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”
Category Archives: All posts
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”
Representing the Church – A Person not a Building
Sr Coral Hedley RSM, 8 February 2024 In 1975, the Bishop of Armidale NSW asked Sr Coral Hedley to take care of the priestless parish of Bingara. And what was the most important part of the ministry? It was “to be a presence. To represent the Church in a person, rather than a building.” AlongsideContinue reading “Representing the Church – A Person not a Building”
The Word Became Flesh
Leo Tucker, 25 January 2024 In this first blog of the year, Leo Tucker shares his own story. Based in Sydney, he is the Executive Director Mission and Spirituality at St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. Thanks, Leo! Elizabeth: Tell me a bit about your own ministry journey. I guess I began my ministry journey inContinue reading “The Word Became Flesh”
The open door to explore more
Deacon Tony Hoban, 21 December 2023 Deacon Tony Hoban is living his vocation to the full, working as Pastoral Director at St Luke’s, Marsden Park, Australia’s newest Catholic Church community on the north-western outskirts of Sydney. However, as he tells me, it has been “a bumpy road.” Tony started life in a traditional Catholic family,Continue reading “The open door to explore more”
Liturgy Sustaining Life – Both Beauty and Pain
Sally Neaves, 14 December 2023 When we think about ‘liturgy on the margins’, it is usually people that come to mind. But Sally Neaves also challenges us to think about the margins of creation. After all, in the Mass the priest proclaims, “all creation rightly gives you praise” (Eucharistic Prayer III). Sally truly experienced thatContinue reading “Liturgy Sustaining Life – Both Beauty and Pain”
Liturgy on the Margins 