elizabethyoungrsm

About Women in the Diaconate

There is a long history of women in the diaconate, starting with St Phoebe, named in Romans 16:1-2. A verse in 1 Timothy 3:11 also refers to the qualifications of women deacons.1 At the time, all ministries in the church were in development, and there were no clear structures or offices, such as the bishop/priest/deaconContinue reading “About Women in the Diaconate”

Sr Patty Fawkner SGS – An Agent of Reconciliation

Sr Patty is a real inspiration to me. Not only is she the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, but she speaks clearly as a voice of justice and spirituality. She has written some wonderful articles for the Good Oil, including her hopes for women in Church ministries. From the very start,Continue reading “Sr Patty Fawkner SGS – An Agent of Reconciliation”

Deacon Gary Stone – A Force of Compassion

Gary is a Brisbane-based deacon who has served as an army and police chaplain, and then established Veterans Care: “holistic care of body, mind and soul”. He set a time to contact me with military precision: 0900 hours, if you please. However, on talking to him, I found that he has calibrated his sharp sensesContinue reading “Deacon Gary Stone – A Force of Compassion”

Fr Harold in the Wilderness

“The walking smile.” That’s what Bishop Greg O’Kelly dubbed him, and the name has stuck. Fr Harold Camonias is like a strolling beam of sunshine and I was lucky enough to get to know him in the Port Pirie Diocese, South Australia. Harold is naturally gifted at youth ministry, and accompanied our World Youth DayContinue reading “Fr Harold in the Wilderness”

Discerning Deacons

Discerning Deacons is a project that was started earlier this year (2021) in the United States. Its website proclaims: ‘We engage Catholics in the active discernment of our Church about women and the diaconate.‘ The Discerning Deacons team has really inspired this blog around Liturgy on the Margins, particularly as it shares stories of peopleContinue reading “Discerning Deacons”

Margins

“I go to the heart,” he said. “Where could that be?” they said. “Is it to the temple, where our souls are fed? Or is it the zealots, whose passion is red? Or is it the king, our temporal head?” “No, that isn’t the heart,” he said. “I go to my love,” he said. “WhoContinue reading “Margins”