Join us for a St. Phoebe Celebration 
Honoring the Gifts of Women to the Church

Sunday, September 15

5pm Mass
followed by Dinner and Program

After 5pm Mass in the church, there will be a light dinner in O'Donnell beginning at 6pm
(please RSVP for dinner below)
The Program will begin at 6:45pm and include a Speaker Panel

Who Was St. Phoebe?

In the Letter to the Romans, St. Paul commends St. Phoebe to the church in Rome, introduces her as a deacon (diakonos) of the church at Cenchreae, and asks that they “receive her in the Lord” (Romans 16:1-3).

St. Phoebe was a woman of great courage and deep love. She answered God’s call to minister to God’s people during the earliest days of the Church, when persecution against Christians was strong. She earned the trust of Paul, who depended on her to handle communications with the ecclesial community in Rome.

St. Phoebe’s feast day, September 3, is in the current Roman Martyrology. Her day’s liturgical status is not of a feast or a memorial but that of a “commemoration.” Her liturgy is celebrated in Eastern Rite and Orthodox Churches. Growing her devotion is one way to help restore her memory and instate a liturgy to commemorate her in our tradition.

Why Do We Celebrate

In September 2024, hundreds of Catholic faith communities around the world will celebrate the Feast of Deacon St. Phoebe. While each celebration will reflect the unique perspectives and needs of the community, all will be united around four common goals.

GROW THE DEVOTION
Lift up Deacon St. Phoebe on September 3, the day she is commemorated, or on another day in the month of September.

JOURNEY WITH THE GLOBAL CHURCH
Pray for global synod leaders and the universal church as topics related to women’s leadership and the diaconate continue to be discerned.

LIFT UP WOMEN’S VOICES
Listen to women leaders in our communities by, for example, inviting a woman to:

* Share her perspective on the call to “rethink women’s participation” heard around the world during the Synod (e.g., during announcements at a Sunday gathering)

* Share a reflection on the readings (as your bishop permits)

* Preach during a Liturgy of the Word, or evening prayer service

PARTICIPATE IN DIAKONIA
Offer our communities an opportunity to exercise diakonia, their baptismal call to bridge-building, humble service, especially to those on the margins of our communities, parishes, society, etc.

Let’s Talk About It

Our St. Phoebe Celebration will begin with Sunday 5pm Mass in the church.
Then a light dinner in O’Donnell Hall beginning at 6pm, and our Program and Panel Discussion will begin at 6pm.

The Panel, moderated by Christen Sproule, will include Dr. Layla Karst, MDiv, PhD. (LMU Graduate Director and Associate Professor, Theological Studies) and Dcn. Dick and Patti Williams.

The Program will begin at 6:45pm and is open to all. If you will attend the dinner, please RSVP at the tab below.

RSVP for the Dinner