Maria Eitz to Be First Female Catholic Priest Ordained in San Francisco

Media Advisory / Request for onsite coverage: SUNDAY, MAY 26

WHEN: Sunday, May 26 – 3:30pm

WHERE:
Ebenezer/herchurch Lutheran, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco

WEB:
www.romancatholicwomenpriests.org
www.sophiaintrinity.org

History will be made in San Francisco on Sunday, May 26 when the first ordination of a Roman Catholic woman priest in the San Francisco Archdiocese takes place. The Most Reverend Olivia Doko, Bishop of Roman Catholic Womenpriests, Western Region, will preside at the ordination of Maria Eitz, who was ordained as a deacon last year. The liturgical rite will be held at a local Lutheran church because the Catholic hierarchy does not recognize the ordination of women.

Eitz is a member of Sophia in Trinity, a local Catholic community where the Reverend Victoria Rue, a Roman Catholic woman priest ordained in 2005, presides at the bi-monthly Mass. The Sophia in Trinity community confirms the call of Eitz to priesthood and fully supports her ministry. More than 100 worshippers are expected to celebrate the ordination.

“Faithful Catholic women who experience a call to priestly service are not waiting for the male-only Catholic hierarchy to ‘allow’ women to be ordained,” says Rue. “Polls indicate and my own experience confirms that people in the pews are ready for this change.” Rue points out that women held priestly office from the earliest days of the church. “Abundant archaeological and documentary evidence exists that proves women were deacons, presbyters and even bishops right up until the first official code of canon law was promulgated by Pope Gregory IX in the 11th century.”

The modern renewal movement to reclaim the tradition of women clergy in the Catholic Church began in 2002, when a male bishop ordained seven women on a boat on the Danube River. Subsequent ordinations (including Rue’s in 2005, Doko’s as a priest in 2006 and then as a bishop in 2010) have produced more than 150 women ordained in apostolic succession as deacons, priests and bishops around the world, including more than 100 in North America.

Despite excommunication by the Vatican or local bishops upon their ordination, the women continue their ministry as part of Roman Catholic Womenpriests, an organization formed in 2004 to bring about the full equality of women in the Roman Catholic Church.

The San Francisco candidate for priesthood, Maria Eitz, has devoted her personal life and her career to improving the lives of children both locally and internationally. As a young woman, she led children to safety and freedom out of East Germany during the Cold War. She also is the founder and director of Medical Volunteers International and has extensive experience creating human rights programs in Asia and Africa for children and parents rendered vulnerable because of wars, natural disasters and famine. Her book Desert Tales is a collection of stories from her time spent living with the Hadendoa, a nomadic tribe in East Africa, where Eitz led a mission of medical volunteers during a terrible drought.

Locally, Eitz founded Respite Care, a service providing free child care, early assessment and interventions for at-risk children, as well as support for their parents. She ran the San Francisco program for more than 35 years until her retirement last year. Eitz also is known in the Bay Area for organizing the Orphan Air Lift that brought children out of Vietnam at the end of that war. Subsequently she adopted four children, including two from Vietnam, and raised numerous foster children. Her book Dark Rice chronicles the experience of adopting her first two children.

Eitz was born and educated in Germany but has lived in America since the early 1960s. A convert to Catholicism, she entered the Church during the Second Vatican Council and was deeply influenced by the noted Jesuit theologian Karl Rahner, one of the prime architects of the Second Vatican Council of the Roman Catholic Church. Rahner took a personal interest in her, guiding her course of studies, and she earned a master’s degree in theology from Marquette University.

Numerous organizations have recognized Eitz for her humanitarian work. She received a Local Hero award from KQED during Women’s History Month in 2010 to honor her outstanding contributions to the local community. In 1981, she received a Humanitarian Award from the Rosicrucians.

The ordination will take place at 3:30 p.m. May 26 at Ebenezer/herchurch Lutheran, 678 Portola Drive in San Francisco.

Media Contact: Susan Fox / susanfox@ix.netcom.com, cell: (415) 516-1170 / office: (415) 752-0766 ####

A hero’s journey into the world of dreams and fears…

Grey Gate Media, LLC Releases Edward G. Kardos’ latest book 
”Elias and the Legend of Sirok”

17 May 2013 — CONCORD, NH: Grey Gate Media, LLC has released “Elias and the Legend of Sirok”. Edward G. Kardos presents an inspiring tale of a young artist, who is at odds with his life on his father’s farm, and is forced to make a decision about his future. His grandmother prepares him for a journey of discovery that takes him from his Hungarian village into a supernatural world. Here he faces powers and mystical beings—some that he strives to understand, while others he is forced to battle. With help from a wise man, he finally confronts his fears as they are personified by a dragon that changes shape at whim and will. Will Elias triumph over the dark powers around him? If he survives, what will he learn—about life and himself?

“Ed Kardos is a soul searcher. He writes from the head and heart, finding true meaning in the vagaries of life,” said Dean King, bestselling author of Skeletons on the Zahara about Kardos and his book. “An excellent novel for your pre-teen reader!” said Naomi Blackburn in her Amazon post. Blackburn is a book reviewer currently on Goodreads as the number 15 top reviewer in the U.S. and 20th globally. www.abookandareview.blogspot.com

“This story for the young and the young at heart, after all, I’m fifty-three and love these kinds of stories,” said Kardos when asked about who would enjoy the story.

As the story unfolds, Elias confronts conformity, guilt and fear and learns to believe in himself and to follow his heart.

“This story is hero’s journey similar to the classics but written for our time,” said publisher, Jason Reilly. “Kardos takes us on an inward journey and we, along with Elias, begin to believe in ourselves and feel good about who we are.”

Lectures, guest appearances, interviews and review copies are available by contacting Jason Reilly – jason.reilly@greygatemedia.com.

About the Author: 
Edward G. Kardos is the author of several books. Daniel Pink, bestselling author of “A Whole New Mind”, said this about “Zen Master Next Door”, Kardos’ last book—“What an inspiring way to learn about our very soul. These modern day parables…are compelling and left me wanting more.” Inspiration for his writing comes from the beauty that surrounds him both in the people he meets and the places he visits. He and his wife have four children and live in Richmond, Virginia. www.edwardgkardos.com Grey Gate Media, LLC is a publishing and media company located in Concord, New Hampshire. Founded with the mission to provide quality entertainment for friends, families, and anyone passionate about reading or gaming. www.greygatemedia.com

“Elias and the Legend of Sirok” (9781618070807) is published in paperback by Vermillion Pencil Press an imprint of Grey Gate Media, 142 pages, retail price $11.99. Also available as an e-book (9781618070821) and retails at $3.99.

Contact: Jason S. Reilly, (603) 801-2208; jason.reilly@greygatemedia.com ####

“Inside China’s Future” Event in Focuses on China’s Role in Today’s Auto Industry/h2>

Thursday, May 16, 8am-10am
The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
Invitation Only Event Brings Together International Industry Leaders
Chen Xinhua, Secretary General of the Hangzhou Municipal Government, is special guest

15 May 2013 – Detroit, MI: A unique opportunity for cross cultural business development will take place tomorrow in Detroit when auto industry leaders and representatives from the government of Hangzhou present “Inside China’s Future”: a breakfast and panel discussion with a particular focus on China and its role in today’s global auto industry. Chen Xinhua, Secretary General of the Hangzhou Municipal Government, will be on hand to introduce an expert panel comprised of Jim Geisendorfer, Wanxiang/Neapco; John Kwant, Ford Motor Company; John Moulton, Johnson Controls and Richard Hanna, PWC. The event is by invitation only and will take place at the Westin Book Cadillac, 1114 Washington, Boulevard, Detroit.

China, the world’s largest automobile producer and consumer, has seen rapid growth in its auto industry over the past ten years. The country’s vehicle exports have increased by an average of 46.3 per cent year-on-year since 2001. A new record sale of over 19 million units was also achieved in 2012. China’s plan for a stronger emphasis on innovation and increased investments into research and development aims to level China’s homegrown auto industry to that of international standards. How will this impact the global auto industry? What threats and opportunities will this present? Will China remain as the primary driver of growth in the global auto production? “Inside China’s Future” is a series of engaging discussions that address new challenges faced by the industry and how companies can leverage on China’s position for business growth. The Detroit panel discussion will also feature case studies on the latest industry developments in China, with some focus on Hangzhou — home to one of China’s largest automakers, Geely.

2013 BAY TO BREAKERS PRESENTED BY CRAIGSLIST PRE-RACE PRESS CONFERENCE

SFPD and Race Officials to Address Pre-Race Security, Safety Efforts, Road Closures, Course Overview and More

WHAT:

Please join the San Francisco Police Department, city officials, Bay to Breakers race officials, the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau and race fans for the 2013 Bay to Breakers Pre-Race Press Conference. Officials will cover pre-race security efforts, planned road closures, new course features and course highlights to prepare residents and visitors for the more than 60,000 participants and spectators that will descend upon the streets of San Francisco on Sunday, May 19, for the 2013 Bay to Breakers presented by craigslist 12k race.

This is a great opportunity to ask questions and get caught up in excitement as we kick off the 102nd Bay to Breakers presented by craigslist, a longtime San Francisco tradition. Since 1912, this legendary race has taken thousands of participants including elite athletes, centipede teams of 13, celebrities, costumed racers, marathon runners, weekend walkers and more from the edge of the bay, to the shore of the Pacific Ocean, via several San Francisco neighborhoods. For more details, visit www.baytobreakers.com.

WHEN:
Thursdsy, May 16 at 1p.m.

WHERE:
San Francisco City Hall
Goodlett Steps
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102

WHO:

San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr, Bay to Breakers Race Director Angela Fang, San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau EVP/Chief Marketing Officer Matt Stiker, city officials, a collection of race fans and more.

INTERVIEW / PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr addressing pre-race security efforts and road closures
Bay to Breakers Race Director Angela Fang presenting a course overview and new highlights
San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau EVP/Chief Marketing Officer Matt Stiker to address the impact this race has on the city’s promotional and branding
Costumed participants and race supporters excited for Sunday

CONTACT:
Mike Biel, SFPD Deputy Chief of Special Events
mike.biel@sfgov.org, 415/832-8424
DeeDee Taft, Bay to Breakers Communications
deedee@spinpr.com, 415/515-1229