In 2024, I am celebrating 20 years of ministry – I have served in parishes, universities, retreat centers, Catholic direct-service non-profit organizations, and intentional communities. It has been a beautiful and joyful journey full of many unexpected twists and turns, and filled with God’s unfailing love, goodness, and faithfulness. These two decades in ministry have also been marked by difficult moments when my gifts, knowledge, experience and passion have not been fully received in the church. If women are seen as unordainable, women are thus not fully credible. The conversation about the restoration of the diaconate is so energizing to me as it would provide a way for women like me to more fully offer our gifts and have them received by the People of God.

I find great power in the witness of St. Mary Magdalene, the first preacher of the resurrection. You and I and all members of the Church throughout history are Christian believers because of the power of St. Mary Magdalene’s testimony. Preaching on the Feast of St. Phoebe, and supporting and training other women to preach, was a joyful and invigorating experience. It is beautiful to see women claim the truth that they are called and gifted, and equally beautiful to see the People of God’s receptivity to women’s preaching, ministry, and leadership.