Joining Catholic communities globally, we honor St. Phoebe during September. In his letter to the Romans, St.  Paul introduces St. Phoebe as his representative and a "minister of the church at Cenchreae," urging the Roman church to "receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the holy ones" (Romans 16:1-3). Our September commemoration aligned with the upcoming General Assembly of the Synod in Rome in October, which will listen to and focus on many themes raised by the worldwide faithful, including women's contributions to and participation in the local and global Church. 

We’ll mark this occasion in two special ways. On St. Phoebe Day on Wednesday, September 3, past St. Phoebe speakers Mugs Cahill, Jenna Clingingsmith, and Teresa Cordeiro will share reflections on passages from Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Then, during all Masses on September 6 & 7, five women leaders from our parish– –will offer spiritual reflections on the Sunday scriptures.

More resources for the celebration of St. Phoebe:

• Women Deacons and the Catholic Church: Explainer Video from America Media
• “Women who want to be Catholic deacons are hopeful about Pope Leo XIV. Here's why,” All Things Considered, June 10, 2025
• Ellie Hidalgo, “Why renewing the diaconate should matter to laypeople,” U.S. Catholic, March 25, 2025
• Fr. Felix Just, SJ, “Is Phoebe a ‘Saint’?”, August 28, 2023
• Colleen Gibson, “Befriending Phoebe, a co-worker in the Kingdom,” Global Sisters Report, August 28, 2020

More available at https://discerningdeacons.org/learn

About Our Presenters

Cindy Torroba

Cindy Torroba is a proud graduate of the Saint Monica Preparatory Class of 2000 and a Los Angeles native. She earned her Master’s in Pastoral Theology from Loyola Marymount University and has spent her career serving in Catholic education and leadership.

In 2021, Cindy returned to the Saint Monica Catholic Community as both an administrator and a parent. She currently serves as the Assistant Principal of the Upper School at SMPREP. Cindy is passionate about faith-based education and is dedicated to supporting students in their spiritual growth and learning.

She also serves as a Music Minister at the Saturday 5:30 pm Mass. Cindy and her husband, Vincent — who serves as President of the Mariner Parent Association — are proud parents to Madison, a current 2nd grader at SMPREP. They deeply value the school’s warm community and the strong education their daughter receives.

Diane Gasper

Diane Gasper has been a member of St. Monica Catholic Community since her first date with her husband 28 years ago. Since then, they and their two children have called St. Monica home while serving in various roles in different parish and school ministries. Her work as a high school religion teacher and campus minister, and in the School of Education at LMU helped prepare her for her current position as Director of Faith Formation for St. Monica parish. Her goal is to create enriching experiences for both ministers and those they accompany through all stages of faith formation from baptismal preparation through adult catechesis.

Rowena David

Rowena is a native Angeleno and alumnus of Catholic Schools. Her experience in Catholic education and service opportunities at Seattle University inspired her to become a Jesuit Volunteer following her undergraduate studies. This year of service affirmed her desire to teach and work with students in Catholic schools. In 2020, Rowena participated in FIRE at St. Monica, a nine-month retreat in the Spiritual Exercises with concurrent communal discernment. Her experience inspired her to become a Spiritual Director rooted in Ignatian tradition. Currently, Rowena serves as the Director of Middle School at Saint Monica Preparatory. She is passionate about accompanying people on their faith journey, especially her students, and is actively involved in liturgy and retreat preparation for the school. Rowena is married to her wonderful husband Dante and is blessed to be the mother of two children. Greatly influenced by Ignatian spirituality, Rowena finds much grace by seeking God in all things.

Jackie Connor

Jackie has been a parishioner for many decades and left a couple of years ago to move away from Santa Monica. I remain available to lector. I was a trial lawyer for ten years then retired after  25 years on the bench and continue to work as a mediator and arbitrator.

Colleen Crowley

Colleen was born and raised in New York in a faith-filled Irish Catholic family. For the past decade, she has made her home in Los Angeles. Colleen has found a deep sense of belonging through teaching at Saint Monica Preparatory and her involvement in St. Monica’s Young Ministering Adults (YMA). The Saint Monica community has been a source of joy and has deepened her spiritual life. Now beginning her ninth year as a teacher at Saint Monica Preparatory, Colleen is truly grateful to live out her vocation as a Catholic School Educator within such a vibrant and welcoming community.

Michelle Youssef

Michelle is a Catechetical Formation Consultant in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, helping parishes with intergenerational whole family catechesis and sacramental preparation.  She earned her BA in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters degree in Pastoral Theology from Loyola Marymount University.  She is a pastoral Associate.  Michelle worked as a Theology teacher and Director of Campus Ministry at Marymount High School before joining the Office of Religious Education as the Elementary Consultant.  Later on, Michelle became the first Director of Faith Formation at the Cathedral of our Lady of Angels for eight years.

Past Spiritual Reflections