In the early days of the Church, we had women deacons. The Church needs to restore this because the Church is not just for men, but for the entire people of God. 

We seem to have more women attending Mass, so it would be appropriate to have women participate in what goes on in the liturgies and other functions in the parish through the role of deacon.

A visible presence of women in all aspects of community life would be incredibly powerful. I was in a religious community many years ago. For health reasons, I came home. I have been a faithful Catholic all my life, taught in a Catholic school and was a teacher in an after-school religious education program. I am now a lector in my parish, and minister to other Catholics in my retirement community.

I have not given a thought about becoming a deacon, but would consider the possibility if asked to become a deacon. Ultimately, I know and feel strongly that the presence of women ministerially can have a profound impact on the Church. 

I pray that the leaders of the Catholic Church (mostly men) will listen to the Holy Spirit and heed the Pope’s shared desire that more women become leaders in the Church. We can start by reinstating women deacons.