Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community

Beloved ICC is an inclusive Catholic community serving the Urbana Illinois area.

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

We will no longer be actively posting on X. You can follow us on Facebook or at our website or contact us to join our weekly mailing for information about our regular activities.

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

Where are you?

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

Catholic social teaching has widely been described as “the church’s best kept secret.” A recent report indicates that may still be the case, and that efforts to spread it may be thwarted by a reduction in diocesan positions dedicated to social action. https://t.co/R9tew8bAC8

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

If only we let turtles be turtles. https://t.co/9DHzJhCJwL

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

But unlike Bible study or even Renew groups, these communities have members who function somewhat as a family, who consider the meeting a sacred space to unburden themselves, share problems and help other members.

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

The communities are small groupings of families that meet to pray, study Scripture, discuss needs and problems of group members, and make decisions about action that needs to be taken. The lay leaders receive special training.

https://t.co/iXWPuQ0wqT

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

SynodWatch RoundUP for Oct. 28: Here Is the Final Report; Women Deacons Forward; A Crushing Blow on LGBTQ Justice https://t.co/sMUEwFbsRT

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

As Scripture suggests elsewhere: if you want to love the God you can not see, love the human you can see. Each of us is a dwelling place of God, "In God’s image we were made."

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

If a pagan were to ask a Jew, "Where is your image of God?" They would respond, "In God’s image we were made." I.e. "The image of our God is to be found in each human being." That’s what Jesus is implying in today’s gospel. https://t.co/jDc6y2Gx1M

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

How can we mere humans pay proper homage to an invisible God in our world, in our daily life? Jesus shows us how. He takes the command about loving God with all of ourselves and puts with it the love of neighbor.

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

Help me to trust your prompting and your presence.  Strengthen my witness and remind me – always – that the lives of your children are depend upon you, the Son, and the Father. Together, you are one God, sovereign, wise, and sufficient. Amen.

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

Holy Spirit, gift to your Church and manifestation of the Kingdom’s presence, I confess that all too often I am overwhelmed. My knowledge of the world’s needs exceed my ability to respond. The news is filled with tragedy, violence, loss of life, and pain. https://t.co/3QaQWz70se

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

There is so much beyond my control.  In those moments that I feel overcome and I am adrift in grief and despair, save me from the temptation to measure my gifts against the world’s needs. Deliver me from the cynicism that might lead me to live for myself.

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

give each person equal time to speak from their authoritative experience as a baptized person, pause regularly for silent prayer and see what happens.

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

While much of the content of those group discernments has been kept private, the people of God have been given the visual symbol of the round table for the synodal journey. It says a lot. https://t.co/rgGzIqVxF6

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

Instead of placing all of our hopes and expectations for the synod in this first, brief synthesis report, I suggest we read it carefully and then go to our next parish or diocesan meeting and install a round table,

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

We will go around the group and share why we chose this saint and how we apply the lessons we learned from our saint into practice in our lives.

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

Bring your favorite Italian dish to share (Rev. Eileen will be bringing bread, salad, and dessert) along with something that represents your favorite saint. https://t.co/kRkx7GjHWK

[Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community @BelovedICC]

These charged responses—and the studied silence of so many—stem from our time of political polarization, our declining ability to navigate painful topics with nuance and compassion, and our fear of being ostracized for our views. https://t.co/BxJSpbPAgd