Written by Shendelle Mullane, 12 September 2024
Several Catholic Mission staff participated in a seminar held last week to celebrate the Feast Day of St Phoebe. While we joined the seminar online along with several other people, a group of 10 participants gathered at St Catherine’s House of Hospitality, in Perth, Western Australia. We were also joined online by Sr Elizabeth Young, Diocesan Director for Wilcannia-Forbes, who spoke on the topic “Following after St Phoebe today”.
The seminar was organised by former Catholic Mission Diocesan Director for Bunbury, Deborah Robertson, through her work as the coordinator of the Spirituality Hub at the Holy Family Church in Kirup. The other speakers were Deacon Patrick Moore (Archdiocese of Perth), Angela Gorman (liturgy consultant, composer and musician in the Diocese of Bunbury) and Cathy Jones (Pastoral Leader for the Inland Parishes of the Diocese of Geraldton).
Throughout the day, we discovered the importance of St Phoebe who was commended by St Paul in Romans 16:1-2 as “our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me”.
The history of the diaconate within the church was explored along with the recent Synod on Synodality discussion “that women’s inclusion in the diaconate be considered”.
Patrick explained the diversity of his ordained role in the parish of Armadale and the associated workload, while Angela, Cathy and Elizabeth all gave very different examples of their vocation and ministry.
“We are our ancestors – they live on through us – Phoebe, Jesus, the Apostles and so on,” Elizabeth said.
All of the speakers provided insight into how they serve the people of God, whether their role is ordained, authorised or voluntary, and their own faith journey.
It was a thought-provoking and educative seminar.
Liturgy on the Margins 