The May-June issue of CORPUS Reports had traditionally been the time when the president penned a "State of the Organization" address to the CORPUS community. Having taken the opportunity for almost three years to write an article in each bi-monthly issue of our journal, you are generally up to speed on our activities much more frequently than once every twelve months, however.

We've spent a good portion of the past year reflecting on whether CORPUS has a future, and / or how long a future it will be. I responded, some say reacted, by writing an article focused on just "Who is CORPUS?" anyway.

A couple of weeks ago I received an email from one of our members responding to that question stating quite sheepishly:

"Your point about many members never actually doing anything, well that has been me. I joined in hopes that 'you guys' would figure something out [about getting our Church to accept those who embraced the gifts of marriage and priesthood]. Over the years, reading the CORPUS Reports articles, I know that many of the members are truly much more gifted than me. So I rationalized that they should be the ones doing something."

I had to chuckle... I don't often look upon myself as 'truly much more gifted.' It is always easier to look around and find people who have more to offer particular endeavors. What I know about myself, though, is that I have a driving need to act upon my passion for wanting to belong to a Church that is truly inclusive in its acceptance and utilization of its myriad of talents and gifts.

In a crisis, it is generally noted that ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things. We've all heard that the Chinese characters for crisis also translate as opportunity. So, to recast quite simply... with opportunity, ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things. Imagine too, what could be accomplished by those who don't see themselves as ordinary!!

Are there any, particularly among the ranks of those who belong to Catholic reform groups, who do not experience our Church going through a time of crisis in thought, in leadership? I strongly believe that the Spirit gifted us with an incredible opportunity to leave our children and grandchildren a faith community that embraces diversity and celebrates inclusivity in ministry. Most all the women and men of CORPUS have an incredible breadth training in spirituality, philosophy, theology, and ministry blended with firsthand knowledge of being wives and husbands, mothers and fathers, as well as all of our experience in 'making a living.'

Maybe you've got too many things going on in your life to make a significant time commitment to CORPUS. Maybe the retrenchment to pre-Vatican II perceptions of orthodoxy and orthopraxy has left you despondent. Maybe you expect that there is nothing anyone can do to impact change in this hierarchical Church. Maybe you've wanted to be engaged more actively in the mission of CORPUS, but you've never been asked. Maybe, like Jerry, you've been sitting on the sidelines not feeling that you have much to offer the CORPUS organization.

We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 12: "There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord... To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit..." Paul goes on to mention how critically important the diversity of gifts are for being the body of Christ. Imagine those gifts, your gifts, our gifts blended together towards a common goal.

Lest there be any question in your mind, for there is none in mine... Let me state quite emphatically... CORPUS will go out of existence when our Church:

* Celebrates the decision of conscience that 100,000 priests made to choose marriage AND priesthood;

* Celebrates the collaboration of married and celibate men working side by side in presbyteral ministry;

* Celebrates the particular gifts married and single women contribute to diaconate, presbyterate, and even the episcopate; and

* Celebrates the fact that God created men and women as straight and gay, and that gender orientation does not disqualify candidates for Church ministry.

Unless the Spirit of God miraculously surprises us between the time I am writing this article and the point at which you are reading it, we are far from that moment in time. We are far from being on our last legs.

There is much for us to do to prepare for and hasten that day. We must reclaim our visibility and our voice in our Church. We must work for justice within our Church. We must help people become aware of the depth and breadth of their Catholic Christian heritage. We must foster an ecumenical spirit that celebrates diversity of thought and spiritual practice. We must develop a practical philosophy and pastoral theology of an inclusive ordained ministry. We must challenge our Church to develop a healthy appreciation of sexuality. We must reflect on and commit to paper the stories of how God touched our lives in ministry, in marriage, and in the marketplace. We must plan ahead and know what we will bring to collaboration when invited 'to the table.' We must leave a legacy not of desire, but of action!

To those of you who, like Jerry, feel others have more to offer... To those of you who, like John, think somebody should do something about pension equity... To those of you who, like Cathy and Dennis, think we need to leave a written witness to our spiritual journey... To those of you who, like Bill, know we should be training others for ministry... To those of you who ...

Please know we are on our way to becoming more of what we have been... a Stewardship Community in faith and in action. ... June is the beginning of our annual "membership renewal" drive. When you receive your renewal invoice in the mail this time, you will be asked not only for your financial contribution, but will be asked to make a commitment of talents and time as well.

YOU are the salt of the earth! YOU are a beacon on the hilltop!

Namaste,

Russ Ditzel

Russ would love to hear your comments. He can be reached at crditzel@corpus.org.