Sr Carmel Setford RSM, 9 May 2024 Carmel Setford RSM was a teacher and school principal for 37 Years. As Principal of Parish Primary Schools it meant automatic involvement in the parish and so it seemed a natural progression in 1997 to accept the position as Parish Leader in a small country parish, comprising ofContinue reading “Choose Leaders Among Yourselves”
Author Archives: elizabethyoungrsm
Being Myself in Ministry
Deacon Roderick Pirotta, 2 May 2024 Deacon Roderick Pirotta has a unique ministerial role in his diocese: he is the Pastoral Director of the Sacred Heart Parish in Mount Druitt South, a diverse suburb of Western Sydney. He was called there two and half years ago, after he retired from nursing, and he has “neverContinue reading “Being Myself in Ministry”
He can Help you With the Journey
Deacon Michael Hangan msc Assoc, 24 April 2024 Deacon Michael Hangan has finally found his calling and “It feels good to be here.” I find this interesting, as he has been working since 1978 and has had senior management roles. Yet he has “never felt more relaxed and confident in what I am doing thanContinue reading “He can Help you With the Journey”
Baptism to the Baptised
Deacon Tim Grauel, 4 April 2024 Deacon Tim Grauel’s story is a winding adventure of the Spirit, across different countries, denominations, and life experiences. What seems constant has been his desire to learn about God’s presence in the world and to foster that awareness in others. Baptism has been an important touchstone for Tim. GrowingContinue reading “Baptism to the Baptised”
ACED in the Media
Today, during the profound mystery that is Holy Week, I would like to share two items. The first is an article by Debra Vermeer in the Good Oil. She interviewed Dr Phyllis Zagano and myself about the possibility of women deacons arising from the Synod on Synodality. Since then, in exciting news, Pope Francis hasContinue reading “ACED in the Media”
The Public Face of the Church: Finding where God is Present
Deacon Adrian Gomez, 21 March 2024 Deacon Adrian Gomez takes me back to the dawn of the reinstitution of permanent deacons in the Western Catholic Church… a dream that emerged in the concentration camps of World War II, as Lutheran and Catholic priests looked to renew the diaconate. “There are images of Christ the kingContinue reading “The Public Face of the Church: Finding where God is Present”
Leading for Belonging
Sr Catherine Seward RSM, 7 March 2024 For Sr Catherine Seward RSM, parish leadership in the diverse community of Mansfield Park SA was “the happiest time of my life”. It wasn’t something she had ever imagined doing. Catherine started as a teacher, as her mother was very “anti me being a nun”. Yet after movingContinue reading “Leading for Belonging”
Upcoming Event – Women Deacons: Why Not Now?
Catalyst for Renewal are hosting an event in which they have asked two members to speak from our Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate group. If you are living in, or visiting, the city of Sydney, please come along to Women Deacons: Why Not Now? on Wednesday the 13th of March, 7-8:30pm, to: The CryptSt Patrick’sContinue reading “Upcoming Event – Women Deacons: Why Not Now?”
Diaconal Spirituality: Part 2
Deacon Anthony Gooley, 23 February 2024 Last year, at our Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate Retreat on St Phoebe, Deacon Anthony Gooley kindly prepared and presented this reflection on ‘Diaconal Spirituality?’ It was then published in the National Association of Deacons of Australia newsletter. Both have given permission to republish here. Due to its length,Continue reading “Diaconal Spirituality: Part 2”
Diaconal Spirituality: Part 1
Deacon Anthony Gooley, 15 February 2024 Last year, at our Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate Retreat on St Phoebe, Deacon Anthony Gooley kindly prepared and presented this reflection on ‘Diaconal Spirituality?’ It was then published in the National Association of Deacons of Australia newsletter. Both have given permission to republish here. Due to its length,Continue reading “Diaconal Spirituality: Part 1”
Liturgy on the Margins 