“I watch women…claim their call to preach with more confidence and love.”

Talk about a time when you experienced the call to serve as a minister of the Word.

At Dominican University in River Forest where I served in University Ministry, we had a hard time getting priests for our Masses, and I would be asked to preside at a Liturgy of the Word. I read the scriptures every day and imagined how I would preach if asked to do so. I loved the discipline of being ready to jump in without a lot of notice. Afterwards students came to the ministry center to hang out or do homework and there were opportunities for informal conversations that grew out of both the content of what I said as well as the experience of having a woman preside and preach at a Liturgy of the Word.

Tell a story about your preaching ministry and how it flows from your relationship with a faith community.

I co-convene the Catholic Women’s Preaching Circle, a virtual peer community to encourage one another in breaking open the Word of God. At the beginning of a new 10-week cohort, I preach the Gospel of John, chapter 20, in which there’s this beautiful intimate encounter between Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the garden. Jesus sends her forth to proclaim the Good News of his resurrection with the words, “go to my brothers.” And Mary announces to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord.” In this circle, I watch women grow, develop, and claim their call to preach with more confidence and love. 

How do you work in a co-responsible way with the priests and lay people of your parish?

At St. Timothy Church we have a collaborative team and a culture of affirming and celebrating one another. Our pastor hires good people, and he trusts us. Last year I preached a retreat to the BeFriender Ministers who visited the homebound. Also, as Director of Communications, I manage all our print and digital communications. I work to engage people in our outer circles and make sure that various forms of digital outreach (website, social media, and podcast) help people to feel welcomed. 

What sustains you in ministry?

The Eucharist, prayer, an annual retreat, the communion of saints and community with others through the Preaching Circle, Discerning Deacons and my spiritual direction supervision group.

What is a favorite scripture passage that gives you strength and resilience for these times?

I love scripture! I love the psalms, especially Psalm 57, verse 7 – “My heart is ready, Oh God, my heart is ready.” 

What barriers or constraints do you face for living out your vocation today?

 I feel a great sense of love and commitment to Jesus, to the people of God, and to the Church — and to the particular people I serve. However, as a woman I cannot overcome the barrier of being un-ordainable. There is a vulnerability and a contingency about being a Catholic woman in ministry that is exacerbated by the structure. I do not have the capacity to preach the homily, but I adapt and find other ways to preach.

What is your hope for this global Synod in which the Church is discerning the renewal of the ordained permanent diaconate for the social mission of the Church – that could possibly include men and women? 

I hope for a deep focus on mission. How are we hearing the cry of the earth? How are we living our preferential option for the poor? When I worked in Hispanic Ministry it was difficult to visit people in immigration detention centers without ordination. In addition to opening doors for jail/prison/detention ministry, as a deacon, I also would be able to preside at parish baptisms and weddings. When there is a visual of a woman preaching, the girls and women in the pews are thinking, “Now there is someone who looks like me.” The more people can see women as authorized ministers, the more each of us as Catholics can see our baptismal dignity, our call, our sense of co-responsibility in mission and participation. It’s the opposite of clericalism.

What is the anniversary date of your baptism?

I was baptized on September 14 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Middleton, Wisconsin. It’s the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.