Revda. Marina Teresa Sanchez Mejia embarking in the  La Balsada  in honor of Mary with her community on the river Cauca, Cali, Colombia

This is an especially insightful spiritual Reflection by Rev. Chava Redonnet of the Oscar Romero Community in Rochester New York. Amen to her words of wisdom.  The hymn she discusses, written in both English and Spanish, was also the offertory hymn at my Ordination to the priesthood on 7/20/2015 along with Gloria Carpeneto of Maryland and Gabriella Velardi Ward of Staten Island, New York as Priests and Mary Ann McCarthy Schoettly, Deacon. As I recall, the choice of that hymn was unanimous and its meaning special to all there.  From that time on Mary Ann became a loving supporter of our Good Shepherd Ministry to the homeless. Her Sophia Community in New Jersey continues their generous support of our ministry as well as Rev. Chava’s ministry to the migrants.  i join Chava in thankfulness for the life of Rev. Mary Ann Schoettly who left these shores too early to join that great cloud of witnesses on the other shore surrounding us with love.

The chorus of that hymn- Lord, You Have Come to the Seashore (Spanish Pescador de Hombres- is particularly meaningful and lovely:

O Lord, with your eyes set upon me,

gently smiling, you have spoken my name:

all I longed for I have found by the water,

at your side,I will seek other shores”.

by Cesareo Gabarain, Published by OCP, 1979,1987.

Rev. Judy Lee

Oscar Romero Inclusive Catholic Church
Bulletin for Sunday, February 1, 2015
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear friends,
“Lord, when you came to the sea  shore,
you weren’t seeking the wise or the wealthy,
but only asking that I might follow.”

Back in April of 2009 when Mary Ann Schoettly was ordained a priest and I a
deacon in a synagogue in Philadelphia, that was the offertory song. Mary
Ann chose it. I don’t remember what significance it had for her, but when I
think back on it – when I remember standing to receive the offertory gifts
of  bread and wine as a newly ordained deacon, hearing that song all around
— well, I kind of get shivers, because there was no way of knowing then
how important that song would be in my ministry just a few years later.

On the long drive back and forth from the city to way out in the country, I
usually sing. It helps me stay alert! But singing my favorite songs to
Santiago, I sometimes become aware of how many of our hymns and songs are
written from the point of view of persons of privilege. Like “Good King
Wenceslas” – which ends, “you who now will help the poor, will yourselves
find blessing.” The beautiful thing about “Pescador des Hombres,” which we
know in English as “Lord, When You Came to the Seashore” is that it is
written from the point of view of someone without power or privilege,
someone who simply says, take me and use me, Lord.

A transformative moment for me in ministry happened at St Joe’s one Tuesday
afternoon about ten years ago. I was talking with one of our guests, who
was telling a very long story. As I listened, in the front part of my mind
I was hearing her story. In the back part, I was trying to pray for her.
But the prayer wouldn’t come. It was like it was stuck. “Huh,” I wondered.
“Why can’t I pray?” Then I realized that it was because I was praying down.
I was praying like, me and God were going to help her. Like I had it all
together, and she did not. I realized in that moment that if I was going to
pray for her, it had to be the prayer of an equal, one child of God for
another. It was startling because I didn’t realize until then that I had
that attitude.

The good news is, once you’ve had a moment like that, it’s hard to go back.
It’s like you’re standing on the bottom rung looking up, and always aware
that things look different depending on where you are on the ladder – and
that as long as others are standing on that bottom rung, that’s where you
absolutely want to be until you can all climb up that ladder together and
look at the magnificent view. I suspect that’s liberation.

So thanks, Mary Ann posthumous thanks for choosing a song that we would
sing again and again at St Romero’s. Your ministry was shorter than any of
us wanted, but it sure was prophetic!

Still looking for volunteer English teachers for Tuesday nights in the
Spring and Summer, and for a Religious Ed teacher for Thursdays. All in
English!
Keep warm and drive safely in all that snow!

Love to all , Chava
Oscar Romero Church                                    An Inclusive
Community of Liberation, Justice and Joy
Worshiping in the Catholic Tradition           Mass: Sundays, 11 am
St Joseph’s House of Hospitality, 402 South Ave, Rochester NY 14620
A member community of the Federation of Christian Ministries

On Sunday February 1,2015 the newly retired national Chapter Developer of CTA (Call To Action, the Catholic progressive group seeking renewal and reform in the Roman Catholic Church) visited us at the Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community in Fort Myers, Florida. We were honored to have this courageous pioneer of justice in the church and in the world with us. He attended Mass and participated in our “word upon the word” discussion after the Homily. He said how happy he was to be with this inclusive community that included the poor and often outcast. He brought a word of blessing and encouragement to the people. Afterward he joined us in the Sunday meal and mingled with the people in the fellowship time.

This is Bob (in purple shirt) with Hank Tessandori our ‘deacon’ and, also a Call To Action member, and  Good Shepherd members Ann Palmer, Harry Gary, Donnie Wright and little  Kiya and Riya Battles and the co-pastors Judy Beaumont and Judy Lee.  

Some of our other members who enjoyed meeting Bob, Mrs. Jolinda Harmon and Mrs. Linda Maybin and families with Aleigha Longstreth. .

We were also happy to celebrate Rashawn Tobias’ 22nd birthday this Sunday-

I have known Rashawn since he was a small sixth grader-look at him now!It is a special joy to have him with us for his Birthday.

Our local CTA Chapter (Southwest Florida Chapter) President is Ellen Mc Nally who, with her husband Jack cooks for, organizes cooks for and comes to serve with our Tuesday Ministry. faithfully.

This is Jack and Ellen with one of our church leaders Nate Chester and Pastor Judy Beaumont. As he likes to share, Nathaniel was once homeless and very alone, now he is housed, reconciled with family, and on Sunday he is a beautiful Lector, Minister of Music and assistant to our elders. He is so happy to have a church family and to reach out and help others. Yesterday (Tues 2/3) Jack was with us once again after recovering from hip replacement surgery. Everyone gave him hugs and applause.

The Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community is thankful to CTA, to Ellen and Jack and Hank and to Bob Heineman for their service,courage, and support. Thanks be to God!

Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP, co-Pastor The Good Shepherd Community