Highlights from 2009 St. Mary of Magdala Celebrations
Pleasant Hill, California
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 01:22 PM
At Christ the King Parish, Pleasant Hill, California, we celebrated twice on July 22. At 8:00 a.m. Mass the Women of Magdala, a feminist Catholic group for women and men, produced a liturgy with a female homilist, who took on the role of Mary. At 7:00 that evening a theologian spoke to the parishioners on being a leader like Mary of Magdala. It was a great day. This is the sixth year we have celebrated the 22nd of July--with the help and inspiration of FutureChurch. Thank you.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 10:13 AM
This celebration actually happened at All Saints Episcopal Parish and Neighborhood Center in San Leandro, CA. It was great! Maxine Sitts
Port Jefferson, New York
Monday, September 14, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Attached is a picture of three of the women who participated in our celebration of the Feast of Mary of Magdala. The women were part of the service that included monologues spoken by Mary Pappalardo, Mary of Magdala (left), Pat O'Connor,Claudia, Pontius Pilate's wife (right). Inspersing the monologues was the "chorus," spoken by Nancy Hall (center). We have celebrated with this special prayer service every summer for nine summers. We decorate the church with flowers brought by the assembly from their own gardens. And we conclude with refreshments on the church porch. In keeping with the garden theme/setting -- as per Jesus' commission to Mary and her own proclamation, "I have seen the Lord," we sell honey as our major fund raiser. Funds from the honey sale go to the support of both a global and a local cause, specifically related to women in need.
Lockport, New York
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 at 12:03 PM
"We Are Called" was sung during the lighting of the candles at the beginning of the service. Spontaneous witness from attendees was very moving. At the end of the service, our musicians sang "Go Light Your World" while participants' candles were lit. After the service, we held a wine and cheese reception under a tent in our Memorial Garden in front of the church. We also provided for purchase books from a local Christian book store and distributed your pamphlets. The "weaving board" was very dramatic.
Sedona, Arizona
Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 03:04 AM
Sedona, Arizona - On July 17-18 we held our 5th Annual Mary of Magdala celebration in Sedona, Arizona. Our theme was Sacred Partnerships. On Friday evening we had an artists' reception with artwork portraying sacred partnerships, male/female, yin/yang/ divine masculine/feminine. Our opening lecture was on the Nag Hammadi documents. Our seminar leader was Fr. John Beverley Butcher, an Episcopal priest, author of a soon to be published new book on Mary of Magdala and Jesus of Nazareth - Chalices of Mystery. On Saturday we had 3 more seminars on Mary of Magdala and Jesus of Nazareth exploring her leadership role and their sacred partnership in healing, teaching and ministry. We included drumming, chanting, and other rituals and ended with a Chalice of Mystery Liturgy including bread, wine, water and milk and honey shared by all. We had about 100 participants in the two day event. The photos below are of the artists' reception, chanting and the Chalices of Mystery Liturgy. A lovely event.
Urbanan, Illinois
Monday, August 31, 2009 at 10:33 AM
We remembered you last Sunday as we have done in years past and prayed for your group to succeed and that your work will be honored some time by your church. 39 Protestants praying for you Catholic women and men....how about that? We spoke of Mary Magdala's saint day today, the networking that you are doing and how much we hope you succeed. This is in an assisted living center where I (licensed lay minister of the United Church of Christ) preach every Sunday to a group of residents, the average age being 88 years! They were very much interested in your celebration. They are quite aware of the ecumenical nature of our group: several Methodists, fewer Lutherans, UCC members, Presbyterians and Disciples of Christ. The Catholics who miss the bus to Mass at a nearby church join us now and then. We will continue to keep you in our prayers and hope that your church will hear your message before too many years past. Jean Nanney
Fellowship of Illinois Laity
Monday, August 31, 2009 at 10:23 AM
The Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity sponsored Women of the Word: A Day of Education, Reflection and Empowerment. The July 18 event in O’ Fallon, Il, attracted about 150 people from St. Louis, Belleville and other nearby cities. Sr. Chris Schenk was the keynote speaker, and an afternoon panel presentation featured Dr. Penny Weiss, director of the Women’s Studies program at St. Louis University, Fr. Joseph A. Brown SJ, PhD, professor and director of the Black American Studies program at Southern Illinois University and Mick Gibbar, a FOSIL member who spoke on a male perspective on sexism in the Church. On July 19 Schenk spoke at a parish on the western side of the Belleville diocese to about fifty parishioners from several nearby parishes.
Vancouver, BC, Cananda
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Our celebration was small but powerful. We were only 9 women but we brought a lot of women with us. Especially powerful was the sharing after Lois and Eunice where we spoke of our mothers and grandmothers and other mothers and daughters that we knew that inspired us.
We were quite a diverse group ranging in age from 23 to 82, divorced, single, married, and in religious life, European Canadian, European American, Iranian and African American/Canadian, Catholic and Protestant.
Thank you for providing the resources for these celebrations.
It was small but that gave everyone a chance to share on each woman from Paul's ministry listed in the prayer service.
Spokane, WA
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Immediately predeeding the M of M Celebration (we mainly used FutureChurch's ritual- it was great!) we had a BeadforLife party.
"BeadforLife" eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful bead jewelery, and people who care open their hearts, homes and communities to sell the beads. The beads become income, food, medicine, school fees and hope. It is a small miracle that connects and enriches everybody in the bead circle." from the BeadforLife folks. We all wore our beads - necklaces, bracelets, earrings- during the ritual and passed a bowl of loose beads and strung them into a necklace in memory of those whose stories we shared. The necklace, a reminder of strong and wise women, will go to one of our loved ones who is separated from us.
Newton, NJ
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Our photo is part of the Catholic Community who celebrated the Feast of Mary Magdalene on Sunday, July 26, 2009 in Newton, New Jersey.
Thank you for the materials that you have made available.
Milwaukee, WI
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:59 AM
We had a very successful Mary of Magdala celebration here at St. John's on the Lake (a nominally Episcopal retirement community, at 1840 N. Prospect Ave. Milwaaukee, WI 53202).
It was held in the chapel and there were 32 participants, most from our senior residents but some from the Milwaukee community.
Our cantor, Don Haack is a retired trombonist from the Milwaukee symphony; our pianist, John Stewig is a reitred UW-Milwaukee professor.
We built our theme on weaving: each participant provided a strand which Jean Garrett wove during the ceremony.
Our readers/proclaimers in the ceremony were Methodist, Episcopalian and Roman Catholic.
Thank you for all your encouragement and your help.
Memphis, TN
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Ours celebration was Wednesday, July 22 , 5:15 PM mass in the Church followed by a potluck supper in St. Patrick Learning Center. Our special guest preacher is Sr. Cathy Galaskiewicz, OP.
We put a postcard in every program; we had a table with reprints of articles about Women in Leadership; Jesus and Women; Women in the lectionary, Mary of Magdala brochure.
Louisville, KY
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:51 AM
About 75 people participated in the service this year. Our theme was "Who Do You Say I Am?" Our homilist, Candace Kresse asked us all to think about who and what we think Mary Magdalene was. In turn, she also asked us to think of who we say WE are. After some meditation, we all wrote a few words on a cloth that described who we are. It was a very moving activity. We also had interpretive dance done to a poem by a woman parishioner named Jean Archer called "I Am". 3 young girls did a candle lighting ceremony and 4 adult women acted as Mary during different times of her time with Jesus.
Long Island, NY
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Nine persons, some members and some friends of the Long Island Women's Ordination Conference, met at Villa St. Joseph, a convent, to commemorate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. The prayer suggested by FutureChurch elicited deep sharing of the women we have worked with or known who have "Gone and Tell." We did make a weaving to represent the many voices and the varied stories of women of great spirit.
Lafayette, CA
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:35 AM
We are an Episcopal Church celebrating our second celebrations - with an original Gospel Proclamation with the voices of women; also an original melody to a text from the St. Helena Breviary; original Prayers.
Since the Liturgy is the work of the people, many came forward to prepare for a wonderful celebration. (Our pep talk was - look around the Church and uncover the great variety of talent. And so there was!)
A gifted writer of the Church wrote a chancel play on MM as part of the Word. Seven people became Mary together and separately. Another member, a gifted actor and director, of A.C.T., San Francisco, directed this proclamation.
Our musician composed a melody to fit the text about MM from the Breviary of St. Helena. A contralto member sang.
A Methodist minister and her husband developed the Prayers of the People in the context of MM - and provided us with photos of the Eucharistic Service.
My wife colored brown eggs a beautiful hue of Greek Orthodox red. Each member of the Church received one to take home. (Brown eggs deliver better than White ones)
We processed/recessed with the now-famous icon of MM (Robert Lentz)
People distributed in the neighborhood flyers of the Celebration of MM.
The sermon affirmed MM as the prime witness to the Resurrection - and how her recent full and appreciated "re-entry" adds emphasis to the Gospel readings and historic correction as to why going from house worship to public worship had its positive and negative place in the 4th century. (Thanks for this insight from the prepared materials of FutureChurch and, in particular, those of MM)
Heart of America CTA
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Our celebration was held on Wednesday evening 7/22/09 in the Parish Hall of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Essex, MA. "Intimate--and rewarding" was how it's been described!
Essex, MA
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Our celebration was held on Wednesday evening 7/22/09 in the Parish Hall of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Essex, MA.
"Intimate--and rewarding" was how it's been described!
We focused on Mary Magdalene but also invited each woman to bring something meaningful to illustrate the work of women in the church...whether from biblical or historic past or present day. Some fine sharing ensued, with a particularly poignant re-enactment of the hemorrhaging woman's story.
Chicago, IL
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:04 AM
We had almost 60 people of all ages (6 to 90 years old) gather on the shores of Lake Michigan at the North end of Lakeshore Drive to celebrate. It was an amazing gathering complete with all four elements: Earth, Water, Fire and Rain. Spirit was truly with us. Those present spoke of women's leadership roles in the early church in the first century. We blessed water from Lake Michigan and our youngest attendee (6 year old - Susan) sprinkled us all. In addition to a cloud burst which sent us scurrying under the trees for five minutes during the service of the word, the sun shown through the clouds and Spirit sent a rainbow to signal the continuation of our service. Our pot luck dinner afterwards was a loaves and fishes feast.
Charlotte, NC
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 08:57 AM
I got women friends together to celebrate Mary of Magdala and ourselves as women. We prayed, ate and shared. It is a beginning and was fun. We made time to enjoy each other and reinforce our belief in the power we have.
The Netherlands
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 12:45 PM
We held our celibration for the community on July 22. I was allowed to lead it. I had written the opening song, the homily ad the prayers. With our lay Pastor I filled in the rest. We had added the words 'and her Companions" to the name of Mary Magdalen.
Furthermore I organised a small exhibition. It was given a lot of attention.
Also I discussd the matter of the Lectionary with the emeritus bishop who has lived in our house fo many year.
I have told to whoever would listen about the visitation in your country and the reason for it,that you over there have for years been taking the inspiration of the Biblical women to heart and thereby have grown. I have made certain that the committee that is preparng meetings for the coming twelve months will not forget to focuss moe on MM.
Thank you for trying to get the whole world involved. I am not very good at answering all the questions of a questionaire. I hope this will suffice.
Theresia Saers
Midland, Michigan
Sunday, August 09, 2009 at 06:54 PM
In Midland, MI, we held our 3rd Mary of Magdala Celebration on July 22 in our church chapel, which can seat up to 80 people. About 50 men and women came and enthusiastically took part in the prayer service. Eight women assisted me as readers, cantor and pianist. They all said over and over how much an honor this was and how privileged they felt to take part. Those who came also very much appreciated the celebration and the lemonade, ice tea and brownies after the prayer service. The service lasted about 50 minutes and most people stayed for about 20 minutes to chat and eat and drink. People were offered a chance to pick up information on FutureChurch and also an article by Sr. Chris and the article by Carol Osiek. People from 3 Catholic parishes came and at least 10 other women from other Christian traditions wanted to come but were unable to do so. We had a wonderful write-up in our local paper which helped "get the word out"!
Abingdon, Maryland
Sunday, August 09, 2009 at 01:07 PM
St. Francis de Sales Parish Community of Abingdon, Maryland held celebration of Feast of Mary of Magdala. We had 50 participants. We honored the women in Paul's ministry, along with 6 women of our community. They spoke on What it means to be a disciple of Jesus in their living situation. It was very diverse and very powerful. Music was done by our Music Ministry. We then had a wine & cheese party in the Knights of Columbus Hall. (We always find that quite humorous - Knights of Columbus are a male only organization!!!!)
Springfield, Illinois
Friday, August 07, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Over 150 women gathered on July 19, 2009 to celebrate the feast of Mary Magdalene. Presented by a local prayer group, Women at the Well - Springfield, this evening was highlighted with prayer, a scholarly presentation by Rev. Richard Chiola, PhD, music led by a local women's Christian trio Sisters of the "Son", a dramatic presentation, food and fellowship.
It was a faith-filled and uplifting experience with women fulfilling the leadership responsibilities, leading prayer, preaching, providing excellence in education, hospitality and coming together to share and envision a church which values women's leadership as seen in Scripture by the example of our beloved Saint Mary of Magdala.
Follow the link below for a youtube video of pictures from the event with music provdided by Sisters of the "Son".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Zl07iha3k
Madonna Jones
Albuquerque, New Mexica
Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Sharon Pikula/Albuquerque NM. We had a wonderful gathering of about 25---including a pastor and seminarian....Hopefully seeds were planted. We honored a variety of women and ended with a "weave of hope" We loved the music---Weave a new church into being, one in faith and love and praise!!!!!
Heart of America CTA
Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Our Mary Magdalene celebration was a huge success. Some 60 pkeople attended, about ten fewer than other years, but those absences were accounted for by letters of regret we received from those who could not make it. The talk by Rev. Mary Reilly, an Interfaith minister, the music, and the spirit were outstanding. Peggy Neal, who was the recipient of our 2009 Mary Magdalene award for being a woman of action and change, was surpr8sed and overwhelmed. Altogether a glorious occasion. Janelle Lazzo
Cleveland, Ohio
Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 02:47 PM
Remembering the Women Co-Workers of St. Paul was the title of FutureChurch's 13th annual celebration in Cleveland. Dr. Sheila McGinn, PhD, a professor of biblical studies and early Christianity at John Carroll University was the speaker. All gathered were enriched by her knowledge, humor and reflections.
Detroit, Michigan
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 at 06:07 PM
The title of our prayer service was, Mary Magdalene, The Epitome Of the Martha-Mary Intricacy in Our Lives. CTA-Metro Detroit held it on Sunday, July 19, at Ss. Simon and Jude in Westland, two days prior to the day the Church has set aside to honor St Mary Magdalene.
Thirty-two women, along with two brave men :) , joined together to celebrate the Apostle to the Apostles. What an evening of complete joy. This was a most informative, positive and relevant experience.
Informative as we contemplated on five contemporary women, Mary Lou Kownacki, Jean Donavan, Helen Prejean, Etty Hillesum and "Everywoman" - women of great strength who practiced their faith to the fullest' women with a strong relationship to Christ's call.
Positive as we took inspiration in the reflection and sang, “Blest Are They”, remembering the work that women are doing and continue to do.
Relevant also as we recognized ourselves in the character called “Everywoman.” Her diverse character was one with which we could identify even more - a woman with the qualities of Jesus' dear friends, Martha and Mary - the qualities we so much need to keep our lives in balance.
There were exuberant high-fives all around as we all felt encouraged and challenged to go forth to live lives as agents of change and witnesses of Christ's love. We know that theses lives will involve taking risks but with a sense of solidarity how can we fail? We will have the courage in the prophetic lives of women in our hearts.
Marianne Bernard, CTA-Metro Detroit
Falls Church, Virginia
Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Roman Catholic Womenpriests : House Church Celebration of Feast of St. Mary Magdala in Falls Church, VA.
On July 22nd, 2009, we hosted a liturgy in honor of the feast day of St. Mary Magdala in our home in Falls Church, VA. We sang, prayed, and reflected on the role of St. Mary Magdala as the first witness to the Resurrection. The Risen Christ sent Mary to "go and tell", announce the Good News to the other disciples. The church Fathers referred to her as "The Apostle to the Apostles." We also discussed the non-canonical Christian writings such as Pistis Sophia, and the Gospel of Mary, which present Mary as a leader and teacher of the male disciples, whom Peter resented. Scholars believe this tension reflected the debate in the early church about the role of women as leaders in the church. Amid chuckles, we noted that some things never change!!
Our community also discussed at length the call to a renewed priestly ministry and asked me to share my journey. Peg and Bob, with whom I co-ministered in a parish community for fifteen years shared some wonderful memories. Both have been companions on the journey with me, like Junia and Andronicus whom Paul cites as exemplars in the faith in Romans 16. We noted in Romans 16 that Paul commends by name, many women leaders for their hard work. Today over 80% of church ministry is done by women. So women are still doing the heavy lifting in the church today in parishes throughout the U.S.
There is tension between the hierarchy and women in the church who advocate full equality of women in the church, including a renewed priestly ministry. The image that comes to mind is that of a dance! Despite our disagreements and rejection by the institutional male leaders, RCWP are faithful members of the Body of Christ, the people of God. Like St. Mary of Magdala and Peter, we are "dancing" a new church into being!
Pleasant Hill, California
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 01:22 PM
At Christ the King Parish, Pleasant Hill, California, we celebrated twice on July 22. At 8:00 a.m. Mass the Women of Magdala, a feminist Catholic group for women and men, produced a liturgy with a female homilist, who took on the role of Mary. At 7:00 that evening a theologian spoke to the parishioners on being a leader like Mary of Magdala. It was a great day. This is the sixth year we have celebrated the 22nd of July--with the help and inspiration of FutureChurch. Thank you.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 10:13 AM
This celebration actually happened at All Saints Episcopal Parish and Neighborhood Center in San Leandro, CA. It was great! Maxine Sitts
Port Jefferson, New York
Monday, September 14, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Attached is a picture of three of the women who participated in our celebration of the Feast of Mary of Magdala. The women were part of the service that included monologues spoken by Mary Pappalardo, Mary of Magdala (left), Pat O'Connor,Claudia, Pontius Pilate's wife (right). Inspersing the monologues was the "chorus," spoken by Nancy Hall (center). We have celebrated with this special prayer service every summer for nine summers. We decorate the church with flowers brought by the assembly from their own gardens. And we conclude with refreshments on the church porch. In keeping with the garden theme/setting -- as per Jesus' commission to Mary and her own proclamation, "I have seen the Lord," we sell honey as our major fund raiser. Funds from the honey sale go to the support of both a global and a local cause, specifically related to women in need.
Lockport, New York
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 at 12:03 PM
"We Are Called" was sung during the lighting of the candles at the beginning of the service. Spontaneous witness from attendees was very moving. At the end of the service, our musicians sang "Go Light Your World" while participants' candles were lit. After the service, we held a wine and cheese reception under a tent in our Memorial Garden in front of the church. We also provided for purchase books from a local Christian book store and distributed your pamphlets. The "weaving board" was very dramatic.
Sedona, Arizona
Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 03:04 AM
Sedona, Arizona - On July 17-18 we held our 5th Annual Mary of Magdala celebration in Sedona, Arizona. Our theme was Sacred Partnerships. On Friday evening we had an artists' reception with artwork portraying sacred partnerships, male/female, yin/yang/ divine masculine/feminine. Our opening lecture was on the Nag Hammadi documents. Our seminar leader was Fr. John Beverley Butcher, an Episcopal priest, author of a soon to be published new book on Mary of Magdala and Jesus of Nazareth - Chalices of Mystery. On Saturday we had 3 more seminars on Mary of Magdala and Jesus of Nazareth exploring her leadership role and their sacred partnership in healing, teaching and ministry. We included drumming, chanting, and other rituals and ended with a Chalice of Mystery Liturgy including bread, wine, water and milk and honey shared by all. We had about 100 participants in the two day event. The photos below are of the artists' reception, chanting and the Chalices of Mystery Liturgy. A lovely event.
Urbanan, Illinois
Monday, August 31, 2009 at 10:33 AM
We remembered you last Sunday as we have done in years past and prayed for your group to succeed and that your work will be honored some time by your church. 39 Protestants praying for you Catholic women and men....how about that? We spoke of Mary Magdala's saint day today, the networking that you are doing and how much we hope you succeed. This is in an assisted living center where I (licensed lay minister of the United Church of Christ) preach every Sunday to a group of residents, the average age being 88 years! They were very much interested in your celebration. They are quite aware of the ecumenical nature of our group: several Methodists, fewer Lutherans, UCC members, Presbyterians and Disciples of Christ. The Catholics who miss the bus to Mass at a nearby church join us now and then. We will continue to keep you in our prayers and hope that your church will hear your message before too many years past. Jean Nanney
Fellowship of Illinois Laity
Monday, August 31, 2009 at 10:23 AM
The Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity sponsored Women of the Word: A Day of Education, Reflection and Empowerment. The July 18 event in O’ Fallon, Il, attracted about 150 people from St. Louis, Belleville and other nearby cities. Sr. Chris Schenk was the keynote speaker, and an afternoon panel presentation featured Dr. Penny Weiss, director of the Women’s Studies program at St. Louis University, Fr. Joseph A. Brown SJ, PhD, professor and director of the Black American Studies program at Southern Illinois University and Mick Gibbar, a FOSIL member who spoke on a male perspective on sexism in the Church. On July 19 Schenk spoke at a parish on the western side of the Belleville diocese to about fifty parishioners from several nearby parishes.
Vancouver, BC, Cananda
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Our celebration was small but powerful. We were only 9 women but we brought a lot of women with us. Especially powerful was the sharing after Lois and Eunice where we spoke of our mothers and grandmothers and other mothers and daughters that we knew that inspired us.
We were quite a diverse group ranging in age from 23 to 82, divorced, single, married, and in religious life, European Canadian, European American, Iranian and African American/Canadian, Catholic and Protestant.
Thank you for providing the resources for these celebrations.
It was small but that gave everyone a chance to share on each woman from Paul's ministry listed in the prayer service.
Spokane, WA
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 10:12 AM
Immediately predeeding the M of M Celebration (we mainly used FutureChurch's ritual- it was great!) we had a BeadforLife party.
"BeadforLife" eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful bead jewelery, and people who care open their hearts, homes and communities to sell the beads. The beads become income, food, medicine, school fees and hope. It is a small miracle that connects and enriches everybody in the bead circle." from the BeadforLife folks. We all wore our beads - necklaces, bracelets, earrings- during the ritual and passed a bowl of loose beads and strung them into a necklace in memory of those whose stories we shared. The necklace, a reminder of strong and wise women, will go to one of our loved ones who is separated from us.
Newton, NJ
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Our photo is part of the Catholic Community who celebrated the Feast of Mary Magdalene on Sunday, July 26, 2009 in Newton, New Jersey.
Thank you for the materials that you have made available.
Milwaukee, WI
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:59 AM
We had a very successful Mary of Magdala celebration here at St. John's on the Lake (a nominally Episcopal retirement community, at 1840 N. Prospect Ave. Milwaaukee, WI 53202).
It was held in the chapel and there were 32 participants, most from our senior residents but some from the Milwaukee community.
Our cantor, Don Haack is a retired trombonist from the Milwaukee symphony; our pianist, John Stewig is a reitred UW-Milwaukee professor.
We built our theme on weaving: each participant provided a strand which Jean Garrett wove during the ceremony.
Our readers/proclaimers in the ceremony were Methodist, Episcopalian and Roman Catholic.
Thank you for all your encouragement and your help.
Memphis, TN
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:56 AM
Ours celebration was Wednesday, July 22 , 5:15 PM mass in the Church followed by a potluck supper in St. Patrick Learning Center. Our special guest preacher is Sr. Cathy Galaskiewicz, OP.
We put a postcard in every program; we had a table with reprints of articles about Women in Leadership; Jesus and Women; Women in the lectionary, Mary of Magdala brochure.
Louisville, KY
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:51 AM
About 75 people participated in the service this year. Our theme was "Who Do You Say I Am?" Our homilist, Candace Kresse asked us all to think about who and what we think Mary Magdalene was. In turn, she also asked us to think of who we say WE are. After some meditation, we all wrote a few words on a cloth that described who we are. It was a very moving activity. We also had interpretive dance done to a poem by a woman parishioner named Jean Archer called "I Am". 3 young girls did a candle lighting ceremony and 4 adult women acted as Mary during different times of her time with Jesus.
Long Island, NY
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Nine persons, some members and some friends of the Long Island Women's Ordination Conference, met at Villa St. Joseph, a convent, to commemorate the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene. The prayer suggested by FutureChurch elicited deep sharing of the women we have worked with or known who have "Gone and Tell." We did make a weaving to represent the many voices and the varied stories of women of great spirit.
Lafayette, CA
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:35 AM
We are an Episcopal Church celebrating our second celebrations - with an original Gospel Proclamation with the voices of women; also an original melody to a text from the St. Helena Breviary; original Prayers.
Since the Liturgy is the work of the people, many came forward to prepare for a wonderful celebration. (Our pep talk was - look around the Church and uncover the great variety of talent. And so there was!)
A gifted writer of the Church wrote a chancel play on MM as part of the Word. Seven people became Mary together and separately. Another member, a gifted actor and director, of A.C.T., San Francisco, directed this proclamation.
Our musician composed a melody to fit the text about MM from the Breviary of St. Helena. A contralto member sang.
A Methodist minister and her husband developed the Prayers of the People in the context of MM - and provided us with photos of the Eucharistic Service.
My wife colored brown eggs a beautiful hue of Greek Orthodox red. Each member of the Church received one to take home. (Brown eggs deliver better than White ones)
We processed/recessed with the now-famous icon of MM (Robert Lentz)
People distributed in the neighborhood flyers of the Celebration of MM.
The sermon affirmed MM as the prime witness to the Resurrection - and how her recent full and appreciated "re-entry" adds emphasis to the Gospel readings and historic correction as to why going from house worship to public worship had its positive and negative place in the 4th century. (Thanks for this insight from the prepared materials of FutureChurch and, in particular, those of MM)
Heart of America CTA
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Our celebration was held on Wednesday evening 7/22/09 in the Parish Hall of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Essex, MA. "Intimate--and rewarding" was how it's been described!
Essex, MA
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Our celebration was held on Wednesday evening 7/22/09 in the Parish Hall of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Essex, MA.
"Intimate--and rewarding" was how it's been described!
We focused on Mary Magdalene but also invited each woman to bring something meaningful to illustrate the work of women in the church...whether from biblical or historic past or present day. Some fine sharing ensued, with a particularly poignant re-enactment of the hemorrhaging woman's story.
Chicago, IL
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 09:04 AM
We had almost 60 people of all ages (6 to 90 years old) gather on the shores of Lake Michigan at the North end of Lakeshore Drive to celebrate. It was an amazing gathering complete with all four elements: Earth, Water, Fire and Rain. Spirit was truly with us. Those present spoke of women's leadership roles in the early church in the first century. We blessed water from Lake Michigan and our youngest attendee (6 year old - Susan) sprinkled us all. In addition to a cloud burst which sent us scurrying under the trees for five minutes during the service of the word, the sun shown through the clouds and Spirit sent a rainbow to signal the continuation of our service. Our pot luck dinner afterwards was a loaves and fishes feast.
Charlotte, NC
Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 08:57 AM
I got women friends together to celebrate Mary of Magdala and ourselves as women. We prayed, ate and shared. It is a beginning and was fun. We made time to enjoy each other and reinforce our belief in the power we have.
The Netherlands
Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 12:45 PM
We held our celibration for the community on July 22. I was allowed to lead it. I had written the opening song, the homily ad the prayers. With our lay Pastor I filled in the rest. We had added the words 'and her Companions" to the name of Mary Magdalen.
Furthermore I organised a small exhibition. It was given a lot of attention.
Also I discussd the matter of the Lectionary with the emeritus bishop who has lived in our house fo many year.
I have told to whoever would listen about the visitation in your country and the reason for it,that you over there have for years been taking the inspiration of the Biblical women to heart and thereby have grown. I have made certain that the committee that is preparng meetings for the coming twelve months will not forget to focuss moe on MM.
Thank you for trying to get the whole world involved. I am not very good at answering all the questions of a questionaire. I hope this will suffice.
Theresia Saers
Midland, Michigan
Sunday, August 09, 2009 at 06:54 PM
In Midland, MI, we held our 3rd Mary of Magdala Celebration on July 22 in our church chapel, which can seat up to 80 people. About 50 men and women came and enthusiastically took part in the prayer service. Eight women assisted me as readers, cantor and pianist. They all said over and over how much an honor this was and how privileged they felt to take part. Those who came also very much appreciated the celebration and the lemonade, ice tea and brownies after the prayer service. The service lasted about 50 minutes and most people stayed for about 20 minutes to chat and eat and drink. People were offered a chance to pick up information on FutureChurch and also an article by Sr. Chris and the article by Carol Osiek. People from 3 Catholic parishes came and at least 10 other women from other Christian traditions wanted to come but were unable to do so. We had a wonderful write-up in our local paper which helped "get the word out"!
Abingdon, Maryland
Sunday, August 09, 2009 at 01:07 PM
St. Francis de Sales Parish Community of Abingdon, Maryland held celebration of Feast of Mary of Magdala. We had 50 participants. We honored the women in Paul's ministry, along with 6 women of our community. They spoke on What it means to be a disciple of Jesus in their living situation. It was very diverse and very powerful. Music was done by our Music Ministry. We then had a wine & cheese party in the Knights of Columbus Hall. (We always find that quite humorous - Knights of Columbus are a male only organization!!!!)
Springfield, Illinois
Friday, August 07, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Over 150 women gathered on July 19, 2009 to celebrate the feast of Mary Magdalene. Presented by a local prayer group, Women at the Well - Springfield, this evening was highlighted with prayer, a scholarly presentation by Rev. Richard Chiola, PhD, music led by a local women's Christian trio Sisters of the "Son", a dramatic presentation, food and fellowship.
It was a faith-filled and uplifting experience with women fulfilling the leadership responsibilities, leading prayer, preaching, providing excellence in education, hospitality and coming together to share and envision a church which values women's leadership as seen in Scripture by the example of our beloved Saint Mary of Magdala.
Follow the link below for a youtube video of pictures from the event with music provdided by Sisters of the "Son".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7Zl07iha3k
Madonna Jones
Albuquerque, New Mexica
Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Sharon Pikula/Albuquerque NM. We had a wonderful gathering of about 25---including a pastor and seminarian....Hopefully seeds were planted. We honored a variety of women and ended with a "weave of hope" We loved the music---Weave a new church into being, one in faith and love and praise!!!!!
Heart of America CTA
Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Our Mary Magdalene celebration was a huge success. Some 60 pkeople attended, about ten fewer than other years, but those absences were accounted for by letters of regret we received from those who could not make it. The talk by Rev. Mary Reilly, an Interfaith minister, the music, and the spirit were outstanding. Peggy Neal, who was the recipient of our 2009 Mary Magdalene award for being a woman of action and change, was surpr8sed and overwhelmed. Altogether a glorious occasion. Janelle Lazzo
Cleveland, Ohio
Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 02:47 PM
Remembering the Women Co-Workers of St. Paul was the title of FutureChurch's 13th annual celebration in Cleveland. Dr. Sheila McGinn, PhD, a professor of biblical studies and early Christianity at John Carroll University was the speaker. All gathered were enriched by her knowledge, humor and reflections.
Detroit, Michigan
Tuesday, August 04, 2009 at 06:07 PM
The title of our prayer service was, Mary Magdalene, The Epitome Of the Martha-Mary Intricacy in Our Lives. CTA-Metro Detroit held it on Sunday, July 19, at Ss. Simon and Jude in Westland, two days prior to the day the Church has set aside to honor St Mary Magdalene.
Thirty-two women, along with two brave men :) , joined together to celebrate the Apostle to the Apostles. What an evening of complete joy. This was a most informative, positive and relevant experience.
Informative as we contemplated on five contemporary women, Mary Lou Kownacki, Jean Donavan, Helen Prejean, Etty Hillesum and "Everywoman" - women of great strength who practiced their faith to the fullest' women with a strong relationship to Christ's call.
Positive as we took inspiration in the reflection and sang, “Blest Are They”, remembering the work that women are doing and continue to do.
Relevant also as we recognized ourselves in the character called “Everywoman.” Her diverse character was one with which we could identify even more - a woman with the qualities of Jesus' dear friends, Martha and Mary - the qualities we so much need to keep our lives in balance.
There were exuberant high-fives all around as we all felt encouraged and challenged to go forth to live lives as agents of change and witnesses of Christ's love. We know that theses lives will involve taking risks but with a sense of solidarity how can we fail? We will have the courage in the prophetic lives of women in our hearts.
Marianne Bernard, CTA-Metro Detroit
Falls Church, Virginia
Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Roman Catholic Womenpriests : House Church Celebration of Feast of St. Mary Magdala in Falls Church, VA.
On July 22nd, 2009, we hosted a liturgy in honor of the feast day of St. Mary Magdala in our home in Falls Church, VA. We sang, prayed, and reflected on the role of St. Mary Magdala as the first witness to the Resurrection. The Risen Christ sent Mary to "go and tell", announce the Good News to the other disciples. The church Fathers referred to her as "The Apostle to the Apostles." We also discussed the non-canonical Christian writings such as Pistis Sophia, and the Gospel of Mary, which present Mary as a leader and teacher of the male disciples, whom Peter resented. Scholars believe this tension reflected the debate in the early church about the role of women as leaders in the church. Amid chuckles, we noted that some things never change!!
Our community also discussed at length the call to a renewed priestly ministry and asked me to share my journey. Peg and Bob, with whom I co-ministered in a parish community for fifteen years shared some wonderful memories. Both have been companions on the journey with me, like Junia and Andronicus whom Paul cites as exemplars in the faith in Romans 16. We noted in Romans 16 that Paul commends by name, many women leaders for their hard work. Today over 80% of church ministry is done by women. So women are still doing the heavy lifting in the church today in parishes throughout the U.S.
There is tension between the hierarchy and women in the church who advocate full equality of women in the church, including a renewed priestly ministry. The image that comes to mind is that of a dance! Despite our disagreements and rejection by the institutional male leaders, RCWP are faithful members of the Body of Christ, the people of God. Like St. Mary of Magdala and Peter, we are "dancing" a new church into being!
Bridget Mary Meehan