Category Archives: Lay ministers

Fiona Dyball, 16 June 2022 For Fiona Dyball, making music means doing our part, then opening ourselves up to the mystery. “It moves in you and there is a kind of sacred joy that comes from partnering with the Spirit.” In this, she finds that many musicians are “innately spiritual”.  Fiona’s connections between faith, music,Continue reading “Giving Voice in the Body of Christ”

Danielle Lynch, 19 May 2022 For Danielle Lynch, the idea of her ‘ministry journey’ is very much an unintended, or accidental one. Yet hearing how it has unfolded so far, it seems that she has been set on a course that fits her interests, skills, and desire to connect with others. She grew up inContinue reading “God in Sound and Silence”

Mary Anne Gordon, 28 April 2022 “It was meant to be.” That is Mary Anne Gordon’s firm conviction about her current role as a remote rural pastoral worker. “I believe I got this job because the Holy Spirit wanted me to.” And it all started way out west in the back o’ Bourke… Literally. MaryContinue reading “Working in God’s Zone”

Lisa Bright, 3 March 2022 Sometimes, when people hear of difficult professional experiences she has faced, friends ask Lisa Bright why she doesn’t leave the Church. But it is where she finds “life to the full”. It is where she journeys with and accompanies others to live life to the full. It is where sheContinue reading “Ministry in the Church – a career pathway?”

Dr Elissa Roper, 17 February 2022 Synodality – a new word and a new way of thinking. Although Pope Francis has only recently coined the term, Dr Elissa Roper is already an expert on the topic. Just last year she completed her PhD thesis on the theme, “Synodality and Authenticity: Towards a Contemporary Ecclesiology forContinue reading “Living One’s Baptism to the Full”

Listening and Speaking Differently – A Space for All Voices Liz and Vic O’Callaghan, 3 February 2022 Liz and Vic O’Callaghan come with a background in education in schools, pre-service teacher education, system advisement, school leadership and consultancy. Together they have collaborated in the design and implementation of Restorative Practices in Australia. These combined skillsContinue reading “Listening Circles”

Sr Elizabeth Young RSM, 18 November 2021 A few years ago, a representative from the Bedgerabong Union Church (shared across several Christian denominations) wrote to the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes with the following message: “Many Catholic residents of the Bedgerabong-Corinella area are requesting that Catholic services be held in the Bedgerabong Church, depending on the priestsContinue reading “The value of liturgy on the margins”

Anne Hatte, 28 October 2022 “If I don’t go to them, they will never know who Jesus is, or that they are loved by God.” So Anne Hatte witnesses in her tiny, struggling community, as she hopes to leave a legacy for the next generations. Anne lives with her husband on a farm in Anakie,Continue reading “A priestless town – Anakie not anarchy”

Patricia Smith, 14 October 2021 Patricia Smith, who lives in Sydney on Darug and Guringai country, describes herself simply as a Catholic from birth with a deep love of the Eucharist. She sees herself primarily as a homemaker, a writer and a musician. Liturgical music is her way of serving her community, as a choirContinue reading “Patricia Smith – Voices to be Heard”