Reflection for the celebration of St. Phoebe by Rhonda Miska A reading from the holy gospel according to Luke (24:1-11) “At daybreak on the first day of the week, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb…behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them. They said to them, ‘Why […]
St. Phoebe, Deacon Icon by Cheryl Liske 10”w x 14”h Egg Tempera on board Completed Spring of 2024 Artist Statement Phoebe appears in Paul’s letter to the Romans, in which he exhorts the Romans: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.” Paul writes, “I ask you to receive […]
Women Deacons Revisited by Anthony Gooley In an interview with the 60 Minutes which aired on CBS T.V. on May 20, 2024, in the USA, Pope Francis expressed a clear no to the possibility of ordaining women as deacons. It is worth exploring what he said and the implications of what he said given that […]
As leaders of Discerning Deacons, we were surprised by Pope Francis’ comments given in a recent interview for 60 Minutes because our global Church is in the middle of a three-year synod consultation process which the Holy Father initiated with the People of God. We know of the Holy Father’s commitment to transform the culture […]
An interview with Dermis de Jesús Dermis de Jesús is a lay leader at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Germantown, near Philadelphia. Dermis serves her parish as a lay leader of prayer, lector, cantor, coordinator of the children’s choir, co-coordinator of Spanish language ministry, and she participates in praise dance. She and her husband […]
An interview with Rhonda Miska Rhonda Miska strives to live out her vocational call to preach. She serves at the Church of St. Timothy in Blaine, Minnesota, is a member of the Catholic Women Preach Advisory Board, and is the founder and co-convener of the Catholic Women’s Preaching Circle. Rhonda holds a MA in Pastoral […]
DD Public Statement The Vatican recently announced that a group will be formed to study ministerial roles. Some headlines would lead us to believe that the question of ordaining women to the diaconate is once again being kicked down the road to be resolved some other time or never. However, we at Discerning Deacons recognize […]
An interview with Rosa Bonilla As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we want to inaugurate including more stories of women who serve in ministry in our Catholic churches and institutions. Today, we’re featuring an interview with Rosa Bonilla, pastoral assistant since 2012 at Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights-East Los Angeles. Active in the parish […]
During the first session of the Synod on Synodality, I happened to be the only Roman Catholic permanent deacon. I was told several times by some of the bishops present: “We do not need deacons, because we still have enough priestly vocations”. A recognizable reaction perhaps, but at the same time too short-sighted. It makes […]
I continue to be humbled by and grateful for Pope Francis’ appointment to participate in the Synod on Synodality in October 2023 and 2024. I expected an incredible, life changing experience and that is the gift I received. I spent September 28th thru October 30th in Rome as one of fifty-four women delegates, who for […]
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.
