Pope Francis announced on Sunday that what we thought would be the culmination and conclusion of a two year process – October 2023’s Synod Assembly in Rome – will in fact be a point of convergence along the way. Next October’s Synod gathering will be the first of two such meetings, to help foster and grow a Church more capable […]
Ellie and I attended the Leadership Roundtable’s Catholic Leaders Summit last week. This annual gathering brings together diocesan leaders, clergy, university presidents, theologians, Catholic non-profit and business leaders, along with folks that have practical management experience and who want to help the Church be run with more accountability. I was humbled to be part of […]
I was most looking forward to the singing. After two years of muting ourselves on Zoom while Claire Hitchins led us on guitar—I was eager for harmonies, rounds, the feeling of voices vibrating and echoing in a room. And yet, I was hesitant, wondering how we’d bridge the distances of language, culture, social location as 55 pilgrims […]
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is [also] a minister [diakonos] of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor to many and to me […]
This week marks a month since I set off on a synod-inspired pilgrimage, dragging my family in tow. We spent 11 of the past 30 days journeying together with the vibrant people connected with Misión de Bachajón, a Jesuit Mission of over 60 years accompanying hundreds of Tseltal indigenous communities across a vast territory in […]
We gathered last Thursday evening with a dozen marvelous Synod Animators to offer gratitude and celebrate the milestone of turning in our official listening synthesis! With over 350 consultations and nearly 9,000 people engaged – we reflected on what it is to bring forward our loaf, to trust that it is enough, and to believe […]
Catholicism can feel like a locked room. As if there is one way to be a disciple, to practice and live the faith. There was a period in my faith journey where Catholicism felt like a rigid set of prescriptions and judgments. But the grace of salvation, the meaning of Pentecost, is that God breaks […]
As our DD delegation made a pilgrimage to Rome last October to witness the opening of the Synod by participating in the opening Mass, we arrived early to St. Peter’s Cathedral, like good Catholics – ready to get our seats up close! Individual chairs were spaced with some distance apart both in front and in […]
What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you through these Holy Days, as you draw near to Jesus and seek the grace to practice resurrection? If you are in a parish with a deacon serving the community, I’d invite you to notice the role the deacon plays throughout the Triduum. As you draw your eye […]
Nearly all of Discerning Deacon’s work has emerged in the context of the pandemic, taking shape over zoom meetings and virtual liturgies and listening circles and relational meetings. The last few weeks have marked a welcome turn as we emerge to gather in person: at St. Catherine’s in St. Paul MN, at the Religious Education […]
Copyright All Rights Reserved © 2021 Discerning Deacons
Discerning Deacons – 3710 Shannon Road #51879 – Durham, NC 27717
For press or media inquiries, contact comms@discerningdeacons.org
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.
