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Reflection From Our Pastors
Thursday, May 15, 2025
'Do you love me?'
Last Sunday's gospel reading (John 21: 15-19), shares a scene between Jesus and Simon Peter. After eating breakfast, the resurrected Christ sits with Peter on the shore of the sea of Galilee and asks him “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) me? Peter answers, “Yes Lord, you know that I love (phileo) you. To which Jesus answers, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus then says to Peter a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (agape) me? To this, Peter replies, “Yes Lord, you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus says to him, “Tend my sheep.” Jesus then asks the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (phileo) me?” Peter was distressed that Jesus had asked him a third time do you love me and he said to Jesus, “Lord you know everything; you know that I love (phileo) you.” Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep,” and, “Follow me.”
You may wonder about the different meanings of the word love in this exchange. Our English language has but one word, “love,” to express any kind of affection. The Greek language however, expresses love using four different definitions. The word agape is the highest form of love. This is the love that God has for humanity. Agape is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional, and forgiving. It is a commitment to the well-being of others, regardless of their failings or circumstances. It gives freely with no expectation of return.
Only God can provide such a sacrificial and never-ending love. “Phileo” love refers to the friendship, mutual respect, common interests, deep bond and even adoration between individuals. “Storge” (pronounced store-gay), refers to familial love--the love of a parent for a child, or a child’s love for their parent or sibling, as well as grandparents, and other relatives. The fourth term for love is eros which is romantic or passionate love between
lovers or partners.
Jesus, God Incarnate, loves each and every person with agape love. He asks Peter twice, “Do you love (agape) me?” Peter, however, can only answer, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileo) you.” The third time, Jesus asks Peter using phileo instead of agape and Peter responds for a third time with phileo. I like to imagine that Jesus thought, “Wait a minute! I’m God. And only God can offer agape to all God’s children. Let me meet Peter where he is now. Phileo is a deep and abiding love. Agape is what we as Christians aspire to on our life-long spiritual journey.
But back to the Gospel…
The Risen Christ has just called seven of the Apostles who were out fishing to the shore for a meal that he has made himself. “Come, have breakfast,” he says to them. “Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.” They realized it was the Risen Christ.
Then shortly after breakfast Jesus took Simon Peter aside to talk with him. Remember, Peter is the rock on which Jesus was to build his church. Yet, here he is going back to fishing, the job he had when Jesus first called him in Matthew’s Gospel: “As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.’”
Jesus is calling Peter back to the ministry of following Jesus, feeding the lambs and sheep, tending the flock and continuing the ministry that began with Jesus, the Christ. This is not the time to go back to fishing, but rather, it is the time to continue to fish for people and increase the numbers who would serve God. Jesus is calling us all, “Follow me,” he says, “Feed my sheep,” “Tend my lambs.”
Can we love and support each other with the love of Christ? That all- inclusive, selfless, unconditional love that is committed to the well-being of others regardless of their circumstance? The love that simply says to each and every human being, “We love you because God loves you.”
Amen,
Mother Rosean
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May 18th ADIOS POTLUCK for FATHER MICHAEL NICOSIA
Please join us in a loving Adios Farewell celebration after Mass on May 18th for Father Michael! He will be leaving our state for a new adventure, and we want to wish him the very best, as well as show him our profound gratitude for being an important guiding light to our Mary of Magdala community.
For the potluck, kindly bring your favorite Mexican 🇲🇽 dish or salad to share for a festive adios for Father Michael.
Chips, salsa, dessert & beverages will be provided.
Por favor, ven a la fiesta! 🥳🌶️🌮🥗
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The Liturgy Committee Requests Your Input
The Mary of Magdala Liturgy Committee was formed with both lay and clergy to ensure the parishioners can continue to engage with the Mass and deepen their faith and relationships with God.
Liturgy can take many forms. Periodically, we review our worship service (liturgy) content to ensure it remains meaningful for members, balancing tradition with evolving ecumenical beliefs. Our philosophy is to seek, enrich, and expand our understanding and practice of worship.
We are asking for feedback on the necessity, length, and the clarity of the liturgy and the engagement with the themes of our special liturgies. And this year we want to explore the possibility of hosting short discussions prior to mass on the readings, gospel and spirituality.
Please respond to the survey HERE THIS WEEK!
We want to hear from ALL voices within our community.
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Time for Celebration!!
Gray La Fond will be celebrating his graduation in Room 2 at Trinity on Saturday, May 17th along with his family. Everyone is welcome to stop by to meet his parents. It starts at 11:00 am
Congratulations Gray!!!🎉🤗🎇
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Interested in the Enneagram?
We invite anyone and everyone to join us for an Intro to Enneagram panel this Tuesday, May 20, 7 - 8:30 p.m. in the Sun Room at 301 Stuart St.
Enneagram is an ancient tool used by people around the world to learn more about themselves, others, and the way they interact in the world. In this panel, we have members of our community - each who represent one of the enneagram triads - speak about their experiences through the lens of their enneagram number. This narrative method of learning is useful for getting real insight into the experiences of the enneagram.
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May 11th, 2025
4th Sunday of Easter
and Mother's Day
On Sunday, May 11th, Mother Rosean Amaral presided and delivered the homily. The service recording is available to view here.
Other Mass recordings can be accessed via our service recordings website 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. | | |
Wednesday - Weekday Mass
May 21, 11:00 am
- Weekday Mass in the Fireside room
- No Zoom available
- Mother Rosean presiding
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
Sunday Mass
April 1, 12:30 pm
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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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