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March 5, 2021Mary’s Way of the Cross
Wednesday, March 10, 12:15pm
Gayle Valbuena who coordinates our Lenten Stations of the Cross and Soup Lunch has benched me for next Wednesday’s Stations. Since the stations are viewed from Mary’s perspective, she directed that Theresa Pottratz should take the lead. Why should we give Mary a masculine voice when the proper gender voice is available? Since Monday is International Woman’s Day, it seems an appropriate week that we take this little step towards equality within our faith community.
Meanwhile, on February 6, the Vatican announced the appointment of Sister Nathalie Becquart of France as Under-Secretary to the Synod of Bishops. For the first time, a woman will have voting rights at the vital decision-making synods of bishops that have occurred every few years since the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). Pope Francis also named Italian magistrate Catia Summaria as the first woman in the role of Promoter of Justice in the Vatican’s Court of Appeals. We congratulate Sister Nathalie Becquart and magistrate Catia Summaria on these appointments.
Catholics around the world, seeking justice and equality for women in the Church, have been calling for voting rights for women in the deliberations of the Church since before Vatican II. These appointments represent decades of persistent advocacy by Catholic reform groups, women religious and some clergy. The appointments also signify that Pope Francis is listening and taking initial steps to ‘open the door’ to women’s greater participation in decision-making roles in the Church. They are baby steps but at least moving in the right direction.
First Annual Joe Pat Celebration
In honor of St. Joseph and St. Patrick
Music – Trivia – Pizza – Prizes
St. Michael Churchyard
Sunday, March 14th, 6pm to 8pm
In between the music, we’ll play stump the Padre. Test me on how well I know the lives of the saints. Be kind – nothing too obscure. It also would be great if a few people would do a four or five minute “MOTH” type story on your love for a favorite saint. Let me know if you’re brave enough to be a storyteller in front of a crowd. Pizza and beer and wine will be available. It should be a great night under the lights – well hopefully mostly in sunshine as it will be the first day back to daylight saving time. Next Saturday night set clocks forward 1 hour.
Taking the Word Home: Read -- 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
1. After Jesus drives out the money changers in the Gospel, the people ask: “What sign can you show us for doing this?” What did Paul proclaim as the sign and the wisdom for those who are called? Without faith would you recognize a vulnerable, rejected Christ as the wisdom of God?
2. To what do the “foolishness” and “weakness” of God refer? St. Paul says the Jews had a problem accepting Christ crucified. What about you: how do you accept him? And what about the crosses in your own life? Are they “stumbling blocks” or steppingstones for you?
