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Parkfield Lake Park, Denver
Eastern Rockies Corridor, United States
Photo by Pablo Burson
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O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
Psalm 8:1
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July News
from
The Office of Presiding Bishop
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July, 2025
Dear Beloved
In the middle of this Summer, we find ourselves perhaps taking some time to relax, enjoy the outdoors and reconnect in person with family and friends.
For some of our communities, this season has seen preparations leading to the joyous celebrations of deacon ordinations and the profession of religious vows.
Other communities have been experiencing deep distress and fear as members of their church have been profiled and targeted for separation and elimination from their life here with their loved ones.
In this newsletter we will hear not only about the joys of our communities but also the angst that so many in our Beloved Ecumenical Catholic Communion experience on a daily basis. My pastoral letter addressing this situation will be coming your way soon.
In the middle of our joys and sorrows, our anxiety and grief, it is always important to remember that the Holy Spirit is in our midst leading, comforting and calling us to be the hands, heart and mind of Jesus.
Paz y amor!
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Juneau, Alaska
Photo by Pablo Burson
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For your mercy towers to the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Exalt yourself over the heavens, God;
May your glory appear above all the earth.
Psalm 57:11-12
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An Update from Bishop Armando
of the Diocese of California
about
Current Immigration Policies
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Given the situation in the United States regarding the immigration policies implemented by President Donald Trump, an atmosphere of uncertainty and hopelessness has been generated, leading to a climate of fear, paralyzing many in their mobility and freedom of life, thereby creating an economic hardship for families and businesses.
In our Hispanic communities in the Diocese of California, we have all been affected, with very little attendance at our Sunday celebrations.
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At this time, we have detected three cases from our community who, due to their Latino features, were detained and placed in the hands of ICE. Unfortunately, we see an attack on the community solely because of our Hispanic features or because we speak Spanish.
The way both immigrant advocates and ICE officers have confronted each other has been violent at times due to the
aggressive, masked approach, the lack of arrest warrants, and the raids that violate human rights.
Even many American citizens with Hispanic features experience fears and uncertainty about which areas to go to in order to feel safe and return to our ordinary lives.
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Fear,
uncertainty,
anger,
sadness,
pain
are some of the words that best describe how we are feeling in our community.
All of this has paralyzed businesses, park visits, hospital visits,
visits to court, and, of course, church.
We might ask ourselves:
Who can feel safe and secure in our country
in the context of what is happening in our country?
Many are being detained just because they are Hispanic by people who simply do not care and it is days later before it is discovered they are in fact American citizens.
What are our rights?
We believed that being in a church meant respect for those who prayed, but that is no longer true!
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Where are we safe?
Our homes?
Our cars?
The hospital?
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Many of those who have lived here for 20, 30, or more years, already have their lives, families, and businesses, and for some reason have not been able to resolve their immigration status. As such, they have lived their entire lives in these lands. Their children have grown up in this country, and many have never known any other land but this one.
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We continue to pray for a prompt resolution to this situation.
May God bless the authorities with wisdom
and always seek the well-being of the community,
remembering the commandment Jesus left us:
to love God with all our hearts
and our neighbors as ourselves.
Amen
Bishop Armando Leyva
Diocese of California
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Celebrating Bishop Armando's 37 Years
in Serving God's People
and
Blessing of Holy Trinity's New Pavilion
On Sunday, July 20, 2025, the parish families in the ECC Diocese of California gathered together for Mass and to bless Holy Trinity's new pavilion as they celebrated Bishop Armando and his 37 years of faith and service in leading God’s people as a priest and bishop.
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Inside Holy Trinity's new Pavilion
| | Bishop Pablo spoke of the gifts that Bishop Armando brings to the ECC communities in the Diocese of California and expressed his gratitude to God for Armando's 37 years as a priest and Bishop and Shepherd of God's Beloved. | | Bishop Pablo invited all the faithful to join with him in blessing and praying for Bishop Armando. | | |
After prayers and blessings, the parish families gathered to honor and express their gratitude to Bishop Armando for all the ways he serves and nurtures their spiritual lives.
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A church gathering is never complete
until a meal is shared with family and friends!
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Bishop Armando
and
Mother Tammy Fuqua
from Holy Angels
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Bishop Armando
and
Bishop Pablo
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Blessed Congratulations to
Bishop Armando
and all the communities in
the ECC Diocese of California:
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Capilla del Sagrado Corazon
Mission San Luis Rey
Holy Angels Independent Catholic Church
St. Cecelia Catholic Community
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Juneau, Alaska
Photo by Pablo Burson
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My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:2
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The Order of
Franciscans of Reconciliation
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By invitation from Deacon Bob Pragano, on Thursday, May 15, Bishop Pablo and his staff traveled to the Pallottine Renewal Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Franciscans of Reconciliation were gathered for their annual Chapter meeting. The week's gathering included a special celebration and welcome of two new members professing their vows for the first time. All Franciscans present also renewed their vows at that time.
In the spirit of St. Francis, Bishop Pablo Burson of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion and Bishop Dewayne Messenger of the Old Catholic Diocese of Mid-America signed a Letter of Agreement to express their cooperation and solidarity to support all members of the Franciscans of Reconciliation.
| | Bishop Pablo signing the letter. | |  | Bishop Dewayne signing the letter. | | |
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The joyous and spirit-filled gathering was a time with many warm and welcoming hugs from family and friends.
| | Bishop Pablo, Deacon Bob Pragano, Bishop Dewayne Messenger | | Bishop Pablo, Mother Mary Hartjes, Bishop Dewayne Messenger | | Bishop Pablo and Rev. Frank Quintana | | Deacon Bob Pragano, Carolyn Sue Cecil and Rev. David Gerardot | | Rev. Carol Ann Blow and Bishop Pablo | | Deacon Bob Pragano and Mother Mary Hartjes made their vows of profession to the Franciscans of Reconciliation. | | |
Following a loving welcome of the two newly professed Franciscans, the other Franciscans present renewed their vows.
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Newly professed Franciscans,
Mother Mary Hartjes and Deacon Bob Pragano
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Blessings and Prayers
to all of our family and friends
in the Order of Franciscans of Reconciliation!
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Back row:
Bishop Dewayne Messenger (The Old Catholic Diocese of Mid-America), Rev. Carol Ann Blow (The Old Catholic Diocese of Mid-America), Rev. Ray Knapp (The Old Catholic Diocese of Mid-America), Rev. Frank Quintana (ECC), Jim Spencer (The Old Catholic Diocese of Mid-America)
Front row:
Mother Mary Hartjes (The Old Catholic Diocese of Mid-America); Rev. Jim Schratz (The Old Catholic Diocese of Mid-America), Nan Plummer (The Old Catholic Diocese of Mid-America); Deacon Bob Pragano (ECC), Rev. David Gerardot (ECC), and Bishop Pablo (Presiding Bishop, ECC)
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Asotin, Washington
Photo by Pablo Burson
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Be exalted over the heavens, O God!
May your glory appear above all the earth!
Psalm 57:5
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Diaconate Ordinations
at St. Stanislaus Kostka Polish Parish
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At the historic Polish Parish of St. Stanislaus Kostka in St. Louis, Missouri, Bishop Pablo was invited by their pastor, Rev. Przemek Cichosz, to officiate at the ordination of Chad Ingold and Lori Fremder as ECC deacons. Joining in the joyous celebration with the parish family of St. Stanislaus were other ECC bishops, clergy and laity.
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Blessed Congratulations
to our two newly ordained,
Deacon Chad and Deacon Lori!
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Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Wayan, Idaho
Photo by Pablo Burson
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O Lord, our God,
How awesome is your name through all the earth!
I will sing of your majesty above the heavens.
Psalm 8:2
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Diaconate Ordination of Betty Jerabeck
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On July 11, 2025, friends and family gathered at Mary Magdalene Church in East Rochester, New York, to affirm, support and share in the blessed event of the ECC diaconate ordination of Betty Jerabeck, officiated by Bishop Denise Donato.
| | Rev. Lori Vail, Deacon Betty Jerabeck, Bishop Denise Donato | | |
Blessed Congratulations to our newly ordained,
Deacon Betty!
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Juneau, Alaska
Photo by Pablo Burson
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May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord be glad in his works!
Psalm 104: 31
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Diaconate Ordination of
Mary Kay Fairbanks
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On Saturday, July 26, 2025, friends and family of Mary Kay Fairbanks gathered with her at St. Clare ECC in Spokane, Washington to celebrate, support and pray with her as she was ordained a Deacon into the Ecumenical Catholic Communion by Bishop Pablo.
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Blessed Congratulations to our newly ordained,
Deacon Mary Kay!
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Wamsutter, Wyoming
Photo by Pablo Burson
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Praise the Lord from the heavens;
Praise him in the heights!
Psalm 148:1
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You are warmly invited to gather with
St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community
and
Deacon Tim Rooney
to celebrate Tim's ordination
to the
Priesthood in the Ecumenical Catholic Communion
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Location: Shadow Rock UCC,
12861 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona
Time: 12:00 noon (MST)
12:00 noon (PT)
1:00 pm (MT)
2:00 pm (CT)
3:00 pm (ET)
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Brighton, Eastern Rockies Corridor, United States
Photo by Pablo Burson
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The heavens declare the glory of God;
the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.
Psalm 19:1
| | Bishop Pablo and the OPB Staff | | |
In the Office of the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Pablo has two part-time employees who assist him, each working ten hours a week,
Carolyn Sue Cecil is the Administrator for the Office of Presiding Bishop and Mary Vonderheide is the Financial Administrator for the Office of Presiding Bishop. They are available Monday through Friday to help you with any questions or needs.
+ + + +
Carolyn Sue:
admin@ecumenicalcatholics.net
Mary:
finance@ecumenicalcatholics.net
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Douglas Island, Juneau, Alaska,
United States, Gastineau Channel
Photo by Pablo Burson
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From the rising of the sun to its setting,
Let the name of the Lord be praised!
Psalm 113:3
| | Please share our Newsletter with your family and friends! | |
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When planning your will or estate,
please consider a donation to the Ecumenical Catholic Communion.
We would greatly appreciate this endowment.
Thank you!
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