Testimonies for those hungry for a word of hope

The Saints of Selma by Kelly Latimore

We are called to testify. We are called to testify to the greatness of God, to the vastness of this remarkable universe, to the grace that compels us to keep moving ever so slowly towards God’s vision of justice, peace, righteousness.

Dr. Yolanda Scott Brown

In this week’s newsletter we congratulate Discerning Deacons collaborator Dr. Yolanda Scott Brown, D.Min. for receiving the MLK Drum Major Award at the annual Los Angeles Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast. A colleague and friend, Yolanda has testified to a faith that does justice and recently retired after serving 10 years as the parish life director of Blessed Sacrament Church in Hollywood.

This Sunday’s readings focused our attention on the call to testify, says Lisa Frey, as she reflected on her visit to the MLK memorial in Washington DC and Dr. King’s “deep well of courage to name what he saw, his perseverance in preaching, in sharing his dream with all who were so hungry for a word of hope.”

The call to testify is also heard by daughters, sisters and mothers, adds Lisa. We are called to share our stories of God’s promise, especially wherever there is hunger for justice, for life, for liberation: “At family tables or meeting tables, at bedsides or on laptops… testimony needs to be lifted up everywhere there is a hunger for it. It is not the time for shrinking, for protests of inadequacy, unprepared, overwhelmed, too young, too old, not the right gender or race or orientation. No, testimony is our call.”

Lisa Frey

Last year we shared several testimonies of remarkable, diaconal women in ministry, and DD readers found these to be impactful and hopeful – kindling the flame of the vision of Church in which everyone’s call is recognized and supported for the building of God’s reign on earth, el reino de Dios.

As we begin this new year, we too are hearing the call to offer more testimonies of the prophetic work of diaconal Catholic women in our local churches, campus ministries, community organizations, chaplaincies, or any place where she is bringing the light of Christ and standing with those on the margins and peripheries. We invite you to consider writing a testimony –give or take 500 words– by answering these three questions about a woman in ministry, alive or deceased:

  1. Why does this woman’s life and witness matter to you?
  2. What is a favorite memory you have of her?
  3. How does she witness her faith and what impact has she made in your life or the lives of others?

I invite you to reach out to me at ellie@discerningdeacons.org if you would like to share a testimony and a photo. We’ll gladly provide editing resources so that you can make your testimony visible.

Share this Article

Witness
“[I hope the Church ordains women to the diaconate] to bring a wider witness and expression of God’s life, love, and presence to the people of God. Women’s voices and leadership will heal, encourage and empower the lives of men, women, and children. It will call forth a new understanding of church vocation and enrich Catholic family life.”
Deedee Van Dyke
Catholic Chaplain, Joliet, IL
Witness
“The first Apostle was a woman, Mary Magdalena. She continues to remain a tower of strength for women in ministry today. If more women were ordained to the diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church, I believe we would have more meaningful and spiritually enriching homilies, and our liturgies would embrace and welcome all to the Eucharistic table.”
Sonja Grace
Witness
“If I was ordained as a deacon, it would not be a means to an end, but rather it would be a continual invitation to a deeper and broader journey with Christ. Deacons are asked to become outwardly more visible as hands in service to the Church. To respond to such a vocation would be a treasure, a deepening of my inner faith life enriched by the outward experiences of ministry and service. Both the inner and outer journey become a longing to seek and know the Christ we are called to serve.”   
Nina Laubach
Student, MDiv program at Princeton Theological Seminary

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