Liturgy in-Person & on Zoom Indiana Interchurch Center 1100 W. 42nd St. Indianapolis IN 46208 Liturgy schedule When Marion County is HIGH on the CDC Covid map, St. Mary of Magdala liturgies will be on Zoom only.
For prior homilies, visit our blog.
God’s Love Gives Us Hope: New Life is Always Possible.
April 19, 2025 Easter Vigil Helen Weber-McReynolds, RWCP Genesis 1: 26-27, 31; Exodus 14: 15-16, 29, 31; 15: 20-21 ; Isaiah 55: 1-11; Baruch 3: 9, 32-36, 38; 4: 1-2; Romans 6: 3-4; John 20: 1, 11-18 “I have seen the Teacher!” Jesus is alive! I have talked to him and he told me come here and tell you all—he is not dead, he is alive! This was the message of Mary Magdalene after her encounter and conversation with Jesus in the garden, the day after his execution. This passage is familiar to us here at St. Mary of Magdala, since we usually read it for Easter, and also for St. Mary Magdala’s Feast Day on July 22. But this account of the resurrection is NEVER read on Easter in the traditional Catholic parish lectionary- only on the Tuesday after Easter, when not that many people get a chance to hear it. Most parishes on Easter read the nine verses from John, Chapter 20, just before the passage we read, about Peter and another disciple running to the tomb after they had been alerted by Mary Magdalene that his body was missing. So those parishioners miss out on the truth that Mary Magdalene was the first to know the truth of Christ’s resurrection, and the one to communicate it to the other apostles. About Mary Magdalene Pope Francis has said, in his 2020 book, Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future, “The Lord first announced the New Life to women because they were present, attentive, and open to new possibilities. Could it be that in this crisis the perspective women bring is what the world needs at this time to face the upcoming challenges?” And the final document of the recent second synod of Bishops and other lay and religious leaders in Rome said this: “One woman, Mary Magdalene, was entrusted with the first proclamation of the Resurrection… It is important that the scripture passages that relate these stories find adequate space inside liturgical lectionaries.” The point is that we Christians are people of hope—that we believe in resurrection, that new life is always possible, because the love of God for us is never-ending. And we believe that EVERYONE is included in this potential for eternal life—no matter their gender, sexuality, marital status, occupation, education, physical ability, or financial status. God loves everyone equally, and endows them with the potential to love selflessly, in other words with the potential to love as much as Jesus did when he gave his life for all of us. Jesus is the ultimate lover of all among humans—he was sent to live among us to show us his perfect example. And because God’s love is eternal, so is our possibility for conversion and renewal. And as we rise from our mistakes again and again, we can in the process be like Mary Magdalene, who proclaimed, “Jesus is alive!” 
Sacraments
We celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing, and Matrimony - which includes Holy Union for heterosexual or same sex couples. Services also include funerals, committal services, and celebrations of life. Also other traditional services such as house blessings. Call Helen Weber-McReynolds, RCWP, to request a home or hospital visit. 317-691-1016. To Volunteer
New volunteers are always welcome to join our liturgical ministries. Participate as a musician, lector, greeter, usher, communion minister, or share another talent with us. Our website was done by a volunteer! If you have an idea and would like to share your time & talent, please tell us! Contact Helen at 317-691-1016 for more information or fill out the form below! 
St. Mary of Magdala Catholic Community gives 10% of its income to charity.
Our first quarter tithe for 2025 was contributed to the Sisters of St. Benedict at Beech Grove, in support of the building project described here. Other recipients include:
Tax Deductible Donations If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution to St. Mary of Magdala, please send a check to: St. Mary of Magdala Catholic Community P.O. Box 20042 Indianapolis, IN 46220
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Upcoming Liturgies
with St. Mary of Magdala and our sister communities Sat. Apr. 26, 5 p.m., HCICC, Hermitage & Zoom Sun. May 4, 11 a.m., BICC, in person & Zoom Sun., May 11, 11 a.m., StMMCC, ICC & Zoom Sat. May 17, 5 p.m., HCICC, Hermitage & Zoom Sun., May 25, 11 a.m., StMMCC, ICC & Zoom The sister communities
StMMCC: St. Mary of Magdala Catholic Community Rev. Helen WeberMcReynolds , pastor Gathering in person at: Indiana Interchurch Center 1100 W. 42nd St., Indianapolis IN 46208 Zoom link requests: hweber@iuhealth.org BICC: Brownsburg Inclusive Catholic Community Bp. Nancy Meyer & Rev. Angela Nevitt Meyer, copastors Gathering in person at: 516 E Main St, Brownsburg, IN 46112 (Ash Interactive entrance behind Enterprise) Zoom link requests: biccinquiry@gmail.com HCICC: Home Church Inclusive Catholic Community Contact Rev. Peggy Alderman for information. Zoom link requests: peggymomm@gmail.com 
Upcoming EventsIn the News
Recent EventsThanks to all who contributed to making this year's celebrations of Holy Thursday and the Easter Vigil such welcoming and meaningful events.
Lenten Program:
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Many thanks to Catherine Johnson for leading this year's outstanding Advent program, Awaiting the Light, sponsored by BICC. |
Thanks to Patti and all of those who helped Santa & Mrs. Claus give everyone at the Inclusive Catholic Communities Holiday Singalong & Pitch-In a rousingly good time, with singing, dancing, food, crafts, and more. Next year's event has already been scheduled, for Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025!
Our Ecotheology Retreat centered around Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants was such a success that we are already looking into reservations for next year! For more photos, see our Community page.
Angela provided us with updates from the synod in Rome , via www.facebook.com/RCwomenpriests . Peggy was a presence at Womenpriest events nearby.
Our annual celebration of the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene included a special Mass and an indoor picnic. |
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The Eucharist of Equals: Liturgy of Love was both lovely and heart-felt, and was preceded by social action outside the Indianapolis Convention Center, in counter witness to the USCCB’s Eucharistic Congress. For more information on the July 20-21 events, see our Community page.
Intercessions
Easter Vigil Response: God of Renewal, hear our prayer ● For the church: that we be a welcoming home to the forgotten, the lonely, and the marginalized in our communities and beyond our borders. We pray. - R ● For renewal of the bonds of our human family: that the Resurrection brings cooperation between local, national, and international neighbors, so all cultures can celebrate the beautiful earth we share with other creatures. We pray. - R ● For all who hunger for freedom: that God will lead the migrants, refugees, imprisoned, the LGBTQ community, and those who feel politically targeted to safekeeping and a circle of trustworthy and loving friends. We pray. - R. ● For our home planet: that spring rains and sunshine heal the destruction caused by natural disasters and the violence of human greed and warmaking. Let babies born to all mothers have the chance to grow and learn. We pray. - R ● For all those who suffer spiritually, mentally, and physically: that the risen Christ brings promise of hope and healing. For the dying, a gentle transition to new life and comfort for those who will mourn them. We pray.-R ● For peace: that a fellowship of all nations will mirror the transformation of love and belonging that Christ brings. We pray. -R Holy Thursday response: God of peace, hear our prayer. ● For the Church: give us delight and courage to look into the shadows and meet the human family members who have been marginalized. We are ready to learn new traditions, stories, and recipes from them. We pray. -R ● With thanksgiving for all who contributed to this Holy Thursday gathering: bless the hands that prepared the food and set up the tables, the souls that planted and harvested the crops, the truckers who delivered it to our communities, and cashiers who sold it to us. We pray. -R ● From our place of wealth and privilege in the world: we ask Your Light to lead us to those who are poor, sick, weary, and scared. Give us words and actions of service to whomever crosses our paths. We pray. -R ● For prisoners in our country and around the globe: let them have adequate food, clean water, healthful living conditions, spiritual counsel, and legal representation. May they and their families be treated with dignity and mercy. We pray. -R ● For all landscapes, water, and air devastated by human warfare and natural disasters: healing for the earth itself so that all life forms can regain their safe and secure homes. We pray. -R ● For the decision makers: that God’s compassion, justice, and mercy for the vulnerable cover all negotiations in the days ahead. -R For what else shall we pray? |
External Links
- Brownsburg Inclusive Catholic Community
- For Another Voice, Dr. John Dick
- Future Church
- National Catholic Reporter Online
- Roman Catholic Womenpriests
- Women's Ordination Conference
- Fran Quigley on the Womenpriest movement
- The Working Hungry may still be streamed at
https://www.indyhunger.org/workinghungry/
To learn more about Roman Catholic Womenpriests, click the image below!
