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Ordinations
Response Regarding Excommunication Decree
Roman Catholic Womenpriests reject the penalty of excommunication issued by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith on May 29, 2008 stating that the women priests and the bishops who ordain them would be excommunicated latae sententiae.” Roman Catholic Womenpriests are loyal members of the church who stand in the prophetic tradition of holy obedience to the Spirit’s call to change an unjust law that discriminates against women. Our movement is receiving enthusiastic responses on the local, national and international level. We will continue to serve our beloved church in a renewed priestly ministry that welcomes all to celebrate the sacraments in inclusive, Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered communities wherever we are called.
The Roman Catholic Womenpriests formation program is broad-based and includes the following areas:
- Theological Studies
- Sacramental Preparation
- Liturgical Practice
- Spiritual Discernment
Statement on Apostolic Succession
The ordinations of Roman Catholic Womenpriests are valid because of
our unbroken line of apostolic succession within the Roman Catholic
Church. The principal consecrating Roman Catholic male bishop who ordained our first women bishops is a bishop with a line of unbroken apostolic succession within the Roman Catholic Church in full communion with the pope. Therefore, our bishops validly ordain deacons, priests and bishops. Consequently, all qualified candidates, including baptized ministers and priests from other Christian traditions, who are presented to our bishops for ordination are ordained by the laying on of hands into this same line of apostolic succession in the Roman Catholic Church.
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Dagmar Braun Celeste
Ordained
womanpriest 2002 |
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Dagmar Braun Celeste, MA, in Theology and Addiction Counseling, BA in Women Studies and Public Policy, APP, is an experienced Life Balance coach. Her autobiography, We Can Do Together / Impressions Of A Recovering Feminist First Lady was published by Kent State University Press, 2002. She was a board member of the Women’s Ordination Conference and Mary’s Pence, First Lady of Ohio twenty years ago, taught at Kent State University and published numerous articles. She is active in the hospice movement and lives at "The Tyrian Oasis", a hermitage in Cleveland's Inner City where she offers retreats, ritual celebrations and sacramental opportunities. Website: www.tyrian.net and email:
celeste@tyrian.net
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Michelle Birch Conery
Ordained
womandeacon 2004
womanpriest 2005 |
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Michele Birch-Conery, Ph.D. in English Literature, teaches at North Island College in Port Alberni, BC. From 1963-1974, she studied and taught with the Sisters of the Holy Names in the state of Washington. Michele says, "Since returning from the St. Lawrence ordinations, July 2005, I have come to appreciate the depth and extent to which, the SNJM's influence my gifts in ministry. Their charism in education for social justice, their spirituality of tenderness and compassion grounded in contemplation in action are with me always. Now, I also experience the giftedness of the prophetic community of Corpus priests and their companions on Vancouver Island. I am blessed by these people with whom I now serve in my call to ordination as a Romancatholic Womanpriest.” michelebirchconery@shaw.ca |
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Marie Bouclin
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2007 |
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Marie Bouclin Marie Evans Bouclin, a former nun and high school teacher, worked as a free-lance translator in religion and ethics for over twenty years. She is serving a second term on the national work group of the Catholic Network for Women's Equality (CNWE) and was coordinator of Women's Ordination Worldwide from 2002-2006. Marie was ordained a deacon in August, 2006, and will be ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 2007 in Toronto. Her area of ministry is to women who have been abused by clergy. She is the author of Seeking Wholeness: Women dealing with abuse of power in the Catholic Church (Liturgical Press, 2006). mbouclin@tyenet.com |
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Cheryl Bristol
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womenpriest 2007 |
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Cheryl Bristol, lesbian by birth, Catholic by choice, felt called to ministry for many years. Born on an apple farm north of Detroit, she worked as a Paralegal while raising her son, Richard. Living in Jerusalem from 1999-2002 deepened her interest in justice and interfaith relations. In 2005 Cheryl served as a St. Joan's International Alliance delegate to the United Nations Non Governmental Organization Conference. She is currently a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, rights activist working with Catholics and other groups to end intolerance and religion abuse. She is certified to perform weddings by the Federation of Christian Ministries. Other ministries include chaplaincy, memorial services, playing the harp, and performing Holy Unions. |
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Ruth Broeski
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2008 |
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Ruth Broeski takes the Spirit seriously. As often happens when the Breath of God is in control, this has led to many different turns on the path of her life. When young, Ruth committed for a time to convent life in Los Angeles. Later, motivated by an abiding desire to serve people, she studied psychology and theology, worked as a high school teacher, as a deputy sheriff, and sojourned for a few years on an island in Washington state. Most recently, Ruth received an MA in spirituality, which included study of everything from Christian mystics to mandalas to new consciousness. Ruth lives in Portland, Oregon, where she is a spiritual director.
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Gloria Ray-Carpeneto
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2008 |
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Gloria Ray-Carpeneto, D.Min., Ph.D., is a spiritual director, labyrinth facilitator, Reiki Master, writer, and teacher. Growing out of her work as a certified massage therapist, Gloria conducted her doctoral dissertation research on the subject of women & embodied spirituality. Growing out of this research, she has ministered primarily with women – individually and in groups – for nearly twenty years. Gloria has served as Pastoral Associate for Holistic Health Ministry in two Roman Catholic faith communities, as well as instructor in Psychology, Nursing, and Education in local colleges. Currently, she serves as Executive Director of the FRIENDS of the Northeast Interfaith Peace Garden www.friendsnipg.org a community garden and labyrinth located in an urban setting, and dedicated to interfaith peacemaking efforts. Together with RCWP priest Andrea Johnson, Gloria co-pastors the Living Water Community in Baltimore MD. Gloria was ordained a Roman Catholic woman priest in Boston MA on July 20, 2008, and lives in Baltimore MD with Myles, her husband of thirty-nine years. Myles & Gloria are the parents of Robin and Penelope, and grandparents to Prema and Uriah. Gloria may be reached at gcarpeneto@comcast.net |
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Juanita Cordero
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2007 |
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Juanita Cordero has an MA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, and a Masters in Pastoral Ministry from Global Ministries University. She is currently a candidate in the Doctor of Ministry Program through GMU. She teaches at De Anza College in Cupertino, California in the Child Development/Education Department, and serves as a nurse for the Children’s Center. Her present ministries include teaching, alternative healing, visiting the sick and elderly. She co-pastors a house church, the Magdala Catholic Community, in Los Gatos, CA with Kathleen Kunster. She is a new widow. She and her husband Don (a former Jesuit, and a married priest) raised five children and were involved in liturgy and music planning for more than 30 years. She can be reached at: joredroc@sbcglobal.net |
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Marie David
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2005 |
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Marie David, M.Ed., Reiki Master/Teacher, has over 20 years experience in Catholic education, spirituality and parish ministry. Marie and her husband, Jim, are directors of Evensong by the Sea Retreat & Spirituality Center in Harwich Port, Massachusetts (www.evensongretreat.com). Marie is the mother of two grown daughters, Martha and Elizabeth. Her ministries include women's spirituality and wellness, Reiki treatments and training, spiritual direction and retreat work along with maintenance of sacred space at Evensong for retreatants to come away and renew their friendship with God. marie@evensongretreat.com |
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Sandra DeMaster
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2009 |
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Sandra DeMaster is the facilitator of “Bridges,” an interdenominational ministry with the mission of providing opportunities for women and men to deepen their spirituality through spiritual direction, study groups and directed retreat experiences. Although she has earned an M.Div. degree and served for several years as a pastoral associate for two priestless parishes, Sandra counts as her most valuable preparation for pastoral ministry her 40 years of service as a Minister of Domestic Affairs. She lives with her husband in McMinnville, OR on a country acre where she delights in welcoming friends old and new, her six grown children and a growing brood of grandchildren. Her leadership of “Bridges” is inspired and renewed by engagement with gardening, reading, writing and contemplative prayer. To view more pictures of her deacon ordination please click on Sandra’s Deaconate ordination. |
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Janine Denomme
Ordained
womandeacon 2009
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Janine Denomme Janine and her partner Nancy live in Chicago and until recently, she worked as the Director of the Youth Program at the LGBT community center in this city. Prior to that, Janine taught American History at DePaul University, taught high school theology, worked with women who were homeless and did grant writing for a number of nonprofit organizations. Janine also has a small spiritual direction practice. Involved in liturgy since adolescence as a singer and musician, Janine enjoys creating and sharing sacred rituals and looks forward to celebrating the sacraments as a priest janine.denomme@sbcglobal.net |
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Eileen McCafferty DiFranco
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2006 |
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Eileen McCafferty DiFranco, R.N., M.A.Ed., M.Div., is a writer, community volunteer, and a registered nurse who works at a busy urban high school in Philadelphia. Ordained a priest in Pittsburgh in 2006, she serves as the pastor of The Community of Saint Mary Magdalene which meets each Sunday in a suburb of Philadelphia. Along with a married priest, Eileen also serves at a Eucharistic community, Sanctuary of Peace, which meets once a month in Philadelphia. Eileen also has a very busy wedding ministry. Eileen, and her husband Larry, have a daughter, three sons, and two grandchildren. EMDiFranco@aol.com |
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Olivia Doko
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2006 |
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Olivia Doko, MA, OSB, Cam. Oblate, is the founder and director of
Olive Tree Ministries through which she provides spiritual retreats and
workshops. She has a private Holy Listening practice, offering directed
retreats and spiritual direction, with a focus on contemplative prayer,
to individuals and small groups. Qualified as a pastoral consultant
through Loyola University, New Orleans, Olivia holds and MA in Theology
(with an emphasis in Adult Christian Community Development) from Regis
University, Denver. Currently, she is the Regional Program Coordinator
for the Western and Central Regions of RCWP-USA. She and her husband, Slavo, have been married 45 years. They have two married sons and three
grandsons. mdoko@dslextreme.com |
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Joan Clark Houk
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2006
womanbishop 2009 |
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Joan Clark Houk, M.Div., is a careful and cheerful listener to the movement of the Holy Spirit in the world and in her life. She and her husband, John, are life partners and occasional partners in ministry. They have raised six children, and are proud great-grandparents. Involved in parish ministry for over 30 years, Joan has been Pastoral Director of two parishes without priest pastors. Her education includes: B.A. in Education, St. Martin’s College; M.S. in Conflict Management, George Mason University; M.Div., University of Notre Dame.Visit her website web.mac.com/jhoukmdiv Email: jhoukmdiv@mac.com |
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Rose Marie Hudson
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2007
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Rose Marie (Ree) Hudson, womanpriest, is co-pastor of
Therese of Divine Peace Inclusive Community. Ree has many years of ministerial experience beginning in the Methodist Church and continuing in the Roman Catholic Church. Ree has theology degrees from Scarritt College for
Christian Workers, was certified in Pastoral ministries by the Archdiocese
of St. Louis, and received a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Loyola of New
Orleans. Ree is
the regional administrator of the Great Waters Region in
RCWP. She is a
certified minister in the Federation of Christian
Ministries, a member of
CTA-USA, of WOC, and is involved with women's groups
and ecumenical groups. Ree is married to Bob Hudson, has four children and 11grandchildren. She can be contacted at reehud@sbcglobal.net website: www.thereseofdivinepeace.org |
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Alice Marie Iaquinta
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2007 |
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Alice Marie Iaquinta,
M.Div., ABD for Ph.D., M.A., B.A., A.A. “My ordination is an act of surrender to the Spirit and obedience to God, not an act of defiance of the church. I love the Roman Catholic Church and want to see the reforms of the Vatican II Council fulfilled. This is the ‘new springtime’ that Pope John XXIII and the Council recognized and we are the ‘signs of the times’ that will be read.” She has taught college for 35 years. Alice became aware of her call to the priesthood after graduating with honors from St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee, WI. Ministry includes teaching ethics, offering spiritual direction, marriage preparation and weddings, workshops, spiritual book study groups, serving as an associate pastor with the married priests of Jesus Our Shepherd parish, Nenno, WI an inclusive Eucharistic catholic community. |
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Alta Jacko
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2009
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Alta Jacko I was born on Good Friday, April 6, 1928 in Chicago, Il. I lived on the Southside of Chicago with my mother and brother. I came from a loving and religious family, even though we had little in the way of material things, in the way of family values we were wealthy. My mother loved my brother and me very much and made sure we understood that. I earned a bachelor degree in Education and a Master Degree in Music Education, from the Chicago Conservatory of Music, a Master Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University of Chicago, and a Master of Jurisprudence in Child and Family Law from Loyola University of Chicago. I completed my student teaching at the University of Chicago. I have eight children, four girls and four boys, sixteen grand children and four great-grand children. amjacko@netzero.net |
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Andrea M. Johnson
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2007
womanbishop 2009 |
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Andrea M. Johnson, a former program officer in international education exchange with the Senior Fulbright Scholars’ Program, has worked for many years, and in several dioceses, as a religious educator at the adult and secondary levels. In the 1980’s, she served for two years as a parish life director in a priestless parish of the military diocese. Always active in her parish communities, she served from 2004-2006 on the pastoral council of her current parish, as president during the second year of her term. An active member of the Women’s Ordination Conference since 1984, she served that organization as executive director from 1996-2000. Andrea’s educational background includes a BA in French from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana, and a MA in diplomacy and international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. Currently a candidate for a M.Div. with Global Ministries University, her particular interest is ministry with marginalized and underserved Catholics. amjohnson1969@gmail.com |
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Kathleen Kunster
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2006 |
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Kathleen Kunster, M.Div., M.A., Psy.D., is a Regional Program Assistant for the Program of Preparation for Priesthood in the Western Region of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. Her other ministries include spiritual direction, and presiding at weddings and other sacraments, as well as serving as a Registered Psychological Assistant (CA) in a community mental health agency and in private practice. Ms. Kunster was born in Florida, but has lived in California most of her life, most recently in the Santa Rosa area. She delights in her daughter and son-in law, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Katknst@sbcglobal.net and mywedding.com (San Francisco, A Celebration for You). |
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Mary Kay Kusner
Ordained
womandeacon 2009
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Mary Kay Kusner, MA, CC has been a chaplain for over 20 years. During this time, she witnessed the openness of people to her as a woman minister. When she graduated from Boston College with her Master’s in Pastoral Ministry in 1987, many of her peers were leaving the Catholic church to become ordained. At that time, Mary Kay said, “I want my presence to speak louder than my absence.”
She has remained a faithful Catholic and, after hearing Patricia Fresen speak at the Call to Action National Conference in 2006, believes it is time for women to claim their rightful role as ordained ministers. Just this past August, she was ordained a deacon in Minneapolis, MN. Currently, she serves as the chaplain for the Palliative Care Program at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics. She is skilled in providing support to those in crisis and at the end of life. It has been her great joy to officiate at weddings, baptisms. and in a small faith community called Full Circle. Mary Kay has four children and has been married for 26 years. Her first book, Upside-down and Backwards: A Mother’s Story will be published this fall and be available on Amazon.com. |
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Jim Lauder
Ordained
deacon 2007
priest 2008 |
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Jim Lauder James (Jim) A. Lauder, BSW, MA, sfo (Secular Franciscan Order) is the creator of Life's Circle Lasting Memorial Tributes www.lifescircle.com and offers a variety of person-centered tributes to families in his ministry. He has over twenty years experience in counseling and facilitation, and is currently enrolled in ongoing theology studies at the Masters level. Additionally, he is a cancer survivor and author of Fear, Valor, Humor, a story about his healing experience. He brings to his work a deep sense of compassion, sensitivity and spirituality. “I am so honored to advocate for equality in our church, and be a part of a strong community and movement that models a renewed priestly ministry.” |
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Judy Lee
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2008 |
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Judith A. B. Lee,
DMin, MS, DSW is the Pastoral Director of Good Shepherd Ministries serving the culturally diverse poor of Southwest Florida. Called to serve early, she continues to follow Jesus whose inclusive love, call of women, and revolutionary poor people’s movement turns the world, including the religious establishment, upside down. She combines her social work background with healing and liberating ministry with the poor and outcast. Active in homeless ministries since 1982 she leads The Church In The Park, an ecumenical feeding ministry often serving over a hundred people a night. Since 1989 she has lived with Judy Beaumont, her awe-inspiring ministry partner. She is Professor Emerita at the University of Connecticut and is a prolific writer whose work includes The Empowerment Approach To Social Work Practice: Building the Beloved Community (Columbia University Press, 2001) and The Flame Keeper And Other Poems (PublishAmerica, 2007). She can be reached at judyabl@embarqmail.com.
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Jean Marie Marchant
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2005 |
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Jean Marie Marchant, M.Div., D.Min., a co-founder of Sacred Threads: A Center for Spirituality & Healing, is a Spiritual director, certified chaplain and licensed marriage and family therapist. Formerly the Director of Health Care Ministry for the Archdiocese of Boston, a position she resigned following her announcement of her ordination as priest, Jean’s primary ministry for the past 25 years has been as chaplain to dying and grieving adults and children in hospital and hospice programs, and to the staff and chaplains who minister to them. She presently serves as RCWP Preparation Program Coordinator for the East Region of the US. Jean and her husband, Ron Hindelang, STL, Ph.D., are the co-ministers of Spirit of Life: A Catholic Community of Justice and Joy in the Boston area (www.SpiritofLifeCommunity.org). Jean is the mother of 2 adult daughters, and grandmother to 3 grandsons and 2 granddaughters. rjblessings@gis.net |
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Eleonora Marinaro
Ordained
womanpriest 2007 |
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Eleonora Marinaro---Eleonora V. Marinaro, lives and ministers in Port Richey, Florida through Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Direction. Her sacramental and liturgical ministry is in two small faith communities, where she provides teaching and healing services. |
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Marybeth McBryan
Ordained
womandeacon 2009
womanpriest 2009
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Marybeth McBryan, Marybeth has been heavily involved in parish ministries in the Archdiocese of St. Louis for nearly 30 years. A mother and grandmother, she is a former teacher in both parochial and public schools, and has also served on the Board of Education of the St. Louis Public Schools. Marybeth has a Master’s degree in education with secondary degrees in administration and counseling; she has accrued 40+ hours in theology, liturgy and religious education. She is currently a part of the music ministry and serves as a priest on the ministerial staff at Therese of Divine Peace. mbmcb@hotmail.com
website: www.thereseofdivinepeace.org |
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Elsie Hainz McGrath
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2007
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Elsie Hainz McGrath, womanpriest and co-pastor of the THERESE OF DIVINE PEACE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY in St. Louis, MO: A Roman Catholic Parish Where ALL Are Welcome. We celebrate the Catholic sacraments in a Unitarian chapel. I have over 30 years of ministerial experience, and theology degrees from Saint Louis University and the Aquinas Institute of Graduate Theology. Currently a Senior Connections volunteer with nursing home residents, a Program Coordinator for RCWP, and a mentor in the Walking With Women Called program. A certified minister with the Federation of Christian Ministries and the International Association of Women Ministers, on the Board of the Singer Institute, member of Call To Action-USA, and involved with various women’s groups and ecumenical/interreligious undertakings. I live with two mutts in the heart of the city and am an avid Cardinals baseball fan. elsiemc@sbcglobal.net website: www.thereseofdivinepeace.org |
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Judith McKloskey
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2007
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Judith McKloskey first spoke up for women's ordination when her fourth grade teacher said girls couldn't be altar servers. A long time member of the Women's Ordination Conference, she was active in Women's Worship Circle and Never On Sunday, a group studying lectionary references to Biblical women. After earning a B.S. in Biology and an M.S. in Library Science, Judith managed library networks and religious organizations for 20 years. During that time, she served her parish in many roles, including parish council president and lay preacher. Judith ministers as a hospice volunteer and as a presider and sacramental minister for families and small faith communities. She lives in Minnesota with her husband; they have one adult daughter. RCWPJudith@comcast.net |
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Bridget Mary Meehan
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womenpriest 2006
womanbishop 2009 |
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Bridget Mary Meehan, a Sister for Christian Community, serves Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Communities in Florida and in Virginia. She presides at liturgies, officiates at weddings and offers sacramental ministry in both communities. Meehan is author of fifteen books including Praying with Women of the Bible, and is one of the editors of Women Find a Way: The Movement and Stories of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. Dr. Meehan is currently Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program for Global Ministries University. Her work in communications media include programs about women priests on google and youtube and articles on BridgetMary's Blogspot. She serves on the media committee for RCWP. sofiabmm@aol.com |
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Roberta Meehan
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2006 |
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Roberta Meehan is a university biology teacher, a professional science writer, and an invited speaker on the bio-theology of sex and gender. Her ministries include teaching, writing, public speaking, and internet-based theological communications -- particularly in the areas of scripture, church documents (including the Documents of Vatican II), and bio-theology. A grandmother, a divorcee, and an avid tennis player, Roberta Meehan shares her home with her two dachshunds. Biotheologian@aol.com |
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Marty Meyer-Gad
Ordained
womandeacon 2009 |
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Marty Meyer-Gad, MA - liturgy, certificate in Pastoral Liturgical Ministries from Sacred Heart Seminary, Detroit. She has experience in traditional and democratic parishes. She worked for the archdiocesan liturgy offices in Detroit and Chicago. Among her writings are Basics: a Liturgical Education Sourcebook and At Home with the Word, which she started by writing the first volumes. She helped many faith communities with consensus decision making and goal setting. In 1983 she danced down the aisle to preside with her husband, Bruno, over their wedding. In 1989 they moved from his native Chicago back to Marty's native MN. They have one adult son. Recent ministry includes serving as a hospital chaplain (certified 2003) and leading worship in prison. Marty sees her ordination as a declaration that the Catholic Church has an abundance of priests but needs to match the gifts of priestly people to the needs of people of God. growthaffirm@izoom.net |
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Iris Müller
Ordained
womanpriest 2002
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Iris Müller Iris Müller was born in 1930 in Magdeburg (mid-eastern part of Germany).
After her final high school examination in 1950 she studied Protestant theology in Naumburg/Halle. In 1955 she continued her theological studies at the Martin Luther-University in Halle/Saale and received a diploma in theology from this university in 1958. After this examination which qualified her to serve as a pastor in the Protestant church, she converted to the Roman Catholic Church – a church, which she found, expressed its "following of Christ not just in words but in full sacramental reality." The consequences of this religious decision were extremely hard for Iris and as a woman she now came under the restrictions of Catholic Canon law.
Iris says, "I had become a creature incapable of receiving Holy Orders (cf. c. 1024 CIC). As a Catholic woman I was expected to accept the status of women in the Catholic Church. A further consequence of my conversion to this Church was that there was no prospect of any employment for me as a Catholic theologian in the communist regime of the DDR (East German Republic), since I refused to become a member of the communist party SED. My situation became so critical that I had to leave the DDR illegally and found refuge in the Western part of Germany (BRD)in 1959.
After many problems I succeeded in continuing my theological studies at the faculty of Catholic theology in Münster. As in the DDR my Catholic surroundings, the professors and most of the students, expected of me that I should accept the position of women in the Catholic Church without further question. But I decided to be faithful to my conviction and to my call to priesthood. So (as a former Protestant theologian) I was the first woman in the Catholic faculty to give witness that women are discriminated against in the Catholic Church and that their inferior status had to be reformed. On my path as a pioneer for women’s equality and women’s ordination at the Catholic faculty in Münster, I found solidarity and support from Ida Raming. In 1963, during Vatican Council II, we together wrote a petition to the Council, calling for women’s ordination. In 1970 I completed my doctorate in theology.
During the following years I remained a member of the faculty in Münster, as a scientific assistant. I was involved in building up a special library on the status of women in the three monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam), entitled “Women in Religion”.
After a lifelong struggle for women’s equality and women’s ordination in the Catholic church I decided to follow my call to priesthood. Together with my friend and colleague, Ida Raming, I was ordained a priest in 2002 as one of the original seven women on the Danube River." |
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Regina Nicolosi
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2006
womanbishop 2009 |
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Regina Nicolosi, MA, was born in a small town on the Rhine
River. She was a teacher in Germany. 1969 she came to the
USA to marry the love of her life, Charles, a radiologist
and deacon. Together they raised four children, one of them
from Colombia and one from Korea. Regina participated fully
in Charles' preparation to the diaconate. She earned
her Masters Degree in Pastoral Studies. Regina has worked
as a housing manager for seniors, as a chaplain in a
correctional facility for boys, in a drug and alcohol
recovery unit and in a nursing home. She is retired now.
She helps prepare women for ordination and celebrates
Eucharist with Dignity and other small faith-communities. crnicolosi@yahoo.com |
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Dena (Baronn) O'Callaghan
Ordained
womandeacon 2009 |
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Dena (Baronn) O'Callaghan Dena (Baronn) O'Callaghan is one of the women who stood at the first Women's Ordination Conference in Detroit, 1975, when the audience was asked, "Who feels called by God to a renewed priestly ministry in the Roman Catholic Church?" After receiving her M.Div at St. John Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, MI, Dena was appointed Associate Pastor of a newly-found parish community in the diocese of Saginaw. There she preached at weekend liturgies, co-celebrated the sacraments of the Church and was Director of the RCIA for eight years. Dena also served as Pastoral Administrator, instructor in the diaconate formation program at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit and conducted retreats for women and lay ministers. She and her husband John, a retired priest, currently co-pastor the House Church of Mary and Joseph in Ocala, Florida. jocallaghan001@cfl.rr.com
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Ida Raming
Ordained
womanpriest 2002
womanbishop 2006 |
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Ida Raming Ida was born in 1932 in the northwestern part of Germany and studied philosophy, education, theology and German in Münster and in Freiburg/Breisgau. After her first state examination (in high school education) she continued her theological studies in Münster.
During Vatican Council II, in 1963, together with Dr. Iris Müller
(colleague and friend), she drew up a published petition to the Vatican Council, challenging the exclusion of women from the priesthood.
Ida received her doctorate in theology from the University of Münster in 1970, and her thesis was titled “The Exclusion of Women from Priesthood: Divine Law or Gender Discrimination?” which was later published in Germany in 1973 (Böhlau Verlag, Köln / Wien); an English translation of her thesis was published by Scarecrew Press in 1976, a second edition in 2004).
Ida has published numerous books and articles on the history and theology of women, especially on the position of women in the Roman Catholic Church. She states:
"Considering the continuing oppression of women by the Vatican regarding their baptismal right to ordination, especially the definitive decision of Pope John Paul II against the priesthood of women (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, 1994), in my view the doors to women’s ordination were closed. Therefore I did not expect any reforms through dialogue and action within the system. I decided, together with my friend and colleague Dr. Iris Müller, after a lifelong struggle for women’s ordination, that the best - and possibly at this juncture the only - way forward was to transgress canon law (c.1024 CIC), relying on the word of Holy Scripture: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)."
On June 29, 2002, Ida Raming was one of the original seven women who were ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood. This took place on the Danube River. In June, 2006 she was ordained a Roman Catholic womanbishop in Stuttgart, Germany.
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Kathy Redig
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2008 |
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Kathy Redig, M.A. in Pastoral Ministries is a certified chaplain. She has served in Winona, MN in this capacity since 1995. Through this ministry she became aware that many people feel disenfranchised from the Catholic church and other churches. She was called to ministry at a young age, entering the convent after high school. Eventually realizing that she needed a partner in life, she left, married, and with her husband, raised two children. She suddenly became aware that God was calling her to ordination to become part of the change that she hoped to see within the Catholic church. Kathy and her husband Robert have established an inclusive parish, All Are One Roman Catholic church where all are welcome at the table. krredig@hbci.com |
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Chava Redonnet
Ordained
womandeacon 2009 |
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Chava Redonnet,
has been a member of the Corpus/Spiritus Christi community in Rochester NY since 1980, and serves as chaplain at St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality, the Rochester Catholic Worker, as well as working as a youth minister at First Unitarian Church in Rochester, and as a chaplain resident at Strong Memorial Hospital.
A graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, she is the author of Standing in the Light, an account of the 1998 upheaval at Corpus Christi and the formation of Spiritus, and of Don’t Forget to Breath Glory and Bound in a River of Light.
Chava has three grown daughters, Clare, Bridget and Emily, two of whom are now living in Rochester, much to her delight. |
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Dana Reynolds
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2006
womanbishop 2008
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Dana Reynolds, Bishop of the Western Region of Roman Catholic Womanpriests, is the first Roman Catholic woman bishop of the United States. A spiritual director, and writer, Dana has been a teacher and retreat facilitator for the feminine creative/spiritual process for twenty years.
Dana is passionate about the sacred arts and the relationship between the creative process and spirituality. She holds a Bachelor of Religious Studies degree and she is currently completing a Masters of Theology, both through Global Ministries University, Federation of Christian of Ministries. She completed training in Spiritual Direction at the Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction, Redemptorist Renewal Center.
Dana is the mother of two adult children and a grandmother. She shares life with Don, her husband of forty one years, at home in Carmel, California.
Email: dana@sacredimagination.com |
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Mary Ellen Robertson
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2007 |
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Mary Ellen Robertson, BA in Theology, RN, ministers through card ministry, spiritual direction & retreat work, publishes a spirituality reflection letter, The Spiritual Connection by subscription and presider for Eucharist with communities in Michigan and Florida. “Her story” is published in RCWP’s book, Women Find A Way: The Movement & Stories of Roman Catholic Womenpriests. She has served as hospital chaplain and Spiritual Care Counselor for hospice. Mary Ellen has authored two books, Meditations for Working Women and Meditations for Working Men, owned and managed a motel for 17 years and written various articles including business, personal interviews and spirituality. She is a mother of three adult daughters (including twins), grandmother of six and lives with her husband, John for over 40 years in Michigan. maryelrob@aol.com |
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Victoria Rue
Ordained
womandeacon 2004
womanpriest 2005 |
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Victoria Rue is a lecturer at San Jose State University in Women's Studies and
Comparative Religious Studies.
She presides at a monthly liturgy for the Sophia Catholic Community
in Santa Cruz, CA (email mackono@aol.com for more information);
she is a part time hospice chaplain with the Visiting Nurses
Association of Monterey County;
she is a theatre writer and director.
Website: http://www.victoriarue.com
Her recent research and lecturing tour in Southeast Asia can be found
at: http://womanpriest-asia08.blogspot.com
Victoria Rue is traveling in Jakarta and then on into Indonesia where she will give a lecture on women priests. Her blog address is: http://www.womanpriest-asia08.blogspot.com/ |
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Mary Ann McCarthy Schoettly
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2009 |
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Mary Ann McCarthy Schoettly holds Masters Degrees in Science, Administration and Supervision, and Theology. She is a life-long teacher - in high school classrooms, colleges, religious education programs (CCD, Confirmation, RCIA, Renew 2000), Stephen Ministry and retreat work. Mary Ann currently volunteers as a Spiritual Caregiver with the Chaplain’s Office at Newton Memorial Hospital, leads a Spirituality Group for Mental Health patients, facilitates Call to Community, a faith community which has been gathering for over thirteen years, and is in the process of forming a new intentional Eucharistic Community, the Catholic Community of Sophia.
Mary Ann lives in Northwest New Jersey. She was married for twenty eight years, is now single, and has three adult children and two delightful granddaughters. She remains active in CTA, VOTF and her local Catholic Communities. mschoettly@yahoo.com |
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Janice Sevre-Duszynska
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2008 |
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Janice Sevre-Duszynska, is co-chair of the Ministry of Irritation of the Women's Ordination Conference, the oldest and largest organization working for ordination of a renewed priestly ministry in the Catholic Church. From teaching ESL to children from around the world she says she learned about the value of nonviolence. A local and national peace activist, she is a former Prisoner of Conscience for the School of the Americas Watch. She recently completed a Christian Peacemakers Team delegation into the Sonora Desert of Mexico and Tucson in solidarity with Mexican migrants as part of the Migrant Trail Walk. She writes essays, poetry, and plays, rides horses, keeps a lovely English cottage garden and enjoys being a Busia (grandmother) to her grandchildren and aunt to her nieces and nephews. email: rhythmsofthedance@msn.com |
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Mary Frances Smith
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2009
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Mary Frances Smith I am a registered nurse who has worked in psychiatry for thirty-five years, in staff and in leadership positions. My husband of thirty-two years is my strongest advocate in all my endeavors. I have three adult sons, an adult stepdaughter, and one grandchild. I earned my Master of Arts Degree in Theology from The College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minnesota.. On May 4, 2008, I was ordained a Roman Catholic woman deacon. It has been as a Roman Catholic laywoman that I have always experienced the Church, the powerful social institution that framed my spiritual life from my birth. My belief in the progress of women in the Roman Catholic Church is very deep and strong. It is my joy to stand with women and men who bring life and growth to the Church.
marysmith98@msn.com. |
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Monica Kilburn Smith
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2008 |
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Monica Kilburn Smith, (B.A. Fine Arts, Grad Dip Dance Therapy, M.T.S.) is a C.A.P.P.E.-certified professional chaplain. She practices Healing Touch and Reiki and is currently training to be a Spiritual Director. Monica has two school-age daughters and lives in Calgary, Alberta (Canada), where she pastors the newly-formed St. Brigid's Catholic Faith Community. Monica commits herself to creative work in the intersections of spirituality, liturgy and the arts, and the empowering of women to claim their wisdom, beauty and agency as beloveds of God. She can be emailed at gemstones@shaw.ca. |
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Rod Stephens
Ordained Priest 1974
Received into RCWP 2008 |
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Rod Stephens was ordained a Roman Catholic priest on May 25, 1974 for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and later was a priest of the Diocese of Orange when it split from LA in 1976. He was welcomed as a member of RCWP in 2008.
Rod is Co-Founder and Co-Pastor with Jane Via of Mary Magdalene Catholic Community in San Diego, CA. Along with Jane, Rod is also member of the Immaculate Heart Community of Los Angeles and the Founder and Director of SACRA FORMA, a design studio since 1974 for architecture, graphics, and liturgical consultation. Rod is also one of the founding members of The Catholic Worker in Orange County which feeds and houses 125 homeless people a night and the Development Chair of Housing Works, a non-profit established to create housing options that promote, with respect and dignity, sustainable, environmentally sensitive, affordable communities that provide equal and fair access to housing and human services for people with limited income.
Rod lives in Irvine with his partner of twenty five years, Howard Seller, Professor Emeritus at Cal State University, Fullerton. |
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Mary Styne
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2009
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Mary Styne I have been called to serve Godde since an early age. Of course, I did not recognize it as a call to priesthood until much later in my life.
My early adulthood was spent volunteering in the Church primarily in religious education programs of which my four children were a part. My passion for knowledge and spiritual growth continued as I obtained a B.A. from Alverno College in 1974 and a Masters in Theology from
St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1984. My volunteer work continued and I was gainfully employed by the Church for 25 years.
At the 2006 CTA convention, the Spirit led me to the Roman Catholic Womenpriests caucus. There, I heard my story over and over again as the women told of their experiences. The rest is history. |
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Suzanne Thiel
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2008 |
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Suzanne Thiel is a woman of actions not words and
has worn many hats including associate of a religious
womens’ congregation, eucharistic minister, author
of the Inventory of Habilitation Programs for Mentally
Handicapped Adults, high school and college educator, and
board member of several non-profits organizations serving:
the mentally ill, dyslexic children, catholic schools, developmentally disabled adults, to name a few, and is currently also a neighborhood emergency (disaster response) team member.
Suzanne, a native Oregonian, is married to Bruce for the past 34 years. They have three young adult sons and no grandchildren yet. Suzanne has
a MA in Education and additional graduate hours in counseling and psychology. She is Jesuit-trained in theology and philosophy from the
University of Santa Clara. Her priestly ministries include:
hospital chaplaincy, volunteer ministry at several assisted living facilities and a women’s prison, home visits to the sick and elderly and the shared administrative ministry of RCWP. suzthiel@yahoo.com |
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Toni Tortorilla
Ordained
womanpriest 2007
womandeacon 2007 |
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Toni Tortorilla is a psychotherapist and spiritual director in Portland, Oregon with an MDiv from a Jesuit theological school. She has been in the counseling field for 27 years, landing there originally in an attempt to pursue the calling to ordination that had seemed to pursue her relentlessly since she was 5 years old.
She completed a B.A. in Theology just after the conclusion of Vatican II, and worked as a DRE during the early transition years. She taught high school religion, got fed up with the hierarchy and its position on women, followed other wise and transformative spiritual paths for 20 years, then came around full circle to the heart of the RC tradition once again. After returning, Toni soon found herself in a parish working with a team of people interested in reaching out to disenfranchised and alienated Catholics. When anti-gay initiatives came before the voters of Oregon she approached a sympathetic priest with the idea for an outreach ministry to the gay and lesbian community. He was enthusiastically receptive, and this pastoral experience became the launching pad for her application and acceptance into seminary. tjtortor@aol.com |
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Kathy Sullivan
Vandenburg
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2006 |
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Kathy Sullivan Vandenberg, MS, M.Div., is a feminist theologian, clinical therapist, and trauma specialist. She serves as an associate pastor at Good Shepherd Parrish, Nenno, WI. Ms. Vandenberg's current ministries include counseling, adjunct graduate educator, and hospital chaplain. For the past 30 years she was active in several ministries in her parish and archdiocesan committees. She has two grown daughters and one grandson. Kathy has been active in the women's ordination movement for over thirty years. pastorksv@aol.com |
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Gabriella Velardi Ward, BFA, AAS, B.Arch, M.Theo candidate – Gabriella has wanted to be a Roman Catholic Priest since the age of five. The institutional church’s rejection, based on gender, has led her to work in a number of non-traditional fields for women. She is currently working as an architect.
She has over twelve years of parish ministry including adult religious education, spiritual direction, organizing and leading retreats and teaching meditation and contemplative prayer. Her call also led her to explore entry into vowed religious life, studying and spending a number of years with the Cenacle sisters. She has also explored other faith traditions including the Episcopal Church, Buddhism and Native American spirituality.
Her love of learning has led her to studying theology for five years in the seminary and the continuing study, formal and informally, of theology, spirituality and psychology.
She has been a justice advocate for women’s rights, animal rights, children’s rights and student’s rights. As a Roman Catholic WomenPriest, she currently has a sacramental ministry as well as a Spiritual Direction ministry specializing in survivors of child abuse. She is the mother of two and the grandmother of five. |
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Diane Smith Whalen, who lives in Olympia, WA, has experienced a call to priesthood since she was very young. She pursued a BA in Religious Studies and served as a Jesuit Volunteer. She then received her MSW and did social work for a few years before becoming a mother to two beautiful daughters. In 1984, Diane began companioning individuals and groups in spiritual direction and retreat work. She helped develop and staff a program for the formation and ongoing supervision of spiritual directors as well as initiating a group spiritual direction program. Besides receiving an MA in ministry and a D.Min in spiritual direction, she was active in her local parish, serving as a lector, cantor, teacher/facilitator and retreat leader.
Diane’s desire is to minister with those who find themselves alienated from the RC Church. Her life is centered in and nourished by the Eucharist. She hopes to help others claim their baptismal priesthood and nourish each other through community worship and service. Diane loves people. She also enjoys singing, traveling and spending time with her wonderful spouse and great friends. You may contact her at dswhalen@comcast.net. |
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Jane Via
Ordained
womandeacon 2004
womanpriest 2006 |
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Jane Via
was born in St. Louis, Mo. in 1947. She has a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from Purdue University, a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University, and a J.D. from the University of San Diego. She is a county prosecutor in San Diego, California and a former professor of Religious Studies. Jane was ordained a deacon in 2004 on the Danube River and a priest in June of 2006 on the Bodensee off Swiss shores. Jane and friend, Rod Stephens, founded the first RCWP “parish” in November 2005. Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community meets weekly in San Diego, Ca. with an average attendance of 75.
Jane is also the convener of a small church community, whenever possible a participant in Call To Action, and is active in an ecumenical Christian Community. She shares her life with her husband of many years and their 2 college aged sons.
You can contact Jane through the “Contact US” link at the MMACC website: www.mmacc.org. |
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Linda Wilcox
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2009 |
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Linda Wilcox I received my M.A. in Theology and Pastoral Ministry at the
College of St. Catherine in 2005. I have been active in a
variety of ministries through the years in my parish,
including the Just Faith program. My husband and I belong
to a small faith community. Most recently I have been
involved in hospice, ministry to the homeless, and hospital
chaplain ministry. I have been a Benedictine Oblate with
St. Paul’s Monastery in Maplewood, MN. for eight years.
I became interested in women’s ordination through exposure
to the movement at the Call to Action gathering that I
attend each year. I have a passion for cooking. As I
discerned my call to the priesthood I felt a strong
connection between planning and preparing a meal and the
Benedictine value of hospitality. I desire to gather around
the table with community and celebrate the breaking of bread
at a larger and more inclusive table where all will be
welcome.
Linda and her husband Russ are parents of four grown
children. |
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Katy Zatsick
Ordained
womandeacon 2009
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Katy Zatsick Katy Zatsick received her Masters of Pastoral Studies in 1997 from Loyola University-NO. Since then she has worked as a pastoral coordinator for the Diocese of Richmond 1995 -1996 and later served seven years in hospice chaplaincy ministry until her retirement in May 2009. While in Chicago she was active in peacemaking activities with MFSO and IVAW and continues to be a life-long peace activist. In 2005, she lived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center while her son recovered from being very seriously injured in Iraq. During her time at Walter Reed, she also ministered to other patients and their family members for eight months and was an advocate for their many needs. Katy now resides in Lexington KY and is currently active in ministry with the once-homeless through the Catholic Action Center. She also spends her time advocating for National Health Care. Katy says, "I await God’s call to my next ministry after my ordination." katyzatsick@insightbb.com |
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Barbara Zeman
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womenpriest 2008 |
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Barbara Zeman, M.A. – Theology – B.A. Communications, has been a writer/producer for over 20 years with emphasis on films and videos for personal enrichment, health-care education and spiritual enlightenment. During her many years in parish and university ministry in Chicago Barbara has worked shoulder to shoulder with people of all faiths to bring about a more inclusive and just world. Currently working on certification as a hospital chaplain she has completed two units of CPE in a large city hospital. Born and raised in a devout Roman Catholic family, Barbara knows the importance of prayer. For her prayer and the sacraments connect us with the unknown face of God and give us hope in today’s secular world. elke@rcn.com |
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