St. Phoebe inspires creative and hope-filled celebrations

Throughout September, Catholics at more than 130 parishes, schools, universities, and Catholic institutions in the U.S. and beyond are growing the awareness of St. Phoebe and lifting up women’s voices as we share our experience of God’s love in our midst.  As creative witnesses and reflections are pouring in we’ll share some highlights with you in our September newsletters!  

Siobhan Rearick preached this reflection at evening prayer at Immaculate Conception Church in Durham, NC. She proclaimed the good news as it comes to us through Phoebe, whose name means “bright, radiant.”  Siobhan, trained as a Catechist of the Good Shepherd, reminds us that we always proclaim the light before the dark – the love of God before the fall. Phoebe, and the women of the early Church, can inspire us today to announce this good news which comes as a ray of light. 

“Let us be shaped by the example of these holy women and be inspired to proclaim the light before the dark. How are we beacons of hope? How do we help people trapped in those dark places? St Phoebe, shining light, pray for us, and help us to become beacons of hope and light!”

Another of my favorite insights comes from the Dolores Mission Church bulletin where Fr. Brendan Busse, SJ writes:

“Women at the pulpit may not be what you expect to see or hear in a Catholic church; it may not be typical, but it’s definitely traditional. From the very beginning of Christianity the testimony, experience, and ministry of women was at the center of the service and storytelling, preaching and practices that became the sacramental life of the community we now call church.” 

Amen, Fr. Busse! And thanks to Fr. Greg Boyle SJ, who paved the way to hear from Daniela Valdez, a young adult catechist who stepped into the pulpit and shared about St. Phoebe, drawing parallels to the women of Dolores Mission who know how to organize resources when someone is in need. (Check out her reflection here: view at 20:10). 

Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate led a September 3rd webinar, supported by Catholic Religious Australia and focused on the theme “Where are St. Phoebe’s successors today?” Their prayer and discussions included Fr. Frank Brennan, SJ, who noted in his Sept. 7th homily that his niece said to him: “I hope you will have something positive to say for 50% of the population”. His proposal: “What say, in light of differing cultural norms about the place of women around the world, the universal law of the Church were to be modified to authorise national episcopal conferences to approve their bishops ordaining women deacons?”

The webinar included powerful testimonies reflecting on the graces of ordination as experienced by Deacon Adrian Gomez, and as hoped for from Joanna Thyer and Sr. Elizabeth Young who reflected on what difference such grace could make for their lives in ministry. The whole event is well worth watching!

Below you will find links to women preaching on the occasion of St. Phoebe’s feast day and opportunities to continue journeying together  as we pray for St. Phoebe’s intercession for a synodal church! 

Finally: we are excited to share that America Media released a short documentary which can serve to foster a well-informed discernment about women’s restoration to the diaconate. We commend it to you!

Parishes around the country have begun celebrating women in ministry and the feast of St. Phoebe. Here are some places where women preached:

• Michele Deslauriers preaches for the evening prayer at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in St. Paul, MN on Sept. 2 (beginning at 23:45).
• St. Francis Xavier Church in La Grange, IL invited several women to share reflections during the September 7-8 Masses. Listen to reflections by Katie Mulcahy, Heather Fitzpatrick, Maureen Windmoeller, and Martie Lukanich (preacher homily begins at 42:40, Martie’s reflection at 45:30).
• Colleen McCahill preaches at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Baltimore, MD on Sept. 8 (preacher homily begins at 33:30, reflection at 38:10).
• AnnaMarie Pacione, a student at Fordham University, writes a faith reflection for Ignatian Solidarity Network: “Following in the Spirit of St. Phoebe.”