Carol Parrish~Harra
The Bishops on the path
Three Free Catholic Bishops got together the first of December of 2011 to consecrate Dr Carol E Parrish-Harra, an Autocephalous Free Catholic Bishop. Rev. Parrish has served in the Lord’s work for many years. Her biography follows.
Blessing
The week end event was held in the Chapel Of St Patrick in Pepin, WI. It was a beautiful weekend with the first snow of the year.
Co-consecrators were +Bernie O Finch of Pepin WI, +Micheal Adams of Fairfield Iowa, and +Daniel Dangaran of Santa Fe, NM.
Celtic Cross in the snow
Old friends
First snow
Carol Parrish-Harra
Carol Parrish Biography
Carol Parrish became a private spiritual student in 1965 with a beloved local spiritual teacher, Ann Manser, who took her under her wing and encouraged her to explore Kabalah, as well as Spiritualism with her. Ann Manser directed her to study the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads with another well known teacher, McBride Panton, an Episcopalian Minister, that had spent forty years in India retiring to the St. Petersburg area. Soon Ann encouraged her to enter Seminary and earned ordination in 1971. Here Carol awakened to her personal work filled with a great impulse to introduce Sophia to the seekers of wisdom traditions.
Carol immediately was chosen to become an associate minister for the Temple of the Living God, St. Petersburg, Florida and soon established her first Spiritual Community. During this time Carol Parrish also served as President of the Florida Humanist Institute until 1975 when she married Charles Harra and moved to Sarasota, Florida. There she established Villa Serena, a house of prayer and meditation, within a larger, more formal spiritual community.
Her enthusiasm and love of Ancient Wisdom kept her studying. In 1974 she discovered the work of Vera Stanley Alder, one of London’s noted teachers, and one of Alice Bailey’s original “Discipleship In New Age” (DINA) group. This began a series of journeys overseas to study personally as well as written work with a grand elder who open vistas for her even wider. Her studies with teacher Alder lasted ten years until her death in 1984. Vera often referred to Carol as her “spiritual daughter”; Carol stayed with her until her death and in fact, closed the World Guardianship International Office Vera had formed.
Due to a great desire to gain a deeper understanding of Eastern Esoteric Christianity Carol Parrish following her meditation guidance, in 1976, by beginning private study with Torkom Saraydarian and did so leading to intensive private study for five years. She has a deep appreciation of the Wisdom teachings of the Theosophical Society, in particular, the work of C.W. Leadbeater and Torkom Saraydarian. She has used the work of both through out her teaching career.
In profession development Dr. Parrish was recognized for her outstanding curriculum development and syllabus construction for an esoteric seminary in 1981 by National Christian University of Missouri honoring her with an earned Doctor of Divinity Degree. During these years she served as a speaker for the International Council of Community Churches, later affiliating Villa Serena with them. It was her privilege to serve two terms on the Board of Trustees. Last year she was honored by the Council for 40 year of outstanding service to the ecumenical church.
1981 she responded to the call of the Holy Spirit to move to Tahlequah, Oklahoma to began a third community, Sparrow Hawk Village, in the Ozark Mountains, with a church, Light of Christ Community Church and Sancta Sophia Seminary she had begun in Sarasota in l977. She served as President of Light of Christ Community Church until becoming President Emeritus late in 2009 and resigned as Academic Dean Emeritus in 2010.
Hundreds of students have been taught, certified, ordained, and awarded master and doctoral degrees at Sancta Sophia Seminary emphasizing the Hermetic philosophy of “know thyself”—through wisdom teachings, meditation, spiritual counseling, healing, metaphysical sciences, esoteric Christianity, Agni Yoga, Kabalah, and much more. Seekers attend classes for personal growth or join structured programs which combine home study, meditation, and on-campus classes.
Dr. Parrish has traveled and lead forty-eight Student Spirituality Tours focused on learning centers and significant religious sites to many countries, including Canada, Peru, Brazil, Tibet, China, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Korea, Japan, India, the former USSR and present day Russia, Mongolia, England, Scotland, Wales, the former Yugoslavia, Greece, and Turkey lecturing, teaching and introducing students to important ecumenical ideas and a new understanding of a variety of cultures. Dr. Parrish continues to be a sought after lecturer and workshop leader on the international circuit lecturing, teaching and leading groups, as well as in the United States.
Awards and Citations
- Major presenter at the Solar Initiation Ceremonies in Mexico as a guest of Hunbatz Men, wisdom keeper of the Maya. June 1995.
- Athena Awards for Mentoring Excellence –recipient, 1996, 1997, 1998, for Adventure in Meditation – Spirituality for the 21st Century (Vol.’s 1, 11, and 111).
- World Network of Religious Futurists – citation, 1996-97, for organizing its International Conferences, in India, the USA, and England.
- Earl Award for Religious Futurists – recipient, 1997-1998, for “exceptional achievement in the field of religious futures activities”
- Addressed a Muslim audience of 1,400 individuals in Istanbul, Turkey at the 2000 Universal Project Symposium of the Mevlana Supreme Foundation
- International Nebolsin Medal, St. Petersburg, Russia – recipient, 2005, for “outstanding service in the field of education for the common good of humanity”
- Author of numerous wisdom books (14 to date), plus three on-line classes on Sophia, Introducing Mother, The Holy Spirit of Wisdom as well as two e-books
- Served Light of Christ Community Church as President for thirty years
- Served as Academic Dean for Sancta Sophia Seminary for thirty-three years
- Recognized in 2008 for Forty Years of dedicated service to the International Council of Community Churches
- Presently a contributing member of a group of leading thinkers, scholars, and spiritual leaders galvanizing momentum for Sophia’s Seven Pillars, an emergence of Wisdom in such forums as ecological awareness, interfaith solidarity growth and moral culture
To visit Carol Parrish-Harra’s website click here
Carol’s Newsletter
My Adventures as of Late
December 20, 2011
Lots of adjustment has been taking place in these last few weeks and I want to bring you up to date.
As you know, I was consecrated a bishop and Jesse a monsignor, in the Free Catholic Rite Malabar Tradition. The event took place in Pepin, Wisconsin with a dear, spiritual brother of many years and someone may of you know, Bishop Bernie Finch, D.C.
Bernie, who was my student many years ago, beginning back when I was in Florida, was active in the early days of Light of Christ and later moved to the Free Catholic Tradition. Since I had a history of loving the freedom with which the Free Catholic Tradition can share their ideas/beliefs, I have supported Bishop Bernie’s ministry through the years. Here is a photo of “old friends”
When I needed a church home, the Free Catholic Tradition welcomed me. Of course, it was an easy step to take with both Leadbeater’s teachings and Torkom Saraydarian’s examples to lead me.
I want to share with you some photos from the blessed occasion. Three bishops were present. Each was wise, accepting and experienced, so I can benefit from them as leaders.
Lft to right: Bishop Daniel Dangaran, Bishop Dangaran, Bishop Bernie Finch, Bishop Michael Adams, Bishop Carol E. Parrish and Monsignor Jesse Garnee.
I call this picture “The Bishops on the Path”
Remember, that a bishop’s role is to be the Minister for the Ministers. They are to be as available as possible to those who seek their experience and wisdom and to serve as “wise ones” to those in ministry. These are my words, not a definition provided by others.
Soon, I will have a formal pose made and put it here for review. I am more a mother figure than a movie star, so what you see is pretty much what you get.
I love my role of caring for growing souls; best of all roles. I love to share the real life experiences through which we become our best selves and this I try to do through whichever medium I am using.
I am in the process of establishing The Chapel of Christ Sophia at the Village. The Chapel is currently meeting in the office I have had for years and is provided for me by Light of Christ as the Founder’s Office, for the rest of my natural life. I do some counseling there and also teach the Kabalah class from that dedicated space.
I want The Chapel of Christ Sophia to have a prayer, teaching and Eucharistic ministry. Those who become members may be ministers, former students, friends or new acquaintances. the effort is going to be of spiritual growth through the ways and means at our disposal. The Chapel of Christ Sophia is now doing prayer ministry , its teaching and Eucharistic service. We will continue to announce current happenings . We want to truly be a dedicated ministry whether we live near by or far away. Modern technology has proven that it is possible.
As some of you know, I am taking a few private students; this has been a joyful experience for me and an area of deep dedication. It has been the better part of my life work so I feel well qualified.
At this time, the Chapel of Christ Sophia can begin accepting donations for her to do her holy work. Money from classes are not considered donations. The class is given in exchange and that negates the donation part. To make a donation, you have to specify it as such. This will keep our records clear for the IRS. This will make you a donor for the Chapel.
Will you assist us? If so, please make your donation payable to: Carol Parrish, (the necessary papers for tax exemption are pending) 22 Summit Ridge Drive, Tahlequah, OK. 74464.
Here is my current staff:
LaRhonda
Secretary
Monsignor Jesse Garnee
Spiritual Assistant
And myself as Bishop and chief bottle washer
Love and holiday blessing,
Carol
Below is a wonderful Christmas story that proves love given at Christmas keeps on giving, enjoy!
** True Story of Rudolph **
A man named Robert L. May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.
His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer. Little Barbara couldn’t understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad’s eyes and asked, “Why isn’t Mommy just like everybody else’s Mommy?”
Bob’s jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob’s life. Life always had to be different for Bob. Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he’d rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in.
Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn’s bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938.
Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn’t even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn’t buy a gift, he was determined a make one – a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal’s story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope.
Again and again, Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was.
The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day.
But the story doesn’t end there.
The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book.
Wards went on to print, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores.
By 1946, Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph.
That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book.
In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May.
The book became a best seller.
Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn’t end there either.
Bob’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph.
Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the
exception of “White Christmas.”
The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn’t so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.
* MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011*
Visit Carol Parrish-Harra’s website by clicking here