The Rev. Honorable Jayme Mathias, pastor of a large, independent Catholic parish, Holy Family Parish, in Austin, Texas, has spent several years coordinating an effort to bring together independent Catholics from across the United States to learn, grow, and collaborate in ministry. The effort has taken on the name "Extraordinary Catholics".
Visit the Extraordinary Catholics web site at: www.extraordinarycatholics.faith
Visit Holy Family Parish web site at: www.holyfamilyacc.org
There are regular opportunities for clergy and lay people to join with other independent Catholics via Zoom and in-person.
If you would like to join the Extraordinary Catholics email list, click HERE
Click HERE to read past Extraordinary Catholic email updates.
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RFPUSA Religion and Democracy Webinars on 2022 US Midterm Elections Now Online
Oct 27, 2022
In response to the upcoming 2022 US Midterm elections, Religions for Peace USA (RFPUSA) organized a two-part series of webinars on the theme of Religion and Democracy.
The Religion and Democracy webinar series was developed to respond to violence and threats to our democracy with faith, truth, and our collective and diverse faith traditions. The focus of this series was to ensure that we, as people of faith and conscience, are equipped and enabled to protect our democracy and keep each other safe.
The first webinar was a hands-on training on Countering Political Violence with Faith: Rapid Response in the 2022 Midterms held on October 20. Recording of this webinar can be accessed here. This webinar was presented in collaboration with Faith in Public Life and Over Zero.
The second webinar held yesterday October 27 focused on Christian Nationalism and Ongoing Threat to Democracy in US from a sociological perspective. It was co-sponsored by the National Council of Churches USA. Recording this webinar is here.
Religions for Peace USA is the largest and most broadly-based representative multi-religious forum in the United States, with participants from about 50 religious communities, representing each of the major faith traditions.
Our mission is to inspire and advance common actions for peacemaking through multi-religious cooperation among our nation’s religious and spiritual communities.
We here at RFPUSA envision a nation and world in which people of faith and goodwill live together in respect and mutual support, creating pathways to peace and justice.
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Preventing Targeted Violence & Protecting Houses of Worship with Faith & Community Based Approaches
This webinar will highlight faith and community based approaches to ensure the safety of houses of worship in the US and in Europe.
With the uptick of targeted violence and safety and security concerns of faith and community groups, the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in partnership with with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships is hosting a webinar to highlight faith and community based approaches to ensure the safety of houses of worship in the US and in Europe.
Presenters:
Melissa Rogers, Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and Senior Director for Faith and Public Policy within the Domestic Policy Council
Marcus T. Coleman, Jr., Director, Department of Homeland Security, Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Sim J. Singh, Senior Manager, Policy & Advocacy, The Sikh Coalition Michael Masters, National Director/Chief Executive Officer, Secure Community Network
Elizabeta Kitanovic, Ph.D., Executive Secretary, Human Rights Conference of European Churches (CEC) on behalf of the interfaith partnership in Europe, Safer and Stronger Communities in Europe (SASCE), representing CEC, European Jewish Congress’ (EJC) Security and Crisis Centre (SACC), Faith Matters and the European Buddhist Union
Rev. Miriam J. Burnett, MD, MPH, Medical Director, African Methodist Episcopal International Health Commission and President, Resource and Promotion of Health Alliance, Inc. (R.A.P.H.A., Inc.)
Susan Schneider, Branch Chief, Active Assailant Security, Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
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Meditation for Immigrants
Posted on CACINA'S St. Martin of Tours Web Site www.saintmartinoftoursvermont.org
Source of Life who is known by many names;
Over-turner and illuminator of hearts;
We gather with gratitude for the earth and all who journey in it.
We give thanks for the interconnectedness of all creation.
We ask for support for those without support;
And we pray for the stronghold of those without protection;
We declare openly the times that we have fallen short
From living out the call to justice;
From recognizing the whole of creation as an extension of our being;
From hearing the plight of those yearning for justice;
From seeing the harm in our way of life and in our policies that inflict upon Your
creation.
Source of Wisdom who is known by many names;
What actions are most excellent?
To gladden the heart of a human being;
To feed the hungry;
To help the afflicted;
To lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful;
To remove the wrongs of the injured;
Let us not forget…
The Psalmist asks:
Who is fit to hold power and worthy to act in God’s place?
Those with a passion for the truth, who are horrified by injustice;
Who act with mercy to the poor and take up the cause of the helpless;
Who have let go of selfish concerns and see the whole creation as sacred.
Let us not forget…..
Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, asks:
What is the greatest commandment?
To love your Creator;
To love your neighbor;
To undermine oppressive powers with life-giving actions;
To be in solidarity with all who suffer;
To act for justice;
And to teach others to act for justice
Let us not forget….
Source of Justice who is known by many names;
Let us not swerve from the path of righteousness
that leads to just and equitable relationships.
Open our eyes that we may see
the immigrant and undocumented;
Give us the courage to stand with those crossing our and others’ borders;
Escaping economic oppression and political persecution;
Seeking work to support their families;
Aspiring to participate in the bounty of Your Creation;
Give us the strength to confront the prejudice and
intolerance of those who are fearful;
And to respond by opening our borders to those who
sojourn and are seeking life and opportunity;
Give us the will to leave behind the safety of our sanctuaries and temples;
And claim our place in the movement to transform creation;
That our voice, our heart, and our spirit
will join the voice, heart and spirit of all
who demand to live with respect, justice and peace.
Let us not forget….
Source of Direction who is known by many names;
In our daily living let us be guided;
By the highest estimate of the worth
and dignity of every person regardless of their legal status;
And let us not forget….
That Your Creation is founded on justice;
And that we have the moral responsibility
to bring forth justice into these times.
Amen.
Dedicated to the People of Ukraine, Afghanistan, Mexico and Central America and all who seek justice, refuge and peace
~Jessica Vazquez Torres, for Interfaith Worker Justice
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Reflections on World Council of Churches 11th Assembly in Germany
Thursday, November 3
5:00 to 6:30
REGISTER HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Join leadership, delegates and visitors to reflect with them on World Council of Churches Assembly in Germany. In this seminar, here are few of topics to be discussed:
The centrality of prayer and worship for Christian Unity
Young people and The importance and future of the ecumenical movement
The war in Ukraine, WCC, Russian Orthodox and Ukrainian Orthodox Responses
(See interview with Acting General Secretary Fr Ioan Sauca)
Addressing racism, poverty, climate justice and wealth inequality
Migration and Immigration
Israel and Palestine
Participants will include:
The Reverend Angelique Walker-Smith, North American President, World Council of Churches
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Interim President and General Secretary, National Council of Churches
The Reverend Reginald L. Bacchus, WCC Delegate, Member of Empire Missionary Baptist Convention and National Baptist Churches, President of 400 Foundation
The Reverend Peter Cook, Executive Director, New York State Council of Churches
The Reverend Dr. Jean Hawxhurst, Ecumenical Staff Officer for the United Methodist Council of Bishops
The Reverend Mark Pettis, Ecumenical Officer, United Church of Christ
The Reverend Dale Snyder, Pastor, Bethel AME, Pittsburgh
The Reverend Jack Sullivan, Executive Director, Ohio Council of Churches
The Reverend Dr. Larry Pickens, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Council of Churches
Mr. Gary Van Kennen, President, New York State Council of Churches
We invite you to visit the World Council of Churches website (https://www.oikoumene.org)
for recordings of the Assembly and so much more.
Voting Justice, Democracy & Christian Nationalism Seminar
View the Video Here
If you missed our seminar on Voting Justice, Democracy and Christian Nationalism or just want to take another look check out the recording.
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TUESDAY NIGHT PRAYER AND SHARE
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