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Reflections from your Pastors
May 22, 2025
Saint Rita of Cascia
Today is the Feast Day of Saint Rita, an Augustinian nun from 14th century Cascia, Italy. She is the patroness of impossible causes and hopeless circumstances as well as abuse victims and marriage difficulties.
From an early age St. Rita desired to become a nun, but her parents insisted that she marry. Out of obedience to her parents' wishes, St. Rita entered an arranged marriage at the age of twelve. She bore two sons whom she loved deeply. Unfortunately, her husband was cruel and harsh and eventually became physically abusive. St. Rita spent eighteen years in a very difficult relationship. Near the end of her marriage, when 14th century Italy was rampant with warring families caught in a vicious cycle of assassinations and bloody vendettas (think Romeo and Juliet), Rita’s husband was murdered. Sadly, at this time, her two sons took ill and both died. After the death of her husband and her two sons, St. Rita was all alone in the world. She again sought to enter the convent, as had been her desire from childhood. However, she was turned away because of her family's association with the civil strife; some of the sisters living in the convent were family relations of the men who were responsible for killing her husband. To maintain peace in the convent, she was denied entry.
St. Rita, again facing crushing disappointment and yet another impossible situation, had recourse to prayer and the intercession of the saints. St. Rita's sincerity and spirit of charity and forgiveness prevailed, and she was eventually granted entry into the convent. She became known as a holy and prayerful nun, often meditating on the sufferings of the crucified Christ.
One day, while praying before a crucifix, St. Rita received a visible wound on her forehead. This was a mystical yet visible mark (stigmata) of Jesus' wound from the crown of thorns, symbolizing St. Rita's unity with Christ in his sufferings. She also enjoyed many mystical experiences with Christ during the forty years she lived in the convent. She died on May 22 when she was in her seventies. Now a saint in heaven, she helps those who are in great need, just as she once was in her earthly life. (St. Rita of Cascia: Patron Saint of the Impossible May 19, 2019 by Gretchen Filz)
Our world is currently facing many difficult or impossible life circumstances.
On this Feast Day of St. Rita, let us pray for her intercession:
Rita, humble and pure; patient and compassionate lover of Christ Crucified. We have confidence that everyone who has recourse to you, will find comfort and relief. You know our challenges, our issues, our sorrows. You know the state of our world. Protect us in all our needs and show your power with God on our behalf. We pray especially for the war torn countries globally. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother.
Amen.
Mother Rosean
Portrait of St. Rita, detail of the chest that contained the body, Sanctuary of Cascia.- Wikipedia
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Replanting the Circle in Front of the Church
You are invited!
David Cloyd has tilled and mulched the circle garden and it is ready for planting on Saturday morning!
The perennials are arriving Saturday at 9:00 AM!
All are invited to help and you will be very welcome!
Please bring work gloves, kneeling pad, watering can and a trowel.
This will be beautiful and we and another successful 301 Faith Partners project!
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From Fr. Teri Harroun to the friends and members of Mary of Magdala
Hello friends.
I am sending you this email because you are an important friend and ally for Light of Christ. It is amazing to think that this year on Pentecost we are celebrating our 20th Anniversary as a community in the Ecumenical Catholic Communion.
I wanted you to know about our celebration on Saturday June 7th. Mass is at 5pm and a party in the Fellowship Hall will be after Mass. Please consider joining us. And if you can, bring a small side dish.
No RSVP is required. But we share this invitation with you because you are part of why we continue to be Light of Christ after 20 years.
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Future Church Symposium - Register today!
Pride 2025: Queer Theology, Ministry and Joy
'Join us as we celebrate the sacredness of LGBTQIA+ lives and experiences. We'll hear from scholars sharing deep theological insights, ministers sharing real stories, and from a panel of folks sharing their own witness to queer faith, hope and joy.'
The first workshop, 'Synodality and Queer Theology: An Exploration' with Ish Ruiz, Ph.D. will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 7pm ET / 6pm CT / 5pm MT / 4pm PT. The workshop is free of charge but requires registration.
Visit https://futurechurch.org/pride
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May 18th, 2025
5th Sunday of Easter, and celebrating Father Michael and CSU graduates
On Sunday, May 18th, Father Michael Nicosia presided and delivered the homily. The service recording is available to view here.
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Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times.
+Mary Powers and Katie Richards, members healing from long COVID
+Milo Pasquale Cushman -- brother of Liz Urban, member
+Hope Kunze, for healing, granddaughter of Mother Rosean
+ Valerie Dorr, surgery, mother of Deana Andrist, TLC
+Cindy Cloyd, member
+Sandra Life, member
+Julie Lucas, daughter of Bruce and Carol Yeazell
+The Grant and Cloyd families, for healing
+Pedro Engel, for healing
+Carolyn Sue Cecil and family, friends of Mary
of Magdala
+ Mary Lou and David Devlin, members
+Rachel, Ryan, & Chloe Honeybourne, family of Julia Morrow, friend of Mary of Magdala
+ Sharyl Hoepfinger, for prayers of healing
+ Jenny Witzke, for prayers of support
+Pastor Rick Reiten, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran
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A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.
+Donna Lusby, friend of Ralph, Anne, Debbie, Mark, Dori, and Tom, members
+Lois Hug, mother of MaryAnne Heyman, member
+Richard Life, member of Mary of Magdala
+Donald Sherlock, brother-in-law of Dori Healy
+Joseph Grant, nephew of David and Cindy Cloyd
+Dennis Healy, Tom Healy's brother and Dori's brother-in-law
+Barbara Lange, grandmother of Gray La Fond
+Leonard Urban, friend of members at MoM
+Tess Peters, friend of Mary Lou Devlin, member
+Kelly Cahill, friend of Ruth Alexander
+Pauline Devlin, David Devlin's mother
+James Lyons, brother-in-law of Mary Lyons, member
+Carole Lyons, sister-in-law of Mary Lyons, member
+Jessica Melton, family friend of Jane Reina
+Jim Carroll, husband of member Dori Carroll
| | Please send prayer requests to marymagdalafc@gmail.com. Prayers will be listed for one month unless requested for longer. Prayers for the repose of souls will be listed for six months unless requested for a longer time. | | |
Sunday Mass
May 25, 12:30 pm
- Feast of the Ascension
- In person and via Zoom
- Jane Reina presiding
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Wednesday - Weekday Mass
May 28, 11:00 am
- Weekday Mass in the Fireside room
- No Zoom available
- Mother Rosean presiding
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Did you miss an article or announcement?
Past e-bulletins are posted on our website here. Below are links to some key articles:
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Spring News from the Office of Presiding Bishop - here
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Message from Presiding Bishop Paul and Bishop Kae on the passing of Pope Francis here
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Easter message from Presiding Bishop Paul - here
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Read the recent ECC statement on immigration here.
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Ongoing Giving Opportunities in Fellowship hall; see list here.
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Dedicating Altar Flowers? Contact Joan Stepleton at JoanStepleton@gmail.com or 864-650-2816. A $25 dollar donation is kindly requested.
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Mary of Magdala Parish Community
Members: Need to view, update information or download a copy of the member directory? Just click here.
-->If you are in need of a picture for the directory, contact David Cloyd via this email. Put 'Need Picture for the Directory' in the subject line and include your name and telephone number in your email <--
If you would like to contribute to Mary of Magdala, here are ways to schedule a single or recurring Sunday offertory.
All are invited and ALL are welcome to join our parish community. Here is the webpage with more information on membership
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Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
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The 301 Faith Partners--Mary of Magdala, Trinity Lutheran, St Paul's Episcopal --have a Vision, Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Read about our Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.
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The ECC Regional Website - View here.
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Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
Click here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin.
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