My World of Religion, Politics, Entertainment and Social Issues

Dear Blog Visitors: I look forward to my new membership at Spiritus Christi Church. I have known Rev. Jim Callan, Rev. Mary Ramerman and Rev. Denise Donato for many years. In fact, Denise and I were classmates at St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry and Jim Ramerman (Mary’s husband) was my instructor in a course entitled ‘Parish Administration.’ In addition, I have come to know many members of the Spiritus Christi staff and community and will meet more persons as I become familiarized with the weekend liturgies and parish-based activities. A question has been posed to me: "Now that you are a member of Spiritus Christi, will you be giving up your reform activities on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church?" A straight answer to this question is NO. In brief, I love the church, despite its lack of the type of inclusivity I have been working toward. I love many of the traditions of the church and I am enriched by its sacramental system. However, there is no question...

Dear Blog Visitors: After several years of discernment, I officially joined Spiritus Christi Church in Rochester today. As you know, Spiritus Christi is independent of Vatican rule, which suits me perfectly at this point in my life. I truly value all the friendships I have experienced in the Diocese of Rochester, and I anticipate that many of these friendships will continue. However, I will now have the freedom to engage in my ministries without the Vatican and ultra-conservative Catholic groups worrying about every move I make that is geared toward church-reform. I will continue to work toward a church that values the gifts/ministries of all its members. I truly appreciate the friendship and leadership of Bishop Matthew Clark, for he has done as best he could to bring women and married men into diocesan leadership positions, although the powers-that-be would not allow him to ordain these gifted people to the priesthood. As he nears retirement, perhaps conservatives are right in th...

Dear Blog Visitors: I want to take this opportunity to congratulate two Roman Catholic women who were ordained in Philadelphia on April 26. I also want to thank Rabbi Linda Holtzman for allowing the ordination to take place at her synagogue. Mary Schoettly was ordained a priest and Chava Redonnet was ordained a deacon. Chava is from Rochester, so I am especially pleased that she joins the ranks of the ordained, and I know she will do a spectacular job in our community. (She is pictured above.) What follows is a brief article from Philadelphia. Peace to all, Ray Posted on Mon, Apr. 27, 2009 Catholic women ordained in Phila. despite censure Two Roman Catholic woman were ordained yesterday, one as a deacon, the other as a priest, in the sanctuary of Congregation Mishkan Shalom, a Reconstructionist Jewish synagogue in Roxborough, Senior Rabbi Linda Holtzman said. The ceremony was the first ordination of women in Philadelphia. On Friday, it elicited a one-page denunciation from Cardinal J...

Dear Blog Visitors: A number of you have inquired as to the current status of Officer Anthony Diponzio's recovery process. I am happy to report that he is coming along much better than anyone initially expected. You may recall that Officer DiPonzio was shot in the back of the head during a routine investigation several months ago. While the prognosis was initially grim, a combination of swift action by police officers and surgeons, and prayerful support from all of you, has resulted in a miraculous recovery process. To be sure, Officer DiPonzio has a long road ahead of him, but I am encouraged by what I have seen thus far. For those of you wishing to contribute toward Officer DiPonzio's health-care expenses, contributions may be made at the following address: ANTHONY DIPONZIO FUND ROCHESTER POLICE LOCUST CLUB 1425 LEXINGTON AVENUE ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14606 Here is a video I made in which I highlight the recovery process:

Dear Blog Visitors: I am very pleased to share with you a press release I distributed on behalf of CORPUS, which is in reference to the ordination of four women-bishops that took place in Santa Barabara on April 19. Those who support church-reform, such as yours truly, are truly excited about this latest development. The women ordained are highly qualified for the episcopate and they will greatly advance the cause for more inclusivity in the Roman Catholic clergy. PRESS RELEASE April 20, 2009 CORPUS SUPPORTS AND CONGRATULATES FOUR NEWLY-ORDAINED CATHOLIC WOMEN-BISHOPS CORPUS (www.corpus.org), the national association for an inclusive priesthood, is deeply proud to articulate its support of four ordinations that took place on April 19 in the state of California. It is with great joy that we congratulate the following four Catholic bishops: Joan Mary Clark Houk, Andrea Michele Johnson, Bridget Mary Meehan and Maria Regina Nicolosi. Bishops Houk, Johnson, Meehan and Nicolosi join th...