Here in India, in one of the dioceses, I assist in leading and ministering to seven Basic Christian Communities (BCCs). From December 2023, each month we shared stories about St. Mary Magdalene. Women in our communities were surprised and very pleased to hear about her role in Jesus’ ministry and the early Church.  During July 2024, we organized prayer services in each of our seven BCC’s in honor of St. Mary Magdalene as her feast fell in that month.

Last year, on September 3, 2023, I shared about St. Phoebe at our daily parish Mass. On occasion, I also shared about St. Phoebe at our BCCs.  We have planned to conduct a short prayer service at the BCCs this September and will end with painting the picture of St. Phoebe.

I am grateful as a pastor and a part of the BCCs here to learn and journey together with others. As a priest in our community, I am proud to be a part of this ministry to uplift women who are struggling. It is great joy and fulfillment. In my personal life, I have experienced the richness of acknowledging and uplifting the witness of women in the early Church and also in our Church today.