St Phoebe Prayer for a Synodal Church Hosted by Australia June 4th Prayer Service For the Discerning Deacons’ St. Phoebe June prayer, Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate invite you to join our prayers and reflections from down under. We have chosen the theme of ‘Prophets of Peace’, and want to explore how our faith leadershipContinue reading “ACED leads Discerning Deacons’ prayer”
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The Diaconate in the Australian Summary 2024 – Synod 2024 Consultation
While the news this week has been about Pope Francis’s comments about women and the diaconate with Holy Orders, his synodal processes and the study groups are still in discernment phase. We welcome these opportunities to keep the conversation alive, and to continue to share the value of Holy Orders and the diaconate as aContinue reading “The Diaconate in the Australian Summary 2024 – Synod 2024 Consultation”
Theological Perspectives on Women and the Diaconate, and an Ordination
16 May 2024 We have been following the Synod on Synodality and its active conversations about the diaconate, including the potential inclusion of women. Here is one of the key paragraphs: Different positions have been expressed regarding women’s access to the diaconalministry. For some, this step would be unacceptable because they consider it adiscontinuity withContinue reading “Theological Perspectives on Women and the Diaconate, and an Ordination”
Choose Leaders Among Yourselves
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”
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”
Liturgy on the Margins 