Catholic Women Preach
By Catholic Women Preach
Catholic Women PreachFeb 16, 2024
"Holiness as ordinary as cups and blood" with Sr. Julia Walsh, FSPA
Sr. Julia Walsh, FSPA preaches for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ: "In our culture and time, we honor the body and blood of Jesus Christ—we become united as Christ’s body—as we honor the sacrifice of Christ upon the altar. We are nourished and strengthened, and sent to share feasts with our friends and boost one another up. We celebrate communion at restaurants, at dining room tables and at the Holy Mass. As we take the cup of salvation, we become healed, we become One. Thanks be to God." Julia Walsh is a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration who serves as a vocation minister plus hosts the Messy Jesus Business podcast. She is a widely published spiritual writer and author of For Love of the Broken Body. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/06022924 to learn more about Sister Julia, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
May 26, 2024: "God is bigger than we can imagine" with Julia Erdlen
Preaching for Trinity Sunday, Julia Erdlen offers a reflection on the many ways of relating to God: "God is always bigger than we can imagine, and the Trinity is a constant reminder of that. If I try too hard to nail down one metaphor, one perfect image to describe this mystery, I’ll hit up against the limit of my own human understanding. I can’t smush down God into a tiny box. God simply won’t fit. God is always bigger than I can imagine, and all I can do is keep adding more and more ways to describe and understand God, as I grow in my own understanding and encounter with God." Julia Erdlen (she/her) currently serves as the Liturgy Coordinator at Saint Louis University. Originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, she completed her MDiv at Boston College’s Clough School of Theology and Ministry, where she worked with low-income and LGBTQ+ students. She has also written for US Catholic & New Ways Ministry, and is a part-time hospital chaplain. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05262024 to learn more about Julia, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
May 19, 2024: "Becoming a people" with Maureen O'Connell
Preaching for Pentecost Sunday, Maureen O'Connell offers a reflection on becoming a people: "A people are those who share a vision and a desire to work together toward it. A people decide to go through hard things together, confident they will be different on the other side." Maureen O'Connell is professor of Christian ethics at La Salle University in Philadelphia and director of synod and higher education engagement for Discerning Deacons. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05192024 to learn more about Maureen, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
May 12, 2024: "The Call to Become" with Martha Ligas
Preaching for the Solemnity of the Ascension, Martha Ligas offers a reflection on proclaiming the Gospel by following the example of creation: "Our invitation, then, is not to tell others how they are to live. Instead, we are called to lean into our own becoming. The more we can learn to live boldly as ourselves, with integrity, with confidence, and with purpose, the more we will become the Body of Christ that our Christian faith compels us to become. This is how we are to evangelize— by demonstrating what it means to be embodied, fully alive, and rooted in purpose." Martha Ligas (she/her) serves as the Pastoral Minister at the Community of St. Peter in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Communications Coordinator at FutureChurch. Both spaces give her room to ride the coattails of the Spirit by reimagining what it means to create faith communities of belonging. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry from Fordham University. Martha lives in Cleveland, OH with her partner and their pets. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05122024 to learn more about Martha, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
May 5, 2024: "God's Expansive Love" with Meghan Larsen-Reidy
Preaching for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Meghan Larsen-Reidy, offers a reflection sharing the expansiveness of God's love: "When we open our eyes to see the expansiveness of God’s love in the people that surround us, we draw into a deeper relationship with the Divine. We cannot always anticipate the impact that each new relationship will have on our lives and vice versa. God is calling us to be open to the love that is waiting for us and to share that love with others. Our small acts of love may make an impact that we only hear about from heaven." Meghan Larsen-Reidy lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and four children. She currently works as a Campus Minister at three colleges in the Pittsburgh area. Meghan received a Masters of Arts in Teaching at the University of Portland and simultaneously did a service-teaching program. She currently attends the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego where she is getting her Masters of Theological Studies in Franciscan Theology. She attended Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame where she received a BA in Religious Studies and credits much of her success to the leadership opportunities she had at an all women’s college. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05052024 to learn more about Meghan, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
April 28, 2024: Remaining In God's Love with Lisa Mersereau
Preaching for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Lisa Mersereau offers a reflection on remaining in God's love from her perspective as a hospice chaplain: "The stories I hear about how a dying person has maintained a prayer life are as amazing as God is. Many reflect upon how God is with them and how they know God is with them in their final illness. There is an unwavering belief that there’s mutual love flowing between them and God. By Jesus saying, 'Remain in me, as I remain in you,' we can interpret that as, 'Know that love is present to you now and will be forever as I remain in you and you remain in me.' This is one of the many things I have learned at the bedside of my patients." Lisa Mersereau, CT is a graduate of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, IL, with a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree. Recently, she became a Certified Thanatologist with the Association for Death Education and Counseling by being certified in Thanatology: Death, Dying, and Bereavement. Lisa is employed at Uni Care Hospice in Escondido, CA as a Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator and is an active ministry volunteer at Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala. She happily lives in the San Diego area. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04282024 to learn more about Lisa, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
April 21, 2024: "Why Care?" with Sharon M.K. Kugler
Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Sharon M.K. Kugler offers a reflection on what believing in a Good Shepherd God means for us: "If we believe in a Good Shepherd God then we are, each one of us, held as we navigate through the shadows of life, as we encounter illness of body or mind in ourselves or others, as we see despair and try to ease it, as we see the absence of justice and respond. These are the things that our God is acutely aware of and is constantly tending. We look to the Good Shepherd God to show us the way and we look to one another each of us, sheep, to follow, to care." Sharon M.K. Kugler became the seventh University Chaplain to Yale in July of 2007 and retired in June of 2023. She came to New Haven from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore where she had served as the University Chaplain since 1993. Sharon received her Masters degree from Georgetown University and is a member of the Theta Alpha Kappa National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04212024 to learn more about Sharon, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
"Bringing our Doubt and Questions to Faith" with Mary Erika Bolaños
Preaching for the Third Sunday of Easter, Mary Erika Bolaños offers a reflection on bringing our doubts and questions to faith: "Like the disciples, we often find ourselves troubled by doubts and questions. We may struggle to reconcile the complexities of life with our beliefs, or we may feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face. In these moments, Jesus’ words offer us both comfort and challenge. The gospel reminds us that faith is not immune to doubt but can coexist with it. We are invited to confront our doubts honestly and openly, trusting that Christ will meet us in our vulnerability." Mary Erika Bolaños, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Santo Tomas Manila, Philippines, and concurrently serves as the Principal of UST Senior High School. She teaches at the UST Graduate School and the Institute of Preaching of the Dominican Province of the Philippines. She completed her Ph.D. Theology in UST with a concentration on the Biblical Paul and finished a Biblical Studies Certificate at the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies. In addition, she has written manuscripts, articles, and textbooks in Religious Education and Pauline studies. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04142024 to learn more about Dr. Bolaños, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
April 7, 2024: "Credible Witnesses" with Layla A. Karst
Preaching for the Second Sunday of Easter, Layla A. Karst reflects on our call to be credible witnesses to the Resurrection in today's world: "We are an Easter people, a community of missionary disciples, beloved of God and witnesses to the resurrection. Ours is a church that is called to be radically inclusive. Our Easter joy is abundant enough to share with all and still have more left over. Our joy is deep enough to hold grief and sorrow and anger and doubt without fear. We are recognizable by our joy, yes, but also by our wounds, and by the Spirit within us that greets all with a word of peace." Dr. Layla A. Karst is an assistant professor in the department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University where she teaches and writes at the intersection of liturgy and ecclesiology. She is currently studying the theology and practice of lay preaching in Catholic communities and their implications for building a more synodal church. She holds a PhD from Emory University and an MDiv from the University of Notre Dame. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04072024 to learn more about Dr. Karst, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
March 31, 2024: "Run, Mary, Run - An Easter Witness" with Dr. C. Vanessa White
Preaching for Easter Sunday, Dr. C. Vanessa White offers a reflection on the power of women's voices proclaiming the Good News then and now: "If women doubt their value, this telling and retelling of the resurrection story reaffirms the power of a women’s voice - for it was Mary’s voice that first testified to the Resurrection and whose story continues today...On this day, can we, like Mary, run and share the news of Jesus’ presence in our world? In spite of our doubts and fears, do we have the strength, the fortitude, the faith to go out like Mary and the disciples and share the news that Jesus has risen? This Good News can change our hearts and change the world, if only we believe." Dr. C. Vanessa White is Associate Professor of Spirituality and Ministry as well as the Director of the Certificate in Black Theology and Ministry at Catholic Theological Union. She received her Doctor of Ministry and Master of Theological Studies degrees from Catholic Theological Union, with additional post-graduate work at Xavier University of Louisiana and Loyola University Chicago. She is also a member of the faculty for Xavier University’s Summer Institute for Black Catholic Studies in New Orleans where she teaches in both the Master’s degree and Continuing Education and Enrichment Program. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03313024 to learn more about C. Vanessa White, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
March 29, 2024: "Disrupting Power and Oppression" with Leslye Colvin
Preaching for Good Friday, Leslye Colvin offers a reflection on resisting systems of power and oppression: "History teaches that those who speak from the margins are targeted to suffer cruelties, and, quite often, to suffer death. Jesus was a man with a target on his back. He was born and lived on the margins of a powerful and oppressive system that placed no value on his life. He resisted the dehumanization of this system by recognizing each person as being made in the image and likeness of his beloved Abba, and he acted accordingly. For him, this was God’s law written on his heart, and his life testified to this truth." Leslye Colvin is a writer, spiritual companion, retreat facilitator, and contemplative activist. Inspired by the tradition of Catholic social teaching, she is passionate about encouraging diversity of thought especially as it relates to those often marginalized within the community. Currently in the apprenticeship program of the Guild for Spiritual Guidance, Leslye is a graduate of the Living School and the Haden Institute. She holds an M.A. in Communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an undergraduate degree from Xavier University of Louisiana. Leslye serves on the Boards of FutureChurch, and NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03292024 to learn more about Leslye, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
March 28, 2024: "Jesus' Bold, Fierce Love" with Dr. Cynthia Bailey Manns
Preaching for Holy Thursday, Dr. Cynthia Bailey Manns offers a reflection on living God's bold, fierce love for everyone: "In October, I will return to Rome to participate in the final assembly of this Synod. And although I will NOT be washing feet, I will follow the model of Jesus’ bold, fierce love as he cared for those he encountered. He was a healing presence to those he taught, listened to, guided and accompanied. I will be a healing presence to those I encounter, listen to, and accompany. I will love others with more empathy and without distinction. And I will love God more fiercely. Beginning today, I invite YOU to multiply and deepen your Holy Thursday experiences as you embody Jesus’ bold, fierce love in your sacred encounters with others and God." Dr. Cynthia Bailey Manns is one of four lay people from the United States who were appointed by Pope Francis as the first lay women and men voting delegates to participate at the first general assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality this past October and again in October 2024. She is the Director of Adult Learning at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Community in Minneapolis—a community whose vision is to be a visible, progressive Catholic Community, compassionate and welcoming to all. She holds a Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction from the Graduate Theological Foundation in Florida and currently serves as Adjunct Faculty at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03282024 to learn more about Dr. Bailey Manns, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
March 24, 2023: "A Synodal Palm Sunday" with Sheila Leocádia Pires
Preaching for Palm Sunday, Sheila Leocádia Pires offers a reflection on entering into Holy Week as a Synodal Church:
"May this Holy Week be a season of deep reflection on the Church we want, a season of more conversations in the Spirit, a season of prayer and listening, and a season of open dialogue with one another."
Sheila Leocádia Pires is a Mozambican media practitioner with over 19 years of experience in Catholic journalism. She is the first woman to be appointed Communications Officer of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC). Ms Pires is a Synod delegate and Communication Secrecretary Synodal Assembly.
Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03242024 to learn more about Ms. Pires, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
March 17, 2023: "Written in Our Hearts" with Susan Nchubiri, MM
Preaching for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Susan Nchubiri, MM offers a reflection on the new covenant and a 'fresh start': "The new covenant that has been written in our hearts is a law of love and care, not hate and punishment. Looking at the world today, we see immense suffering, death and destruction through war and violence, great polarizations, nationalism, genocide and xenophobia, to name but a few. How can we who know God continue to allow dehumanization, dispossession, oppression and exploitation of sections of populations such as the Palestinians, indigenous peoples, refugees and migrants? How can we, in the 21st century, still embrace the politics of racism and discrimination, imperialism, war and militarism?" Susan Nchubiri, MM is a member of the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic. She was born and raised in Kenya. Susan holds a Master’s degree in Global Affairs with a specialization in International Peace Studies from the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame - Indiana. She also holds a Master’s degree in Rural Sociology and Community Development from the University of Nairobi -Kenya. She has been missioned to Hong Kong, Haiti, and the US. In addition, she has been an ecumenical accompanier in Palestine and Israel with the World Council of Churches. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03172024 to learn more about Susan, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
March 10, 2024: "Beacons of Hope and Justice" with Ogechi Akalegbere
Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Ogechi Akalegbere offers a reflection on living as beacons of hope and justice: "As we reflect on this Gospel passage and the message of Sister Thea Bowman, let us recommit ourselves to the work of building a more just and compassionate society. Let us pray for the courage and the strength to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult. And let us never forget the words of Jesus, who reminds us that whatever we do for the least of our brothers and sisters, we do for him." Ogechi Akalegbere is a Nigerian-American who currently works as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Washington. She previously served as the Christian Service Coordinator at an all-girls Independent Catholic School where she served as a diversity co-practitioner and ministry leader. She also uses her gifts as a public speaker, fitness instructor, and community organizer. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03102024 to learn more about Ogechi, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
March 3, 2023: "Trusting God's Will and Word" with Vickey McBride
Preaching for the Third Sunday of Lent, Vickey McBride offers a reflection on trusting in God's will for us and our world, especially when anger at injustice consumes us: "Anger is a natural, human response. It is healthy and often a helpful compass that directs us to urgent needs. But if you ever feel consumed by anger when things don’t go the way you think they should, it might be helpful to remember what the psalmist says: God’s word is right, perfect, clear. God’s word leads us to everlasting life. And while we should stand up for God’s word and act as living witnesses, God does not require us to threaten or shake each other into acknowledging that truth. God’s word is effective. It’s more than factually true, it is existentially true and will, in the fullness of time, come to pass." Vickey McBride is Vice President for Mission at Saint Martin de Porres High School (Cristo Rey) in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2023, she received the Michael Pressley Award for Excellence in Catholic Education. She has written reflections for the 2024 and 2023 editions of the Living Liturgy Sunday Missal published by Liturgical Press. She also contributed to Five Minutes with the Saints: More Spiritual Nourishment for Busy Teachers, a book of meditations published by Ave Maria Press in 2014. She is passionate about music, spirituality, and building loving communities.
Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03032024 to learn more about Vickey, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
February 25, 2022: "Holy indifference" with Salena Ibrahim
Preaching for the Second Sunday of Lent, Salena Ibrahim offers a reflection on responding in freedom to God's invitations: "In this process of letting go of our attachments, knowing the cost of discipleship, and still choosing to be faithful, we can better hear God speak to us of our belovedness, of our common belonging in God. This Lenten season, let us examine our interior attachments so that we can freely respond with Abraham, “Here I am,” and allow God to transform our lives." Salena Ibrahim is earning her Masters of Divinity at Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry where her work focuses on theologies of migration and liberation, and preferences a feminist lens. Most recently, she worked as a Graduate Minister in Residential Ministry at Boston College, accompanying residential students and facilitating Jesuit tradition programming. Prior to this, Salena served as a Jesuit Volunteer (’20-21) and Associate University Minister at the University of Detroit Mercy. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02252024 to learn more about Saline, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
February 18, 2024: "Desert Traversing" with Diana Marin
Preaching for the First Sunday of Lent, Diana Marin invites us to enter into the desert spaces of our lives with trust in God: "This past week we entered into Lent, a season of intentional desert traversing. I like to think of Lent as a skills building time. It’s a desert that is measurable and measured: we know when it begins and when it ends, we know the rules, we know to deepen our prayer, fast, and give. We do this in community. This doesn’t mean it’s not challenging, it is. But it’s a desert that invites us to build spiritual muscles, so that when life wallops us sideways, we can get back on our feet and see, even if it’s only in distant retrospect, that God softened our fall." Diana Marin serves as the Program Manager, Young Adult Mobilization at Catholic Climate Covenant. She earned a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages and Literature from Harvard. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02182024 to learn more about Diana, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
February 14, 2024: "A Lent that is uniquely yours" with Clarissa V. Aljentera
Preaching for Ash Wednesday, Clarissa V. Aljentera invites us to discern a Lenten journey that incorporates the universal elements of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, but is uniquely ours to walk: "How do you believe God is inviting you into a Lenten journey that is uniquely beautiful and uniquely yours? What is God calling you back to? How will your heart make its way home?" Clarissa V. Aljentera (she/her) is a second-generation Filipina American born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is currently the Director of Education for Justice with the Ignatian Solidarity Network. She is passionate about engaging Catholic Social Teaching in various aspects of her life. She is interested in the intersections of Anti-Asian Hate alongside systemic racism and, in particular, the role that solidarity plays among Black and Asian communities. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02142024 to learn more about Clarissa, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
February 11, 2024: "Bringing our Messiness to God" with Olivia Catherine Hastie
Preaching for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Olivia Catherine Hastie offers a reflection on bringing our "messiness" to God: "Our messes never go away. We all carry anxiety, trauma, discomfort, family issues, identity crises, pain, and sorrow...How will you ask God to bless your mess? How will allow the spirit to move you to love others in the midst of their messes?" Olivia Catherine Hastie is a second year Master of Theological Studies student at Harvard Divinity School focusing on Religion, Ethics, and Politics. She earned her bachelor’s degree in religious studies and peace and conflict studies at the College of the Holy Cross in 2022 and plans to pursue doctoral study in Catholic Theology/Ethics. Olivia’s work centers the body as a critical component of Christian discourse working closely with liberationist, feminist, and queer theologians and authors. In addition to her studies, Olivia is the Program Associate for Education and Advocacy with FutureChurch and an avid volunteer in her church community at Saint Cecilia in Boston where she serves on the Parish Pastoral Council. In her free time, Olivia enjoys practicing her singing skills, spending time with her family, and exploring the many coffee shops in the Boston area. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02112024 to learn more about Olivia, to read her preaching, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
February 4, 2024: "A Healing Presence" with Mary Anne Sladich-Lantz
Preaching for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mary Anne Sladich-Lantz offers a reflection on healing: "Certainly, each one of us could use a dose of healing in our lives. You know where that is inside of yourself. Our whole world needs healing, too. Brokenness and division is everywhere. Can we take the very human interaction between Jesus and Simon’s mother-in-law as a model of how to be a healing presence wherever brokenness resides." Mary Anne Sladich-Lantz has been a leader of Mission and Formation for Providence St. Joseph Health for over 25 years. In her various roles within Providence St. Joseph Health, she has worked with leaders, physicians and all caregivers on personal, spiritual and professional development. Born and raised in Anaconda, MT, she graduated from the University of Providence with a BA in Sociology/Psychology. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology and Personal Spirituality from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. Mary Anne and her husband Reggie enjoy the great outdoors and the big sky of Montana. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02042024 to learn more about Mary Anne, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
January 28, 2024: "Living Our True Call" with Colleen Gibson, SSJ
Preaching for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Colleen Gibson, SSJ offers a reflection on living our true calling: "Ultimately, the freedom we aspire to, and which Paul speaks of, comes when we embrace God’s call to be who we truly are, loving God as only we can and letting all other loves flow forth from that...Living our truest vocation draws us into relationship with God, in and through the relationships we give ourselves to." Sister Colleen Gibson is a Sister of Saint Joseph who currently serves as coordinator of pastoral care at St. John-St. Paul Catholic Collaborative in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Sister Colleen is co-host of the podcast Beyond the Habit and a regular contributor to Give Us This Day, National Catholic Reporter, and Global Sisters Report. She holds a Master of Theological Studies degree from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01282024 to learn more about Sr. Colleen, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
January 21, 2024: "Compelling Invitations" with Marissa Papula
Preaching for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Marissa Papula offers a reflection on discerning God's call in our lives: "I wonder when in our lives we receive invitations that turn everything upside down, and we’re left with little else to do then pick up our nets and leave it all behind for God: the job layoff, the positive pregnancy test, the diagnosis, the love at first sight. God’s call to us and our compulsion to respond might not involve a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Still, it might very well involve the minutiae of our daily lives: parenthood, partnerships, jobs, the humanness of living in a body that is fragile and mortal. From within our lives but beyond our expectations and imaginations come invitations that compel us out of all we know and into a wilderness of holy surrender." Marissa Papula (she/her) serves as the Director of Campus Ministry at Loyola Marymount University in California.Formed and transformed by Jesuit education, Marissa holds her BA from The University of Scranton, and her MA and Post Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Formation from Boston College. Her academic and pastoral interests, and subjects of her speaking, writing, and presenting include Ignatian spirituality, theological anthropology, feminist theology, racial justice and LGBTQ+ ministry. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01212024 to learn more about Marissa, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
January 14, 2024: "Living into our God-given Potential" with Laura Boysen-Aragón
Preaching for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Laura Boysen-Aragón offers a reflection on living into our God-given potential: "God always sees our full potential. But living into our full-God-given potential can be perceived as a threat to some...Society won’t change unless we speak out and act out and live into God’s potential for us - even when we are scared." Laura Boysen-Aragón (she/her) is the Development Director at the Loyola Institute for Spirituality (LIS) in Orange, CA. Laura is passionate about the intersection of spirituality and antiracism, and she is active in antiracism education and advocacy. She holds an M.A. in Theology from Loyola Marymount University, a J.D. from Columbia Law School, and a B.A. in English from Gonzaga University. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01142024 to learn more about Laura, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
January 7, 2024: "Our God Disrupts Power" with Nontando Hadebe
Preaching for the Feast of the Epiphany, Dr. Nontando Hadebe offers a reflection on God's disruption of our notions of power: "As we celebrate Epiphany we need to look for the presence and sign of God in those places that will disrupt all our categories. And like the delegation of the East, let us have the courage to respond with faith to the disruptive messages around us from the poor, the underclass, those that have been rendered invisible in our communities and in our families. It is there that we will encounter the living Christ." Dr. Nontando Hadebe is an African Catholic woman feminist theologian based in Johannesburg South Africa. She is currently coordinating gender justice projects at Side by Side and Bread for the world. She is on board of Future Church and hosts a weekly radio program with Radio Veritas. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01072024 to read Dr. Hadebe's text and for more preaching from Catholic women.
January 1, 2024: "Messengers of Peace" with Michelle Sherman
Preaching for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and the World Day of Prayer for Peace, Michelle Sherman offers a reflection on holding and living a message of peace: "So today, as we remember the message of the shepherds, and consider who the messengers of peace are in our own communities, perhaps we might choose a message of peace for this new year that we can both keep in our hearts and live into for the next 365 days. May this year be a year of peace with justice, each of us contributing in ways that embrace and endure." Michelle Sherman (she/her) is the program director for nonviolence and campus outreach at Pax Christi USA. She is also a retreat presenter and spiritual director. Born in the Philippines and raised in St. Louis, MO; she has been formed, educated, and nurtured by several women’s religious communities including the Sisters of the Precious Blood in St. Louis and the Sisters of the Holy Cross at Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. She completed the Spiritual Direction Formation program with the Sisters of Mercy and holds an MA in Theology and Ministry from Villanova University. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01012024 to learn more about Michelle, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
December 31, 2023: "Chosen, Holy Family" with Lisa Fullam, D.V.M., Th.D.
Preaching for the Feast of the Holy Family, Lisa Fullam offers a reflection on nurturing our own holy family: "Family is a spiritual thing, a gift of God. As we live into those close relationships in our lives we should find ourselves growing in kindness, bending when people need bending with, forgiving when people need forgiving. We will be imperfect. We will make mistakes—we are still human, after all. So likewise, our holy family members will grow in kindness in return, bend with us when we need it, forgive us when we need it, and join us in our work for justice. THAT’S what family means, at least for Jesus and his mother, and all the members of Jesus’ chosen family, and for us as members of Jesus’ chosen family." Lisa Fullam D.V.M., Th.D. is professor emerita of moral theology from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University and associate veterinarian at New Baltimore Animal Hospital in West Coxsackie, NY. After veterinary studies at Cornell, she earned a doctorate in Christian ethics from Harvard Divinity School. After 19 years at JST-SCU, she and her husband John R. Mabry packed up their house and their boxer dogs and headed to the upper Hudson Valley in NY where she resumed veterinary practice. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12312023 to learn more about Dr. Fullam, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
December 25, 2025: "Making Room" with Natalia Imperatori Lee
Preaching for Christmas, Natalia Imperatori-Lee reflects on God's determination to "make room" and encourages us to do likewise: "In the incarnation, God, too, makes room. God is determined to make room. Room for light in the darkness. Room for joy in our sadness. Room for triumph in our defeats. Room for peace in our broken, war-torn world. God is determined to make space among the ruins for celebration, to make possible within our vulnerability a sense of safety. God is determined to make room in the darkness that surrounds us for an inextinguishable light. How are we being called to make room in our lives? ...Are we determined like God to make room for good in this world filled with suffering?" Natalia Imperatori-Lee is Professor of Religious Studies at Manhattan College in the Bronx, NY, where she also coordinates the Catholic Studies program. She is the author, most recently, of "Women and the Church: From Devil’s Gateway to Disciples" (Paulist Press, 2024), and of "Cuéntame: Narrative in the Ecclesial Present"(Orbis Books, 2018). Her work focuses on the intersection of Latinx theologies, feminist theologies, and Catholic ecclesiology. She lives in the Bronx with her spouse and children. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12252023 to learn more about Natalia, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic Women Preach.
December 24, 2023: "Bearers of God's Promise" with Karen Sue Smith
Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Karen Sue Smith offers a reflection on our role - inspired by Mary - as bearers of God's promise: "We believe that the promise/fulfillment process continues. God lives among us and within us here and now. Like Mary, we are called to be God-bearers, to make God’s compassion and justice real and present in our world. How? Answering that question requires discernment, as we discover what gifts God has given us and how best to use them. But all the basics--in the Sermon on the Mount or from Jesus’ own works of mercy, justice, and community-building – are clear enough. We need to consent and persist…." Karen Sue Smith is a retired writer and editor with nearly 30 years of experience working in the Catholic press. She served in full time capacities as editorial director at America Magazine; editor of CHURCH Magazine from National Pastoral Life Center; and associate editor at Commonweal Magazine. She earned her Master of Divinity at Harvard University and a Master of Arts in Theology at the University of Notre Dame. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12242023 to learn more about Karen Sue, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
December 17, 2023: "Taking Joy and Generosity to a New Level" with Bridget McDermott Flood
Preaching for the Third Sunday of Advent, Bridget McDermott Flood offers a reflection on being present to one another: "Our faith and the presence of God within us takes our joy to another level, and also requires another level of generosity...This Advent, it is not enough to experience the joy of the Season embodied in Christmas trees and holiday lights. True joy comes from taking time with those whom we love, with those who are lonely, and with those who are in need." Bridget McDermott Flood has been the executive director of the Incarnate Word Foundation since its inception in 1998. Her passion is bringing the Sisters' Incarnational Spirituality to the Foundation's work in neighborhoods and community. She is the author of "Blue Hole Wisdom: My Journey with the Sisters." She is a life-long South St. Louisan and also a ceramic artist at Carondelet Pottery, her studio in South St. Louis, as well as a beekeeper and quilter. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12172023 to learn more about Bridget, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
December 12, 2023: "The Transforming Power of Faith and Hope" with Melissa Cedillo
Preaching for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Melissa Cedillo offers a reflection on the transformative power of faith and hope: "On this feast day, and with today's readings, we see time and time again, average people being demanded to do the impossible sometimes with only their faith. But as we look around the world, we see that sometimes, it's people's faith that is the only tool at their disposal for change. In this season of waiting may we not lose hope of the good news that is to come." Melissa Cedillo was born and raised in California's Coachella Valley. For the past five years, Melissa has worked in campaigns in Florida, Texas, California, and Washington DC. Working at the intersection of religion and politics, Melissa has worked on issues of reproductive justice, immigration advocacy, and healthcare access. She attended Loyola Marymount University (LMU) for undergrad and Harvard Divinity School for graduate school. Melissa currently lives in Sacramento, CA. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12122023 to learn more about Melissa, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
December 10, 2023: "Actively Patient" with Sarah Hansman
Preaching for the Second Sunday of Advent, Sarah Hansman offers a reflection on "preparing the way": "Yes, change takes time. The arc is long. We must be patient. But, being patient does not mean slowing down our efforts. Patience does not ask me to stay silent for fear of rocking the boat nor delaying until everyone is ready for change; for they may never be. Patience means do the work. Prepare the way! Just don’t give up in the face of slow progress." Sarah Hansman (she/her) is currently an MDiv student at Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry. She has directed numerous retreats, worked as the development manager for the nonprofit Women’s Foundation of Boston, serves weekly at a medium security men’s prison, and spent this past summer as a chaplain at Massachusetts General Hospital. Sarah sees preaching as an act of resistance and hope. She plans to pursue doctoral studies, with a desire to engage questions and positive reconstructions of embodiment, sexuality, and gender in Catholic contexts. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12102023 to learn more about Sarah, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
December 8, 2023: "Mary: Our Model of Discernment" with Madison Chasten
Preaching for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Madison Chastain offers a reflection on modeling our discernment after Mary: "Our Blessed, Embodied Mother makes the biggest choice of her life from a place of utmost peace: “I am the handmaid of the Lord, may it be done to me according to your word.” This peace is a direct result of how Mary models decision-making: She starts with the body, she roots into her context, and all else flows from there. This is our example for discernment." Madison Chastain is a writer and nonprofit communications specialist living and working on the South Side of Chicago. Her work explores the intersection of disability, faith, creativity, and culture. She has a BA in Creative Writing and Theology/Religious Studies from St. Mary’s College of California and an MA from the University of Chicago’s Divinity School were her research focused on the relationship between medical ethics, disability theology, and crip theory. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12082023 to learn more about Madison, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
December 3, 2023: "Watching Out and Watching Over" with Ma. Marilou S. Ibita
Preaching for the First Sunday of Advent, Ma. Marilou S. Ibita offers a reflection on the intertwined themes of return and watchfulness: "The readings assume that the Lord will come again which opens up a great future where our active participation is required both in discerning the visions of God’s reign and in making the visions come true. If we are asleep, literally, or figuratively, we cannot participate. The repeated commands for 'watching' for the coming of the Lord and our decisive participation signify urgency!" Ma. Marilou S. Ibita obtained her doctorate in biblical studies at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium. She teaches undergraduate and graduate students at the De La Salle University in Manila and graduate students at the KU Leuven while co-directing and directing doctoral students at both universities. Her research interests include contextual biblical hermeneutics such as liberationist, feminist, ecological, trauma, postcolonial, and future-oriented biblical interpretations of the New Testament, economics and social stratification in the Bible, as well as adult faith education and dialogue that promote human rights and sustainability. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12032023 to learn more about Ma. Marilou S. Ibita, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
November 26, 2023: "Ready to begin again" with Carol Zinn, SSJ
Preaching for the Solemnity of Christ the King, Carol Zinn, SSJ invites us to reflect on the end of the liturgical year and commit to new beginnings: "Perhaps situating this feast in its context of origin can provide a lens to situate ourselves as we end this liturgical year and ready ourselves for beginning again. How have we lived? How have we treated others? All living beings? How is it that we are still at war—within ourselves, between one another and among nations? How do we not hear the voice of the shepherd pointing the way to life? How can we continue to turn a blind eye to the needs of our sisters and brothers, near and far? How do we drift so far away from living as sheep who know they are loved and as followers of a king whose heart bursts for each one of us?" Dr. Carol Zinn, a Sister of St. Joseph from Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA has ministered in the formal and non-formal education profession. She has taught on all levels (pre-K through post-graduate) and has worked in the areas of educational leadership, religious education, sacramental coordinator, and music minister. Currently Carol serves as the Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/11262023 to learn more about Carol, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
November 19, 2023: "Sharing Our Gifts" with Rosemary Johnston
Preaching for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Rosemary Johnston offers the witness of Mother Antonia, who served in prison ministry, as an example of how we are called to share our gifts: "Mother Antonia once said, 'there is no one so ugly he does not have beauty within him; no one so weak he does not have great strength and no one so poor he is not endowed with richness. Each person is of invaluable worth.' She was not only talking about those whom she served but about each of us. We are all people of invaluable worth. Share your gifts. It is a timeless blessing for those who give and for those who receive." Rosemary Johnston became involved in prison ministry at a San Diego area women's jail in 1985. At the same time she began pursuing master’s degree in practical theology at the University of San Diego, graduating in 1990. After working as director of the Office of Human Life and Development at the diocesan pastoral center, she became a freelance writer for the National Catholic Reporter and was later hired to run the volunteer services program at Father Joe’s Villages, the country’s largest homeless shelter. She was later was hired as executive director of the Interfaith Shelter Network. In the summers of 2003, 2004 and 2005, I attended the Summer Preaching Institute at the Aquinas Institute of Theology. Since her retirement in 2013, she has served as a member of several non-profit boards and continues to organize the annual Good Friday Walk with the Suffering in downtown San Diego and the La Posada Sin Fronteras at the border fence. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/11192023 to learn more about Rosemary, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
November 12, 2023: "The desire to know and be known" with Paula Rush
Preaching for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Paula Rush offers a reflection on knowing and being known: "And in that moment, we realize this parable is all about knowing... And this is exactly what Jesus needs us to realize. He needs us to get in touch with that desire. The desire to know and be known. We want to be wise. We want wisdom." Paula Rush is a catechist with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd—an approach to faith formation for children. She writes a blog, “The Better Part”—three weekly Sunday Gospel reflections for children ages 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12, and records these as a podcast. She serves as a chaplain at a Catholic high school in Waterloo, Ontario, where she lives with her husband and five children. Currently, she pursues a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd through the Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, MO. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/11122023 to learn more about Paula, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
November 5, 2023: "Inclusive, Servant Leaders" with Raynah Marise Braganza Passanha
Preaching for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Raynah Marise Braganza Passanha offers a reflection on living as inclusive, servant leaders: "Saying yes to a sacred call requires vulnerability, being conscious of and addressing the fears that deter one from living that 'yes' honestly and completely. Let us commit to help one another be effective leaders. May our lives witness our love and faithfulness to God, the Church, and the Good News. As we address the shadow side of the Church, we need to also challenge the shadow side of ourselves. In our fight against exclusion, let us try to live consciously inclusive lives. In our work for the Reign of God, may we testify to the kind of world we are working towards." Raynah Marise is a faith and gender rights activist, based in Pune, India. In addition to her ministry in faith formation of adults, religious sisters and seminarians, she is currently the National Convenor of the Indian Christian Women’s Movement, a movement of Christian women independent of any Church finding our voice in addressing issues of concern within Churches. She is also a member of the Indian Women Theologians Forum, Sisters in Solidarity, and the Indian Catechetical Association.
Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/11052023 to learn more about Raynah, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
October 29, 2023: "Loving Our Neighbor" with Marielena Hincapié
Preaching for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Marielena Hincapié offers a reflection on immigration in light of the Gospel: "Let us advocate for just and compassionate immigration policies at the federal, state and local levels that respect the dignity of every human being. Our roles as educators, scholars, advocates, and followers of Christ call us to engage in thoughtful dialogue and actively work towards a society that upholds the rights and well-being of all, especially the most vulnerable." Marielena Hincapié is a Distinguished Immigration Fellow and Visiting Scholar at Cornell University’s Immigration Law and Policy Program.Marielena immigrated as a child from Medellín, Colombia, to Central Falls, Rhode Island and grew up as the youngest in a family of 10 children. She earned her juris doctor degree from Northeastern University School of Law. Visit https://www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/10292023 to learn more about Marielena, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
October 22, 2023: "Give to God what belongs to God" with Chanelle Robinson
Preaching for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Chanelle Robinson offers a reflection on the command to "Give to God what belongs to God" through an ecological lens: "But what happens when humanity confuses the things of God and the things of the emperor? If human greed interchanges the dignity of the planet with the pursuit of the coin, do we lose sight of what belongs to God and what belongs to the empire? What happens when the earth is exploited, when oppressed communities are made more vulnerable?" Chanelle Robinson is a Doctoral Candidate in Systematic Theology at Boston College, with a minor in Comparative Theology. Her dissertation explores decolonial and womanist approaches to theological anthropology. Originally from Canada, Chanelle earned a Master of Teaching and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from the University of Toronto. Chanelle is the recipient of Doctoral Fellowships through the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation, the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and the Louisville Institute. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/10222023 to learn more about Chanelle, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
October 15, 2023: "Saying 'Yes' to Synodality" with Casey Stanton
Preaching for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Casey Stanton invites us to say "yes" to the invitation to the feast of synodality: "To say yes to walk the synodal way is be part of God’s work, reknitting the fabric of our belonging – to God, to one another, to creation – as Christ’s living body in the world." Casey Stanton is the co-director of Discerning Deacons, a project serving the Church by engaging Catholics in the active discernment around women and the diaconate. She most recently served as Adult Faith Formation minister at Immaculate Conception Parish in Durham, North Carolina. She holds a BA from the University of Notre Dame, and a Masters of Divinity from Duke Divinity School where she graduated with a certificate in prison studies. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/10152023 to learn more about Casey, to read her text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
October 8, 2023: "A Part of the Resurrection Story" with Carmen Ramos
Preaching for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Carmen Ramos offers a reflection on lifting up the sense of the faithful: "Jesus the Cornerstone says, 'Come, stand on me; let's build something new from what happened to you. Let's build something new out of your experience. You are part of the greater story, my story, called The Resurrection Story.' You have been given the gift of dignity; you have a purpose in this world. Do you acknowledge it? You are baptized; you have a stake in this Church. Will you claim it? Were you rejected for speaking the truth? You are an heir to the Kingdom. Will you build it?" Carmen Ramos is a first-generation Mexican-American raised in central California. Currently, she works for the Office of Diaconate Formation for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Carmen graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with an M.A. in Pastoral Theology and a focus on spiritual direction. Carmen is passionate about promoting the flourishing of all women and is committed to seeking new synodal pathways that enhance the active presence of women in the Church. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/10082023 to learn more about Carmen, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching for Catholic women.
October 1, 2023: Caring for ALL of God's Creation with Claire Jenkins
Preaching for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Claire Jenkins offers a reflection on caring for all of God's creation and particularly for the most vulnerable and outcast among us: "Moreover, we have no choice as people of God: we must act collectively and individually to protect our common home, our planet. We must not ignore the messages in today’s readings if we are to save ourselves and God is to delight in creation." Dr. Claire Jenkins is a trans woman and convert to the Catholic Church. In 2013 she was awarded a PhD from the University of Sheffield for her research into the effect of transitioning on the family members of trans people. Subsequently she has advised several research projects and has spoken at many Catholic and secular university conferences. From 2017-23 she was actively involved in the pastoral care of LGBT Catholics where she coordinated a team (lay and ordained) who carried out this important work within her diocese. She also belonged to a small working party who advised the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales about trans issues. In May 2020 Claire was awarded a Senior Fellowship at Margaret Beaufort Institute, Cambridge where she is researching Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC) young people’s experiences in schools. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/10012023 to learn more about Dr. Jenkins, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
September 25, 2023: "Living God's Justice and Mercy" with Darlene Jasso
Preaching for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Darlene Jasso offers a reflection on living God's justice and mercy: "Let us all choose...to seek the good of others and to live for others. Whether that’s working with organizations that provide quality support to the marginalized, speaking up for those with no voice, or simply providing a helping hand to those in need." Darlene Jasso is the Co-Founder and Communications Director of Little Angels of Mary, a nonprofit in Guatemala that provides nutrition and education support to indigenous children and families. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Darlene graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word with a B.A. in Communication Arts. Soon after, she married her college sweetheart, an exchange student from Guatemala and moved to Guatemala in 2016. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/09242023 to learn more about Darlene, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
September 17, 2023: "Reclaiming Connectedness" with Caitlin Morneau
Read and Sign our Petition to Proclaim the Full Resurrection Story on Easter Sunday: https://futurechurch.org/petition
Preaching for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Caitlin Morneau offers a reflection on reclaiming connectedness: "Forgiveness is fundamentally an individual act, but with social implications. Every harm has repercussions, rippling impacts through time and community. Really living into the fullness of forgiveness means moving toward as full a reclamation of human dignity and communion as possible. When this becomes the way in which we move and live and have our being, suddenly seven times seventy becomes far more attainable — not a heroic act for the few. But we cannot do it alone. We need to encourage one another daily. And build up systems (legal and otherwise) that create vessels for mercy and grace to shape the labor of justice itself." Caitlin Morneau serves as Director of Restorative Justice at Catholic Mobilizing Network (CMN), the national Catholic organization working to end the death penalty and promote restorative justice through education, advocacy and prayer. Caitlin is a Bernardin Scholar at Catholic Theological Union where she is completing a MA in Ministry with a concentration in Spirituality and holds an MA in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. Caitlin is a facilitator of peacemaking circles and trained in restorative community conferencing. She lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband, two children, and black lab. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/09172023 to learn more about Caitlin, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
September 10, 2023: "A Discerning Community" with Carolyn Jacobs
Preaching for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Carolyn Jacobs, MSW, Ph.D. offers a reflection on community: "The challenges of our church and our world are invitations to continuous discernment of how to dialogue, to forgive, and to be obedient to the urgings of the Spirit. We live in a time when we need to step out and invite others to prayer, dialogue, and action. We need to trust the Holy Spirit to guide us. For the challenges invite us to become open to our personal and collective vulnerabilities in creating and nurturing communities of faith that are inclusive. To remember that we are not alone, that we are because others exist in the world surrounding us. We trust that whatever challenging circumstances or people we meet on our journeys, we are called to listen for God’s voice as we gather in groups of two or more and hold in our hearts the love of our neighbors as ourselves." Carolyn Jacobs, MSW, PhD is Dean Emerita and Elizabeth Marting Treuhaft Professor Emerita of the Smith College School for Social Work and Spiritual Director. Dr. Jacobs was a member of the School’s faculty for 35 years, serving as the dean 14 of those years, as well as director of an Advanced Certificate Program in Spirituality and Social Work Practice for seven years. She received her MSW from San Diego State University, her doctorate from the Heller School of Brandeis University, and her training as a spiritual director from the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation. She maintains a spiritual direction practice and is committed to creating spaces for health care providers to discover the rich resources of contemplative practices from many wisdom traditions in developing resilience for self and others. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/09102023 to learn more about Dr. Jacobs, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
Sept. 3, 2023: "When Called, We Go" with Phyllis Zagano
Preaching for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Phyllis Zagano offers a reflection - inspired by Saints Phoebe and Gregory - on our Christian journey: "When called, they went, and when they got where they were going, they knew (somehow) just what they had to do and to say. As days turned into weeks, then months, they understood more deeply what it was all about. It is the same with each of us. At some point we brush away the doubts and fears and understand that where we are is most probably where we ought to be. Then we can rest. We can rest from our labors in the shadow of the Cross." Dr. Phyllis Zagano is an internationally acclaimed Catholic scholar who has lectured throughout the United States, and in Canada, Europe, and Australia. Her groundbreaking work on women in the diaconate led to her appointment to the Pontifical Commission for the Study of the Diaconate of Women in 2016. She has taught at Fordham, Boston, and Yale Universities, and currently holds a research appointment at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York. Her most recent book is Just Church: Catholic Social Teaching, Synodality, and Women (Paulist Press, 2023). Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/09032023 to learn more about Dr. Zagano, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
August 27, 2023: "Who Do You Say I Am?" with Mary Margaret Schroeder
Preaching for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mary Margaret Schroeder offers a reflection on answering the question "Who do you say I am?": "That joy I feel as my favorite 7-year-old, Blue, runs into my arms at school pick-up—that’s Christ. When I’m on a run, silently admiring the creation that surrounds me, and I feel another set of footsteps guiding me along—that’s Christ. The overwhelming sense of peace that somehow overcomes me even as I scramble to meet a lab deadline—that’s Christ." Mary Margaret Schroeder is a senior at Yale University studying psychology and neuroscience. She is a student leader at the Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel & Center on campus, as well as a catechist and a State Lead for Catholic Relief Services. In May 2024, she will start graduate school at the University of Notre Dame to earn a master’s degree in Education through the ACE Teaching Fellows program. In her free time, Mary Margaret loves to spend time with her five siblings, bake, and rave about NJ bagels.
Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/08272023 to learn more about Mary Margaret, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
August 20, 2023: "Women of Great Faith" with Margaret Susan Thompson
Preaching for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Margaret Susan Thompson offers a reflection on persisting in pursuit of God's promise for all: [This gospel] resonates especially with me because I’m a woman, but it has much to say to all of us who feel like we don’t fit into a box, and who sometimes feel tormented by a demon, like the daughter in need of healing. In other words, it speaks to us all. And so it calls us all to be dogged, persistent—and, like the Canaanite woman, "of great faith." Margaret Susan (Peggy) Thompson is a professor of History and Political Science at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. She is also a Senior Research Associate at the Campbell Public Affairs Institute, and holds courtesy appointments in the Departments of Religion and Women & Gender Studies. Recently, Professor Thompson’s work has focused on the history of American Catholic nuns. She has written and lectured extensively on the subject, and has an 18-lecture audio series available through Learn25.com. Her research is from an explicitly feminist perspective, emphasizing the agency and social significance of sisters to American religious and secular history. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/08202023 to learn more about Thompson, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.
August 15, 2023: "Our Yes" with Sr. Chioma Ahanihu, SLW
Sr Chioma Ahanihu, SLW preaches for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, offering a reflection on Mary's capacity to bring about peace and unity, if we - like her - say 'yes' to God: "May today’s feast remind us of our own Yes to God’s call as consecrated people of God in our different spheres of life. May we be the voice for the voiceless and the less privileged in our society. May this feast of Assumption bring peace and joy in our homes, communities and world at large." Sr. Chioma Ahanihu, SLW is a member of Sisters of the Living Word in Chicago, Il. Born and raised in Nigeria, she has lived in the US for the past 2 decades. Sr. Chioma earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Misericordia University, a Masters in Social Work from the Catholic University of America and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies degree from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago IL. She is a candidate in the Doctorate in Ministry Program with a concentration in Spirituality at CTU. She is currently the Director for the Center of the Study of Consecrated Life at CTU. Prior to that, she ministered with Catholic Charities of Chicago Archdiocese as a Psychotherapist and Parish Social Worker. Her primary areas of interest as a Practical Theology scholar and minister are related to today’s Consecrated Life, Reconciliation, Spirituality, Immigration and Racism. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/08152023 to learn more about Sr Chioma, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.