Share
Witnesses
Mary Ellen Thomas
Retired Hospice RN, Columbus, OH
April 4, 2024

“[If my parish had women deacons,] the gifts of women would serve to further enrich the vision and ministry of the parish. I served for seven years as a Pastoral Associate. My area of service grew more limited during that time. I had preached at Liturgy and had more classes in Homiletics than the male priests of our Diocese, but my preaching responsibility was stopped due to ‘fear’ of the hierarchy of that time. My role became more limited. As I was leaving the staff, one of the priests told me that he thought that ‘you were able to reach some of our community in a way that the priests could not.’ It is very sad to think that the Church has to date chosen an all male priesthood with more limited numbers that has resulted in parishes closing and more people leaving the Church. We don’t have a shortage of priests as much as we have a shortage of listening to the Holy Spirit. Jesus has told us not to be afraid. I think we very much need the courage of women, who bring unique gifts and vision to the service of the people and the Church.”

Loving God, you have made each person as a unique reflection of you. Give us the faith and courage to include all in the call to Ordination.

Witness
“Being able to be educated on who St. Phoebe is and giving others the chance to meet her, being part of a community of women who promote an inclusive model of the church, and seeing my own community come alive and heal from division provides a vision of what can and will be possible one day in the Catholic Church.”
Kathleen O'Brien
Maryknoll Bay Area Regional Coordinator in the Mission Formation Department
Witness
“I have witnessed these women become Catholic high school teachers, professors, writers, administer parish life and leaders of prayer services. Women have been my peers and supervisors, except in diaconal ministry. I continue to hold out hope that women’s gifts for ministry and service can and will be acknowledged by the church.”
Fr. Tom Cwick, SJ
Pastoral Minister, North Side, St. Louis, MO
Witness
“I am grateful as a pastor and a part of the BCCs here to learn and journey together with others. As a priest in our community, I am proud to be a part of this ministry to uplift women who are struggling. It is great joy and fulfillment. In my personal life, I have experienced the richness of acknowledging and uplifting the witness of women in the early Church and also in our Church today.”
Fr. Vincent Dsouza, SJ
Pastor and Base Christian Community Leader, India

Receive Our Newsletter

This is the hub where we share relevant news, events and opportunities to participate in the work. 
*We will send the newsletter only once each week, and we will never share or sell your information.

Receive Our Newsletter

This is the hub where we share relevant news, events and opportunities to participate in the work. 
*We will send the newsletter only once each week, and we will never share or sell your information.