Reflections from Our Pastors

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Remembering Matthew



October 12, 2023 is the 25th anniversary of the brutal murder of Matthew Wayne Shepard. Matthew was a gay American student at the University of Wyoming who was beaten, tortured, and left to die near Laramie on the night of October 6, 1998. He was taken by rescuers to Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he died six days later from severe head injuries received during the attack.

In the aftermath of Matt’s death, his parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard,

started the Matthew Shepard Foundation to honor his life and aspirations. Inspired by the tragedy they endured, the initial purpose of the Foundation was to teach parents with children who may be questioning their sexuality to love and accept them for who they are, and to not throw them away.

Through their personal appearances across the country and around the

world, Judy and Dennis Shepard are changing hearts and minds by sharing

Matt’s story and highlighting the importance of standing up for the

LGBTQIA+ community.

Since its formation, the Foundation has helped pioneer the country’s first

federal hate crimes legislation with the passing of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009; provided hate

crimes training to 1,060 law enforcement officers and 76 prosecutors since May 2017; created dialogue about hate and acceptance within communities around the world;

and built a robust collection of resources to assist those working to end hate. (Matthew Shepard Foundation)

A hate crime is defined as a committed criminal offense which is motivated, in whole or in part, by the offender’s bias(es) against a:

• race
• religion
• disability
• sexual orientation
• ethnicity
• gender
• gender identity

Even if the offenders are mistaken in their perception that the victim was a member of a certain group, the offense is still a bias crime because the offender was motivated by bias.

Unfortunately, the same hate and violence that sparked the Foundation’s formation still exists today, both at home and abroad. Judy and Dennis Shepard continue to work tirelessly, both individually and through the foundation, to ensure safety, visibility, and inclusiveness for the entire LGBTQIA+ community until that ideal becomes reality.

Saint Teresa of Calcutta has said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Today, let us pray for all victims of hate crimes across the world.

Mother Rosean

Image source: Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Friendly Reminders

Rosary for Peace

This Friday, October 13th, is the anniversary of the sixth apparition of Our Lady of Fatima.

One of the central messages of the apparitions is to pray the rosary every day for peace. In light of the recent horrific world events, Deacon Buddy is leading a rosary at Church of the Beloved, Friday, October 13, at 7 PM. This rosary can be prayed together live or on Zoom. Please join us. Our prayers are needed now more than ever.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7195735454?pwd=VTI4V2ZYSVZrSzdSODE0Ull3emRjZz09

 Dial in by calling:   1  248 7799

Meeting ID: 719 573 5454   Passcode if requested: 10500

Commissioning of a New Pastor at Church of the Holy Family

Rev. Jane Reina is now sharing her time with another regional Ecumenical Catholic Community. (Please see announcement sent out Friday, Oct 6.)

Please join Church of the Holy Family for Mass on Sunday at 10:00 am. Rev. Jane Reina will be the celebrant and the homilist.

You can attend via Zoom by using this Zoom link. The landing page will request a passcode (CHF5y9Ak).

We STILL need Mary of Magdala volunteers for the Oktoberfest on Oct. 22nd!

On Sunday, October 22nd, the 301 Faith Partners will celebrate together at 10:30 am. Oktoberfest will follow the service and include beer, brats, potato salad, and all the best of Oktoberfest!

Mary of Magdala is in charge of cleanup after the meal. Please sign up HERE to volunteer. On the sign-up sheet, scroll down through the list of volunteer opportunities to find "clean-up items". Click on the option(s) and to submit the form, go to the bottom and hit "continue" to fill in your name. THANK YOU ALL!

Together we can share faith, fellowship, help our neighbors, and have fun! EIN PROST!

Please send prayer requests to marymagdalafc@gmail.com. Prayers will be listed for one month unless requested for longer. Prayers for the repose of souls will be listed for six months unless requested for a longer time.

Celebrating the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Celebrate with Mother Rosean Amaral presiding on October 8th. The video of the homily and readings is available here.

Mass Schedule

Sunday Oct 15 at 12:30 pm

• Father Michael Nicosia is presiding. In-person and with Zoom

Weekly Mass Wednesday, Oct 18 at

11:00 am

• Weekly mass in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Sunday Oct 22 at 12:30 pm

• Clergy from all churches presiding. In-person and with Zoom

Weekly Mass Wednesday, Oct 25 at

11:00 am

• Weekly mass in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Did you miss an article or announcement?

Past e-bulletins posted here



• Ongoing Giving Opportunities in Fellowship hall; see list here

• ECC House of Laity, NEWSLETTER, August 2023, read here

• Dedicating Altar Flowers? Contact Joan Stepleton at JoanStepleton@gmail.com or 864-650-2816. A $25 dollar donation is kindly requested.

• The purpose of the Mary Magdalene Society is to financially support aspiring and current priests and encourage the development of youth in their spiritual journeys. Read more here.

Mary of Magdala Parish Community

Members: Need to view, update information or download a copy of the member directory? Just click here.

If you would like to contribute to Mary of Magdala, here are ways to schedule a single or recurring Sunday offertory.

All are invited and ALL are welcome to join our parish community. Here is the webpage with more information on membership

The ECC Regional Website is now live - View here.

Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal  

Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.