Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community: Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi June 21,2025 Presiders: Joan Pesce, Dotty Shugrue, ARCWP Co-Presiders: Maryal Gagnon, Andrea Seabaugh and Jane Shugrue, Joan Meehan IT: Jerry Bires Cheryl Brandi Michael Rigdon

Zoom meeting.

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Theme: Welcome to our Eucharistic community gathering. Traditionally Corpus Christi is the celebration of the male priesthood in the institutional Church. Our focus today is non-traditional as we Celebrate the Priesthood of Women.

Women, in many ways, are the foundation of the Catholic Church. We are mothers, nuns and sisters, teachers, nurses and so many others who provide services that enrich our world.

Today we focus on the Roman Catholic Women Priest Movement, a movement that calls women of courage and conviction to defy the injustice of the Catholic hierarchy and step up to let their voices be heard.

Whoever you are,

Wherever you are,

Just as you are,

You are welcome at this table.

Opening ‘FILL ME SACRED SPIRIT - Praise Song Waves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDze4bwykSE

Joan P. Opening Prayer:

Spirit of Wisdom, enliven our hearts to recognize your call in every baptized woman and man. Open our minds beyond structures to the truth of the Gospel, and guide us in living sacramental equality. Amen.

Rite of Transformation:

Called to see, embrace, and recognize the power within us to change the world with each step we make toward peace, harmony, acceptance, and love.

Transform us Holy One

Called to believe in infinite possibilities as we make choices that contribute to greater equality for those who struggle to support families, care for their children, and make a fair income.

Transform us Holy One

Called to celebrate the gift of creation in all its beauty and magnificence as we choose to be wise in protecting our planet for future generations, for the future of all life.

Transform us Holy One

As we gather round the table of friendship, we come with profound thanksgiving for the countless times we have been welcomed by the You Holy One, dwelling in another person.We pray to grow stronger & live more fully the vital qualities of hospitality: kindness, non-judgement, understanding, generosity andacceptance.

All: Let it be so

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Maryal: The First Reading is taken from Daily Reflections written by Richard Rohr

While there is great value in the archetypes of feminine and masculine principles—which, regardless of our gender, we might all embody—it’s important to acknowledge the inequality within the church and culture at large. For example, in the United States, women make 83% of what men earn; the wage gap is even higher for women of color. I can only nod in agreement with criticism of the Roman Catholic Church for its disregard of women as leaders.

Theologians are reclaiming the importance of women in the Bible. Though the Bible was written primarily by men during patriarchal periods, there are plenty of examples of women in positions of wisdom or authority: Deborah, Esther, Ruth and Naomi, Judith, Rahab, Anna, Priscilla, the several women who accompany and support Jesus, and of course Mary, the mother of Jesus.

And then there’s Mary Magdalene. My colleague, CAC core faculty member suggests that a careful study of this woman who first saw the Risen Christ can help us “cut through two millennia of doctrine and dogma to Jesus’ teaching. We find here relational health, an astonishing vision of love as a transformational path, and profoundly empowering models of women and men working together in spiritual leadership roles. To reclaim Mary Magdalene is to reclaim Christianity. Without her, our understanding of what Jesus really taught is incomplete. In fact, it is significantly distorted.”

These are the inspiring words ofRichard Rohr, and we affirm them by saying,

ALL: Let it Be So

Andrea: Second Reading: A Reading of A Liberation Psalm for Women… by Miriam Therese Winter.

Where shall we find a liberated woman?

In the public square,

in the corridors of power,

in the pulpits,

and in our midst.

She dares to stand up for freedom,

not only for her gender,

but for all who are oppressed.

Challenging those who oppose her,

she puts her hand to systemic change,

knowing that only time will tell

how effective are her ways.

If married, she is a wholesome wife

who loves and supports her husband,

yet has a life of her own,

a separate identity,

personal plans and goals.

If single, she has a sense of self,

and rock-solid relationships

that nourish and enrich her

and help to make her whole.

If permanently bound to another

in a covenant of love,

she seeks to share

her inner strength

and vision

with the world.

She shares herself with all who hunger.

for meaning and for love, sinking her roots

in a rich and personal experience ofher God.

Who is the strength of a liberated woman?

Her God,

her family,

her friends,

for she grows by their affirmation,

and succeeds through support,

and a helping hand,

all the days of her life. Amen.

Yes, let us say:

ALL: Let it Be So

Alleluia: Bernadette’s Alleluia by Joseph Moorman

https://youtu.be/TgzsYa6A2wY?si=CvTNvGSsxI_GSOQsU

Joan P: A reading from the Gospel of Mary (Magdalene) CH’s: 4 and 5 (written in the NEW NEW TESTAMENT P. 224

When the Blessed One greeted them all saying, “Bear my peace within yourselves! Peace be with you! Beware that no one lead you astray. saying, ‘Look here, look over there.’ For the Child of Humanity is within you. Follow it! They who seek you will find it.

Go then and proclaim the good news of the realm. Do not lay down any rules beyond what I have determined for you, nor give a law like the lawgivers lest you be confined by it. When he had said this, he departed

But they were pained. They wept greatly, saying, “How shall we go to the nations and proclaim the good news of the Child of Humanity. If they did not spare Him, how will they spare us.?”

Then Mary stood up. She greeted them all, and said to her sisters and brothers: “do not weep and be pained, nor doubt, for all his grace will be with you and shelter you.” But rather let us praise his greatness, for he has prepared us and made us Humans.” When Mary said this, she turned their heart to the Good, and they began to discuss the words of the Savior.

These are the inspiring words from the Gospel of Mary and

we affirm them by saying: All: Let it be so!

Shared Homily/Community Reflections – Dotty

Jane: Let us pray together our Statement of Faith”

We believe in one God, a divine mystery
beyond all definition and rational understanding,
the heart of all that has ever existed,
that exists now, or that ever will exist.

We believe in Jesus, messenger of God's Word,
bringer of God's healing, heart of God's compassion,
bright star in the firmament of God's
prophets, mystics, and saints.

We believe that we are called to follow Jesus
as a vehicle of God's love,
a source of God's wisdom and truth,
and an instrument of God's peace in the world.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

The life of God that is our innermost life,

the breath of God moving in our being.

The depth of God living in each of us.

We believe that God's kin-dom is here and now,
stretched out all around us for those
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it,
and hands to make it happen.

Joan M: Together we now bring to our table cares, and concerns:

We Bring to the Table… all women priests and all women preparing for priesthood in the Peoples Catholic Seminary that they may experience the support and love from all those who believe in their call.