Here at Holy Spirit Catholic Parish in the Ottawa-Cornwall Diocese in Canada, we honored St. Phoebe and raised awareness of the Synod with Masses on September 10, 2023. At each of the three parish Masses over the weekend, a female parishioner shared a reflection about St. Phoebe and the Synod. We sang hymns together that uplifted St. Phoebe and women in the Church, and St. Phoebe prayer cards were offered after Mass. An icon of St. Phoebe, written by a parishioner, was displayed next to the altar throughout the week leading up to our celebration.

Members of the parish were deeply moved by the reflections shared, and as a community we are committed to joining with others in prayer for the ongoing Synod. These Masses raised awareness for many in our community, as many were not at all aware of St. Phoebe’s witness or the Synod. As a parish we are excited to continue the momentum from this event for the ongoing synodal process of journeying together!