I have always heard powerful stories from women, who because of the dignity of their baptism, have a deep call to serve and preach and lead in our Church. They are the ones who have formed and continue to enrich my Catholic faith. We come from a long line of women witnesses who have been doing this all along – despite enforced limitations – to serve and proclaim. I am blessed to have always participated to the extent I’ve wanted within my own Church experience. Since childhood, I was always empowered – to be involved, to plan, to lead – but only because of the called women and men around me – who supported that. I ask though, how can other young girls, or grown women, want to be something they have never seen in their own lives? 

I’ve been involved in my local area with the Synod on Synodality and was also a delegate to the North American Continental Synod Assembly in 2023. Through these opportunities, I heard, and was further inspired by, even more women’s stories – their joys, concerns, frustrations, and determination for what our Church should be. While I’m not necessarily the one who is called to do the proclaiming, I feel called to be the one who holds the microphone for every woman who does. I hope that there are going to be generations of witnesses coming after us who will do the same. I am praying for our Church to institutionally recognize the calling of so many women already serving and leading globally.