Deacon Francisco José García-Roca López, 1 May 2025 Today I am privileged to share the story of a deacon from Spain, who kindly offered to write about his experience of call and ministry. He original words were in Spanish, and Google Translate has helped to make this translation to English possible. ¡Muchas gracias, Francis! MinistryContinue reading “A Deacon’s Story from Spain”
Category Archives: Stories
On the Margins… Where Deacons Come Into Their Own
Deacon Shane Hyland, 3 April 2025 Deacon Shane Hyland is one of the brand-newest in the country! He was ordained for the Diocese of Lismore on the 23rd of February, 2025. So he has a wonderful perspective on the value of the diaconate, following a journey of call and discernment, ministry and life. As aContinue reading “On the Margins… Where Deacons Come Into Their Own”
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”
The Stories Not Told
Elizabeth Young rsm, 19 December 2024 Since 2021, when I started this blog, I have been privileged to share deep conversations with people who have been drawn to the ministry of the diaconate. However, a number have been very clearly “not for the blog”. There have been various reasons, but some common ones are: SoContinue reading “The Stories Not Told”
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”
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”
Liturgy on the Margins 