May is Mental Health Month

Being a parish priest leads one in many interesting directions. Because our parish houses and supports an overnight, wintertime homeless shelter staffed and coordinated by a program of the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island, I was invited to give the invocation at the kick-off event for "May is Mental Health Month".'

Here is what I prayed at the State House this afternoon -

Gracious and Holy One,

We come before you this day from many faith backgrounds and traditions, and we come knowing you to be a God of compassion and love. We hold before you all who are touched by mental illness, and we recognize that in one way or another, we all are. Strengthen and uphold those who struggle from day to day. May they know your love and presence in the midst of daily life. Inspire and encourage those who seek to care and to heal. May they be filled with your compassion and insight.

We pray for our society, knowing that our quality and character are most revealed by how those most in need are treated. Remove stigma and ignorance, enlighten those who have been given the privilege of being leaders in our common life, overcome a cramped spirit that would restrict and decrease resources. In the midst of tiredness and discouragement, lift our vision to see and live out the better side of our nature.

May this day, this month to come, be a time of hope and even of joy as we celebrate each person, created in your image, your beloved child.

We pray in the power of your love. Amen.

More information on Mental Health Month is available at www.mhari.org

I don't get the Archbishop of Canterbury

I don't get the Archbishop of Canterbury. I am such a fan of his writings; I am moved by his obvious deep faith and spirit; I love his letter of support for the Society of Catholic Priests (http://www.thescp.org). And yet, in his most recent communication with the alleged representatives of the "Global South", he veers off in strange directions. By way of urging the Global South folks to have some patience of the Spirit and not overreact to the upcoming consecration of honest, partnered, lesbian Mary Glasspool (full disclosure: I joyfully voted my consent as a member of the Standing Committee) he then states that, "I hope you’ll bear in mind that there are no quick solutions for the wounds of the Body of Christ."

Mary Glasspool is a wound to the Body of Christ? Faithful, committed LGBT people wound the Body of Christ? Hatred, violence, sexism, racism, warfare... yes, these things wound the Body of Christ. Faithful, committed, loving Christians? I don't think so. When will we move beyond this foolishness and get on with the work to which Jesus has called us - reconciliation, holiness, justice, evangelism, transformation...?

What does it mean to be Catholic?

In the midst of sending a notice to some (Episcopal) clergy about forming a chapter of the “Society of Catholic Priests” (info at http://www.thescp.org/), I came across this notice of the Roman Catholic bishop of Providence’s latest proclamation (http://ncronline.org/news/politics/ri-hospital-latest-victim-health-care-flap), in which he demands that Catholic Health Association Chief Executive Officer Sister Carol Keehan remove St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island from its membership rolls. Why? Because the Catholic Health Association, of which St. Joseph Hospital is a part, supported the health care bill. While the bill included strong safeguards against federal money going towards the availability of abortions, it somehow did not satisfy the Roman Catholic bishops. Bp. Tobin said this support had, “caused serious scandal for many members of the church."
Apparently the scandal of abusing children, and then the episcopal covering up of that abuse, is not of the same magnitude as the “scandal” of a thoughtful, nuanced opposition to abortion as expressed by the good sister and the hospital association.
In the spirit of Godly Play, I wonder - Where do we truly find the joy, hope, and fullness of the Catholic faith, versus a narrow, cramped, judgmental expression of that faith?

Taizé Prayer this week

The Taizé religious community in France has given the Christian world the gift of their gentle chants and a service of prayer that is peaceful, engaging and moving. Our next service in the style of Taizé at St. Paul's is this Sunday (April 18) at 7:00 pm. All are welcome; a simple reception follows.

Benefit for Haiti

The Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island is sponsoring an afternoon of music and prayer for Haiti on Sunday, January 24 at 4 pm at the Cathedral of St. John (271 N. Main St., Providence). Several parish choirs will be taking part, including our own St. Paul Choir. Sister Marie-Claire of the Society of St. Margaret and a native of Haiti, will be speaking, and there will be an opportunity to make a donation for relief work. Please join us.

The Society of Catholic Priests

With a celebration of Solemn High Mass at Christ Church, New Haven, the North American province of the Society of Catholic Priests was founded on November 10, 2009.

Why the SCP? To quote the Patron of the Society, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, "If you believe that ordained ministry in the Anglican Church is part of the continuing witness of the whole Christian and Catholic tradition, Eastern and Western; if you believe that the priestly task is to be what Austin Farrer called a 'walking sacrament' (not just a leader or co-ordinator or even teacher); and if you also believe that the specific shape of this priesthood can properly develop as the Church moves on, to include those among the baptised who have regularly been excluded, SCP exists to help you flourish as a deacon, priest or bishop in the Anglican Church."

I and several other clergy in Rhode Island have joined the Society and are planning to host a gathering after the holidays for others who may be interested . For now there is more information at the Society's website: www.thescp.org

Sudanese Bishop visits St. Paul's

The Rt. Rev. John Zawo, Bishop of the Diocese of Ezo in Sudan, will be at St. Paul's for our service of Taizé Prayer on Sunday, November 29, at 5:00 pm. A simple reception will follow with the opportunity to welcome Bp. John and engage in conversation.

Taizé Prayer is a gentle service of song and prayer, using the music of the Taizé Community in France. The service is offered in a setting of darkness, candles and icons. Please join us.