Reaching Out to Women Priests

Today, I replied to the three women priests who responded to my request to be a part of my dissertation study. All three agreed! I am still waiting on one more response. I included the Recruitment Letter and the Consent Form in my request. One of the women priests included her signed consent form. My first signed consent form! I emailed them to ask for dates and times that we could meet in January and February 2021. 

I will be conducting interviews, which I call pláticas, heart-to-heart conversations. What I like to call, I-to-I talks. In future posts, I will discuss the theoretical framework and the methodology that I'm using for my dissertation. 

I have been energized since I learned that my study was approved. I'm looking forward to meeting with the women. 


(Quote by Gloria Anzaldúa, n.d.)

Yesterday, I found several Catholic women priests that I believe their voices would be important to include in my study. My dissertation committee encouraged me to only interview six or seven women. Because I'm conducting a qualitative study, the data is the stories the women priests share with me. Also, I want to complete the dissertation by the end of 2021. 

I chose four women, I emailed each after I located their emails through internet searches. I explained who I am and what I'm doing. I also include the Recruitment Letter and Consent Form. I also emphasized that having their voice as a contributor would be essential for the study. I hope they agree. I'll keep you posted. 

One thing that I have learned in conducting research, is that most people want to help if they can. I am thankful for their generosity. When I meet with them, my primary responsibility is to listen, with respect, honor and dignity.  My intention is to hear with corazón, with heart. 

Above I include a quote by one of my favorite Chicana feminists, Gloria Anzaldúa (you'll hear more about her for sure!). I chose this quote because in my life, I have felt silenced and not listened to. I appreciate that she honors all parts of herself'; I too have learned to honor all parts of myself: the Indian, Spanish, white and African. Anzaldúa's words dance on the page as she holds nothing back. She's an inspiration to me and many others. 

Another quote that is meaningful to me is by Jo-ann Archibald, an Indigenous scholar. In her book, Indigenous Storywork: Educating the Heart, Mind, Body, and Spirit, she shares, 

"Patience and trust are essential for preparing to listen to stories. Listening involves more than just using the auditory sense. We must visualize the characters and their actions. We must let our emotions surface. As the Elders day, it is important to listen with 'three ears: two on the sides of our heard and the one that is in our heart'" (Archibald, 2008, p. 7).  

May I listen with "three ears". 

Thank you for listening/reading. <3

References

Archibald, J. (2008). Indigenous Storywork: Educating the Heart, Mind, Body, and Spirit. Vancouver, BC, Canada: UBC Press. 

[Quote by Gloria Anzaldúa]. (n.d.). QuotesGram. https://quotesgram.com/gloria-anzaldua-quotes/



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