January 24, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local Life

Overcame anti-feminine bias
Lafayette Hill psychologist ‘called’ to become priest
by PAULA M. RILEY

Kathy Walter, who was ordained as a priest in the Episcopal Church after leaving the Roman Catholic Church, is seen outside of her church in Lafayette Hill, The Church of St. Jude and The Nativity. (Photo by Paula M. Riley)

Ten years ago, Kathleen Walter read a newspaper article that changed her life.

It told a story of Frank Shea, a middle-aged former physician who had become an Episcopal priest. Walter, 52, had been long struggling with the notion that she was being called to ordination. “I took a deep breath and said, ‘if he did it, I can do it. He has removed all the possible excuses to not heed the call.’”

Her excuses included a husband, three children, a full-time job as a Philadelphia School District school psychologist, concern about the cost of attending the seminary and the fact that she was a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church, which does not allow women to become ordained priests. After reading the article, however, Walter began visiting Episcopal churches to see if this church would be right for her.

As part of this exploration, she met with Rev. Mary Laney and regularly attended Wednesday lunch Eucharist at St. Gabriel’s Church (Olney). “It was very, very difficult for me to leave the Roman Catholic Church,” Walter explains. She slowly began to appreciate the parallel liturgical styles between the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches. Walter witnessed these similarities in the doctrine, beliefs and prayers.

New fine arts auction house in (of all places) Mt. Airy
by MARIE FOWLER

Jeffrey Fuller with photograms by Martha Madigan. (Photo by Marie Fowler)

“Like everything in life,” stresses art dealer and bon vivant Jeffrey P. Fuller, “you should first buy what you like, and second, buy what you know.” The president of Jeffrey Fuller Fine Art, Ltd., and director of the newly established Fuller’s Fine Art Auctions at 730 Carpenter Lane in West Mt. Airy, has been in the art business since 1974.

Over the last 34 years, Fuller, 57, has developed a keen sense of where and how to sell. “Some things are better sold privately if there is no market at auction.” Having just concluded a major private sale himself, Fuller notes that perhaps 75 percent of art deals are conducted in this fashion. Most go unreported in the media, unless, he advises, there is a reason to make the information public.

Missing your best friend, who lives on only in your dreams
by JANET GILMORE

I dreamed about Ellie last night. I ran into her on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant. She was still sick, but looked well. I hugged her tightly and said, “I’m so glad to see you! Didn’t you die?”           

Newest apocalyptic films more than just sci-fi?
by JIMMY J. PACK JR.

In Cloverfield the Statue of Liberty loses her head, and in I Am Legend Will Smith is responsible for the apocalypse. Is there more to these messages than meets the eye?

I’m willing to bet that most people have asked themselves the rather selfish hypothetical question: what would I do if I were the last person on earth?

Any time I have ever thought of the question, it has not   been a fantasy but a nightmare. I guess I am not the only person to imagine the scenario. Science fiction novels and Hollywood have been mulling over the possibilities for decades. The thought of being the last person alive has made for some of Hollywood’s most popular movies — The Last Man on Earth, Planet of the Apes, The Omega Man, Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later and even Invasion of the Bodysnatchers.