“Send her away, for she keeps calling out after us.” -Matthew 15:23 Today’s Gospel has some of my least favorite words in it. It’s a portrait of Jesus that cuts against the ever-welcoming, ever-merciful, ever-loving image that we evangelize and encourage children to come to know in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Here, Jesus […]
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 […]
Download a Worship Aid Click here to register for the Zoom liturgy. We invite Catholics to gather virtually to pray for the intercession of St. Phoebe, listen to powerful testimonies from Catholic women engaged in diaconal ministry, and express our collective hope that the Church would “receive them in the Lord,” just as St. Paul […]
Legions of female church workers at every level in parishes and chanceries, at episcopal conferences — and even at the Vatican — welcomed and welcome Pope Francis’ efforts to eliminate clericalism. The general perception that “they” (clerics) do not need “us” (women) seems to be fading. Or is it? The great diversity of the “church […]
Click here to watch a video of the event. In this second event in a series of educational webinars hosted by Discerning Deacons, Deacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D., the author of several books on the diaconate, and the former executive director of the Office for the Diaconate at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, speaks […]
[On July 3, I was able to attend a powerful, inspiring conference on synodality, held in-person in Miami. Mauricio López, a prominent lay leader in the Latin American Church, spoke about the essence of the synodal process. His remarks profoundly deepened my sense of what we are seeking to embody through Discerning Deacons. I’m excited […]
“A prophet is not without honor except in (their) native place and among (their) own kin and in (their) own house.” Mark 6:4. Hearing this verse reminds me of my own life story, and how I became a chaplain. It took me a while to confidently wear the bright blue chaplain name badge. And at […]
“Sustaining Faith and Hope: Luke Hansen and Dr. Phyllis Zagano in conversation” Click here to watch a video of the event. Wednesday, June 16, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM EDT Welcome to our new series of monthly Zoom meetings. This first event is hosted by Luke Hansen, co-director of Discerning Deacons, in conversation with Phyllis […]
In an address to deacons and their families in Rome on June 19, Pope Francis’ first point of emphasis was the distinction of the diaconate from the priesthood — that deacons are ordained “not unto the priesthood, but unto a ministry of service.” “This difference is not insignificant,” he said. “The mere fact of emphasizing […]
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