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”
Category Archives: Deacons
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”
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”
The “Spiritual Buzz” of Diaconal Ministry
Deacon Paul Stacy, 30 November 2023 Deacon Paul Stacy has many parish responsibilities, including serving at the altar, baptisms, weddings, funerals, home and nursing home visitations. Yet he wants to do more, and has just started a new role in visiting parishes to promote the work of Catholic Mission. Have I mentioned that he isContinue reading “The “Spiritual Buzz” of Diaconal Ministry”
Making Sacramental What I Had Been Doing All My Life
Deacon Dr John Collins and Dr Sandra Carroll, 9 November 2023 As a ministerial couple, Deacon John Collins and Sandra Carroll are quite something. Both have done Doctorates in theology, though they don’t like to brag about the fact. They have also spent their lifetimes discerning and living out their baptismal calls in amazing intentionalContinue reading “Making Sacramental What I Had Been Doing All My Life”
The Diaconate in the Synod Synthesis
2 November 2023 On this Feast of All Souls, we have a chance to reflect on the Final Synthesis Report of the 2023 Synod on Synodality in Rome, and what it says about the diaconate. The official English version is available here. From this, I have extracted the passages relevant to our interest in exploringContinue reading “The Diaconate in the Synod Synthesis”
On the Side of the Synod
Elizabeth Young, 26 October 2023 The much-anticipated Synod on Synodality has been taking place in Rome throughout this month of October. Although the discussions have been private to allow for freedom and confidence in the Spirit, much has been happening both within the Synod hall and without. One of the side events was a “SymposiumContinue reading “On the Side of the Synod”
Walking Beside People
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”
Liturgy on the Margins 