Upcoming Events

Does the Church need to “figure out the diaconate” before including women in this ministry, or is women’s inclusion a vital step toward the full restoration of the diaconate?

This talk will explore the heart of diaconal ministry—its theological, ecclesial, pastoral, and practical dimensions. Tracing its roots in the early Church and its restoration in the wake of World War II, shaped in part by the witness of clergy who survived Dachau, we will consider how the diaconate’s identity as a ministry of service and bridge-building is inseparable from the Church’s conversion toward a more synodal way of being: one that embraces the leadership of all the baptized and bears witness to a God who came not to be served, but to serve.

In light of the urgent pastoral, social, and evangelizing needs of our time, might the restoration of women to the diaconate be key to renewing the Church’s mission in the world?

About the speaker - Casey Stanton is the co-director of Discerning Deacons, a project that is helping to shape a historic conversation in the Catholic Church about the role of women, particularly in relation to the diaconate. Launched in 2021, the initiative has engaged more than 10,000 Catholics across the United States and Latin America through listening sessions, retreats, storytelling, and international pilgrimages. Discerning Deacons emerged as a leading voice in the global synod process convened by Pope Francis, amplifying the experiences of women who serve the Church and inviting communities to imagine a more inclusive and participatory future.

Casey previously served as Adult Faith Formation Minister at Immaculate Conception Parish in Durham, North Carolina. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Master of Divinity from Duke Divinity School, where she earned a certificate in prison studies.

Before launching Discerning Deacons, she spent over a decade working in faith-based community organizing, where she witnessed firsthand the impact of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in addressing poverty and empowering marginalized communities.

She lives in Durham with her husband Felipe and their three children.

Interested in attending? Register here

Note: This event will be live-streamed. If you register as an online participant, you will be sent the link 24 hours before the event. Registration closes April 13th at 5:00pm PST.

Do you have a deep personal interest in spiritual growth and want to learn how to accompany others on their journeys? Do you have a ministerial role that involves spiritual care and leadership? Enhance your pastoral care by joining a 4 module workshop series on spiritual accompaniment, grounded in the exploration of listening as a skill and an art – essential elements to accompanying another. 

Each module begins with a 2 hour introduction on a Friday evening (6:30pm to 8:30pm), followed by a 6 hour workshop Saturday (9:00am to 3:00pm). The modules are designed to build skills needed for effective accompaniment through a culture of encounter. Each session provides content, context, and opportunities to listen deeply to oneself and others.

• Listening to your life and accompanying others (January 23/24)
• Ways of listening (February 6/7)
• Praying with others (February 20/21)
• Spiritual accompaniment ministries (March 6/7)

About our Workshop Leader – Candee Lucas

“I am a Jesuit-trained-and-inspired spiritual companion to the sick, suffering, dying and their families, friends, caretakers, survivors and mourners. I have served as Chaplain for Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and as Aftercare Coordinator for Catholic Cemeteries-Diocese of San Jose. I trained to be Spiritual Director at El Retiro in Los Altos.

I believe all paths lead to God and that all traditions are due respect and honor. I believe in creating a sacred space for those who are suffering; even in the most incongruous of surroundings. Suffering requires witness and accompaniment. Even in sorrow there is mystery, awe and wonder. Every new encounter with another is an opportunity for a rendezvous with the divine. I utilize art, poetry, music, aromatherapy, Lectio Divina, prayer and meditation in my self-work and work with others who accompany.”

The suggested donation is $100. If interested in donating, please consider an online donation. When designating your donation in the drop down menu, please select College of Arts and Sciences > Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries > the Rev. Francis L. Markey Center for Leadership and Ministry.

Registration is limited to twelve participants. Register here

Registration closes on Friday, January 16.

Since the days of Mary Magdalene and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, women have stood at the center of the Christian tradition. Yet too often their voices have been ignored and forgotten—and even silenced outright. This series explores the history of women witnesses throughout Christian history – saints and martyrs, sisters and activists, theologians and spiritual writers. Centering both Catholic and ecumenical voices and covering a range of topics and time periods, this series lifts up the voices of women throughout Christian history – all in the spirit of empowering women and men in their lives of faith, spirituality, and ministry today. 

Led by outstanding scholars and practitioners from Santa Clara University, the "Hear Their Voices, Heed Their Wisdom: Women of the Christian Tradition" Workshop Series takes place from 9 AM-11:30 AM at St. Martin of Tours on Saturdays. Each session offers unique opportunities for reflection and discussion, with a goal of deepening our shared lives of faith. The series repeats monthly.

About our speaker - Cathleen Chopra-McGowan is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University. She received her BA in Theology from Boston College (2010) and her MA in Hebrew Bible from Yale Divinity School (2013). In 2019, she received her PhD at the University of Chicago. She has taught courses at the University of Chicago and Loyola University, Chicago, and joined the Santa Clara faculty in 2020. Dr. Chopra-McGowan's research focuses on biblical literature within its ancient Near Eastern milieu, particularly on literary representations of imperial ideology and military defeat. Using a multidisciplinary approach that draws on gender and memory studies, and literary criticism, she teaches a variety of courses on the ancient Near East, biblical literature, archaeology, ancient languages, and contemporary uses of the bible in political and civil society.

Interested in attending? Register here

Since the days of Mary Magdalene and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, women have stood at the center of the Christian tradition. Yet too often their voices have been ignored and forgotten—and even silenced outright. This series explores the history of women witnesses throughout Christian history – saints and martyrs, sisters and activists, theologians and spiritual writers. Centering both Catholic and ecumenical voices and covering a range of topics and time periods, this series lifts up the voices of women throughout Christian history – all in the spirit of empowering women and men in their lives of faith, spirituality, and ministry today. 

Led by outstanding scholars and practitioners from Santa Clara University, the "Hear Their Voices, Heed Their Wisdom: Women of the Christian Tradition" Workshop Series takes place from 9 AM-11:30 AM at St. Martin of Tours on Saturdays. Each session offers unique opportunities for reflection and discussion, with a goal of deepening our shared lives of faith. The series repeats monthly.

About our speaker - Elise Dubravec serves as the Campus Minister for Community Life and Solidarity at Santa Clara University. A Chicago native, Elise earned a B.A. in Sociology and Religious Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago. After two years as a youth minister, she desired a continuation of her education and formation. This brought her to the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, where she earned her M.Div. She is a passionate advocate for justice in the church and world.

Interested in attending? Register here

Since the days of Mary Magdalene and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, women have stood at the center of the Christian tradition. Yet too often their voices have been ignored and forgotten—and even silenced outright. This series explores the history of women witnesses throughout Christian history – saints and martyrs, sisters and activists, theologians and spiritual writers. Centering both Catholic and ecumenical voices and covering a range of topics and time periods, this series lifts up the voices of women throughout Christian history – all in the spirit of empowering women and men in their lives of faith, spirituality, and ministry today. 

Led by outstanding scholars and practitioners from Santa Clara University, the "Hear Their Voices, Heed Their Wisdom: Women of the Christian Tradition" Workshop Series takes place from 9 AM-11:30 AM at St. Martin of Tours on Saturdays. Each session offers unique opportunities for reflection and discussion, with a goal of deepening our shared lives of faith. The series repeats monthly.

About our speaker - Melissa Broome Ursin is the Executive Director of the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries at Santa Clara University. She holds a doctorate in Catholic educational leadership from the University of San Francisco, where her dissertation focused on the formation of the Sisters of the Presentation for their ministry as Catholic educators. She earned a masters in theological studies from the University of Notre Dame and a bachelors in theological studies and music from Loyola Marymount University. Before arriving at SCU, Broome Ursin taught and was vice principal for mission and Catholic identity at Presentation High School, and –  prior to that –  served as director of worship at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph in the Diocese of San Jose.

Interested in attending? Register here

Since the days of Mary Magdalene and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, women have stood at the center of the Christian tradition. Yet too often their voices have been ignored and forgotten—and even silenced outright. This series explores the history of women witnesses throughout Christian history – saints and martyrs, sisters and activists, theologians and spiritual writers. Centering both Catholic and ecumenical voices and covering a range of topics and time periods, this series lifts up the voices of women throughout Christian history – all in the spirit of empowering women and men in their lives of faith, spirituality, and ministry today. 

Led by outstanding scholars and practitioners from Santa Clara University, the "Hear Their Voices, Heed Their Wisdom: Women of the Christian Tradition" Workshop Series takes place from 9 AM-11:30 AM at St. Martin of Tours on Saturdays. Each session offers unique opportunities for reflection and discussion, with a goal of deepening our shared lives of faith. The series repeats monthly.

About our speaker - Haruka Umetsu Cho is an Assistant Professor at Santa Clara University. She received her B.A. from International Christian University, Tokyo and her M.A. in philosophy from Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo. In Japan, she focused on philosophy, especially St. Augustine’s theory of music. In 2012, she began an M.Div. at Yale Divinity School where her research considered Christianity and literature in East Asia. This turn led her to grapple with questions of cultural encounter, colonialism, and gender/sexuality as significant factors that shape human experiences of religion. She received her PhD in the program of Religion, Gender, and Culture at Harvard University. 

Interested in attending? Register here

Since the days of Mary Magdalene and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, women have stood at the center of the Christian tradition. Yet too often their voices have been ignored and forgotten—and even silenced outright. This series will explore the history of women witnesses throughout Christian history—saints and martyrs, sisters and activists, theologians and spiritual writers. Centering both Catholic and ecumenical voices and covering a range of topics and time periods, this series will lift up the voices of women throughout Christian history—all in the spirit of empowering women and men in their lives of faith, spirituality, and ministry today.

Led by outstanding scholars and practitioners from Santa Clara University, each session will offer unique opportunities for reflection and discussion, with a goal of deepening our shared lives of faith.

Dates, Speakers, and Topics:

November 15: Dr. Elyse Raby, “Lessons in Courage and Conscience: Teresa of Ávila, Catherine of Siena & Clare of Assisi”

December 13: Dr. Bridget Burke Ravizza, “Advent Reflections with Mary, Mother of Jesus, and St. Brigid of Ireland"

January 17: Dr. Paul Schutz, “Nevertheless They Spoke: Hildegard and Julian’s Visions of God” 

February 21: Ana Karen Barragan Fernandez, M.A., and Darcy Phillips, M.A., “Contemporary Catholic Women of Latin America: Rostros of Community, Faith, and Tradition”

March 21: Dr. Cathleen Chopra-McGowan, “Presence and Absence: Women in the Hebrew Bible”

April 18: Elise Dubravec, M.Div., “Prophetic Anger: Exploring the Book of Susanna”

May 16: Dr. Melissa Ursin, “Women Religious at the Margins: Inspired by Faith and Feminism”

June 20: Dr. Haruka Umetsu Cho, “Voices of Women Martyrs in Early Modern Japanese Christianity”