Our St. Phoebe celebration at St. Barnabas Parish in Chicago, IL took place at our 10am Mass on October 1, 2023. The mass incorporated special music, prayers, a reflection delivered by a woman witness, women and girls serving in nearly all roles throughout the Mass, and distribution of Discerning Deacons information following Mass.

The most meaningful parts of our celebration together included a standing ovation following the witness reflection, the power and strength of the reflection itself, and the procession at the start of mass. In the procession, young women carried in and presented symbols of St. Phoebe including an icon, the commission of St. Paul, a deacon’s stole and a pitcher of water to symbolize our shared baptism.

Although some members of our parish had discussed Discerning Deacons and were aware of St. Phoebe, this was the first time that we intentionally connected the ongoing Synod with the invitation to rethink women’s participation in the Church. Over 700 were in attendance at our celebration. Parishioners were open to this, excited and willing to respond!

Our community is thirsty for change! The invitation of St. Phoebe Day to rethink women’s participation and to be open to the promptings of the Spirit is not lost on our community. We are proud to be a part of this discernment and conversation.