The Time is Now Launch Call

FutureChurch hosts a launch call for its project, “The Time is Now: Let Mary Magdalene Preach the Resurrection,” which invites Catholics to ask their parishes to read the full Resurrection Narrative from John’s Gospel on Easter Sunday.

In this launch call, we discuss the inspiration behind this project, provide an overview of the resources available to help you, and share real-world insights about approaching your pastor/pastoral team with this request.

Opening Prayer by Olivia Hastie

God of the Living Word,
on Easter morning we will dare to listen longer, deeper, more fully —
to hear the whole story of your love in the Gospel of John,
not in fragments, but as a living witness from beginning to end.

We remember that it was Mary Magdalene who first proclaimed the resurrection,
whose voice carried the good news when the world was still trembling.
As we commit to hearing this Gospel in its fullness,
lift the voices that have been shortened, silenced, or set aside.
Give us courage to receive the testimony of those you have already sent.

Risen Christ, you are the Word made flesh —
not a few verses, but a life poured out in signs, stories, tears, courage, and love stronger than death.
As we listen to her proclamation, stretch our attention, our imagination, and our hearts.
Let this long telling become an act of hope, a refusal to reduce your good news, a sign that we are hungry for all you have to say.

Make our church a people who listen fully —
to Scripture, to the marginalized, to the women who proclaim resurrection, to all who have seen you and cannot keep silent.

We ask this in the name of the One who calls us friends, who speaks our names in the garden, and the Spirit who is still speaking life into the world. 

Amen

Commissioning Prayer by Martha Ligas

Loving God we have been called.
We’ve heard the Good News.
And like our sister Mary of Magdala,
we want to shout it from the rooftops.

Give us the courage
and the fortitude
to take the good news of Mary’s proclamation to our parishes,
and open the eyes and hearts of our parish leaders
to join us in proclaiming her full story for all to hear. 

Amen.