Reflections from our Pastors

January 23, 2024

Where do we want to go? Thoughts from The Not-Yet God by Ilia Delio, OSF

There are reports, almost daily it seems, that physics, neuroscience, technology, medicine, etc. are making giant strides in discovery. Science is forcing us to reconsider everything we were taught about God and God’s omni-ness: omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscience. Today, the hold-over Medieval theology is proving to be insufficient considering that “Despite our well-honed Christian theology, there seems to be a cavernous God-hole in the human heart.” What frustration, anxiety, depression, intolerance and more this God-hole erupts! In the 20th C, “Karl Rahner … realized that the inmost center of the human person is nothing less than the infinite depth of desire.”

We are moving into a new age thanks to our own evolution. The insight from Max Plank, a renowned physicist, is: “Science cannot solve the ultimate mystery of nature. And that is because, in the last analysis, we ourselves are part of the mystery we are trying to solve.” We cannot be the observer and the observed. Thinking about this from our own humanness and hubris, the reality of it can be mind-blowing! Where does the mysterious incarnated God fit in human life? It’s been said that we don’t have God-deniers any more, we just have people who

live without God (Emmanuel Falque).

“Both quantum physics and evolution turned the God question upside down by challenging religions to realize that there is no ‘up’ or ‘down.’ What we thought was beyond us is within us.” This is radical thinking. Isn’t this what we say about the teaching of Jesus? Jesus was radical. Quantum entanglement tells us that there are no coincidences. Silence may offer a space to imagine science and religion integrating. Silence may open a door inviting a tension that precedes integration and transformation.

Jesus of Nazareth came to show us God’s heart’s desire (Deu 18:17 CCL), the truth of reality, God’s infinite Love. Jesus was filled with Divine Light, a blinding brilliance that is God. This light of divine love “…is shining through all matter. This light seeks to be reflected in the human person. God is longing to be born from within. To give birth to God is to be fully human…to come home to our fully integrated selves – to become Christic, New Persons co-creating a transpersonal cosmos.”

The Christic

I am looking at a tree, but I see such astonishing beauty and

graciousness, the tree must be You, O God,

I look at the wild weeds playing across the fields, and their

wild, joyful freedom speaks to me of You, O God.

Yesterday, I saw a child crying alone on a busy corner, and

the tears were real, and I thought, you must be crying, O God.

God, you are the mystery within every leaf and grain of sand,

in every face, young and old, you are the light and beauty

of every person.

You are love itself.

Will we ever learn our true meaning, our true identity?

Will we ever really know that we humans are created for

Love?

For it is love alone that moves the sun and stars

and everything in between.

We are trying too hard to find You, but You are already here,

we are seeking life without you, but You are already within.

Our heads are in the sand, our eyes are blinded by darkness,

our minds are disoriented in our desperate search

for meaning.

Because You are not what we think You are:

You are mystery.

You are here and You are not,

You are me and You are not,

You are now and You are not,

You are what we will become.

You are the in-between mystery

The infinite potential of infinite love,

And it is not yet clear what You shall be,

For we shall become something new together.

May we be breathless with anticipation,

Pastor Jane

Family Housing Network News

As many of you know, our community helps this organization (FHN) provide housing, food & support for homeless families, working with the communities of Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church & Christ United Methodist Church (30+ other church communities help throughout the year) FHN has continued to grow and evolve and make a very positive impact for families in northern Colorado. 

Our next weeks to volunteer will be in February & we will need lots of help for the following nights:

• Monday 2/12, Wednesday 2/14,
• Monday 2/19 and Tuesday 2/20. 

This will involve one of these: 1. cooking and serving, 2. evening host, and 3. overnight host. 

Don't worry if you haven't helped for awhile, as there will be opportunities for a one-hour training to bring you up to speed and help you feel more comfortable. 

Please pencil in the dates and prayerfully consider helping out. More information and the link for signup genius will be coming soon.

Thank you for considering to volunteer!

Recent Events in the ECC

The Rocky Mountain Region of the ECC recently sponsored two events that were recorded in case you were unable to attend.

1.       On November 29, 2023, a presentation entitled “Ecumenical Catholic Communion 101: Discovering Our Roots” provided an introduction to the ECC, specifically targeted at the ECC church communities in the Rocky Mountain Region. The presentation asked attendees why they are members of an ECC community; defined “Ecumenical”, “Catholic” and “Communion”, some of the distinctives of the ECC (e.g. compared to Roman Catholicism); our bottoms-up leadership and role of the laity and member faith communities; the Region’s “birth story”; the regional and national leadership structure; delegates and their roles and responsibilities; and connections and collaborations of the Region and ECC with other communions and organizations. The presentation is just over one hour and a good introduction especially for people who are new to the ECC or to Mary of Magdala. The recording can be found here. Please forward questions to our Pastors or to Tom Moos (tjmoos@aol.com).

2.       Friday, Jan 19, 2024 began a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity promoted by the World Council of Churches. The Rocky Mountain Region hosted a prayer service on Zoom and invited our ecumenical partners (e.g. St Paul’s Episcopal and Trinity Lutheran) and other groups. A recording of that prayer service can be found here, and more on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity can be found here. In this time of religious, political and social divide, it is more important than ever to pray for unity.

Both recordings are also available on the Rocky Mountain Region’s webpage.

Sunday Luncheon on January 28th

It is time for another gathering for this wonderful community! There will be a Sunday Luncheon on January 28th after Mass. The Hospitality Committee will provide sandwich fixings & beverages, & asks our members to bring a side to share (a salad, fresh fruit, a simple dessert, etc.).

Please join us, we’d love to see you there!

Image by Galia.

Save the Date for "Jesus, Justice, and Poetry"

Join Fr. Teri Harroun, ECC priest and poet laureate of Light of Christ in Longmont, for a workshop called Jesus, Justice, and Poetry. 

This workshop will expose you to poetry, some that Fr. Teri has written, and other poetry as well.  There will also be opportunities to pray with poetry, write poetry, and see poetry in Scripture.  

Bring a listening ear, an open mind, and a prayerful heart, along with some paper and pencils for this two hour long workshop.

• Wednesday, February 7th .
• 6:30pm 
• via Zoom only, Link will follow.

Service Recordings

Celebrating the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Celebrated with Fr. Michael Nicosia as guest presider on January 21st. The video of the readings and homily is available here.

Other Mass recordings can be accessed via our website here.

Social Justice Reflection- Family Housing Network by Jean Christen

I'm sure you won't be surprised to hear that Fort Collins, like many other communities, has experienced an increase in homelessness-not only among individuals, but also among families. This can be a serious situation, impacting the family's safety and well-being, It also impacts the broader community, straining social services.

Larimer County is very fortunate to have Family Housing Network (also known as Faith Family Hospitality), which has been successfully helping families experiencing homelessness to achieve sustainable self-sufficiency in a timely and dignified manner.  

To get an idea of their impact, in 2022 they served 118 families and successfully housed 103 of them.  Today they provide 5 different services to families with children. Out of this range of programs, the one we are most familiar with is the overnight shelter in churches.  Many of you have helped over the years that our congregation has been a part of this, and we thank you.  You know how gratifying it can be. Each week 4 families (or up to 15 individuals) stay in a church with their own private family room.  They receive a warm evening meal, breakfast each morning, and gracious hospitality from the volunteers.

This is where we come in because the overnight program is run almost entirely by volunteers, without whom there would be no program. We (and St. Paul's) are support churches for the host site, Christ United Methodist Church. Coming up in February we will be helping out for two weeks in a row.  What does this mean for Mary of Magdala?  Well, we will need volunteers to cook and serve food, be evening hosts, and stay overnight for just four of those evenings.  The dates are in the bulletin.  If you've never volunteered, we urge you to give it a try.  We will help you get trained and answer all your questions.  For those seasoned volunteers, we thank you for your past service, and hope you will continue with this most worthwhile ministry.

Signup opportunities will be available after Mass and on line. To finish, let us remember Jesus words from Matthew 25: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did to me.”

Prayer Requests

Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times.

+Pastor Rick Reiten, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

+Tess Peters, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Cache and Courtney, family of Jean

+David Devlin, member

+Kolten Weitzel, grandson of Kerrie Anderson, member

+Sabrina and her two children, currently homeless

+Linda Browell, member

+Sandra Carter, friend of Mary Vogel

+Kris Jenkins, wife of Father Scott Jenkins

+Jen Banks, friend of Mary of Magdala

+Francisco Cruz Antonio, friend of Rev. Jane

+Jo Anne, friend of Sandra Life, member

+Grace Robinson, member

+Jerry Padilla, father of member Lisa Jones

+Janessa and Hayden, sister and niece of Jen Banks



+Rachel, daughter of Mary Lou Devlin, member.

~~~~~~~~~~~

A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.

+Sharon L. Six, mother of Michael Six, member

+Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll

+Joanne Gallagher, member

+Daniel, cousin of Pedro Engel

+Juanita Newbre, aunt of MaryLou Devlin, member

+Jeanette Marian Banks (Brown) mother of Jen Banks

+Flavian Reising Jr., Father of Steve Reising, member

+Marge Gruber, friend of Michael Six, member

+Betty Jones, mother-in-law of Lisa Jones, member

+Jean Preslan, friend of Mother Rosean and Yvonne Wootten, member

+Josy Moos, Godmother of Tom Moos

+Fr. Fred Ball, OFR, ECC priest

+Bob Colhour, father of member Mark Colhour.

+Candy Palmer, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member

+Johnny Berlyn Thomas, friend and benefactor out of his own poverty, of Pastor Jane

+Fr Don Willet, from John XXIII

+Linn Zink, friend of MoM, Social Justice advocate

+Bishop McGrath - RC diocese of San Jose, Friend of Suzanne King

+James Ryan cousin of Mary Lyons, member

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.

Wednesday Jan 24 at 11:00 am

• Weekday Mass in the Fireside Room
• No Zoom available

Sunday Jan 28 at 12:30 pm

• R. Jane Reina is presiding. In-person and with Zoom.

Wednesday Jan 31 at 11:00 am

• Correction: There will be no Wednesday Mass service on Wednesday, Jan 31.

Did you miss an article or announcement?



Past e-bulletins posted here

• To read the Christmas newsletter from our Presiding Bishop Paul (Pablo) Burson, click here (Spanish) and here (English).
• To read the ECC Council of Bishops' statement on the War in Gaza and Israel, click here.
• Ongoing Giving Opportunities in Fellowship hall; see list 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 - 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.