Left, Deacon Colleen Woodley and Fr. Marty Shanahan begin the liturgy reminding those gathered of their baptism. Right, Fr. Marty Shanahan and Deacon Corein Brown lead the community’s liturgy.
Spirit of Hope: Where hospitality and meaningful faith meet H
ave you ever walked in the doors of a Church and immediately felt at home, appreciated, and welcomed? Spirit of Hope Catholic Community is truly a community of deep faith, radical hospitality, uplifting homilies and joy filled music. A new parishioner said it best; “I knew I was home when I set foot in the door.” Our mission is clear, says Fr. Marty Shanahan, the Pastor at Spirit of Hope; “To invite and inspire all people to live in faith!” Spirit of Hope is a community where members have come from nearly every faith tradition background in search of a place where their journeys are affirmed, their joys are lifted up; and their wounds are tended to with utmost care. “We strive to be a haven of hope!” says Deacon Corein Brown. Spirit of Hope Catholic Community is a member of the Holy Cross Old Catholic Diocese of the Midwest. The Old Catholic Church is a denomination that honors the model of the early Church and operates on the principles of collegiality and consensus. The Old Catholic Church is anything but “Old”, it is a vibrant, engaging and uplifting denomination which was born out of the Catholic Church in the Netherlands. It is one of many ways to be Catholic in the world today and the growing numbers through out the United States attest to the fact that many folks are searching out new ways to express the deepest yearnings of their hearts. Spirit of Hope Catholic Community is co-located with St. Anne’s Episcopal
Church at 2035 Charlton Road in Sunfish Lake. Masses are celebrated at 5 p.m. on Saturday evenings and there always seems to be some way that people can become involved! Spirit of Hope has been dedicated to supporting Joseph’s Coat and Neighbor’s Food Shelf along with other community involvements. Deacon Colleen Woodley, who says she basically, “stumbled in the front door by mistake,” also says “we try our very best to live the Gospel and welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and visit the imprisoned.” No matter how you walk in the door at Spirit of Hope, you are welcomed and you know that somehow this experience is going to change how you see the world when you walk out those same doors. “We are committed to offering homilies that are relevant, timely, deeply meaningful, uplifting and challenging as well,” says Fr. Marty. “We are a community of faith that strives to live the Gospel as best as we can,” added another parishioner. Spirit of Hope is a community that embodies the concepts of the earliest Christian communities in which each and every person is an important and essential member as is every person who walks in the door. This is a community of faith where everyone is encouraged to share their gifts and talents, from making soup, to serving food, to shaking hands or lifting up their voice in prayer or song. Spirit of Hope is deeply committed to radical hospitality, to thoughtful and relevant homilies and to challenging those in attendance to live the Gospel
in every aspect of their lives. Spirit of Hope is only four years young, and has seen its numbers grow from a handful of faithful committed members to well over 160 active, committed and dedicated folks who join with each other in making the world a better place. “We continue to grow,” says Fr. Marty, because we are striving together to live the Good News, to lift others up in the journey of faith and to constantly search for new ways to reach the world with the message of God’s love and compassion.” The homilies are posted on YouTube every week so that others who can not attend Mass for whatever reason can still tap into the joy and hope and challenges that are offered. Spirit of Hope is served by Fr. Marty Shanahan, Deacon Colleen Woodley and Deacon Corein Brown, but they live their ministries in service of the people. “We are first and foremost servants and we strive to lead as servant-leaders,” says Deacon Corein. Spirit of Hope invites anyone and everyone to the table of the Eucharist. A founding parishioner offered this observation: “When I walk out the door each week, my heart is lifted, my joys are multiplied, my burdens have been lightened and I am left with a challenge to take with me as I step into the week.” Fr. Marty mused: You know the late Steve Jobs is reported to have said: “The only people who have ever changed the world are those who are crazy enough to believe they can.” Spirit of Hope is a community that is just crazy enough to believe they can change the experience of being
Parishioner Ingrid Mattsson leads the community in prayerful song of Psalms.
Catholic in the world today, and they might just do that! Their website: www.spiritofhope catholiccommunity.org. A member of the Holy Cross Old Catholic Diocese of the Midwest www. heartlandoldcatholic.org and The Old Catholic Church of the United States: www.toccusa.org.
Spirit of Hope
Holy Thursday: 6 p.m. - Feast of the Lord’s Supper
A member of the Holy Cross Old Catholic Diocese of the Midwest
Good Friday: 3 p.m. - Way of the Cross
Catholic Community
MASS at 5:00 PM Saturday Evenings
Holy Week Liturgies:
Holy Saturday: Easter Vigil: 7 p.m.
We Are Co-Located At: Easter Sunday: St. Anne’s Episcopal Church Sunday Mass 8:30 a.m. 2035 Charlton Road, Sunfish Lake, MN We are an open, affirming & inclusive Catholic Community that welcomes everyone!
www.spiritofhopecatholiccommunity.org | Phone: 651.328.7723