Our Vision Statement: ‘With the heart and mind of Christ, we transform the world.’

Praying a Rosary Tonight

Wednesday, October 28, at 6:30pm

As we both grieve our personal and collective losses and simultaneously celebrate the progress in our world today let us gather to pray a Rosary.

Join Mother Rosean on zoom TONIGHT and we will end this month of the Holy Rosary with meditating on key events in the lives of our brother Jesus and our Blessed Mother Mary.

Link to use for praying a Rosary on October 28 is here
And for those interested in ways to pray a Rosary, click here

Reflection from our Pastor

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Happy Anniversary Lady Liberty

The Statue of Liberty was officially dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886, making it 140 years old today. Originally titled La Liberté éclairant le monde or "Liberty Enlightening the World,” it is one of the most widely recognized symbols of freedom and democracy in existence. Here’s a few facts about Lady Liberty:

The Torch: Held high in her right hand, the torch represents enlightenment, lighting the pathway to liberty and chasing away the darkness of tyranny and ignorance. (Wikipedia)

The Tablet: Cradled in her left arm is a book-like tablet inscribed with "JULY IV MDCCLXXVI" (July 4, 1776). This directly invokes the U.S. Declaration of Independence and underscores the baseline idea that true liberty is bound to the rule of law. (Wikipedia)

Broken Shackles and Chains: Scattered at Lady Liberty’s feet are broken chains and handcuffs. While often overlooked by onlookers due to the height of the pedestal, they directly celebrate the abolition of slavery following the American Civil War and the end of servile oppression. (Wikipedia)

The Crown's Seven Rays: The seven sharp spikes radiating from her crown symbolize the seven continents and seven seas of the world. This illustrates the global expanse of liberty, indicating that freedom is a universal human right, not just an American one. (National Park Service)

The Moving Foot: Her right heel is raised, showing that she is not standing still. She is actively stepping forward, symbolizing progress and the intentional movement of liberty out into the world. (National Park Service)

With its proximity to the federal immigration station at Ellis Island, the statue became the literal first vision of America for 12 million arrivals. Through the addition of Emma Lazarus's sonnet plaque, The New Colossus,” in 1903, she transformed globally into a welcoming maternal guardian to the "huddled masses yearning to breathe" (statueofliberty.org)

"The New Colossus"

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

As we celebrate the 140th anniversary of Lady Liberty, let us continue to uphold the core values of democracy, human rights, and what it truly means to extend welcome and shelter to all in the 21st century.

Blessings,

Mother Rosean

This Week at Mary of Magdala

A d u l t E d u c a t i o n

America the Beautiful?

History and faith as guides to understanding

the United States on its 250^th anniversary

October 29, 7:00-8:30 pm MT

You can attend in person at 301 E Stuart St. Fort Collins

--> or by

Zoom Meeting Here,

Meeting ID: 894 2917 0774

Passcode: 250

The 301 Faith Community will offer an Adult Education Evening Seminar

co-led by two members of Mary of Magdala, ECC: Ruth M. Alexander,

Professor Emerita of History (CSU) and Jared Orsi, Professor of History

(CSU).

Jared and Ruth will share historical and ecumenical Christian perspectives

that deepen understanding of the complexity and contradictions in US

history, the existential challenges of the present day, and reasons to remain

committed to communities of faith and civil society. They will reference the

materials below. Participants are invited to review them in advance. (Click on each link.)

Please RSVP to motherrosean@gmail.com

++++++++++++++++

Suggestions and Recommendations for Adult Education:

Is there a topic you’d like our community to address in an Adult Education gathering in 2027? Please send a brief description of your idea(s) to Ruth Alexander and Mother Rosean at ruthalexander323@gmail.com and motherrosean@gmail.com

Service Recordings

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The recording of readings and homily for October 25th can be found here . Associate Pastor Jane Reina presided and delivered the homily.

Missed a homily or readings? Here is the link to past recorded services.

2026 ECC Nationwide Synod in Minneapolis

Instead of a Social Justice reflection, I’d like to recap what happened at the 2026 ECC National Synod in Minneapolis. 110 delegates from ECC parishes across the country gathered from Friday Oct 9 to Monday Oct 12. Mary of Magdala’s delegates included our pastors, Carol and Mike Persons, David Cloyd and myself. Cindy Cloyd attended as an observer. In the coming weeks, the other delegates will be invited to reflect on Synod experiences that excited or inspired them most. But today, I’m giving context, a quick overview of the 4 days.

Given Metro Surge which hit Minneapolis back in January, the Synod had strong Social Justice overtones.

There were four amazing keynote speakers. Kevin Beckford (who preached a homily to MoM over Zoom for our Juneteenth Mass) did a workshop on racism. The other keynote speakers were Minister J’anae Bates Imari: Exec director of ISAIAH MN, Rev Blaire Pogue: Canon for Episcopal Church in MN, and Rev Tyler Sit: Founding minister of New City Church, all activists against Metro Surge.

There were morning and evening prayer services led by members of various ECC groups such as the Franciscan and Benedictine Orders, the deacons, the chaplains, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Helen Majzler from Light of Christ (LOC) led a bell ringing, paralleling the ceremony at LOC that has occurred on the 11^th of every month for the last 6 years to raise awareness about climate change.

There were many meals, some at the hotel where we stayed and some on our own. There were also other opportunities to socialize, meet and interact with ECC folks from around the country, expanding our sense of connection to the larger ECC church.

We had an all-Communion Mass at Charis, the ECC community that took the lead in hosting the Synod. Rev Jane will talk more about the Mass (during our Mass).

About half the delegates went on a pilgrimage to the “Say Their Names” memorial cemetery, a neighborhood initiative honoring over 100 Black Americans killed by systemic violence or police brutality. The exhibit includes high-profile figures like Emmett Till and Breonna Taylor as well as many lesser known names. I found it particularly shocking to see how many victims were elderly, aged over 70 or children under 16. We also prayed and sang at sites where George Floyd, Renee Good and Alex Pretti died at the hands of police or ICE agents.

Meanwhile back at the hotel, other delegates put together classroom supply boxes for a local school that focuses on reclaiming Dakota and Ojibwe indigenous traditions in its academic programs.

One function of the Synod is to make legislative changes to our ECC governing documents. We passed four pieces of legislation:

• An amendment clarifying that the ECC Constitution is the primary document of the Communion and that any other documents we create, like regional or local statutes, constitutions, or bylaws, must agree with the national Constitution.

• We passed amendments to ECC Statutes describing the roles of ECC deacons and religious orders, as well as a new Statute describing the role of the bishop when parishes call a new pastor.

Five other legislative proposals were not voted because they needed more refinement. The Synod was not officially closed so work can continue on these proposals until they are voted sometime in 2027.

We also passed an ECC budget for the next 2 years until we meet again in 2028. We elected leaders for the HOL and HOP and affirmed Bishop Pablo as the presiding bishop of the ECC for another 4-year term.

I hope this gives you a sense of the work of the national ECC Synod, an opportunity every 2 years for creating and strengthening relationships, for prayer, and engaging the laity and clergy to discern together the direction of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion.

Prayer Requests

Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times.

+ The Devlin Family, members

+ Fr. Michael Seger, OSB, ECC

+ Diane Riley, mother of Linda O’Toole, member

+ Tyler Dahlquist, Kerrie Anderon's great niece's husband

+ Carlos Orsi, son of Jared Orsi, member

+ Fr. Don Sutton, Pastor Emeritus, St. Paul, ECC, Denver

+ Jennifer Geraci, for discernment, member

+ Sean Raynes, grandson of Sandra Life

+ Audrey Coleman, mother of Laura Williams, friend of ECC

+ Cindy Cloyd, member

+ Peter Postma son of Sharon Troyer, friend

+ Karen Neuman friend of Lisa Jones, member

+ Yvonne Keefe, member

+ Hannah Zehner, daughter of Cheryl

Zehner, member of ECC, East Rochester, NY

+ Cathy Engel, member

+ Lili Grimm, niece of Rosanna Bateman, member

+Ryan Mayer, nephew of Denise Mayer, member

+Deborah Hughes, for healing, spouse of Laura Templet, member

+Len Russ, member

+Fr. Frank Quintana, ECC priest

+Zoe Wahl, sister of Kristina Bulik-Hocum, member

+Courtney & Cache, family of Jean Christin, member

+Jane Kommrusch, spouse of Richard Kommrusch, member

+Jeff Klein, son of Debbie Klein

+Mary Powers and Katie Richards, members healing from long COVID

+Milo Pasquale Cushman, brother of Liz Urban, member

+Julie Lucas, daughter of Bruce & Carol Yeazell

+Pastor Rick Reiten, Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

~~~~~~~~~~~

A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.

+ Rachel Devlin, daughter of MaryLou and David Devlin, members

+ Lee E. Falk, II, partner of Fr. Michael Seger, OSB, ECC

+ Karen Johnson, member of Church of the Holy Family, ECC

+ Jim Barnes, spouse of Lynne Barnes, member

+ Audrey Coleman, mother of Laura Williams, friend of ECC

+Donna Colhour, mother of member Mark Colhour.

+Larry Johnson, father of Russ Johnson, member

+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

+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.

Upcoming Mass Times

Wednesday Mass -

October 28 at 11:00 am

In person in the Fireside Room
No Zoom available
Mother Rosean presiding

Sunday Mass

November 1 at 12:30 pm

In the Sanctuary and on Zoom
Presider TBD

Wednesday Mass -

November 4, at 11:00 am

In person in the Fireside Room
No Zoom available
Mother Rosean presiding

Sunday Mass

November 8 at 12:30 pm

In the Sanctuary and on Zoom
Mother Alice Bradley presiding

... and More

Did you miss an article or announcement?

Past e-bulletins are posted on our website here. Below are links to some key articles:

ECC Holy Synod October 2026 Report here
October news from the Presiding Bishop here.
August news from the House of Laity here.
Read the ECC statement on immigration here.
Ongoing Giving Opportunities in Fellowship hall; see list here.
Dedicating Altar Flowers? Contact Joan Stepleton at JoanStepleton@gmail.com or 864-650-2816. A $25 dollar donation is kindly requested.

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 <--

CONTRIBUTIONS TO MARY OF MAGDALA

If you would like to contribute to Mary of Magdala,

click here 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

Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’

Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.

The ECC Regional Website - View here.

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.