What does it mean to be a voice of faith in today’s world? For Dominican Sister of Hope Maureen Sullivan, OP, strengthening one’s understanding of one’s own faith is key.

“In order to be voices of faith, we need to know the faith,” Sr. Maureen said. “If Catholics are educated…then there is reason to HOPE as the Church moves forward.”

Sister Maureen Sullivan, OP

That’s why on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, from 7:00 – 8:30 pm ET Sr. Maureen, along with renowned church historian, Dr. Massimo Faggioli, will present Pilgrims of Hope in a Post-Synodal Church via Zoom. The program is sponsored by The Center at Mariandale.

Sister Maureen’s hope is that the program attracts practicing Catholics who are interested in strengthening their own understanding of church teaching and how it influences their faith.

This presentation comes after the Catholic Church’s three-year process of listening and dialogue, The Synod on the Synodality, which concluded in October 2024. “Synodality” implies a commitment to discernment, dialogue, and an openness to voices that have been marginalized. Yet, prior to the second session of the Synod, Pope Francis removed certain issues from the agenda and created ten study groups, whose work would continue well after the Synod concludes. The topic of the role of women in the Church was one of the groups that was removed.

For Sister Maureen, whose scholarship is on Vatican II, this illustrates an “attitude by those in authority toward no real reform.” While Dr. Massimo Faggioli will discuss the Synod at large at the April Zoom program, Sister Maureen will focus on the role of women within the church, specifically asking: How can they be “pilgrims of hope” when managerial positions are open to women, but sacramental ministry is not?

Sister Maureen will give an overall history of women in the church, dating back to the early church when women presided at eucharistic services and were leaders of christian communities. She will also discuss the difference between dogma, doctrine, and discipline. and discipline. The concept of infallibility will also be addressed. According to Sister Maureen, “all of these terms are extremely important for a mature Catholic faith.”

She hopes that the session will raise questions about the personal faith of participants, and that they will become “more aware of the role of women in the church.”

“If someone cares deeply about an issue, e.g., advancing the role of women in the Church, specifically the female diaconate, they should be able to give a persuasive answer, one that is based on fact and not emotion.” Sister Maureen said.

A few months after the Synod’s end, Pope Francis designated the 2025 Holy Year (regarded as the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation) as a time to renew ourselves as Pilgrims of Hope: a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage, and coming home.

As she details the role of women in the Church today, the journey they’ve had heretofore, and what we might expect for the future, Sister Maureen is honoring what she calls an “overwhelming global response to have conversations about women in the church,” especially in light of the recent call to be pilgrims of hope.

After all, she said, “The more we know about our faith, the more we can be pilgrims of Hope for our sisters and brothers in our Christian communities.”

Pilgrims of Hope in a Post-Synodal Church will take place on April 2 from 7:00 to 8:30pm ET via Zoom. Sign up here.