“The Discerning Deacons project reflects our prophetic responsibility as baptized believers through its mission…It also identifies the need for the restoration of the women’s diaconate in a synodal way, which is Pope Francis’ invitation to church proceedings ‘to plant dreams, draw forth prophecies and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, bind up wounds, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten minds, warm hearts, give strength to our hands’ (Preparatory Document, #32).”
I believe God called me from my ministry as an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church so that my life would be a presence of an ordained woman in the Catholic Church. This is the heart of what I am in all I do. God is again calling the Church to be ministered to, and minister with ordained women.
“[W]e celebrated St. Phoebe Day with a mass to uplift the voices of women in the Church, invite the community to rethink women’s participation and raise awareness of the global synod…Many were deeply moved by our celebration together. A senior woman from the parish shared that she had waited most of her adult life to hear the hope that was offered during Mass. A man approached after the celebration to ask for a copy of the reflection shared. With tears in his eyes, he shared that he hoped to share it with his daughter who had left the Church.”
“As a parish, we know the blessing of the many ministries and gifts that women in our parish share with all of us. Celebrating Mass this weekend to honor the witness of St. Phoebe focused attention on women’s gifts for leadership in our parish and the Church more broadly. We are proud to be a part of the conversation and discernment for women’s ordination to the diaconate.”
“This is not only because Church teaching written by men sometimes misses the mark when it comes to women’s lived experience. It is not only because our Church’s management in many ways mirrors the patriarchal systems that have also harmed our secular society – mismanaging cases of abuse and failing to provide living wages or adequate parental leave policies to its employees. It is primarily because without women’s voices, we are missing out on entire elements of who God is.”
“We pray that the infinite and intimate service of St. Phoebe will be acknowledged and accepted by all. St. Phoebe is a sign of hope today that the gifts of women will be more fully realized and utilized within the Church…We are blessed to have celebrated St. Phoebe in our community and to continue to learn from her example and witness.”
“Our community, represented by three generations of women, demonstrated our commitment to the witness of St. Phoebe in a visible and concrete way…We are deeply impacted by our experience of sharing the witness of St. Phoebe, and excited to continue to uplift the ministry of women in our own parish and in the Church broadly.”
“[W]e celebrated St. Phoebe’s feast day with special Masses that centered the role of women and uplifted the witness of St. Phoebe on September 3, 2023…We were glad to uplift the witness and ministry of St. Phoebe. For many in our parish, this was their first chance to become aware of her ministry! We were honored to celebrate St. Phoebe, and we will continue learning and discerning together.”
“We know that the synodal process is a gift for us to discern, pray and discuss the possibility of a diaconate that includes both men and women, and more active involvement for women in the Church. Our St. Phoebe celebration was just the beginning of what is to come.”
“[W]e organized an event for individuals from the parish and surrounding parishes to prayerfully reflect upon and learn about the witness of St. Phoebe and the role of women in the Church on the feast of St. Phoebe…The joy, hope and energy from this event was palpable…At least 12 area parishes were represented. This event raised so much awareness of St. Phoebe, and many shared their own experiences and witnesses with courage.”
