Author: Ellie Hidalgo

The Power of Listening to Build Community

As we complete this first listening and consultation phase of this synod process, we want to take a moment to say – Thank You! Thank you for taking a chance on the power of listening. The transformative, healing, generative power of listening. The power of listening to build connection and community. When Pope Francis celebrated […]

Moving forward with Roots & Wings

Discerning Deacons was thrilled to be invited to serve as exhibitors at the Raices y Alas (Roots and Wings) conference of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry (NCCHM) in Washington, DC, April 26-30. We were able to engage participants in conversations about synodality, women’s leadership roles, and the discernment of the Church about ordaining […]

DD making waves at Religious Education Congress!

March 30, 2022 Discerning Deacons recently hosted a booth at the annual Los Angeles Religious Education Congress. This year’s annual conference drew about 5,000 in-person participants, much fewer than in years past, but a good start to re-imagining an in-person conference since the pandemic began. A special thank you to Rosa Bonilla, Yolanda Brown, Anne […]

Making Good Trouble – with Hope!

Last week an extraordinary virtual synodal conversation took place across the Americas. Pope Francis listened to Catholic university students from North, South Central America and the Caribbean as they shared their experiences, insights, frustrations and plans to make the world a better place on issues important to them like migration, climate change, and growing income […]

Inviting US & Latin American Catholics to Walk Together

Valuing the role of youth in our Church and society as agents of transformation. Accompanying victims of social and Church injustice with recognition and reparation. Deepening the participation of women in the Church’s decision-making bodies and contributing to the discernment about women deacons and new ministries. Welcoming, protecting, and integrating migrants and refugees.   These are […]

Reclaiming Catholic History for our Daughters

Last week I presented the ministry of Discerning Deacons to seniors at Flintridge Sacred Heart High School at La Cañada, California. Thanks to an invitation from teacher Kristina Ortega and technology, I could visit three classes from my perch in Miami, Florida. At a time when many young Catholic women in high school and college […]

Forming ourselves for courageous conversations

In the last two weeks I have attended synodal listening sessions at two local parishes in Miami. It’s been fun to meet new people in my community and delve into deeper conversations about our joys and concerns with the Catholic Church as well as our hopes for what a more synodal, listening, participatory, inclusive Church […]