A note from Luke Hansen

Dear friends of Discerning Deacons,

I’m writing today to let you know that I’m in the process of shifting from a full-time position on the leadership team to a volunteer support role with Discerning Deacons. Beginning next month, I’m returning to full-time ministry in a school setting, where I’ll have the opportunity to again accompany young people in the areas of spirituality, social justice and vocational discernment. 

I share this news with both sadness and joy in my heart. What can I say about a project, a leadership team and an emerging team of leaders that have moved my heart so deeply over the past seven months? Our collective work together is helping strengthen and renew the Church we love! There is so much at stake. Not only will women as deacons make a profound difference in our communities and our world, but each of us is finding our voice and discovering the powerful ways God is calling us.

The project is in very good hands with our leadership team — Casey, Ellie and Lisa. You’ve undoubtedly witnessed their incredible vision, joy, organization and empowerment of others.

My collaboration with this outstanding team goes back a couple years, as we’ve worked together on parish talks, discernment workshops, and last year’s Phoebe Day celebration. Though in a different capacity, I look forward to continuing to bring my experiences and gifts to Discerning Deacons as another virtual celebration of St. Phoebe is on the horizon and as we plan our delegation to Rome to bring the fruits of our discernment to church leaders there.

Today I’m starting my annual retreat. My last day on the leadership team is August 6. A week later, I’ll return to full-time ministry with students. And I look forward to being with you when we celebrate the Feast of St. Phoebe together on September 3!

With heartfelt gratitude to all of you, and with prayers for our work in the Church,

Luke

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Witness
“[I hope the Church ordains women to the diaconate] to bring a wider witness and expression of God’s life, love, and presence to the people of God. Women’s voices and leadership will heal, encourage and empower the lives of men, women, and children. It will call forth a new understanding of church vocation and enrich Catholic family life.”
Deedee Van Dyke
Catholic Chaplain, Joliet, IL
Witness
“The first Apostle was a woman, Mary Magdalena. She continues to remain a tower of strength for women in ministry today. If more women were ordained to the diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church, I believe we would have more meaningful and spiritually enriching homilies, and our liturgies would embrace and welcome all to the Eucharistic table.”
Sonja Grace
Witness
“If I was ordained as a deacon, it would not be a means to an end, but rather it would be a continual invitation to a deeper and broader journey with Christ. Deacons are asked to become outwardly more visible as hands in service to the Church. To respond to such a vocation would be a treasure, a deepening of my inner faith life enriched by the outward experiences of ministry and service. Both the inner and outer journey become a longing to seek and know the Christ we are called to serve.”   
Nina Laubach
Student, MDiv program at Princeton Theological Seminary

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