Susan Deitrick
Stole Text
Susan Deitrick
Roman Catholic
This stole came to me in Mexico City in the summer of 1994. What was especially poignant about this time and place and experience is that first of all, I was to speak to a predominantly Catholic congregation. I, Susan Deitrick, who grew up Catholic, having received my calling in the second grade at St. Joseph’s Church in Canton, Ohio. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray that the Lord of the harvest sends laborers.” In my young heart, I knew Jesus was calling me. The problem was that I was a girl called to the priesthood. The Catholic Church still hasn’t heard Jesus, who called His own mother, as well as Mary Magdalene and many other women, including me. In fact, in my visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe, she gave me the message to deliver to this people that had never seen or heard a woman preach. She let them know that they were the new Juan Diego, called to be a church for her son Jesus Christ.
The second thing that made this ironic is that I was called to Mexico City to sit on the credentialing committee for some Mexican about-to-be clergy. In the process, I was asked to perform the Holy Union of a Mexico City pastor and his spouse.
Last of all, as I was leaving to come to Mexico City, my very special niece was killed in an auto accident. My brother and all her family were devastated beyond consolation. She had just turned 24. I had to choose her funeral or God’s calling. I went where God led me.
Roman Catholic
This stole came to me in Mexico City in the summer of 1994. What was especially poignant about this time and place and experience is that first of all, I was to speak to a predominantly Catholic congregation. I, Susan Deitrick, who grew up Catholic, having received my calling in the second grade at St. Joseph’s Church in Canton, Ohio. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray that the Lord of the harvest sends laborers.” In my young heart, I knew Jesus was calling me. The problem was that I was a girl called to the priesthood. The Catholic Church still hasn’t heard Jesus, who called His own mother, as well as Mary Magdalene and many other women, including me. In fact, in my visit to Our Lady of Guadalupe, she gave me the message to deliver to this people that had never seen or heard a woman preach. She let them know that they were the new Juan Diego, called to be a church for her son Jesus Christ.
The second thing that made this ironic is that I was called to Mexico City to sit on the credentialing committee for some Mexican about-to-be clergy. In the process, I was asked to perform the Holy Union of a Mexico City pastor and his spouse.
Last of all, as I was leaving to come to Mexico City, my very special niece was killed in an auto accident. My brother and all her family were devastated beyond consolation. She had just turned 24. I had to choose her funeral or God’s calling. I went where God led me.
Contribution Story
Archival Record
Stole Number: 1166
Honoree(s): Susan Deitrick
Donor(s): Susan Deitrick
Geography: Unknown, (USA)
Faith Tradition: Roman Catholic Church
Donation Date:
Citation
“Susan Deitrick,” LGBTQ Religious Archives Network, accessed April 19, 2024, https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1065.