In celebrating our model of faith and service in the diaconate, our Saint Phoebe Day celebration on September 3, 2023 here at Dolores Mission Church in Los Angeles, CA was an opportunity to uplift the leadership of women in our community by inviting and encouraging three young women from our community to break open the Word at our four Sunday Masses.

The loveliest and most hopeful memories from our celebration for me were the planning meetings led by myself and our priests, who supported me in this idea with an open heart. They spoke and accompanied our young women in the process, uplifting their voices and leadership in our community.

After every Mass we had a table in our plaza to share an image of St. Phoebe and to answer any questions that emerged.

This year our goal is to again celebrate St. Phoebe by again bringing together the women of the community and those who have participated in our talks to prepare a dinner with our homeless brothers and sisters who sleep here in our church.

Here at Dolores Mission, we are glad to again uplift the witness of St. Phoebe and to celebrate her feast day in our community.