Two items today. Firstly, our Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate group is planning a special event for the Feast of St Phoebe 2023. It will take the form of a retreat for those interested in the permanent diaconate, and will be a chance to get together in person. We are planning to have times ofContinue reading “St Phoebe 2023 and Elizabeth Visits the Abbey”
Category Archives: Resources
Possibilities for deacons in Religious Institutes (RI)
Rev. Assoc. Prof. Anthony Gooley, 27 October 2022 At our Feast of St Phoebe Webinar, Deacon Anthony noted one of the unanswered questions and kindly offered this blog post in response. It also relates directly to the recent blog about Sr Helen. Thanks, Anthony! I was asked by a member of a women’s Religious InstituteContinue reading “Possibilities for deacons in Religious Institutes (RI)“
John Neil Collins and a Paradigm Shift
By Rev. Assoc. Prof. Anthony Gooley, 15 September 2022 This is part 3 of a series. First, Anthony looked at Acts 6:1-7 the story of Deacons, then Adding food and funds to Acts 6. Thanks, Anthony! This is the third in a series of contributions to this blog. I am sharing some basic information aboutContinue reading “John Neil Collins and a Paradigm Shift“
Feasting with St Phoebe
Last Saturday we had the privilege of virtually meeting together, praying and hearing some incredible speakers on the Feast of St Phoebe. You can watch the whole of the Webinar here: Our group was overwhelmed by the interest in this, our first event. We had well over 400 registrations and of the Zoom attendees, atContinue reading “Feasting with St Phoebe”
Adding food and funds to Acts 6
By Rev. Assoc. Prof. Anthony Gooley, 1 September 2022 Before hearing from Anthony below, a reminder that you can see him speak as well as Dr Phyllis Zagano at our webinar for the Feast of St Phoebe, on this Saturday at 10am AEST. If you have registered, please make sure that you have received theContinue reading “Adding food and funds to Acts 6”
Acts 6:1-7 the story of Deacons?
By Rev. Assoc. Prof. Anthony Gooley, 18 August 2022 I have had the privilege of sometimes meeting with a small network of Catholics exploring ministry and the ministry of deacon in our Australian context. One of the suggestions from that network is that I might consider contributing a few short pieces to this blog toContinue reading “Acts 6:1-7 the story of Deacons?“
In the Media
In the last couple of weeks, we have been sharing this conversation in other media outlets. Thank you to everyone who has listened and been willing to discuss and discern together! Rev. Sandy Boyce and Elizabeth Young RSM presented in a session by Women and the Australian Church about women and the diaconate. See: WATACContinue reading “In the Media”
Women Religious, Women Deacons: Questions and Answers
Here is a legitimate question. If women were to be restored to the ordained ministry as permanent deacons, then would, should or could one be both a deacon and a member of a female religious order? That might sound rather theoretical, and perhaps only applicable to a small number of women, but it is aContinue reading “Women Religious, Women Deacons: Questions and Answers”
Women: Icons of Christ
Recently I was exploring some coastal wilderness near my mother’s home. Pausing at some tasty-looking wild beans, my deceased father’s words from many years ago rang in my head. “Is this plant poisonous?” I had asked. Dad’s typically wise response was: “Investigate yourself. Try it and see.” So I did, just a little bit, andContinue reading “Women: Icons of Christ”
What is Diaconal Ministry?
This is a question that has much exercised my pondering neurons of late. There doesn’t seem to be a simple or universally-agreed answer. I’m bearing in mind that the current model of the ministry has only existed in the Roman Catholic Church since Vatican II in the 1960s, so it is still in the earlyContinue reading “What is Diaconal Ministry?”