Sonia Elizabeth Gomez Lopez, 22 December 2025 We have shared a little about Sonia before in this blog, but here she shares her story in her own words, first written for The Good Oil Writers’ Award. Thanks, Sonia! Life’s challenges have not broken me; they have shaped me as a pilgrim of hope – someoneContinue reading “God has brought me here: a pilgrim of hope”
Category Archives: Lay ministers
Purity, Power, and Possibility: A Response to the Diaconate Decision
Beth Doherty, 9 December 2025 Beth had been preparing to share her story, in her words, for this blog, but was recently impacted by the Commission on the Diaconate of Women’s published report. Her experience is certainly not unique. Thank you, Beth, for sharing the following reflections. When the news landed on my social mediaContinue reading “Purity, Power, and Possibility: A Response to the Diaconate Decision”
Catechist to Catechist
Elizabeth Young rsm, 23 October 2025 I belong to an international religious order – the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. And we have been celebrating our newest saint: St Peter To Rot, who was canonised on the 19th of October, the first one of his country. Reading the news this week,Continue reading “Catechist to Catechist”
Empowered to Minister
Vicky Gonzalez Burrows, 19 June 2025 There is so much to the ministry journey of Vicky Gonzalez Burrows, even as a young woman, that it is hard to do it justice. Suffice to say that she has been an outstanding person of faith, gifted and called as a Catholic faith leader. However, her uncommon journeyContinue reading “Empowered to Minister”
Testimony – Dominique Galea
In January 2025, Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate sent a submission to the Synod Study Group 5 (Dicastery of the Doctrine of Faith) on the study topic of women deacons. We were excited to have this opportunity to participate in the consultation, and contribute to what the Study Group had asked for: “the experiences alreadyContinue reading “Testimony – Dominique Galea”
A Good News Story – Ministry Beginnings
Sonia Gomez, 30 January 2025 For the first blog of 2025, we would like to share some good news from one of our members, Sonia Elizabeth Gomez Lopez, who is taking on a new ministry role. This article appeared in the parish bulletin of St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Mortlake NSW. Welcome Sonia Gomez Parish PastoralContinue reading “A Good News Story – Ministry Beginnings”
Liturgy that Forms Future Church Leaders
Dominique Galea, 1 August 2024 Today it is my great pleasure to share Dominique’s own words as she reflects on her ministry, liturgy and the diaconate. Thanks, Dominique! Elizabeth: Tell me a bit about your own ministry journey. I once heard a religious sister being interviewed on television saying that when she was born, sheContinue reading “Liturgy that Forms Future Church Leaders”
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”
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”
Reaching out, the way of Jesus
Paul Harris, 16 November 2023 Those who identify as LGBTQIA+ are some of the people on the margins addressed at the recent session of the Synod in Rome. The Instrumentum Laboris asks, “…what concrete steps are needed to welcome those who feel excluded from the Church because of their status or sexuality (for example, remarriedContinue reading “Reaching out, the way of Jesus”
Liturgy on the Margins 