Deacon Tony Hoban *, 13 March 2025 I present here a reflection on my experience of travelling recently to Rome for the International Diaconate Centre (IDC) Study Conference and then the Jubilee for Deacons. I want to express my thanks my Bishop Vincent Long, Bishop of Parramatta, for supporting a great deal of my costContinue reading “A whirlwind 6 days in Rome!”
Category Archives: Deacons
National (Australian) Deacons Conference 2025
Adelaide Hills Convention Centre, Hahndorf Discovery Parks Deborah Robertson and Elizabeth Young rsm, 6 March 2025 Firstly, from Deborah: On Thursday 27th February around 80 participants gathered for the biennial conference for Catholic deacons in Australia, their wives and other friends and associates. Papal Nuncio Archbishop Charles Balvo attended for the whole conference along withContinue reading “National (Australian) Deacons Conference 2025”
Bringing my Humanity
Deacon Martin Lewis, 5 December 2024 Martin Lewis is a brand-new deacon, just ordained by Archbishop Mark Coleridge at St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane, on November 16. In some ways, nothing has changed for Deacon Martin. If so-and-so says to him, “Hello, Reverend Martin,” he responds with, “Hello, Reverend So-and-so.” He knows that he is stillContinue reading “Bringing my Humanity”
Speaking our Language: More on the Margins
Deacon Memo Rodrigues and Liliana Rivas, 14 November 2024 Memo Rodriguez was born in Mexico and, when he became involved with the church, he realised it meant more than liturgical ministry – it was also about service. He took part in the youth group’s outreach ministry, which was religious education at an orphanage. Then heContinue reading “Speaking our Language: More on the Margins”
A Vital Force in the Life of the Church
Deacon Rosie Stower, 17 October 2024 Rosie’s call to the diaconate in the Anglican Church was “totally unexpected”, yet she has pioneered a model that has resulted in many graces, for herself and others. Rosie was baptised as a child, but left the church in her early 20s to explore various other spiritualities and faiths.Continue reading “A Vital Force in the Life of the Church”
The Power of Human Life
Deacon Peter Pellicaan, 29 August 2024 Baptisms are a real opportunity to make people feel welcome in the church. In this time of declining faith involvement, Deacon Peter Pellicaan says to the parents of the children he’s baptising, “It is great that you are here; this is a gift that you are giving to yourContinue reading “The Power of Human Life”
Deacons in Parramatta: Sharing the Good News
18 July, 2024 Often I have chased Deacons to hear their stories about life, calling and ministry. Well, the Diocese of Parramatta has just done the hard work for me. In Catholic Outlook, they have shared a series of interviews of their Deacons, which are all about Good News! Most recently, Deacon Tony Hoban wasContinue reading “Deacons in Parramatta: Sharing the Good News”
Another Response to Pope Francis on Women and the Diaconate
Deacon Anthony Gooley, 28 June 2024 28 June 2024 The most recent edition of the National Association of Deacons of Australia Newsletter, The Diaconate, features both my article of the last post, and another on the same topic. Deacon Anthony Gooley, who has spoken previously for our 2022 webinar and written for this blog, hasContinue reading “Another Response to Pope Francis on Women and the Diaconate”
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”
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”
Liturgy on the Margins 