Apostolic Times

Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles Catholic Community

Connection equals Presence OR What I learned after 1 yr. of Zoomchurch

Corpus Christi Sunday,  June 6, 2021 Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles Community Rev. Jim Ryan, M.Div.,Ph.D.  jimryan6885@gmail.com Some in the community know that the daily schedule in the Ford-Ryan household includes checking on the time that the International Space Station will fly overhead that night.  We are fortunate that our little house in…
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Riding an ass = a destabilizing act

Palm Sunday,  March 28, 2021 Rev. Jim Ryan, M.Div.,Ph.D.  jimryan6885@gmail.com This year my philosopher pal is Martha Nussbaum who teaches Political Philosophy and Law & Ethics at the University of Chicago.  She writes that a stable society is one that is based in justice.   And for society to remain stable its citizens must love justice. …
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A Language for Speaking and Living

Rev. Jim Ryan, M.Div.,Ph.D.  jimryan6885@gmail.com 4th  Sunday in Lent,  March 14, 2021 Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles Community Last Wednesday evening Jean and I watched a program hosted by Nicole Wallace of MSNBC.  She focused on what she calls “Lives Well Lived” to tell stories about and honor those who have died due…
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Grief takes time

2nd  Sunday in Lent,  February 28, 2021 Rev. Jim Ryan, M.Div.,Ph.D.  jimryan6885@gmail.com Jesus’ followers knew he was in trouble even before he told them the first time that he was going to be crucified.  By the end of the 8th chapter of Mark’s Gospel, as we just heard, Jesus had already engaged in run-ins with…
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From ‘Yes, but’ to ‘Yes, believe’

1st Sunday of Lent,  2021  — Combined Eucharist of Inclusive Catholics, Melbourne and Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles Community, Wisconsin Rev. Jim Ryan, M.Div.,Ph.D.  jimryan6885@gmail.com January 6 will become in the United States, I’m afraid, a National Day of Shame, just as November 22 is a Day of Loss.  To this day the…
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On the Road with Jesus – Road Trip Ecclesiology II

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 14, 2021 Rev. Jim Ryan, M.Div.,Ph.D.  jimryan6885@gmail.com Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles Community Two weeks ago I invited us to consider the Gospel of Mark to be the map of what I call Road Trip Ecclesiology.  Jesus is constantly on the move in this gospel.  The Teacher…
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Sr. Nativa, CSJ my 2nd Grade Teacher

Sr. Nativa, CSJ was my 2nd Grade Teacher                     Rev. Jim Ryan In 1955 Sr. Nativa was the only African-American Sister in the Congregation of St. Joseph (CSJ), Rocky River, Ohio.  My family moved on January 1, 1955 into St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish, Cleveland where Sr. Nativa taught.  There were two reasons why we moved. …
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Belle’s Story

Belle’s Story  by Belle Snyder, Member of Mary of Magdala Community Belle Snyder, Mary of Magdala Community Member, recently quoted Ram Dass in a letter to me:  “We walk each other home sharing our stories.”  ( Ram Dass and the Seva Foundation are one google search away.) Belle has been thinking about this story for…
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Jesus on the Move – a Road Trip Ecclesiology

Rev. Jim Ryan, M.Div.,Ph.D.  jimryan6885@gmail.com Mary of Magdala, Apostle to the Apostles Community In the wake of cancelling our 10th Anniversary celebrations I have retained lingering as well as exploratory thoughts about community and our gathering in faith.  A favorite scripture quote for me that guides my view of who we are and why we…
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Rev. Bill Poole – a friend in deed

Rev. Jim Ryan, M.Div., Ph.D.     jimryan6885@gmail.com Rev. William G. Poole – or as everybody knew and called him, Bill – was a man of persistence toward and fixed visage on life’s qualities which he viewed as correct to hold.  Though his first career goal was to be a journalist he accepted the vocation of priest…
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