St. Phoebe: A Model of Discipleship

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is [also] a minister of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a benefactor to many and to me as well. – Romans 16:1-2 
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Dear friends on the journey,


Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Phoebe, a great example of faith and service and a model of discipleship. She was the diakonos (minister) entrusted by St. Paul to deliver his letter to the Roman Christian community. Not much is known about her from this single biblical mention but it is clear God called and sent Phoebe. With tremendous courage, she answered God’s call to minister with charity to the growing first century Christian community. Having earned Paul’s respect and trust for her ministry and hospitality in Cenchreae, Phoebe was sent with the good news to Rome.


Through our baptism, we too are called and sent. At our baptism, we not only became members of the Body of Christ, we became sisters and brothers in a spiritual family, a community of believers on our pilgrimage to God. In this family, we celebrate the joys and support each other in sorrow. We learn together and from each other. We worship in unity and serve the greater community together.


Like Phoebe was sent with the good news, our baptism calls and sends us out to be Jesus for the world around us — in our homes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. We are laborers in God’s vineyard, teachers and proclaimers of the gospel in word and deed, and ministers for justice, peace and the common good.


Now is a good time to examine how you are living out your baptismal call and discipleship. Consider St. Phoebe as a companion in your reflection. Are you feeling confident or struggling in a particular area? Are you yearning for a deeper relationship with Jesus? Are you needing nourishment and inspiration? Are you hungering for more knowledge and understanding? Are you feeling called to service and action? Are you in need of more fellowship? Are you desiring to take a step further in your spiritual life?
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If you’re ready to take the next step in discernment or action, I invite you to our Ministry Fair the next three Sundays, September 10, 17 and 24 

After Mass, get your coffee and donut and visit the leaders and volunteers
who will share about our ministries for children, teens and adults — basically everyone
from 12 months to 112 years — and everything available for your prayer life,
spiritual growth, faith formation, and ministries for worship, outreach and social
concerns, community building and fellowship. Come find ways to encounter Jesus
and be his disciple.


Siempre Adelante,


Teresa Runyon
​Pastoral Associate 

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