Webinar: Exploring experiences of young women in Catholic Church

Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ

Source: Million Minutes

Million Minutes is hosting a webinar next Tuesday 7th December at 7pm to discuss the experiences of young women in the Catholic Church. The keynote speaker will be Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ - together with panelists Maria Yoo, Nina Mattiello Azadeh, Catherine Bridgwood and Anna Geatrell.

They will be taking an honest, hopeful and loving look at the ways in which the Church could better minister to young women. Speakers will explore questions such as:

- What the experiences young women are bringing to the Church?
- Why is ministry with young women in mind important?
- What more can the Church do to positively include young women, so that we don't lose them?

Pope Francis has frequently commented on the role of women within the Church and how crucial it is for communities to acknowledge the experiences of each person. In his own words, 'Some young women feel that there is a lack of leading female role models within the Church and they too wish to give their intellectual and professional gifts to the Church.' (Christus Vivit, 245). We intend to use this webinar to discuss the realities that young women are facing, where there are areas for development, and how we journey there together.

This will be a panel event that is open and available to all. It will be structured with opening remarks from the named panelists, followed by a 'closed' Q&A - i.e. attendees are asked to submit written questions.

The panel discussion will be chaired by Million Minutes CEO, Daisy Srblin.

Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ

Sr Gemma belongs to the Congregation of Jesus and is Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Religious Life Institute at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology in Cambridge. Sr Gemma was previously Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Theology at Heythrop College (2005-18) and President of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain. She is known internationally as a speaker and an author, and has been a spiritual director, retreat giver, and lecturer for almost three decades. Sr Gemma has extensive experience on the ground, having worked as a prison and university chaplain, and has been involved in religious and priestly formation internationally since 1993.

Maria Yoo

Maria Yoo, aged 30, was born in South Korea, and moved to the UK when she was 13 years old. She went on from her Catholic secondary school in South London to study Law at the University of Oxford, where she graduated in 2014. After further studies at BPP Law School, Maria qualified as a solicitor and now works in construction law. Maria is active in the Korean Catholic community in London.

Nina Mattiello Azadeh

Nina is a member of the Board of Trustees for Million Minutes. She has worked in media for the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, and is now a digital content producer at the Royal Opera House. She continues to serve Catholic communities, charities and groups as a freelance media consultant. She has written for publications such as Christian Today and The Tablet. She aims to work towards empowering young people to speak and act with confidence in Catholic and community spaces, and is particularly passionate about promoting the voices of women and people of colour.

Catherine Bridgwood

Catherine is 24 years old and lives in Birmingham. She currently coordinates a befriending project of Birmingham Churches Together aiming to welcome refugees and asylum seekers in the city. Catherine is interested in engaging with diversity in Birmingham and exploring what we can learn from encounters with difference, particularly across faith. She is involved with her local Catholic parish community as well as with the Columban Missionaries.

To register click here: www.tfaforms.com/4942600