Catholic Women Preach

Preaching for the Third Sunday of Easter, Jes Rude offers a reflection on recognizing Jesus in our midst, particularly as we form community with one another: "Sharing a meal helps us to meet people where they are. It opens a space for conversation...Eating together leads us to see the dignity and humanity of those we’re eating with..."Jes Rude is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in a parish in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. She has previously done work with the Catholic Climate Covenant, and continues to teach about and champion Creation Care. Jes is also involved in a number of non-profit organizations, including Catholic Relief Services and LA Voice, working alongside others to love and serve those on the margins and advocate for more just laws.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04192026 to learn more about Jes, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Second Sunday of Easter, Kelly Sankowski invites us to rethink the story of "doubting" Thomas and to stop defining ourselves or others by our worst moments and to trust in God’s merciful, fuller vision of who we are: "As we enter into this joyous Easter season, may the mercy and love of God empower us to be more like Thomas: to use the brain that God gave us to ask difficult questions, and to be courageous in our following of Jesus."Kelly Sankowski is a writer, lay minister, and mother of two young boys. In recent years, Kelly has focused her writing on women in the Church, contributing to reporting on diocesan maternity leave policies, pregnant and parenting students on Catholic college campuses, and Catholic women who are teaching priests homiletics. Kelly also served as the Editorial Assistant for the Catholic Women Preach book series and writes a monthly Substack, The Moon’s Shadow. Visit https://www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04122026 to learn more about Kelly

Kimberly Lymore Preaches for Holy Thursday, encouraging us to live Eucharist, not just receive it: "Holy Thursday insists that worship without justice is incomplete. We cannot receive the Body of Christ while disregarding bodies crushed by poverty, violence, and neglect. We cannot proclaim 'Amen' at this table and then remain silent when dignity is denied."Kimberly Lymore is a member of The Faith Community of St. Sabina, where she has served as a Pastoral Associate since September 2000. She is currently Convener of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium and Director of the Augustus Tolton Pastoral Ministry Program at Catholic Theological Union (CTU). Dr. Lymore received her Masters of Divinity with a concentration in Word from CTU and she received her Doctor of Ministry from McCormick Theological Union.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04022026 to learn more about Dr. Lymore, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Good Friday, Emmjolee Mendoza Waters invites us to choose compassion, justice, and solidarity like Simon, Veronica, and the women instead of joining "the crowd” in condemnation: "Who will we be? Will we be part of the crowd, swept up in fear or anger or even ignorance, crying out for death? Or will we step onto the road; shouldering weight, offering mercy, daring to weep?"Emmjolee Mendoza Waters is Director of the Death Penalty Abolition Program at Catholic Mobilizing Network, bringing more than 20 years of experience in education, advocacy, and ministry focused on engaging young adults in faith-rooted social justice. A former Jesuit Volunteer in Belize, she holds a Master of Social Work from The Catholic University of America and lives in Washington, DC with her husband and five children.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04032026 to learn more about Emmjolee, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Charlene A.W. Howard, MA preaches for Easter Sunday, encouraging us to live as Resurrection people — by continually “rising up” in the face of suffering, injustice, and fear: "We live in crucifying times filled with propaganda, divisiveness and fear mongering yet reality, morality and civility refuse to crumble. We keep getting up! We rise like Christ rose on the third day."Charlene Howard is the Executive Director of Pax Christi USA (PCUSA), having previously served as the chair of its National Council as a member of the regional Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore chapter. A longtime teacher in the Archdiocese of Washington Catholic Schools, Mrs. Howard holds a master’s degree in Catechesis and Religious Education from The Catholic University of America; is a graduate and former faculty of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies Imani Catechetical Program at Xavier University of Louisiana; recently received a certificate of preaching as a member of the inaugural cohort of the Aquinas Institute of Theo

Preaching for Palm Sunday, Mūmbi Kīgūtha, CPPS invites us to consider where we stand as Christ's Passion continues today: "During this Holy Week, we are not being asked to fix everything...However, we are invited and asked to choose where we stand. Do we stand with the crowd? Do we stand with fear, or do we stand with Christ?"Mũmbi Kĩgũtha, CPPS, is a Sister of the Precious Blood, born and raised in Kenya and currently residing in Silver Spring, Maryland. She currently serves full-time as President of Friends in Solidarity, a nonprofit organization that supports development efforts in South Sudan. Mũmbi is also the founder/director of Watawa wa Taa, an initiative dedicated to reimagining and revitalizing religious life for African women through ongoing formative circles and the curation of African sisters’ stories through theologically reflective essays. Visit https://www.catholicwomenpreach.org/p... to learn more about Mũmbi, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic wom

Preaching for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Leslye Colvin encourages us to respond actively to Christ's call to participate in the work of liberation: "Jesus calls the mourning bystanders to actively participate in the liberation of their sibling, Lazarus, by untying him... We too are being called to participate in the liberation of others. For whom is Christ calling us to untie and let go?"Leslye Colvin is a writer, contemplative activist, and spiritual companion from Alabama whose work is rooted in Catholic social teaching and a passion for amplifying marginalized voices in the Church. A published commentator on the intersection of faith and race, she writes the blog Leslye’s Labyrinth and serves on the boards of FutureChurch and NETWORK Advocates for Catholic Social Justice. She is trained in spiritual direction and holds degrees from Xavier University of Louisiana and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03222026 to learn more about Leslye, to read

Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Joan F. Neal, M.A. encourages us to live as children of the light—speaking truth, defending human dignity, and embodying the Gospel in our public and personal lives: "Every time we witness to the truth in whatever way we can, every time we act in friendship, love, and solidarity with our neighbors, a ray of the light of the Reign of God pierces the darkness. And as more of us show up for the Gospel, these rays of light grow. And before we know it, the darkness of hate, lies and division is shattered. And God’s vision for creation – the Beloved Community – reveals itself, becomes real, and surrounds us."Joan F. Neal is an Associate of the National Black Sisters Conference, a member of the Ecumenical Faith Table in Washington, DC, and the Black Catholic Theological Symposium. She has served in many leadership positions throughout her career and ministry. Most recently, she served as Interim Executive Director at NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. Ms. Ne

Preaching for the Third Sunday of Lent, Sr. Xiomara Méndez Hernández, OP offers a powerful reflection on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well, inviting us into our own courageous dialogue, deep encounter, and transformation: "Indeed, we can be transformed by an encounter at the Well. We might risk receiving Living Water. It could also happen that by being gifted with Living Water, we become that gift."Sister Xiomara, is an Adrian Dominican Sister and the Executive Director of Dominican Sisters Conference. Sister Xiomara holds a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and is a Board Certified Chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. For more than 20 years, she has had the opportunity to preach in both Spanish and English. Before she became a religious sister, she was a fashion designer in her native country, the Dominican Republic. She currently lives in Miami, Florida.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03

Preaching from her experience as a Black, lay Catholic woman, Dr. Valerie D. Lewis-Mosley offers a reflection on listening to Jesus, embracing the cross with love, and claiming our place in God’s ongoing work of transfiguration: "It is this willingness to embrace the cross, the Mount Calvary experience that provides the ultimate transfiguration of our souls and spirits in the Resurrection." Valerie D. Lewis-Mosely, RN, OPA, is the retired Director of Religious Education at the Church of Christ the King - Jersey City, New Jersey, a historical Black Catholic Parish. She now serves in various capacities across the nation as a mentor to youth and young adults; evangelist, retreat leader and revivalist and public speaker, life coach and Spiritual Director. She is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Theology at Caldwell University, Caldwell, New Jersey, and Xavier University of Louisiana Institute for Black Catholic Studies. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03012026 to learn more about Va

Preaching for the First Sunday of Lent Dr. Kim R. Harris offers a reflection on hope, liberation, and God’s life-giving power in the face of oppression, told through African American spiritual tradition and biblical storytelling: "On this first Sunday of Lent, we hear the story once again, of God blowing breath into a lump of clay. We think once again of God blowing breath into some dry bones. We know that in the midst of all that is happening, ‘dem bones can rise again!"Dr. Kim R. Harris is Associate Professor of African American Religious Thought and Practice at Loyola Marymount University. A liturgist, composer, and recording artist, she teaches Black liberation and Womanist theologies and presents on Black Catholic music, Negro Spirituals, and Civil Rights freedom songs. She composed "Welcome Table: A Mass of Spirituals" and co-authored "The Fire This Time: A Black Catholic Sourcebook."Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02222026 to learn more about Dr. Harris, to rea

Preaching for Ash Wednesday, Carolyn D. Townes, OFS invites us to enter into Lent with a posture of openness - hearts softened, spirits awake, ready return to one another and to God: "May the ashes we receive today awaken in us a holy tenderness. May they strengthen our resolve to honor the sacredness of every life — not only in prayer, but in practice. Not only in lament, but in the daily work of building a world where peace is possible, where justice is lived, where love is the shape of our choices."Carolyn D. Townes, OFS is a spiritual life and leadership coach and a loss to life mindset strategist, where she uses faith-based principles to provide spiritual and emotional wellness to those moving from the pain of grief and loss to a new life of purpose and peace. Since professing as a Secular Franciscan in 2000, Carolyn has served in several leadership roles for the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) is currently serving on the Ecumenical and Interfaith Committee. At present, she serves on the boards

Preaching for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Betsy Cahill offers a reflection on Jesus' invitation to follow him, not merely the law: "In the reign of God, true righteousness transcends outward practice and demands of us a radical interior openness to knowing and doing God’s will. Jesus calls us unflinchingly to embark on an open-ended journey towards holiness. Do not follow the law mindlessly and meticulously, he proclaims: follow me."Betsy Cahill is a wife and mother, a writer, and civic volunteer with deep experience in biblical studies, historic preservation, and secondary education. Having earned degrees in Classics (Harvard) and English Literature (Oxford), in 2010 she achieved a long-time dream when she graduated from Yale Divinity School with an M.A. in Hebrew Bible. Using her knowledge of biblical languages, she has taught classes and lectured on spirituality and Scripture.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02152026 to learn more about Betsy, to read her preaching text, and

Preaching for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Ximena DeBroeck, Ph.D. offers a reflection on being prophetic lights in a world marked by injustice: "I wonder what you need to be a prophet of light and flip every switch of mercy-filled actions so that those around you don’t have to fear the darkness of injustice. Go, then, be that prophetic light to the world!"Ximena DeBroeck is an adjunct professor of Scripture and Theology at the Institute for Pastoral Studies of Loyola University, Chicago, Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, and Divine Mercy University. Ximena grew up in Ecuador and is fluent in English and Spanish. She earned a Theology MA, with Scripture concentration, from Saint Vincent Seminary, a License in Sacred Theology-Biblical Studies from St. Mary’s Seminary, a doctorate in Systematic Theology from Duquesne University, and a MS in Psychology from Divine Mercy University.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02082026 to learn more about Ximena, to read her preaching text, and

Preaching for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Rhonda Miska offers a reflection on perceiving the world through the Beautitudes, allowing them to shift our attention from power and success to mercy, justice, and love: "Through Jesus’ presence within us, we can put on the Beatitudes and see ourselves and the world clearly, as Jesus sees. And when we see clearly, we can choose love instead of fear, choose nonviolence instead of harm, choose community instead of isolation."Rhonda Miska is a preacher, teacher, spiritual director, writer, and lay ecclesial minister. She serves as Communication Director at the Church of St. Timothy and is a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Community in the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis. She is the founder and co-convener of the Catholic Women’s Preaching Circle, a peer community of Catholic women supporting and accompanying one another in breaking open God’s Word. She serves as the Lead Cohort Facilitator of PROCLAIM, a 22-month formation program for Catholic w

Preaching for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Angela Howard McParland offers a reflection on responding to God's call in a time of despair by choosing hope, resistance, and love: "Like the disciples who left their fishing nets to follow Jesus, people of faith all over our country are showing up, speaking out, and modeling nonviolent love of neighbor."Angela Howard McParland is a member of the Justice Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, a co-founder of Nuns Against Gun Violence, and a proud member of cohort 5 of Mercy Global's Emerging Leaders Fellowship. She earned a Master of Divinity at Vanderbilt Divinity School as well as a certificate in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality. She lives in Providence, RI with her three children: Oliver, Lorelai, and Eamon.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01252026 to learn more about Angela, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Loretta Pehanich preaches for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, inviting us to claim and live our baptismal priesthood: "We live in times where people all around us are discouraged. As God's servants—God’s priests—we have a duty to invite people to LOOK! God's message of love and hope is right here, in the communities we touch—the people we randomly meet throughout the day."Loretta Pehanich is a Catholic writer and an Ignatian-trained spiritual director. Actively engaged in women’s ministry for many years, Loretta wrote "Women in Conversation: Stand Up!" (RENEW International 2021). She also presents workshops on topics related to spirituality. Loretta and Steve have 4 adult children and 11 grandchildren. She is an avid quilter and loves gardening.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01182026 to learn more about Loretta, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Sr. Maureen Sullivan, OP invites us to live as Spirit-filled missionary disciples who see God in our neighbor and through our lives reveal God in the world: "The descent of the Holy Spirit at Jesus’ baptism empowered him and anointed him for his public ministry. We too were empowered to be missionary disciples to others. Each of us received the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit."Sr. Maureen Sullivan, a Dominican Sister of Hope from New York, is Professor Emerita of Theology at St. Anselm College, New Hampshire. A scholar of the Second Vatican Council, she received her M.A. in Theology from Manhattan College in the Bronx and her Ph.D. from Fordham University. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01112026 to learn more about Sr. Maureen, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Feast of the Epiphany, Jordan Denari Duffner offers a reflection on finding God in the midst of chaos and suffering: "God’s appearance to us, whether to the Magi in first century Palestine or today wherever we are, often doesn’t take away our suffering. But it reminds us that God is present to us precisely amid that hardship."Jordan Denari Duffner, PhD is a Catholic theologian, author, and professor whose work centers on Muslim-Christian relations, interreligious dialogue, Islamophobia, and Israel-Palestine.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01042026 to learn more about Dr. Duffner, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God - World Day of Peace - Martha Inés Romero Medina offers a reflection on moving beyond desiring peace and living peace as a way of life: "It is not enough to call for peace; we must embody it in a way of life that rejects every form of violence, whether it be visible or systemic."Martha Inés Romero Medina serves as Secretary General for Pax Christi International, a Catholic global peace movement. She is a Colombian peace practitioner, with a MA in Development Project Management, studies in Peace and Conflict Transformation at Kroc Institute, Notre Dame University in the United States; and a Diploma in International Development Cooperation, Peace Institute, Oviedo University, Spain.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01012026 to learn more about Martha Inés, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.