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Witnesses
St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church
Columbia, MD
May 1, 2024

At our parish, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Columbia, MD, we honored St. Phoebe at our Sunday Mass on September 3, 2023. Before Mass, we handed out literature and prayer cards, and during Mass our priest celebrant gave an introduction to St. Phoebe at both the beginning and the end of the Mass. So many older adults from our congregation, both men and women, were thrilled to hear of this discernment and of the witness of St. Phoebe. The response from our community most definitely helped us to realize and remember that we are not alone on this journey of uplifting women in the Church! 

Witness
“This work is essential for challenging the status quo, deeply exploring the Church’s history of the female diaconate, and courageously asking important questions. I also believe that the inclusion of women’s voices and experiences will increase emotional, mental, and physical safety for other women in church spaces.”
Krista Varney
Domestic Violence Advocate, Grand Prairie, TX
Witness
“I know that women are being called by the Holy Spirit and women are living diakonia in creative, ordinary ways today. Now, as a mother of a toddler girl, I want to discern with the Church on how to make way for her to discern her own future calling, should the Spirit call her.”
Ana López
Spiritual Director and Theology Teacher, Los Angeles, CA
Witness
“If women were able to serve as deacons, it would magnify the grace and love of God and make it more widely available.”
Judith Oberhauser
Retired Chaplain, St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN

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This is the hub where we share relevant news, events and opportunities to participate in the work. 
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