Share
Witnesses
Colleen Schoeck
Campus Minister for Service Immersion, Office of Campus Ministry, Stonehill College
June 17, 2024

It was incredibly empowering to be able to use my voice to share about St. Phoebe the Deacon and to talk about my own spiritual journey and ministerial call during our St. Phoebe celebration. To be a woman and to speak about my experience of God during Mass meant so much to me and to many other women present. Discerning Deacons has given me hope for a Church that includes, honors, and celebrates women’s voices, leadership, and ministry. I feel honored to be a part of this community.

Colleen Schoeck shares her witness testimony at Stonehill College Campus Ministry’s St. Phoebe Day celebration in September 2023.
Witness
“This work is essential for challenging the status quo, deeply exploring the Church’s history of the female diaconate, and courageously asking important questions. I also believe that the inclusion of women’s voices and experiences will increase emotional, mental, and physical safety for other women in church spaces.”
Krista Varney
Domestic Violence Advocate, Grand Prairie, TX
Witness
“I know that women are being called by the Holy Spirit and women are living diakonia in creative, ordinary ways today. Now, as a mother of a toddler girl, I want to discern with the Church on how to make way for her to discern her own future calling, should the Spirit call her.”
Ana López
Spiritual Director and Theology Teacher, Los Angeles, CA
Witness
“If women were able to serve as deacons, it would magnify the grace and love of God and make it more widely available.”
Judith Oberhauser
Retired Chaplain, St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN

Receive Our Newsletter

Newsletter signup

Processing...

Thank you for sign up!

This is the hub where we share relevant news, events and opportunities to participate in the work. 
*We will send the newsletter only once each week, and we will never share or sell your information.

Receive Our Newsletter

Newsletter signup

Processing...

Thank you for sign up!

This is the hub where we share relevant news, events and opportunities to participate in the work. 
*We will send the newsletter only once each week, and we will never share or sell your information.