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Although often unseen and not heard, women have been the strong foundations of most Christian parishes. Our mothers and grandmothers were the women who faithfully prepared and served meals following funerals, baked cookies for sales and celebrations, initiated prayer chains when there were illness or deaths in the parish. Women were housekeepers for clergy, parish secretaries, parochial school and catechism teachers, and many held many positions known only by them. As we looked around the church on Christmas and Easter, and commented on the beautiful banners and decorations, we admired the work of women.

To speak of roles of women in the church lessens the true commitment and vocation that women have had since the early church. In the Roman Catholic and Episcopal Churches, women became Religious Sisters making life vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. For years, their primary ministries were in education and health care. Today, sisters are spread throughout the world, working side by side with the poor, the neglected, and the under served. With the decrease in vocations to the priesthood, Sisters are often parish administrators, have positions in diocesan offices and sit on many committees and task forces.

The women I know in the Church, do not have roles, but are rather, engaged in ministry. In the Episcopal Church, women may now be ordained deacon, priest and bishop. I, for instance, am both a priest and a perpetually vowed member of a Franciscan religious community in the church. This is not something that I leave behind when I go to bed and assume the next morning. I don't cease to be either a priest or a sister at 5 PM, sitting in my apartment, watching Wheel of Fortune and not answering my telephone because I am "off work."

Women have always been willing to do whatever the church needed them to do despite an attitude that there were very few areas where women were appropriate in the life of the church. Today, women understand that our place in the legislative, governing, worship, education, and outreach of the church is essential to the life of our churches. Rather than waiting for the church to ordain them, some courageous women have gone forward with ordination without the approval of their religious denominations.

Several weeks ago, the parish in which I assist, offered prayers of support for two parishioners who were leaving for Haiti where they would take essential medical supplies to those who have no access to adequate medical care. One can see the impact the people of Haiti have made on these women as they share the stories of little or no food, inadequate water supplies and medical care and the unconditional love of those with whom they work, visit and minister. They do not have a role, but rather, a vocation to reach out to these undeserved and greatly in need people of God. They leave behind comfort, regular meals, adequate housing, personal care supplies and much more to walk hand in hand with the people of Haiti as physical presences of the God who loves us all.

Let us celebrate the lives and ministries; the ever growing and developing presence of women in the church. Thanks be to God.

Learn more about this author, Claudia Windal.
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