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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: a Masters in Theology, Masters in Divinity or the equivalent, along with ministerial experience.
- Sacramental Preparation: the completion of ten units of preparation and on-going training with an assigned mentor.
- Liturgical Practice: "hands on" practicum with an assigned mentor.
- Spiritual Discernment: regular meetings with a qualified spiritual director for at least one year before and after diaconate ordination.
Statement on Apostolic Succession
The ordinations of Roman Catholic Womenpriests are valid because of
our apostolic succession within the Roman Catholic
Church. The principal consecrating Roman Catholic male bishop who ordained our first women bishops is a bishop with 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 apostolic succession in the Roman Catholic Church.
RCWP Worldwide Ordained Members (Listed in Alphabetical Order)
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Judy Beaumont
Ordained
Womandeacon 2011
Association of RCWP |
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Judy Beaumont has led her entire life in service to God's people. She entered the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago at seventeen and remained a Benedictine in loving service for 35 years. She was a teacher, a refugee worker resettling Vietnamese refugees and a peace activist. She attained a bachelor's degree from Mundelein College and a MRE degree from Loyola University. In 1981 she left Chicago for Connecticut to participate in the anti-nuclear peace witness near Groton and in 1982 was a member of the Trident Nein Plowshares Action. Her story about this is in in: Swords Into Plowshares: Nonviolent Direct Action For Disarmament, First Edition, edited by Arthur J. Laffin and Anne Montgomery, Harper and Row, Publishers, New York: 1987, pp.80-86. When released from prison she also helped establish My Sisters' Place, a shelter for homeless women and children in Hartford, Conn. She and Judy Lee, (also a Roman Catholic womenpriest) and her partner in ministry and life since 1989, left Connecticut for Fort Myers Florida in 1998. Judy then began work in a mission parish and also became the Director of Religious Education for a large parish in Estero, Florida. In 2003, she helped establish Good Shepherd Ministries of SW Florida and continues to serve the poor and homeless of greater Fort Myers. She also serves the Church of the Good Shepherd: An Inclusive Catholic Community. |
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Geneviève Beney
Ordained
Womandeacon 2004
womanpriest 2005
RCWP-Europe-West |
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Geneviève Beney was born in Paris (France) in 1949. In past she was in charge of cultural and
sports activities (secondary school). She had theological diploma of Strasbourg University. She
married Albert Ratz in 1989 (widowed who has three children and six grandchildren and one great-
grandchild). Geneviève shared Albert’s retired activities: archeology, historical research (local area).
She was ordained as deacon in 2004 on the Danube River and as priest in June 2005 on Rhône and
Saône in Lyon with great Albert’s support although he was Protestant (Reformed Church). Albert
died recently in November 2010. Two charisma of Geneviève: inventiveness (particularly dance) and
listening attentively to people. She have responsibility of discernment about candidates for ordination
in France. email: enmarchegenben@aol.com |
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Dagmar Braun Celeste
Ordained
womanpriest 2002
RCWP-USA |
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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
RCWP-Canada-East |
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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
womanbishop 2011
RCWP-Canada-East |
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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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Ruth Broeski
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2008
RCWP-USA |
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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
RCWP-USA |
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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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Theresa Novak Chabot
Ordained
deacon 2009
priest 2010
RCWP-USA |
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Theresa Novak Chabot received a Master of Arts in Theology (Pastoral Ministry/Spirituality) from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont, in 2006. She currently is a speech-language pathologist in a public elementary school, servicing children with Autism and various communication disorders. Formerly the Director of Development for NH Catholic Charities and the executive director of a chamber of commerce, she worked in fundraising, public relations, and development for non-profits and businesses for several years. With a yearning to serve those who have left the Church but still long to be fed spiritually, Theresa looks to a future where all are welcome to share in the Eucharist, where diversity is celebrated by an inclusive Church that is accepting in the loving spirit of Jesus Christ rather than regimented by ancient canons. She resides in Manchester, New Hampshire with her husband of thirty-two years. tnovakchabot@comcast.net |
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Juanita Cordero
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2007
RCWP-USA |
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Juanita Cordero has an MA in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College, a Masters in Theology and a Doctor of Ministry with a emphasis in Feminist Pastoral Studies from Global Ministries University. 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 pastors a house church, the Magdala Catholic Community, in Los Gatos, CA. She and her husband Don (a former Jesuit, and a married priest who passed away in 2007) 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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Mary Grace Crowley-Koch
Ordained
womandeacon 2010
womanpriest 2011
RCWP-USA
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Mary Grace Crowley-Koch began her walk towards priesthood at age 4 when she engaged her nursery school playmates in Eucharistic celebrations. She was taught by the Adrian Dominicans for 12 years and entered that community. While completing her MA in Theology at St. John’s University in Collegeville and serving as a pastoral associate at several parishes she continued to feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit towards ordination. After teaching and seeing her children, Angela and Brian, move onwards toward college she was able to continue her pastoral ministry as a hospice chaplain. In this ministry she again felt the validation of her call to priestly ministry from the persons she served. This past year she began the official journey in the direction of priesthood and was ordained a deacon. On her journey towards priesthood she initiated a small faith community which has been meeting monthly for 15 years. For the same amount of time, she and her married priest husband, Ron, ministered to couples with a connection to the Roman Catholic church who would like to have their wedding celebration outside of the RC church building venue. She believes in God’s constant call ‘to do a new thing” and to share your God given gifts with all you meet as you dance together with all on your journey. |
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Marie David
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2005
RCWP-USA |
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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
RCWP-USA |
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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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Eileen McCafferty DiFranco
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2006
RCWP-USA |
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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. Eileen is the first woman priest to preside at Dignity, Philadelphia. She 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
womanbishop 2010
RCWP-USA |
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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. She has served the Western Region of RCWP-USA, Inc. as Administrator and as Program Coordinator; and currently, she is serving that regional community as its bishop. She and her husband, Slavo, have been married 49 years. They have two married sons and three grandsons. email: mdoko@dslextreme.com website: www.olive-tree-ministries.com |
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Diane Dougherty
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
Association of RCWP |
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Diane Dougherty has worked in educational ministries in Catholic Schools, parishes and dioceses in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Not only has she taught children in classroom settings, she was a sacramental coordinator, developed a parish family catechetical program, collaborated in developing preschools of religion for two dioceses, and, as an Archdiocesan Director of Catechesis, worked to develop liturgical, sacramental, catechetical and spiritual formation programs that empowered and certified diocesan catechetical leaders. She began an Education Center for Parents focused on developing lifelong parenting skills from pre-school to teen life. She has written professionally and maintains her own blog. After retiring, she hopes to develop educational ministries that will serve the underserved as she works to develop new concepts centered around modern day parish life. She will continue to promote equal roles for women within the Catholic Tradition. She has a BSE and MSE in Early Childhood, a MAE in Pastoral Formation and Religious Education, and an EdS in Neuroscience of the Brain. She was ordained a deacon in RCWP Association in Sarasota, Florida on April 2, 2011. |
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Suzanne Dunn
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2008
RCWP-USA |
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Suzanne Dunn, sfcc (Sister for Christian Community) is Pastor of the Church of the Beatitudes. The Church of the Beatitudes meets every Sunday at the First Congregational Church-United Church of Christ - at 2101 State St., Santa Barbara, Ca. at 11:30 a.m. Suzanne was ordained a deacon on April 27, 2008 and a Roman Catholic Woman Priest on September 7, 2008. Suzanne has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and maintains a small private practice. In addition, she is a spiritual director and co-facilitator of the Santa Barbara/Ventura Chapter of the Contemplative Ministry Outreach. She is a trained presenter of the Introductory Workshop in Centering Prayer and conducts Silent Saturdays and three and five day retreats in Centering Prayer. Suzanne holds an MA in Religious Studies from Seattle University and has studied with Alexander Shaia, Ph.D. in the Journey of Quadratos: Beyond the Biography of Jesus. Suzanne lives out her religious life with a Sister of Notre Dame in Carpinteria, Ca. She is currently an Assistant Program Coordinator for the Western region of RCWP-USA. e-mail: srd41lis@yahoo.com |
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Gisela Forster
Ordained
womanbishop 2003
RCWP-Europe-West |
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Gisela Forster (Dr.), one of the foremothers of RCWP, was born in Munich to parents from Bavaria and Hungary. She studied Catholic theology, philosophy, arts and architecture at the Technical University of Munich. On June 29, 2002, Forster and six other women, known as the Danube Seven, were ordained priests aboard a boat on the Danube River, near the town of Passau. In 2003 she was ordained a bishop, and as such she has served RCWP by officiating at the ordination of women in Canada, Western Europe and the USA. She is a member of the German organization, Gruppe Maria Magdala, Priesteramt fur die Frau, which promotes priesthood for women. Her ministry has included care of the home bound and work in the creative arts. Prior to her marriage to Anselm Forster in 1989, she was employed as a teacher at the Benedictine Schaftlarn School, and since the 1990's she has been a professor of art in Munich. In addition, she was elected to the district council of Starnberg in 1989, serving as chairperson on the council until 2002. She is a mother and a grandmother. |
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Patricia Fresen
Ordained
womandeacon 2003
womanpriest 2003
womanbishop 2005
RCWP-Europe-West |
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Patricia Fresen, D.Th., formerly of South Africa, studied theology for seven years in Rome at the University of St. Thomas and at the Gregorian and obtained a Licentiate in Theology. Upon her return to South Africa in 1988, she was invited to join the faculty of the National Seminary in Pretoria, where she taught Sacramental Theology, Spirituality and Homiletics. She completed her doctoral studies and thesis and obtained the Doctorate in Theology in May 1996 through the University of South Africa; and shortly thereafter she accepted a position on the Faculty of the Catholic University in Johannesburg. As a direct result of her ordination to the priesthood in 2003, Patricia was forced to leave the Dominican Order in South Africa, of which she had been a member for 45 years; and she had to vacate her position at Catholic University. She subsequently left her homeland to take up residence in Germany, where she continues to live and to serve the mission and goals of RCWP.
Ordained a bishop in 2005, Patricia has been the presiding bishop at many ordinations in Europe, Canada and the USA. As the International Training Program Coordinator for RCWP, her primary ministry has been oversight and development of the Training Program, which prepares candidates for ordination to the priesthood. Since handing over the care of the Training Program in the USA to others, she has continued to oversee the Training Program in Canada and Europe West.
Patricia is a well-respected and well-known conference speaker and retreat leader in the USA, Canada, Europe, South Africa and Australia.
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Roberta Fuller
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
womanpriest 2011
RCWP-Canada-Eastt |
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Roberta Fuller was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She spent her first career with Air Canada in various capacities. Since she has traveled extensively and lived all over the world including both Montreal and France, she is therefore bilingual. Her academic degrees consist of an added B.Ed. to her undergraduate B.A.Hons., to begin a distinguished secondary school teaching career. Roberta continued on to graduate with a Masters of Education. She was then nominated for the Governor General's Outstanding Teacher Award, and because of her writing, was invited by both the University of Virginia and Common-wealth University of Va. to do further research on slavery. She was twice invited to Stratford Hall, the historic site and the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson, and finally, she was invited by Cambridge University in England, to do follow-up work on the Civil Rights Movement. Roberta has also been a local represent-ative on the Status of Women Committee in Ontario, and a member of the OSSTF Human Rights' Executive. She was the first recipient of the James Forster Human Rights' Award for both the promotion of equity and human rights. As a volunteer, she has taken medical supplies to the Canadian hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan three times and was awarded the YMCA Peace Medal.
Roberta also served for several successive terms on the Board of Directors for Women's Resources, a shelter for abused women and children which also operates second-step housing, and many outreach programs for both child witnesses and adult victims of abuse. As a priest, Roberta continues to find the opportuniy to serve God, her community and beyond as the ultimate honour, priviledge, and responsibility. |
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Joan Clark Houk
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2006
womanbishop 2009
RCWP-USA |
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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
RCWP-USA
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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
RCWP-USA |
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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
RCWP-USA
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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
RCWP-USA |
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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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Caryl Conroy Johnson
Ordained
womandeacon 2010
womanpriest 2011
RCWP-USA
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Caryl Conroy Johnson, is a spiritual director and offers grief workshops. She is a member of the St. Mary Magdalene Community, Drexel Hill, PA, where she is involved in worship, service to the homeless, and leading theological reflection groups. For 15 years Caryl served as Pastoral Associate at St. Francis of Assisi Church, Springfield, PA working in bereavement, ministry to the sick, youth ministry, worship, and interfaith events. Prior to that she was a CYO basketball coach and was involved in liturgical ministries and marriage preparation. She has a M. A. in Religious Studies, St. Charles Seminary and a M. S. in Spiritual Direction, Neumann University. Caryl is happily married with 3 adult children. QSCDTS465@aol.com |
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Adele Decker Jones
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
Association of RCWP
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Adele Decker Jones, a proud native of New Orleans, received a Catholic education throughout her formative years. She joined the United States Nursing Cadet Corp in 1944 during WWII and became a Registered Nurse with a specialization in psychiatry. She married a medical student in 1947 and moved to Victoria, Texas, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology while helping her husband start a medical practice and raising a family. She was the Founder and Director of St. Christopher’s Hall, a school program for children with LLD.
Upon moving in 1980 to San Antonio she originated the Office of Development for Catholic Television of San Antonio and wrote a history of its origins. In 1986 she began post graduate studies at Oblate School of Theology which included a Master's Degree in Theological Studies writing her Master’s thesis on “World Hunger in the Light of Social Justice.” In 1991 she completed a Master's in Divinity and in 1997 at the age of seventy, she obtained a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy from Garrett Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.
Adele then became a Licensed Professional Counselor and founded “Made for Joy”, an outreach of her Doctoral research. She was on the staff of Grace Counseling Center, developed a private counseling practice and taught workshops, seminars, and retreats. She taught several courses to students at Oblate School of Theology on “Sophia as Divine Wisdom.”
In 1988 Adele had professed as a member of the Secular Franciscan Order and served as Minister of St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity. The basis of her spirituality has become the Franciscan charisms, especially simplicity, peace, love, and joy. Adele has two sons, five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two more very soon on the way. Adele is the first ordained womandeacon in Texas. Hopefully she will soon be joined by many others. |
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Kathleen Kunster
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2006
RCWP-USA |
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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, presiding at weddings and other sacraments, as well as serving as a Registered Psychologist (CA) in a community mental health. 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 |
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Mary Kay Kusner
Ordained
womandeacon 2009
womanpriest 2010
RCWP-USA
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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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Patricia LaRosa
Ordained
womandeacon 2010
womanpriest 2011
RCWP-USA
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Patricia LaRosa prefers to be called “Patti,” as it reminds her of her family of origin, a tight knit Italian American family with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins. She spent 22 years in a married relationship, raising two daughters. Patti recognized her call to ordained ministry in 1989 and pursued it by working toward a Master of Arts in Theology while working as a Pastoral Associate in a Rochester, NY parish. She also worked in hospice and loved the hours spent with families and caring for their dying loved ones. She spent 4 years exploring the possibility of ordination through the Episcopal Church, but discovered her Catholic roots and commitment while attending Union Theological Seminary in Manhattan. She graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2007, and became affiliated with Roman Catholic Womenpriests during her two years in Manhattan.
Patti currently lives in Rochester, NY and is active in her home parish of Spiritus Christi Church. She also works with a newly forming inclusive community called Spiritus Christi Buffalo. |
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Jim Lauder
Ordained
deacon 2007
priest 2008
RCWP-Canada-West |
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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
Association of RCWP |
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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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Morag Liebert
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2009
RCWP-Europe-West |
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Morag Liebert was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and studied for an M.A. (Ordinary) in Biblical Studies and Moral Philosophy with Nursing Studies and later for a M.Sc. in Nursing Education at the University of Edinburgh. In her career in the nursing profession she worked as a Health Visitor (Public Health Nurse) and for a number of years taught community care and health subjects in the South Lothian College of Nursing and Midwifery in Edinburgh. From 1994 to 2009 she was active in the UK campaign for the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church and since 2001 she has worked as a volunteer with abused women. When she retired she returned to the University of Edinburgh to study for a B.D. with Honours in Divinity. She offers a monthly house Mass and once or twice a year she teaches a short course of Bible Study from a feminist standpoint. She may be contacted at moragl@connectfree.co.uk.
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Jeannette Bertalan Love
Ordained
womandeacon 2010
womanpriest 2010
RCWP-USA |
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Jeannette Love was ordained a deacon on Aug 28, 2010 and a Roman Catholic Womanpriest on September 12, 2010. During her years of study as a religious sister for nineteen years she has been trained in theology and in addition studied a year of theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington School of Theology in New Jersey. She was previously ordained in the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch (not under Rome) and served the Archbishops and the development of the Church for eleven years. Jeannette attended the University of Creation Spirituality founded by Matthew Fox in Oakland, CA through which she received a Masters degree awarded by Naropa University in Boulder, CO. At present Jeannette works as Conference Coordinator at La Casa de Maria Retreat Center, is a spiritual director, facilitates a Centering Prayer Group weekly and assists Suzanne Dunn in serving at the Catholic Church of the Beatitudes. Jeannette resides in Santa Barbara. |
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Jean Marie Marchant
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2005
RCWP-USA |
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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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Maureen Mancuso
Ordained
womandeacont 2011
RCWP-USA |
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Maureen Mancuso received her M.Div. from the Jesuit School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. In addition she holds a teaching credential in English is and working on her Ph.D. in World Religions. Maureen felt called to priesthood at an early age though she tended to dismiss the idea, for as a cradle Catholic it seemed an improbable path. However, the light of the Holy Spirit cannot be ignored! Active in parish ministry as parish council president, a member of peace and justice, a musician and a member of the St. Vincent DePaul society the call to priestly ordination was re-illuminated. Maureen discerned God’s call and responded by beginning her theological studies. After the completion of her degree she furthered her ministerial activities and took on an even greater role in ministerial leadership. She taught theology at a high school in Santa Rosa, CA wherein she was also the school’s chaplain, and chair of the Religious Studies Department. Maureen has been the Director of RCIA, a hospital chaplain, a retreat director, liturgist, and has lead workshops at the diocesan and national levels. As a Christian feminist Maureen actively supports equality for women in the Roman Catholic Church and is a member of CTA, WOC, and the Women of Magdala. Presently, Maureen teaches high school English full-time, and she divides her time as a deacon for both the Mary Magdala community in Los Gatos and the Namaste community in Orinda, CA. In addition she continues with her PhD studies. The focus of her research for her dissertation is an interfaith exploration of religious empowerment of women in the Abrahamic tradition. |
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Eleonora Marinaro
Ordained
womanpriest 2007
Association of RCWP |
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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
RCWP-USA
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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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Maria Thornton McClain
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
RCWP-USA
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Maria Thornton McClain is the leader of St. Mary of Magdala Catholic Community, in Indianapolis. She didn't seek ordination but her passion for justice, especially for people on the margins, led her to RCWP. She has an M.A. in Religious Studies and a Certificate in Pastoral Studies. She grew up mainly in Buffalo, NY, joined the Sisters of Mercy there and taught in Catholic schools. After leaving the convert, she moved to Indianapolis in 1977 to take a position as parish DRE. She met her husband, Ed, was Coordinator of Boards of Education, wrote and edited publications for the NCEA; later served as consultant to religious and nonprofit organizations until she retired. She helped found a recovery home for women with drug addictions and served on that board for 11 years. She is a Toastmaster, loves to explore new places and ideas and is involved in ecumenical efforts as part of her ministry. Her e-mail address is: . mmtmcclain795@sbcglobal.net
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Elsie Hainz McGrath
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2007
RCWP-USA
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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
RCWP-USA
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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
womanpriest 2006
womanbishop 2009
Association of RCWP |
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Bridget Mary Meehan, RCWP, 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 eighteen books including Living Gospel Equality Now: Loving in the Heart of God, a story about her journey to priesthood in the women priest movement that is rocking the foundation of the Roman Catholic Church, a holy shakeup that is bringing new life, creativity and justice to the church and beyond. Dr. Meehan is currently Dean of the Doctor of Ministry Program for Global Ministries University. Her work in communications media include programs about womenpriests on google and youtube and articles on BridgetMary's Blogspot. She serves on the media committee for RCWP Association. Bridget Mary was ordained a priest in the first USA ordination in Pittsburgh on July 31, 2006 and was ordained a bishop in Santa Barbara, California in the historic ordination of four bishops in the United States on April 19, 2009. sofiabmm@aol.com |
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Roberta Meehan
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2006
Weiheämter für Frauen
in der Römisch-Katholischen Kirche |
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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 three dachshunds. Biotheologian@aol.com |
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Marty Meyer-Gad
Ordained
womandeacon 2009
womanpriest 2010
RCWP-USA |
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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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Regina Nicolosi
Ordained
womandeacon 2005
womanpriest 2006
womanbishop 2009
RCWP-USA |
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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
womanpriest 2010
Association of RCWP |
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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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Jennifer O'Malley
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
RCWP-USA |
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Jennifer O'Malley holds a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University Chicago and a Masters of Special Education. She is currently a program administrator for the secondary special education programs at Compton Unified School District and has done research on disproportionality and the use of peaceable classroom techniques to stop the school to jail pipeline. Jen previously worked as a Coordinator of Youth ministry at a parish in the archdiocese of Los Angeles and was a program director for a national Catholic service learning program. Jen is involved in ministry with the gay and lesbian community and a member of CTA 20/30. She is committed to social justice and has traveled throughout Central America meeting with local community leaders and union groups. Jen lives in Long Beach with her partner, Liz Carlin, of 18 years. jomalley72@compton.k12.ca.us
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Miriam Therese Picconi
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
Association of RCWP |
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Miriam Therese Picconi Miriam Therese Picconi was born in the Bronx, NY; then raised in Queens, NY. She entered a religious congregation and was a Catholic Sister for 25 years. After leaving the community she continued in ministry. Over the last 45 years she has been in leadership positions in Religious Education, Archdiocesan Youth Ministry, Retreat Ministry, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults on the Diocesan and Parish level and coordinated and ministered in all aspects of Parish Ministry. Miriam also served as a Pastoral Associate in a number of parishes /and Parish Life Director. She recently retired and moved to Palm Coast, Fl in December 2010.
Miriam has certification in Teacher Training, a B. S. in Special Studies, a Masters in Religious Studies and over 400 hours in Clinical Pastoral Education. She is in a transitional time in her life and has been attending St. Thomas where she has preached, spoken at the Women’s Group and Ultreya gathering, facilitates an Adult Sunday School faith sharing using the Sunday Scriptures. She has also become a volunteer with Flagler Hospital Hospice Care.
After ordination Miriam’s desire is to minister to those who have been alienated and/or ostracized from the Catholic Church and provide inclusive ministries and liturgies where all are welcome to celebrate and experience Sofia’s unconditional love in a community and discipleship of equals.
miriampicconi@gmail.com
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Ann Penick
Ordained
womandeacon 2010
womanpriest 2011
RCWP-USA |
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Ann Penick is originally from the Chicago area. She and her husband, Jim, live in Maryland near Washington, DC. They have been married for 25 years. Ann has long been an active member of the Roman Catholic Church. She has done ministry volunteer work as a music minister, minister in sacred dance, retreat facilitator, a member of the liturgy team at various parishes where she’s been a member, and a member of welcoming and hospitality committees. In 1993 Ann received a certification in lay ministry from the Diocese of Birmingham, in Alabama. In 1995 Ann received a Masters in Counseling degree from the University of Birmingham in Alabama. In 1997 she completed 3 units in CPE at Bon Secours/St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, SC. In 2008, Ann received her Masters in Pastoral Ministry degree from Boston College. Ann served as chaplain to college students from1997-2008—with the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina and with the Archdiocese of Boston. She came face-to-face with her calling to the priesthood in 2005 at the WOW conference in Canada. She has been supported in her journey to the priesthood by Jim, her step-daughter, Katie, her step-son, Mike, and her brother, Rob. Currently, Ann works as a mental health counselor at a Maryland community college. In her spare time Ann enjoys music, dance, travel, her granddaughter Meg, and their cat, Numbers.
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Bertha Popeney
Ordained
womandeacon 2010
RCWP-USA
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Bertha Popeney was ordained to the Diaconate on June 19, 2010 in Santa Barbara, California. Bertha felt God calling her to priesthood in early childhood. It is a call that was expressed in a lifetime of service to others. She is a native of San Diego, California, and was born the eldest of six siblings. She has an M.A. in Education, and completed her theological studies in local universities. Both her family and her education instilled in her the importance of love, service and honor, and of protecting and teaching those with whom she came in contact. She taught in the San Diego Unified School District for 25 years. Bertha also engaged in ministry within the Diocese of San Diego and is a recipient of the Humanitarian Award from the USCCB. She is currently Secretary of San Diego Call-To-Action. Bertha lives in San Diego with her beloved husband Tom.
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Ida Raming
Ordained
womanpriest 2002
womanbishop 2006
RCWP-Europe-West |
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Ida Raming 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
RCWP-USA |
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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
womanpriest 2010
RCWP-USA |
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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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Mary Ellen Robertson
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2007
RCWP-USA |
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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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Donna LeMaster Rougeux
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
Association of RCWP |
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Donna LeMaster Rougeux lives in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from Lexington Theological Seminary in 2009 with a Masters in Pastoral Studies. She completed a residency with Hospice in 2010 earning four units of Clinical Pastoral Education. She has worked as a Hospice Chaplain since she finished the residency and plans on becoming a certified chaplain. Donna is married and has three teenaged children. She taught first grade and fourth grade in a Catholic School before she got married. She was ordained as a deacon on September 9, 2011. "I am so thankful that God has called me to work for reform in the Roman Catholic Church. I hope that my daughters, granddaughters and all women will be forever changed and affirmed to follow God's call because of the work that this movement has done and will do in challenging the Church to be the kindom on earth." |
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Victoria Rue
Ordained
womandeacon 2004
womanpriest 2005
RCWP-USA |
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Victoria Rue, M.Div., Ph.D., is a professor at San Jose State University in Comparative Religious Studies. Her Master of Divinity is from Union Theological Seminary in NYC. Her Ph.D. is from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley,CA. Dr. Rue is Spiritual Care Counselor with Central Coast VNA/Hospice. She is also a theatre writer/director whose work has been seen in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
Dr. Rue has published numerous articles, her most recent in New Feminist Christianity: Many Voices Many Views, edited by Mary Hunt & Diann Neu, 2010. Victoria's book, Acting Religious: Theatre as Pedagogy in Religious Studies, was published by Pilgrim Press. See her website: http://www.victoriarue.com. In January of l988 Victoria was called forth by Dignity NYC to con-celebrate a Mass with an out gay priest on 5th Avenue, across from St. Patrick's Cathedral. That street ordination by LGBT people led her in l995 in Oakland, California, to co-found A Critical Mass: Women Celebrating the Eucharist. That same NYC ordination by LGBT people led her in 2005 to be one of four women ordained as priests on a boat on the St. Lawrence Seaway. In San Francisco, Victoria was called forth by Trinity Episcopal Church to organize a Roman Catholic community. In January 2009, Dr. Rue began presiding at bi-monthly Saturday Eucharists with Sophia in Trinity: a New Catholic Community. For more information: www.sophiaintrinity.org Also in San Francisco, Dr. Rue presides monthly at a Eucharist for LGBT members of the Metropolitan Community Church. In the East Bay, Victoria presides monthly at a house church The Namaste Community. For more information: Gwen animo3@pacbell.net Victoria and her partner Kathryn Poethig, M.Div., Ph.D. met at Union Theological Seminary, NYC. Kathryn is a candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church, and is Associate Professor Global Studies at California State University at Monterey Bay. They celebrated their twentieth anniversary of commitment in September 2008 by getting married. They live in Watsonville, California. |
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Wanda Russell
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
Association of RCWP |
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Wanda Yvonne Lavinghouse Russell was ordained a deacon in RCWP Association in Sarasota, Florida on April 2, 2011. Born in Mobile, Alabama she lived most of her youth in North and Southeast states. While living in Montgomery, Alabama she married and had a daughter, Monica, who moved to New York. Wanda is a retired social worker now residing in Palm Coast, Florida. Wanda has been in volunteer RCC ministry most of her life. As an active, progressive Roman Catholic, she has ministered as Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Prayer Group Leader, Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults team leader, Charismatic Healing Ministry prayer team leader, taught a bible study group at her work and on Sundays, facilitated faith sharing groups, worked on youth ministry team, co-chaired a diocesan youth convention with over 700 participants, led many workshops including Life in the Spirit and the Beginning Experience.
Wanda has been very ecumenical working to bring all Godde’s people of many faiths and backgrounds together. She was a novice in the Sisters of Loretto and attended Catholic Junior College, completed undergraduate work at a Methodist college where she discovered two different histories of the Protestant Revolt/Reformation. From this experience she began a quest for the TRUTH in the Roman Catholic Church. She continues to seek the TRUTH of many issues. While reading a book by Carlo Corretto she discovered a new manta. “Love must transcend all truth.” This has been transformational and life changing for her. Wanda continues her quest for TRUTH and discernment regarding ministry and the way Sophia will lead her as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest.
wandayrussell@aol.com |
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Pat Sandall
Ordained
womandeacon 2009
womanpriest 2010
RCWP-USA |
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Pat Sandall holds a master's degree in Religious Studies from Mount St.
Mary's College in Los Angeles. She also holds a doctorate in Theology from Barry
University in
Miami Shores. Pat served the Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Los
Angeles for more than twenty-five years as a catechist, religious education
director and pastoral associate. Her areas of interest and activism include
social justice issues and feminist studies. Currently, Pat is a member of the
pastoral team for the Catholic Church of the Beatitudes in Santa Barbara. She is
the internal communications coordinator for the USA Roman Catholic Women priests
and an assistant program director for the western region. She and her husband,
Joe, live in Santa Barbara. They have four children, two grandchildren and two
Rottweiler’s each of whom keep them joyfully occupied and constantly on the
move. |
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Mary Ann McCarthy Schoettly
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2009
RCWP-USA |
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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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Dorothy Shugrue
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
womanpriest 2011
Association of RCWP |
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Dorothy Shugrue was born in Providence RI and has lived in Connecticut
since 1962. Dorothy is a former member of the Sisters of Notre Dame
de Namur, a graduate of Emmanuel College, Southern Connecticut State
University, Antioch University and Drew University. Dorothy taught
school in her early relgious life and serve as a chaplain at the
University of Bridgeport and St. Joseph College West Hartford. Since
1986 Dorothy has worked in the field of Behavioral Health and
Addiction Services with a particular focus on adolescents, young
adults and young pregnant women. Dorothy continues this ministry
today as she builds a presence as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest in
Connecticut. Presently living in Cheshire Dorothy is providing "Home
Church" for groups with the hope of developing an inclusive parish
community. The love and support of family and friends and many
Sisters of Notre Dame continues to be a source of strength and joy as
Dorothy forges ahead as part of this life giving movement in our
Church today. |
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Janice Sevre-Duszynska
Ordained
womandeacon 2006
womanpriest 2008
Association of RCWP |
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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
RCWP-USA
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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
RCWP-Canada-West |
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Monica Kilburn-Smith, (M.T.S., Grad Dip Dance Therapy, B.A. Fine Arts) is a certified professional chaplain (Canadian Association of Spiritual Care), currently working as Spiritual Care Director/chaplain in a hospice setting. Monica has two teen-aged daughters and lives in Calgary, Alberta (Canada), where she is the priest of St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Faith Community (www.saintbrigids.org). She is a trained Spiritual Director, Reiki Master and Healing Touch Practitioner, and has recently begun studying for her Doctor of Ministry degree. Monica is passionate about creative work in the intersections of spirituality, pastoral care, liturgy and the arts. She commits herself to the empowering of women in claiming their wisdom, beauty and agency as beloveds of God. Monica can be emailed at celebrant@saintbrigids.org. |
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Linda Spear
Ordained womanpriest 2011
RCWP-Canada East |
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Linda Spear
was born in Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada in 1940 and raised in Winnipeg by her adoptive parents, Jack and Ena Spear. After completing high school and a BA she entered the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary where she remained for five years, completing her novitiate and teaching junior and senior high school. After completing a BEd and and MA in medieval history at University of Manitoba, she taught high school for another two years and then began studies for a Licentiate in Medieval Studies at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, Toronto, and a PhD in medieval studies at University of Toronto. Thesis topics were: Aelred of Rievaulx and Julian of Norwich, Meditation Techniques in the Twelfth Century and The Treatment of Sexual Sin in Irish Latin Penitential Literature.
After completing her studies in Montréal, Linda taught for many years at the high school and college levels in Montréal, at the same time completing an MA in Pastoral Theology in French at the Université de Montréal. During this time she served as a volunteer chaplain at the Newman Centre, McGill University , and President of Dignity, Montréal.
Finally, after thirty years of teaching, she retired to the ski resort of Sutton in the Eastern Townships of Québec, southeast of Montréal. In Sutton she became involved in the ecumenical movement which sponsors discussion groups, guest speakers such as Gregory Baum, ecumenical celebrations including an annual Out Mass and ecumenical liturgies.
Linda was ordained Oct. 9, 2010 , availing herself of the kind hospitality of Grace Anglican Church. She celebrates weekly Eucharists at Grace Church. She is available for pastoral counseling and sacramental ministry. She continues to be actively involved in the ecumenical movement in Sutton. |
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Rod Stephens
Ordained priest 1974
Received into RCWP 2008
RCWP-USA |
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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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Kim Sylvester
Ordained
womandeacon 2009
womanpriest 2010
RCWP-Canada-West |
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Kim Sylvester, born and raised in Maine, now makes her home with Robert Rinfret, her French-canadian husband, in British Columbia. Since ordination she leads LIVING WORD Inclusive Faith Community, and is active with other clergy women (various churches) in a meditation group, in public coffee shop ministry; plans are underway for leading a women’s spirituality & prayer circle. She has worked in many areas of the arts, mostly teaching at college and university levels: history of art, architecture, and culture.
After she accepted a call to use her musical/vocal skills in the francophone liturgy program being developed post-Vatican II in the archdiocese of Quebec, Kim was active in the liturgy training program for ten years and is still imbued with desire to continue to teach and share this learning, especially in today’s Church climate of returning to the past.
In a non-specific way, her call to priesthood came early, after growing up in the Baptist church! Kim entered the RC church at 19 and continued to desire to follow Jesus. “I didn’t know exactly how it would develop in my life, but was confident that God would show me!” Now as a very happy womanpriest, she is a grandmother of five, still maintains her music teaching studio, and is a determined supporter of justice for women in all areas of life. |
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Suzanne Thiel
Ordained
womandeacon 2007
womanpriest 2008
RCWP-USA |
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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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Michael Tompkins
Ordained
deacon 2010
priest 2011
RCWP-USA
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Michael Tompkins September 29, 2010
Feast of St. Michael the Arch Angel, my patron
Before the sun burned bright
And rivers flowed,
I called you each by name…
Four years ago I met with Woman Priest, Olivia Doko. She introduced me to the process developed by Roman Catholic
Women Priests (RCWP) for ordination to priesthood. She was very candid that RCWP is primarily committed to ordaining women, but that they would consider a “few good men”!
Like many of my women peers, I have felt called to the priesthood since early childhood. Unlike them, I was accepted into Roman Catholic seminaries—three of them before I was twenty-six years of age. I failed to thrive in all three, the fault always being mine. I was haunted by “many are called, but few are chosen.”
At fifty-six years of age, RCWP has given me the opportunity
to explore and discern this calling. I have been wholeheartedly encouraged by my religious community, The Immaculate Heart of Mary. I have studied for three years and worked under the mentorship of woman priest, Suzanne Dunne. I have had the luxury and privilege to serve as deacon in Mary Magdalene Apostle Catholic Community, pastored by Jane Via, Rod Stephens, Nancy Corran, and an active community of Christians committed to a church that
strives to include everybody.
God willing and the creek don’t rise, I will be ordained to priesthood in March 2011. I believe I am taking my place among the church we are all called to be. Please, pray for me. |
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Toni Tortorilla
Ordained
womanpriest 2007
womandeacon 2007
RCWP-USA |
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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
RCWP-USA |
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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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Monique Gamache Venne first experienced a call to priesthood in fourth grade, when she wanted to be an altar server even though it wasn’t allowed at the time. Not interested in becoming a nun, she instead pursued studies in the natural sciences, receiving a B.S. in Physics and an M.S. in Meteorology. As a forecaster for a major airline and a researcher for private firms, she was dedicated to keeping people safe from the dangers of weather. She was also active as a volunteer in various liturgical ministries, including as a member of her parish’s Liturgy Committee, choir, lector, and lay presider, and serving as co-director of a women’s Bible study. When she was laid off from her last meteorological job, she decided to pursue her avocation and received an M.Div. from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in 2004. She is active with RCWP members and progressive Catholic groups in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Monique sees herself as a person marginalized by the Catholic Church who ministers to others pushed to the margins by the Church. A multiple blue-ribbon winner at the Minnesota State Fair, she makes and sells religious and healing jewelry at local craft fairs. She has been married since 1981 to her husband David and owns (or is owned by!) their cat Boris. She may be contacted at mgvrcwp@gmail.com. |
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Jane Via
Ordained
womandeacon 2004
womanpriest 2006
RCWP-USA |
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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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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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Linda Wilcox
Ordained
womandeacon 2008
womanpriest 2009
RCWP-USA |
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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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Cynthia Yoshitomi
Ordained
womandeacon 2011
RCWP-USA |
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Cynthia Yoshitomi Cynthia was born and raised in Los Angeles California. She began her professional career as a VISTA Volunteer in the 1970’s serving the economically disadvantaged in Northern Arizona. That was were she learned the importance of listening and practicing stillness. She has spent much of her adult life in the social justice arena in Los Angeles, as a wife and mother, educator, PTA president, and human relations consultant in the public schools. The last twenty years were spent as a Roman Catholic Campus Minister at Occidental College, Alverno Catholic High School for Girls, and the University Catholic Center at UCLA. She brings to RCWP her love of the Catholic faith and experience; Her love of the Eucharist and her experience of community within all the beloved people of God. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Ministry and practices and facilitates Centering Prayer in Ventura, California. She is familiar with the 12 step program and supports the Gay Lesbian and Transgendered Community, Los Angeles, California. She began her professional career as a VISTA Volunteer in the 1970’s serving the economically disadvantaged in Northern Arizona. That was were she learned the importance of listening and practicing stillness. She has spent much of her adult life in the social justice arena in Los Angeles, as a wife and mother, educator, PTA president, and human relations consultant in the public schools. The last twenty years were spent as a Roman Catholic Campus Minister at Occidental College, Alverno Catholic High School for Girls, and the University Catholic Center at UCLA. She brings to RCWP her love of the Catholic faith and experience; Her love of the Eucharist and her experience of community within all the beloved people of God. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Ministry and practices and facilitates Centering Prayer in Ventura, California. She is familiar with the 12 step program and supports the Gay Lesbian and Transgendered Community. |
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Katy Zatsick
Ordained
womandeacon 2009
womanpriest 2010
RCWP-USA
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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
womanpriest 2008
RCWP-USA |
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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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Janine Marie Denomme
Janine Denomme passed into new life on May 17, 2010. Janine, 45, cherished partner of Hon. Nancy Katz; beloved daughter of Robert and Mary Joan Denomme of Detroit, MI; granddaughter of Earl Van Wassenhove; dear sister of Joseph (Patricia), David (Linda), and Mark; treasured as a daughter and sister by Dorothy Katz, Judy and John Pasternak; devoted aunt of Stephanie (Nicholas), Joe, Christina, and Lauren Denomme, and Brian Pasternak.
Ordained to the transitional diaconate on July 14, 2009 and to the priesthood on April 10, 2010 through Roman Catholic Womenpriests; friend, teacher, spiritual companion, priest, guide to many and inspiration to everyone who knew her.
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."
Mary Styne
Mary Styne sometimes called herself “the real-estate lady” or “the candle-lady”
but no title was more meaningful to her than that of priest – except mom, of course.
Always the voice of social justice, this single mom raised four children, served the church that she so dearly loved and still found time to get a Masters of Divinity. Mary’s sense of justice and equality colored her every step. She courageously spent her life answering God’s call in many humble yet profound ways. By the time she entered into formation for the priesthood she had already answered some very difficult calls from God including the heartbreaking loss of her son, Scott DiSalvo, and a bout with lung cancer.
In her own words she prayed on the occasion of her first Mass, “Creator God, bless me with discomfort at easy answers and superficial relationships, so that I will live deep within my heart.
Redeemer God, bless me with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that I will work for justice, equality and peace. Abiding Spirit, bless me with the courage to believe that I can actually make a difference.” With outspoken candor, Mary challenged her sister priests to live a life of integrity, honesty and compassion, always remembering to forgive those who ‘knew not what they did’. Mary was ordained to the transitional deaconate on November 1, 2008 and to the priesthood on August 16, 2009. On May 12, 2010 at age 70 she went home to be with her Creator and is “prayin for us”. |
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