During the Masses celebrated on September 3rd, we at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Seattle, Washington uplifted St. Phoebe and the ministry of women in the Church. Women from the parish were involved throughout the Mass, and a woman witness shared a reflection at each Mass. All of these materials were made available (including the statements from the women witnesses) for parishioners to peruse after our time together.

Parishioners were so glad to hear the reflections shared by the women witnesses during Mass, and many expressed the hope that this enlivened within them! Even though this was a Mass over a holiday weekend, Mass attendance was higher than we expected. We promoted our St. Phoebe Day celebration on Facebook and in our parish newsletter prior to the weekend.

Our parish is so ready for this conversation! The role of women in the Church was one of the foremost themes that came forth during our parish’s synodal listening session. Many were encouraged to feel like their voices and concerns are being heard and considered not only by our parish, but more broadly by the ongoing Synod.

It was so encouraging for all of us to connect St. Phoebe, women’s ministry and participation in the Church, and the ongoing Synod. This discernment is not only deeply faithful to Church teaching, but it is faithful to the lived realities and experiences of the entirety of the People of God. We are committed to keeping our parish updated and involved in the Synod, and informed on this journey together.