Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate, supported by Catholic Religious Australia, invite you to the St Phoebe webinar for 2026:
Is St Phoebe still relevant today?
This year our webinar will address the question, ‘Is St Phoebe still relevant today?’ and how her mission can inspire us. Our speakers are Dr Michele Connolly RSJ and Ms Maddie Kelly, who will share, respectively, from a biblical and a youth perspective. We will also hear from ACED members about why they continue to be involved in this conversation, and from Nimmi Candappa into her polling of engagement with the Commission on Women Deacons.
Thursday 3rd September
7:30pm AEST/ 7:00pm ACST / 5:30pm AWST
Online, free event
Speakers bios
Michele A. Connolly, rsj CV
Michele Connolly rsj is an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies lectures in Biblical Studies at Catholic Institute of Sydney, a pontifical institute of theology. After teaching in secondary schools for about ten years, she studied theology, starting at YTU, Melbourne and then at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Michele graduated in 2008 with the PhD from Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA. Michele’s principal area of interest is the Gospel of Mark. In 2018 her doctoral thesis was published by T&T Clark, under the title, Disorderly Women and the Order of God: An Australian Feminist Reading of the Gospel of Mark. Michele speaks regularly around Australia at conferences on the Scriptures.
Associate Professor Emerita Michele Connolly rsj has recently retired from lecturing in Biblical Studies at Catholic Institute of Sydney, Australia’s Ecclesiastical Faculty for Theology and Ministry. After teaching in Catholic secondary schools for about ten years, she studied theology, starting at YTU, Melbourne and then at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Michele graduated in 2008 with the PhD from Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA. From 2009 to 2014 Michele served on the Leadership Team of the Sisters of St Joseph, Lochinvar. Michele’s principal area of interest is the Gospel of Mark. In 2018 her doctoral thesis was published by T&T Clark, under the title, Disorderly Women and the Order of God: An Australian Feminist Reading of the Gospel of Mark. Michele speaks regularly around Australia on the Scriptures and their message for Christian life and ministry.
Some recent publications include:
“Mark 13: Literary Impetus to the Passion Narrative and Christian Faith for All Generations.” In Jesus: Beginning, Middle and End of Time?: Eschatology in Gospels and Acts Research, edited by Peter G Bolt, 235-256. Norwest, NSW: SCD Press, 2023.
“Matthew’s Joseph, A Man of God for Jesus.” In Journeying with Joseph: Josephite Essays for the Year of Joseph.” Ed. Mary Cresp, rsj, 1-12. Brompton, SA: ATF Press, 2021.
“Beauty Revealed in Ugliness: A Reading of the Death of Jesus as Depicted in Mark 15:22-39.” In Beauty and Christian Tradition. Ed. Matthew del Nevo, Robert Andrews and Rohan Curnow, 111-131. Strathfield, NSW: St Paul’s Publications, 2020.
“Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mother of God.” For Our Lady of Sion Tilling the Soil magazine, December 2022.
Madeleine (Maddie) Kelly
Madeleine Kelly grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, with a twin sister and two younger brothers. She attended St Aloysius College for secondary school.
This was where, at 16 years old, she first heard about The School of St Jude in Tanzania from one of her teachers. Immediately, she knew St Jude’s would somehow be an important part of her life.
When Madeleine finished school, she returned to St Aloysius College as a part-time staff member while completing her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology at the University of Adelaide, and actively volunteered with Edmund Rice and St Vincent de Paul initiatives.
At the end of 2016, shortly before completing her degree, Madeleine saw St Jude’s featured on a television show and decided to apply for a role as a communications officer in the school’s Tanzania-based marketing team. She was awarded the position and moved to Tanzania in May 2017 to commence a two-year contract at St Jude’s.
After two years, Madeleine felt immersed in the Tanzanian culture and did not feel ready to leave, so Gemma Sisia, the school’s Founder, gave her the opportunity to transition into a new role and launch the school’s Alumni Association. Over the next three years, Madeleine accompanied Gemma on two promotional tours of Australia, and later took on the role of communications and editorial specialist.
Gemma invited Madeleine to take on the challenge of writing a new book about St Jude’s in 2021. Madeleine spent one year researching and writing this book, The School that Hope Built, which she describes as, ‘the greatest role of my life so far’.
In late 2022, as the book’s final edits were being made, Madeleine returned to Australia to reconnect with her loved ones and pursue a Master in Teaching degree. Madeleine now works as the Justice and Mercy Coordinator at St Aloysius College and is passionate about serving her community, spending time with loved ones, writing and fitness.
Liturgy on the Margins 