Mary Magdalene Church ~Weekly Update~

Mary Magdalene Church is an inclusive church in the Catholic tradition where people from all faiths and backgrounds are welcome to the Lord's table. We strive to live the values that Jesus taught, to honor and respect each individual and to share the joy of God's unconditional love in our community and beyond.

Photo by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash

~ Easter Season ~ Greetings! This Sunday is Pentecost, and in keeping with tradition, we will have two confirmations during Mass! Contrary to tradition, the confirmands are both adults. And just to make things a bit more interesting, one of the confirmands is me.  Don’t be shocked! Baptism was required for my ordination, but confirmation was not because I was not required to have come from the Roman Catholic faith to be ordained in the ECC. Had I grown up Catholic, my baptism would have taken place when I was an infant, and I would have made a profession of faith  (in essence, a decision to be of service to God) once I reached the “age of reason.” But as most of you know, I grew up Protestant, and that means I was not baptized as a baby. I was baptized once I made a profession of faith at 8 years old. To be honest, though, I don’t know that my baptism at 8 years old took place during what I would call an “age of reason.” So when I listened to Pat Moriarty preach about the sacrament of confirmation during Lent, I realized that I could benefit from what confirmation has to offer. I am certainly open to what the Holy Spirit might offer me as strength on my faith journey, and a rededication of my life to the service of God sounded like something that could only be positive! Since I was in the midst of preparing a woman for adult confirmation, I decided to join her in the sacrament. It seems the idea was not mine alone. I love that so much! I have it on good authority that a number of you felt that the Lenten focus on sacraments piqued an interest in exploring these rites now…as adults…from this place on your faith journey. What does it mean, for example, for us to dedicate ourselves to the service of God now that we are grown people with jobs, children, grandchildren, and more? What does it mean to do so in a community whose mission is radical inclusion? How can it be anything but healing and positive to think through our relationship to God and understand ourselves anew now that we are a few (or many) decades past our initial statements of faith? It may sound scandalous to partake of a sacrament more than once. Indeed, our history includes no less then the death sentence for those who have been baptized more than once (take a look at the persecution of the Anabaptists from the mid 1500s to the early 1600s). But if we grow in our intellectual lives and emotional lives, how can it be that we stay still in our spiritual lives? How can revisiting our beliefs and re-dedicating ourselves to building the reign of God be anything but positive? If you are interested in joining me in this re-dedication, let’s talk! Perhaps we might even make it a group thing this fall! Until then, please hold me and Marianne in your prayers as we prepare to confirm our faith and dedicate our hearts (again) to the service of God’s good creation. All the love, Rev. Lori

Love Links Click here for a little love this week....

Prayer Concerns Tom PJ Liz Po and her family Dwight and Winifred Manny Silva and the Silva family Jennifer Donato Dan Michelle and her family Dan Donnelly Chris C. Deacon Dan Kinsky and his wife, Sheila Doug Mayerhofer Jim Kelly Sharon and Chris Cassidy Casey and Ryan Stu Billies Friends and family of Jadarius Jethroe-Harris and all victims of violence Kate and her family Aidan and his family Justin Paris and her parents Lorien All who are struggling with mental illness, suicidal thoughts and addiction  Do you have someone you want us to pray for? To add someone to the prayer list, contact: Rev. Denise Donato by text 585-329-0895 or email revdenised@gmail.com or Joann Corso We will include your prayer request in our Prayers of the People for two weeks. If you'd like us to continue praying for the same need longer, please just send an email! We'll be happy to do so. If you'd like to join our team of "pray-ers" and be notified where there are prayer needs, please send an email to Rev. Denise Donato at revdenised@gmail.com.

Watch last Sunday's Mass on FaceBook or YouTube here! Join us any day or time you like. And let us know you are watching by leaving comments in the FB chat or emailing reverend.vail@gmail.com.

Notes of Thanks 💕 "Many thanks from RoseAnne Cleary for the prayers and good wishes sent my way. Recovering from my stroke continues to be a tedious process and I truly feel the support of this beloved community." ~~~~ Thanks to all who made our first Spring Plant Sale a success! And thank you to Sandy Melloch who donated the lovely indoor plants. We couldn't do it without all of you!

Things to do at MMC!

Parish Community Forum Summer Picnic Join us on Sunday, June 25th after Mass for our annual PCF Summer Picnic Check-In! The church will provide the hotdogs and hamburgers. Please bring a dish to pass, a beverage and a chair.

Documentary: "Black Lives Matter: A Sanctuary for Daniel Prude" Join us on Sunday, June 11th to view a photographic and video documentary that captures the Black Lives Matter movement protests in Rochester, NY. This collaborative event shares the experience and invites participants to discuss race, its impact on everyday lives, and what each of us can do to build a community which stands together to oppose systemic racism. A light lunch will be served at 11:30 AM followed by the documentary and community conversation at 1:00 PM led by Rev. Lori and Rashaad Parker, owner of Rashaad Parker Media. Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, June 7th to Sue Gerber if you wish to attend the luncheon and program. This will be an in-person event only. Food for the Journey: Massage Ministry/June Session Food for the Journey addresses our three sacred concerns: Mind - Body - Spirit.  Working in collaboration with Rev. Lori, participants will have a brief time of setting intentions and addressing the MIND. This will be followed by a 30 to 40-minute massage session, allowing the BODY to become aware of the mind’s desires. The sessions will end with a final brief time spent integrating into SPIRIT with Rev. Lori. If you are moved to provide a love offering, there is a suggested donation range (as well as envelopes for anonymous gifting). This ministry is being offered to all – no matter what. All bodies welcome!  Contact Sue Gerber to sign up for the June 17th session. The theme for June is Water. Cup of Change 2023   Mark your calendars for our upcoming Cup of Change sessions, led by Joyce Martelli, Certified Facilitator-Boundless Compassion. What is compassion? Compassion is being sensitive to the suffering of self and others with a deep commitment to try to prevent or relieve it. It is a way of life-an inner posture of how to be with suffering, both our own and others, and a desire to move that attitude into action. It is a movement toward awareness. Unless we become aware of suffering, we cannot respond to it compassionately. And the first step to compassion is compassion for ourselves. Come join us in this walk through learning about compassion for our self, creation, marginalized people and the gift of compassionate presence. All are welcome! Join us from 7-8PM in person or click here to join us virtually.   June 21st Compassion for Creation July 19th Compassion and Marginalization August 16th The Gift of Compassionate Presence Transportation Needed Finding a ride to mass can be a struggle for anyone with a disability or lack of transportation. If you are willing to provide a ride to and from church on an occasional basis, please contact Sue Gerber. She will put you in touch with an individual in your area. We have received requests from locales such as Penfield, Brighton and the City of Rochester. Thank you for your willingness to lift up the community! NEW Ministry Sign Up Sheets! Have you ever wanted to become more involved in Mass? There are numerous opportunities such as serving as a lector, reading the Prayers of the People, and serving as Eucharistic ministers! Signup sheets are on the bulletin board. If you have questions about any of the ministries, Rev. Lori or Sue would be happy to answer them. Thanks for your help! InReach-OutReach Money Ball FUNdraiser! Numbers are still available and drawings continue throughout the year.Please contact Tammy Drollette tdrollette@rochester.rr.com if you would like to purchase a ticket anytime throughout the year. Proceeds benefit Mary Magdalene Church and our InReach/OutReach ministries. Click here for the informational flyer. Library Refresh! New books available! Please help yourselves to any book(s) on the library shelves. We will be doing a library "refresh" in the near future and you are welcome to take a book(s) and pass it on when you're finished! Time & Talent Volunteers  We now have a Time & Talent logbook on the table outside of the office to track your valuable service hours. Please log in and out when you perform a volunteer service. We appreciate all that you do to help keep our church and community running!

Things to do in the community!

Finding the Wild Goose: Journeying Together in Faith Join us on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 12:00 -1:30 PM at Mary Magdalene Church in Fellowship Hall to explore contemporary faith-based research/studies and grow in our Christian spirituality. Feel free to bring a bagged lunch, coffee and tea will be provided. Click here for more information.  Youth for Understanding - Intercultural Exchange Program   If you or your family is open to new and enriching experiences – willing to provide guidance, love, and support to an international young person embarking on a journey of self-discovery – hosting a YFU exchange student is for you! Click here to learn more! PathStone Presents: The Color of Law & Just Action  Join us on June 5th from 1-3:30PM at 440 East Avenue for a presentation and panel discussion about how to challenge segregation under the color of law. For more information and to register, click here. Martial Arts & Fitness Classes Did you know that martial arts and fitness classes are held in Fellowship Hall? Local instructor, Aric Keyes is currently renting our space to lead these classes. If you would like more information about his instructive sessions for children and adults, click here for the flyer. Bulletin Announcements  Do you have an announcement you would like to see included in our bulletin? Just email Sue Gerber by Tuesday at 5 pm to have your group's message or activity added to our Wednesday newsletter. sgerber.mmagdalene@gmail.com

Ways to Give to MMC! Thank you, as always, for your generosity! We have numerous ways you can choose to donate. You can use the button below to make a one-time donation, and you can contact our treasurer, Mike Salamone, at msalamone273@gmail.com to set up ongoing support. Additionally, we now have an account with Can Kings! Your donation of cans and bottles can be made at any of the three Can King locations: 1276 Fairport Road, Fairport; 1183 Bay Road, Webster; or 505 East Main Street, Palmyra. Just let them know to put your donation down for Mary Magdalene Church! Please ask for a receipt, and if you're able please send the receipt to us, so we know to watch for your donation.

Donate!

Weekly Services at Mary Magdalene Church

Wednesday Reflection Come to church for prayer, communion and reflection every Wednesday from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Thursday Morning Contemplative Prayer All are welcome every Thursday from 7:30-8:30 am either in-person or via Zoom! Join us for meditative music, reflective readings, silent contemplative prayer & communion.    Please use the parking lot door and join us in the sanctuary.  Or on Zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81433878080  Meeting  ID: 814 3387 8080. The Passcode is 'presence'.

Casa Gubbio Saturday Morning Rosary Saturdays at 8:00 am Casa Gubbio is the ministry of Brother Peter Veitch, a Mary Magdalene parishioner and brother in the Benedictines of Holy Wisdom, ECC. The mission of Casa Gubbio is to provide a place of retreat for progressive/independent ‘seekers’ in keeping with the Benedictine charism of hospitality.   Casa Gubbio is a safe place to gather outside of traditional organized religious communities. All are welcome. For more information, contact Brother Peter at peterthomasveitch@gmail.com

Sunday Morning Mass: Join us in-person at 1008 Main St. in East Rochester, NY or join us virtually every Sunday at 10 am on Facebook Live or YouTube! ~ Join Us on Zoom ~ Coffee Hour after Mass Sunday 11:00 am

Our Weekly Update email includes a letter to the community, current prayer concerns, and ways to get involved and be the change in our community and beyond. If you would like to include social justice opportunities and community activities in the Wednesday edition, email Sue by 5 pm on Tuesdays at sgerber.mmagdalene@gmail.com.

Spring 2023 Church Hours In general, our church is open the following hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 10-3 pm Saturdays from 1:30-5:30 pm *Please note: These hours may change due to unforeseen circumstances. If you would like to make an appointment to see Reverend Lori, please email her directly. Click here for our Church Calendar!

Rev. Lori Vail Pastor Email: reverend.vail@gmail.com Phone: 585-353-5954 Bishop Denise Donato Pastor Emeritus Email: revdenised@gmail.com  Phone: 585-329-0895 Sue Gerber Parish Admin Assistant Email: sgerber.mmagdalene@gmail.com Phone: 585-586-4104

Website | About Us | Homilies & Bulletins | Contact Us