March 25, 2006

"Good Catholic Girls Stand Up for Women's Ordination"

Lexington, KY: Bishop Patricia Fresen Event `

By Janice Sevre-Duszynska

We gathered at the Friends Meeting House in Lexington on Sunday afternoon, March 26th to give a warm Bluegrass community welcome to Patricia Fresen, a bishop of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. She arrived with WOC board member, Ruth Steinert-Foote and RC Womenpriests ordinand Joan Houk of Pittsburgh. I was grateful that WOC member Lynn Manfreddy-Pettit of Atlanta drove up on Friday to help me with preparations.  Before Patricia began, I introduced her to members of my immediate community, which included my theology teacher, Irish sister of Mercy Dr. Carmel McEnroy who recently retired from teaching at Lexington Theological Seminary; Judy McLaughlin of our Catholic Action Center; former Dominican Ronnie Sheehy; artist Anne Binford; cellist Roberta Guthrie; and Newman Center council member Barbara Marksbury.

Others that participated included professors, a doctor, a migrant worker and peace activists, as well as a woman deacon of the Orthodox Catholic Church and the founder of the Kentucky Clergy/Laity Network. While many were Catholics, a number of faiths were represented since I advertised Patricia's talk as an interfaith event for equality of women in our Church and World Community.  Announcements of the event were published in the Lexington Herald-Leader, and flyers were sent through email listserves.  ACE Weekly Magazine in Lexington ran a cover story on Patricia's visit and the movement for women priests. Patricia was interviewed by University of Kentucky radio station, WUKY.

To acquaint the audience with the history of women's leadership in our faith, I spoke briefly about Dorothy Irvin's research and calendars, which attest to the evidence of women leading worship and celebrating Eucharist. Patricia's warm presence and engaging talk about her journey to the priesthood touched the hearts of all.  Many chatted with her later about apartheid in South Africa, her experience in jail to challenge unjust laws, and her Dominican community's abandonment of her when she followed her call to become a priest. Afterwards, we drove to my son and daughter-in-law's home for a reception and lovely potluck dinner. While we ate, shared stories, and enjoyed each other's company, retired Lexington Symphony Orchestra member Roberta Guthrie played her cello and included a number of Irish tunes. Patricia remarked how much she appreciated hearing them. She said they reminded her of the songs her Irish mother sang to her sisters and brothers when she was growing up in South Africa.  We came full circle at the end of a memorable day that will continue to inspire us here in Lexington. For Patricia’s presence, we are truly grateful.

Janice Sevre-Duszynska serves on WOC’s Board of Directors and has been an active WOC member since 2001.