![]() 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. ![]() The service for George Heins will be held at Oakley-Hammond Funeral Home, 5342 E. Washington St., Indpls, IN 46219 on Monday, April 3, with visitation from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm followed by the service at 1:00. George's obituary is on the funeral home website:
https://www.oakleyhammond.com
For prior homilies, visit our blog.
Radiance
Homily by Nancy Chism March 5, 2023 2nd Sunday of Lent Ex 2 24:1a, 9a, 10-12, 15-18a; 34:28-29; Ps 83; Tim 1:2a, 7-10; Mt 17: 1-9 Good Morning. I appreciate being invited to contribute in this way and hope that my words may touch you. There are several themes that these readings present: the importance of law in the story of the Ten Commandments, the counsel to avoid being timid in the reading from St. Paul, the idea of persistence in the Psalms, and several others. But for me, the overpowering theme is the idea of radiance and that’s what I’d like to talk about. I hope that in your part of the homily, you’ll focus on any of the themes that meant the most to you. The images of Moses’s face when he descended the mountain and of Jesus’s face and clothing during what we now call the transfiguration leap out at me. And image is the power for me. So, I’d like to show you some images of radiance. [Here Nancy showed a whole set of slides, illustrating many aspects of radiance.] One thing that these all have in common is light. Can you imagine being on the mountain with Moses or with Jesus? The light is blinding, too powerful for your eyes. You shield them, but as I do when viewing the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, you can’t help peeking, just like the three apostles with Jesus and the elders with Moses. And the light bounces off your face, too, making you radiant. Think of the times when you were radiant—maybe at the birth of your child, perhaps when you won a race, when you were recognized for an accomplishment, when you were proud of the success of a loved one. We say that you were “beaming.” I visualize the shining face of Martin Luther King as he spoke the passionate lines at the end of his speech on the night before he died, “I have been to the mountaintop. . . . And I’ve seen the Promised Land.” Both Jesus and Moses become radiant through being in the presence of the divine. They have gone to the mountaintop, a symbol of the meeting point between earth and heaven. For both, this is a moment of epiphany, a time when there is a great change in their own future lives. Jesus’s humanity has been proclaimed in his baptism, when he descends into the waters like others who approach John the Baptist, and his divinity is proclaimed here as he ascends the mountain. It is a pivotal point foreshadowing his death as a man and resurrection as divine. Moses reaches the height of his prophetic powers in receiving and transmitting the law. And when we manifest the divine in us, we show our radiance. We say every week in the Creed that “We believe that we are radiant images of God who calls us to live fully, to love tenderly, and to serve generously.” In the popular song, “On Eagles Wings,” we are told that we can be made to “shine like the sun.” But I don’t think we carry this thought with us routinely. So, I would like to turn to the Eastern Church, where the transfiguration and the concept of light are of utmost importance, leading to an emphasis on light and mysticism and meditation to a higher degree than the Western Church. I’d like to take just a minute to honor that tradition and prompt you to feel your radiance with a little exercise that we often do at the Indianapolis Hermitage: “Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and relax your body. Breathe again and feel peace flowing through your head, your torso, and limbs. Now, visualize the divine as a blue-white light in the center of your heart. Feel it starting to energize your whole being, moving outward to the surface of your body. Feel the divine in you manifesting itself. Now you can bring that light to others. Bring it to others around you, to your city, your nation, the earth, the whole universe. Illuminate everything with peace and love. You are a powerful spiritual being and your light, the light of love, makes the difference. Now, slowly open your eyes and enjoy how radiant you feel.” I invite you to comment on these ideas or any others that were prompted by the readings. ![]() 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 most recent recipient, the Kino Border Initiative, headquartered in Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico, helps to provide holistic humanitarian assistance for migrants as well as promoting just and humane migration policies. Many of us are aware of the program through Tracey Horan, a Sister of Providence from Indianapolis, who currently serves as the program’s Associate Director of Education and Advocacy. For more information, see https://www.kinoborderinitiative.org/. 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 |
Upcoming Liturgies
with St. Mary of Magdala and our sister communities Sun. Mar. 5, 5 p.m. -- StMMCC, in person and Zoom Sun. Mar. 12, 11 a.m. -- BICC, in person and Zoom Sat. Mar. 18, 5 p.m. -- HCICC, in person and Zoom Sun. Mar. 26, 5 p.m. -- StMMCC, in person and Zoom Holy Week & Easter: * Sun. Apr. 2, 5 p.m. - HCICC - Palm Sunday, Zoom only * Thurs. Apr. 6, 6:30 p.m. - StMMCC Holy Thursday, in person and Zoom. Join us for our annual Holy Thursday meal in the IIC Dining Room, followed by the liturgy itself, which will include the traditional foot-washing. * Fri. Apr. 7, 4:00 p.m. - BICC Good Friday prayer service, Zoom only * Sat. Apr. 8, 8:00 p.m. - StMMCC Easter Vigil, in person and on Zoom. Gather at the covered walkway entrance facing the back parking lot for lighting of the New Fire. * Sun. Apr. 9, 11:00 a.m.- BICC Easter, in person and Zoom StMMCC Mass Time 11:00 beginning April 23rd From Sunday, April 23 until at least July 23, StMMCC will be testing a new Mass time of 11:00 a.m. rather than 5 p.m. We hope that this will be allow more participants to attend. 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 Events
The 2023 Lenten Sharing & Discussion Program is sponsored by BICC, and will use materials based on the poetry of Wendell Berry. To participate in a guided discussion on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. and/or for a link to Wendell Berry and the Sabbath Poetry of Lent, please contact Nancy Meyer or biccinquiry@gmail.com. It is fine to use the material on your own or to organize informal groups! Wilderness worship: From spring through autumn ecumenical services and masses take place on Tuesdays in the cathedral of the forest at Fort Harrison State Park, weather permitting. For the most up to date details, subscribe to the St. Mary of Magdala E-newsletter by sending your contact information to Helen Weber-McReynolds. hweber@iuhealth.org. Recent Events
2022 Advent Sharing & Discussion Program Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m., Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, via Zoom. Fr. Richard Rohr's book, Preparing for Christmas, served as a starting point for discussion. Every week, a brief overview and a few questions were sent out to prompt reflection. All sessions featured a brief introduction, followed by small group discussions and a final roundup in which groups shared share their insights. Tricommunity Holiday Singalong Indiana Interchurch Centert Saturday, December 10, 2022, 3-5 p.m. In person and on Zoom BICC, SMMCC, and Home Church ICC friends & family enjoyed a festive and fun-filled singalong & holiday treat pitch-in on Saturday, December 10th from 3-5p. Both Santa & Mrs. Claus made an appearance! Dr. John A. Dick, historical theologian via Zoom from Leuven, Brussels "The Eucharist and the Community of Faith" Saturday, October 15, 2022 10:30-noon View from home or watch with community members at the Indiana Interchurch Center! Dr. Dick's blog: www.foranothervoice.com ![]() Intercessions
Response: Loving God, hear our prayer. ● For the Church: that each of us reflect God’s shining face when we smile at every person who steps into our days. We pray. - R. ● In gratitude and awe for the courage of Christ’s mother, Mary; his grandmother, St. Anne, who supported her; and for every woman who is fighting for rights to education, health care, bodily autonomy, and the freedom to live her own dream. We pray. - R. ● In observance of the World Day of Peace, that everyone is inspired to feed the hungry, comfort the afflicted, love the outcast, and forgive lawbreakers beyond the limits of a calendar date. We pray. - R. ● For those impacted by winter storms: that power and transportation be restored; and all front-line responders be safely returned to their homes. We pray. -R ● Dear Holy Mother: pray for us, your brothers and sisters who have family members who are sick, in prison, or estranged; who are stranded at borders or alongside roads; who have poverty as constant companions, – now and at the hour of our deaths. We pray. -R ● For all government officials: that peace be written in our national and local policy-making and be given a full and functional effort. We pray. -R ● For what else shall we pray? External Links
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