Sandra Hutchinson Ordained to the Order of Exorcists
On Saturday, June 6, 2009, Tim Cravens ordained Sandra Hutchinson to the order of Exorcists in an early morning Eucharist in Boston. Fr. Joseph Menna, AIHM, and Sr. Lyngine Dominique-Marie, AIHM, the canons of the jurisdiction, and a number of Sandra's friends were in attendance. In preparing to receive this order, Sandra said, "Of all the minor orders, this is the one intimidates me the most. Evil is real, and this is a direct challenge to it. But God is real too, I know that. And I'm looking forward to it as well." This admirably sums up what this order is about, and learning to confront evil, in one's own heart and in the world, is a necessary part of ministry, both lay and ordained.
That afternoon, Sandra, Tim, Joseph, and Lyngine participated in the ordination of Carol Bolstad to the priesthood by David Dismas, the bishop of our sister jurisdiction, the Diocese of Rumney Marsh. Congratulations to Sandra and Carol!
St. Mary of Grace Celebrates Fifth Anniversary
On Saturday, May 30, St. Mary of Grace parish celebrated its fifth anniversary with a festive Mass at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Delaware County, where the parish celebrates Mass each Sunday. Fr. Joseph Menna, AIHM, the pastor, offered Mass. Tim Cravens, the bishop and an oblate of the Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, offered remarks at the end of the Mass, observing the great faithfulness which the parish has demonstrated throughout its history. St. Mary of Grace parish is under the care of the AIHM. The parish gave Tim a crosier as a gift. After the Mass, the parishioners retired to Mrs. Rubino's Italian Restaurant in Wilmington, Delaware for a delicious celebratory meal.
Br. Robert Dabrow's Renewal of Vows
On Sunday, April 19, 2009 -- Divine Mercy Sunday, Br. Robert Dabrow renewed his vows as the first member of the Hermits of Mercy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, during the Sunday Mass at St. Mary of Grace parish. This community is a community of hermit-monks, who live in the modern world, living a life of prayer in the Carmelite tradition and being of service to others through work and praying. They live in our own homes / domiciles / hermitages and are self-supporting. They dedicate their lives in the service of their Christian brothers and sisters by performing both corporal and spiritual works of mercy.
Br. Robert hosts a monthly contemplative service of Vespers and Eucharist on the third Friday of each month at his home, the Carmel of the Most Merciful Savior, at 7:30 pm.
The picture below was taken during the ICCC Gathering, when Br. Robert gave a very heartfelt and informative presentation on Carmelite spirituality.
2009 Independent Catholic Christian Church Gathering
The Independent Catholic Christian Church held its jurisdictional Gathering on the weekend of March 6 - 8, 2009. The theme of the Gathering was "Diversities of Gifts -- the Same Spirit", taken from I Corinthians 12:4, "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit." Each constituent ministry gave a presentation about its charism, and there was a variety of styles used in the presentations, as well as a diversity of liturgical styles represented in the liturgies.
During the Saturday morning Eucharist, Carol Nickolai and Michael Shirk were ordained to the order of Exorcist, and Sandra Hutchinson was ordained to the order of Reader.
+A new ministry of prayer in the Independent Catholic Christian Church+
Robert Dabrow, a parishioner at St. Mary of Grace, has a ministry of intercessory prayer that he conducts
when saying the office daily in his beautiful chapel in his home.
Since September, he has hosted the Third Friday Contemplative Service
there, where he shares a short reflection on Carmelite spirituality. He
has graciously invited anyone in the Philadelphia area to
join him any day for Vespers. So it is with great pleasure to welcome
this ministry, the Carmel of the Most Merciful Savior, as an official
constituent ministry of the Independent Catholic Christian Church.
There is a register of Prayer Intentions that is permanently kept on
the altar in the Chapel of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. If you have a prayer intention please send them to phillbob1@aol.com.
Two Readers ordained for the ICCC
On Saturday, January 24, 2009, in St. Louis at the Gathering of the Divine Infant King Apostolate for Traditional Liturgy, Tim Cravens ordained Michael Shirk to the minor order of Reader. On Sunday, February 1, 2009, in Media, PA, Tim ordained Carol Nickolai as a Reader as well, during the Sunday Mass of St. Mary of Grace Independent Catholic Christian Church.
During the ordination, a charge is given to those being ordained Readers to "[s]trive . . . to set forth the words of God, the sacred Lessons, to wit, distinctly, plainly, for the instruction and edification for the faithful, without blunders or mistakes, lest by . . . carelessness the truth of the Divine Readings become useless for the instruction of [the] hearers". Let us pray that Michael and Carol are able to manifest this in their lives.
Traditional Liturgy Apostolate Gathering
The Traditional Liturgy Apostolate gathered on the weekend of January 23 - 25 in St Louis for prayer and fellowship. It was a wonderful weekend -- lots of beautiful chanting and some new friendships made. We are especially thankful to St John's Episcopal Church, the parish Michael Shirk serves as music director, for letting us use their beautiful church, and to Michael himself for hospitality in putting Apostolate members up! Tim Cravens ordained Michael Shirk as a Reader during the Gathering.
During the weekend, the members of the Apostolate chose a patron. From now on, the ministry will be known as the Divine Infant King Apostolate for Traditional Liturgy.
Sandra Hutchinson Ordained as Doorkeeper
On December 17, 2008, Ember Wednesday, Sandra Hutchinson was ordained a Doorkeeper in the Oratory of Ss. Michael & Timothy at the home of Tim Cravens, the bishop. During the ancient rite, the new doorkeeper is given a symbolic key to the church, locks and unlocks the door, and rings the church bell. This is the charge given to the new Doorkeeper:
Dearly beloved, as you are about to undertake the office of Doorkeeper, consider what you have to do in the House of God. It is the Doorkeeper’s duty to ring the altar and church bells; to open the church and sacristy; and to open the book for the preacher. Take heed, then, lest through your negligence any of the church furniture be lost; and at the appointed times open the House of God to all.Endeavour also, as you open and close the visible church with material keys, to close the unseen dwelling of God, to wit, the hearts of believers, by word and example, against the devil, and to open them to God, that they may keep in their hearts and fulfill in their doings the Divine words they have heard. May the Lord accomplish this in you by His mercy.
Sandra Hutchinson Admitted as Cleric
Sandra Hutchinson received the tonsure and the surplice and was admitted as a Cleric in the Independent Catholic Christian Church on August 23, 2008 by bishop Tim Cravens at the annual Retreat of the Order of Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. These symbolize laying aside those things that will hinder the ministry (tonsure) while taking on new responsibilities (surplice). She also transferred her life vows as a solitary religious to this jurisdiction.
Sandra brings a wealth of experience as a religious and as a lay preacher and minister. She holds an M.A. in theology from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
Congratulations and welcome, Sandra!
Carol Nickolai and Michael Shirk Ordained Doorkeepers
Congratulations to Carol Nickolai and Michael Shirk, who were ordained Doorkeepers on March 1, 2008, at the Independent Catholic Christian Church Gathering in West Chester, PA, by bishop Tim Cravens. They were presented with symbolic keys to the church and bells, testifying to their duties to call people to prayer and preserve the riches of the church for those who need them.
Traditional Liturgy Apostolate
Rev.
Chris Tessone and Michael Shirk have formed the Apostlate to discuss,
explore, and pray ancient and traditional liturgical forms. It
currently has a yahoo-group and conducts Vespers and Compline from the
Monastic Diurnal by conference call on Monday nights. March 2008
First Profession Made to Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
John Bartholomew made his first profession to the Order and received
his habit with great joy at the Order's annual retreat, August 26,
2007. This also marks the first profession by someone outside the
Order's founders.
Three New Novices Enter the Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
On Saturday August 25, 2007 at the Augustinian annual retreat, three
new novices were welcomed to the Order. Lyngine Dominique-Marie, Christopher Ambrose,
and Shari Marie.
Kim Baptised at Easter Vigil
On April 7, 2007 St. Mary of Grace Parish in Philadelphia welcomed Kim into the Body of Christ and the Communion of Saints. At the Easter Vigil service, she received the sacrament of Baptism with the support of her sponsor, Lourdes. We are all happy to celebrate her new life in the Church with Kim, her partner Lourdes, and their family.
Michael Shirk Tonsured and Given Surplice as a Cleric
At
the April 5, 2007 Maundy Thursday Mass at St. Mary of Grace Parish in
Philadelphia, Bishop Timothy Cravens tonsured Michael Shirk and gave
him the surplice in an ancient ceremony admitting him as a cleric --
the first liturgical step toward priesthood. The tonsure symbolizes
entrance into the service of Christ and of laying aside the purely
secular state, and the donning of the surplice represents putting on
the obligations of ordained ministry.
Michael is reading for orders through the jurisdiction's Christ the Eternal High Priest Institute of Pastoral Study
Carol Nickolai Receives Tonsure and Surplice and Becomes Cleric
At the February 18, 2007 Sunday celebration of the
Eucharist at St. Mary of Grace parish in Media, PA, Bishop Timothy
Cravens tonsured Carol Nickolai and gave her the surplice in an ancient
ceremony admitting her as a cleric -- the first liturgical step in her
journey toward the priesthood. The tonsure, a symbolic cutting of hair
(only five strands in the shape of a cross were cut!) originally a sign
of servitude, symbolizes entrance into the service of Christ and of
laying aside the purely secular state. The donning of the surplice
represents putting on the obligations of ordained ministry.
Carol has blessed our parish with her music. She is reading for orders through the jurisdiction's Christ the Eternal High Priest Institute of Pastoral Studies.
Fr. Chris Tessone begins Incardination with Independent Catholic Christian Church
Fr. Chris Tessone, Durham, N.C., is welcomed into the ICCC. He is the pastor of Our Lady of Peace Independent Catholic Church in Durham. He was ordained by Bishop John Plummer, a longtime friend of this jurisdiction. Fr. Chris has also been accepted as a postulant in the Order of the Augustinians of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In addition, he is author of the blog Even the Devil's Believe.
