2022 Austin Clarke Prize for Fiction and has been featured in The Ex-Puritan, Basilinda Journal, Bitezine, Trains Magazine, and dream boy book club. Her writing often involves themes of transsexuality, divinity, and ecology. She loves to walk in the woods and rock in her rocking chair. You may find more of her work on patreon.com/mariannerart and Instagram @permissivefootpath.
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Catholic Women Preach
Preaching for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yolanda Chavez offers a reflection on making space for rest and spiritual renewal:
"Reflecting on the message of Psalm 23 with the example of Jesus in the Gospel, we find a refreshing and luminous call to be compassionate shepherds and caregivers, always seeking the balance between serving others and taking care of ourselves. May Jesus, the source of quiet waters, guide us, renew us, and encourage us in our daily ministry."
Yolanda Chavez, M.Div., is a member of the Ecumenical Association of Theologians of the Third World (ASETT) and an essential collaborator in the evangelizing and catechetical mission of the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education of Los Angeles as a certified Catechist Master Teacher. Yolanda holds a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, where she is currently a candidate for a doctorate in ministry focused on Women's Spirituality. She is a promoter of Women's Spirituality ministry in Spanish at the Holy Spirit Retreat Center in Encino, California.
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| Celebrate The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene |
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Just Word
Today amidst “a hot and stressful summer,” Rebecca Collins Jordan invites us to follow the model of Mary Magdalene, who kept an eye out for unexpected sources of hope and wasn’t afraid to talk about them; engage the parallels between Mary Magdalene’s example and James Cone’s Black Theology of Liberation; and embody hope with a contemplative exercise and the White Earth Land Recovery Project.
"In the midst of a hot and stressful midsummer, filled with dire geo-political discussions and infernal weather, we come, ironically, to a feast of hope and triumph. It’s the feast of the first witness to the Resurrection in all four Gospels: the Feast of Mary Magdalene."
Rebecca Collins Jordan is a writer and educator living in New York City. She holds a master of divinity from Union Theological Seminary and has spent time professionally in Catholic schools and public libraries. She is the author of the substack “Disorderly Religion,” a loosely Catholic, justice-focused, and unabashedly queer place of refuge and reflection for those on the margins of the institutional church.
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Catholic Women Preach
Kelly Meraw Preaches for the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, offering encouragement and inspiration to women responding to Christ's call in their own lives:
"We are reminded year after year on this feast day of Mary’s profound courage. We must apply her courage to our own lives and continue to respond to Christ’s calls of our very own names. We need Mary’s bravery to not deny Christ’s voice. It is real. He is here. He is alive. He is speaking to us. And we’ve got to tell everyone!"
Kelly Meraw is the Director of Liturgy, Music, and Pastoral Care for St. John - St. Paul Collaborative in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Kelly earned her Masters Degree from McGill University, where during her undergraduate studies she was received into the Catholic Church through the RCIA program at St. Patrick’s Basilica in Montreal. In her parishes she leads bible studies; organizes faith sharing circles and social justice initiatives; leads communion, wake and committal services; offers adult faith enrichment programming; and shepherds bereavement ministries.
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July 22, 2024 | 7:00 PM EST
Join FutureChurch on July 22nd at 7pm ET as we honor and remember the Apostle to the Apostles, and pray in gratitude for the ways in which we have all encountered the Risen Christ. We will be joined by three remarkable young women who will share their own witness to the Risen Christ with us.
Vickey McBride is Chair of the FutureChurch Board. She most recently served as Vice President for Mission at Saint Martin de Porres High School (Cristo Rey) in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2023, she received the Michael Pressley Award for Excellence in Catholic Education.
Yunuen Trujillo is a Catholic lay minister, a faith-based Community Organizer, and an Immigration Attorney. As a lay minister, she has served in Young Adult Ministry for more than 15 years and she is one of the leading figures for inclusive Catholic LGBTQ Ministry in the United States. Yunuen is a member of the FutureChurch Board.
Ariell Simon (she/her) is a healthcare chaplain living and ministering in central Missouri. Ariell has served as a healthcare chaplain in hospitals and nursing facilities in three states. Ariell also coordinates FutureChurch's Sunday evening online Liturgy of the Word.
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July 30, 2024 | 7:00 PM EST
We are delighted to announce that Laura James has expanded her "Mary Magdalene and the Risen Jesus" series with six new images to depict all of John’s Resurrection Narrative. Our virtual art show will present a first look at these “Stations of the Resurrection,” explore the theological significance of each painting, and hear from Laura James herself about her choices of imagery, color, placement, and scale. Inspired by contemporary biblical scholarship, this series was commissioned by FutureChurch board member, Rita Houlihan. Be among the first to see this new, empowering art series!
Laura James has been working as a professional artist and illustrator for over twenty-five years. In addition to painting sacred images from various religions, she portrays women, families, and scenes of everyday life; blending intricate patterns, text, vibrant colors and sometimes surreal imagery into what she calls "art for the people." Learn more about Laura James at https://www.laurajamesart.com.
Rita L. Houlihan works to restore our historical memory of Biblical women leaders with a focus on Mary Magdalene. She commissions scripture-based art to counter demeaning legends and touch the public’s imagination.
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| Pentecost Project |
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"The Community of St. Hildegard Lives into the Trust of Its Namesake"
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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 the Community of St. Hildegard.
Excerpt: Rev. Shanon never intended to start a church. But after twenty-two years of ministry at a parish in a local diocese, she continued to feel a nudge to participate in ordained ministry. “My heart was on fire,” recalls Rev. Shanon. “I knew I had a call to ministry, I was just trying to figure out how to function with integrity.” While Rev. Shanon was pursuing her Ph.D. it just so happened that the church building of a local Byzantine Catholic Church in her neighborhood went up on the market. With the vision of creating a retreat and community center in the charism of St. Hildegard, Rev. Shanon called her husband. “You could hear a pin drop,” she laughs. But they ended up putting a bid on the building. Rev. Shanon’s future ministry was falling into place right before her eyes– she just couldn’t see it yet.
READ MORE...
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| Upcoming FutureChurch Events |
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| July 21, 2024 at 11:00am EDT | Virtual |
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Eucharist of Equals: Liturgy of Love
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FutureChurch is a proud co-sponsor of an upcoming Liturgy from Roman Catholic Womenpriests! Join us on July 21st at 11:00am EDT for Eucharist of Equals: Liturgy of Love. Through the gathering, we will offer a faithful witness to the welcome table entrusted to us by Jesus Christ, a table of radical welcome, compassion, and inclusion, a table where there is plenty for all.
People of all genders, sexualities, marital statuses, lay, ordained, vowed religious, and interfaith friends are whole-heartedly welcome!
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August 1, 2024 | 7:00 PM EST
On July 9, 2024 the Vatican released the Instrumentum Laboris – or working document – which will guide conversation and discernment at the October 2024 General Assembly of the Synod on Communion, Participation and Mission in Rome.
Join FutureChurch as we analyze and discuss the Working Document for the October 2024 General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality.
At this session, we'll explore the document in-depth, offering an analysis of what is and isn't in it, and review the topics and membership of each of the working groups that have been assigned to explore particular issues.
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Faith, Feminism, and the Catholic Church with Natalia Lee and Julie Rubio
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This past week, FutureChurch welcomed Professors Julie Hanlon Rubio and Natalia Imperatori-Lee for a conversation on faith, feminism, and the Catholic Church. Both scholars have recently written critically acclaimed books on the topic.
In Women and the Church: From Devil’s Gateway to Discipleship Natalia Imperatori Lee examines the history of Christian feminism as a response to patriarchy, the ways in which women have been portrayed in scripture and women’s hermeneutical strategies, and the contributions of women to the subfields of systematic theology.
In Can You Be a Catholic and a Feminist? Julie Hanlon Rubio explores the enduring but newly urgent question, arguing that a Catholic feminist identity is only tenable if we frankly acknowledge tensions between Catholicism and feminism, bring forward shared concerns, and embrace the future with ambiguity and creativity.
Natalia Imperatori-Lee is professor of religious studies at Manhattan College in Riverdale, Bronx, New York. She teaches in the areas of Catholic ecclesiology, gender studies, and Latinx theologies. Imperatori-Lee holds degrees from Fordham University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Notre Dame.
Julie Hanlon Rubio is the Shea-Heusaman Professor of Christian Social Ethics and Associate Dean at Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. She previously taught in the department of theological studies at St. Louis University for nearly two decades. Her research focuses on family, feminism, sex, and politics.
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| Beyond Rights: The Theological Case for Women |
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July 22, 2024; 12PM-3PM ET | In-Person or Zoom; Simboli Hall, Boston College- Brighton Campus
Join the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry for the 15th Annual St. Mary Magdalene Celebration!
Has speaking of rights and social justice in relation to women become ineffective in our polarized environment? Theologian Cecilia González-Andrieu situates us in la realidad (the reality of our present moment), to explore how the power of theological insights arising out of the Christian tradition and read in a Latina liberationist key may help reinvigorate the conversation. The longed-for goal is to promote and enact women’s full participation in the church and in the world as required by the Reign of God.
Register 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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| CSTM Online Crossroads Course: Saint Mary Magdalene |
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July 31-August 27, 2024 | $30 Enroll
Who was Saint Mary Magdalene? What does scripture tell us about her ministry? What impact does her saintly life have on us today? This course explores the imagery of Saint Mary Magdalene, both positive and negative, that have shaped our view of the Apostle to the Apostles. This course also explores the impact of her life on the ministry of women in the church. To complement the informative text and videos, a scripture study text is included to provide an optional prayer experience of Saint Mary Magdalene as portrayed in the Gospels.
This course has an optional text: Dinah Chapman Simmons., Mary Magdalene: Apostle to the Apostles. Little Rock Scripture Study, 2018. ISBN: 978-0-8146-4439-3.
Topics:
- Week 1: Introduction to the course
- Week 2: Mary Magdalene: Negative, False Images
- Week 3: Mary Magdalene: Positive, True Images
- Week 4: Mary Magdalene: Apostle to the Apostles
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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