Deacon Josh Clayton, 14 September 2023 When Deacon Josh Clayton describes his ministry, his approach is always “besides”. He “walks beside people” rather than stands in front of them or lectures them. Josh knows what it is like to get things wrong, especially in the family; as a father he “stuffs up all the time”.Continue reading “Walking Beside People”
Author Archives: elizabethyoungrsm
Feasts of the Heart and Soul
If synodality is all about walking together, then that is a perfect description of our first retreat experience. On the weekend of the 1st – 3rd of September, we gathered interested women, deacons, their wives, Sisters and a priest to pray and discern together. We listened to each other’s stories of life, faith and ministry.Continue reading “Feasts of the Heart and Soul”
Celebrate St Phoebe’s Feast
This weekend is a very special one for our group, Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate, and you are invited to join with us! With many around the world, we celebrate the Feast of St Phoebe, Deacon of the church of Cenchreae and benefactor of St Paul (Romans 16:1). On her feast day, Sunday 3rd ofContinue reading “Celebrate St Phoebe’s Feast”
Showing Great Resilience
Cathy Murrowood, 17 August 2023 This week, Cathy Murrowood shares her own story. Cathy is a Liturgy Educator with the ACU Centre for Liturgy and is involved in developing online liturgy training programs for communities across Australia. She is a member of the National Liturgical Council and a liturgical consultant. Thank you very much forContinue reading “Showing Great Resilience”
Do We Need Women Deacons?
Marie Therese Levey rsj, 3 August 2023 This week I am sharing an article written by Marie Levey rsj that she has kindly offered for publication. Marie lives in Sydney, New South Wales. In Chapter 16 of his letter to the Romans, St Paul writes “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess ofContinue reading “Do We Need Women Deacons?”
The Richness and Value they bring to the Church
Annette Heinemann, 27 July 2023 What is the value of the permanent diaconate? As the Director of the Ministry Formation Program in Adelaide, it is a question Annette Heinemann grapples with every day. Her insights have developed over years of ministry and formation, and there are no easy answers. Fundamentally, she sees the diaconate asContinue reading “The Richness and Value they bring to the Church”
Retreat, Webinar and Public Lecture
There are some significant events coming up for those of us who are interested in the flourishing of the permanent diaconate in Australia, now and in the future. Firstly, we encourage you to register for our retreat for the Feast of St Phoebe. You may also know someone who you think would benefit; please shareContinue reading “Retreat, Webinar and Public Lecture”
Apologising and Welcoming
Christine Carolan, 13 July 2023 Christine Carolan is one inspiring woman. At 16 years of age, she made a commitment to work to address social injustice. For her, this was a duty of faith, which her Catholicism continues to motivate. As a teenager, Christine felt that this calling might be lived out in a religiousContinue reading “Apologising and Welcoming”
Now that’s how Mass should be!
Clare Johnson, 29 June 2023 Prof Clare Johnson, Director of the ACU Centre for Liturgy and Professor of Liturgical Studies and Sacramental Theology, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne. Elizabeth: Tell me a bit about your own ministry journey. I was drawn into music ministry as a young child when my school principal pulled me out ofContinue reading “Now that’s how Mass should be!”
Join us on Retreat
Breaking news! The Instrumentum Laboris has just come out this week, which will guide the Agenda of the Synod of Bishops in October 2023. The term ‘diaconate’ is mentioned twice: Our group, the Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate, has been preparing a retreat that responds positively to both of those questions. It will be heldContinue reading “Join us on Retreat”
Liturgy on the Margins 