Catholic Women Preach

Preaching for the Third Sunday of Easter, Jenny Jackson offers a reflection on knowing Jesus and caring for the sheep: "So, let me ask you the question that changed my life: Who is Jesus to you? Not just in your head—but in your heart. Not just in theory—but in your everyday life. And how will you tend to the sheep?"Jenny Jackson currently serves as a Coordinator of Youth Ministry, supporting parish youth ministers and Confirmation coordinators of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Her experience in ministry ranges from event planning, liturgical preparation and preparing young people for the Sacrament of Confirmation. In her free time, she enjoys the chance to disconnect and enjoy the outdoors with her husband and son.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05042025 to learn more about Jenny, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Second Sunday of Easter, Marissa Papula offers a reflection on the convergence of trauma, hope, and mercy: "On this Divine Mercy Sunday, as we fumble for Easter hope in a broken world, as the wounded Christ reveals himself among us in the joy of the Resurrection, as we brave the coalescence of our lived experiences of hurt and hope, may we meet one another with such coherent mercy, bearing witness, standing in awe, announcing, beholding, embodying, 'Peace be with you.'"Marissa Papula is a leader, storyteller, and practitioner of cura personalis who believes in the power of faith to embolden imagination, ignite social change, and transform lives. She currently serves as Director of Campus Ministry at Loyola Marymount University. Hailing originally from New York’s Hudson Valley, Marissa enjoys poetry, barre fitness, strong coffee, local bookstores, and finding God in all things through her infant son.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04272025 to learn more about Marissa, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Easter Sunday, Dr. Cynthia Bailey Manns offers a reflection on the witness of women as we remember Mary Magdalene's Easter proclamation: "Mary’s complete story, shared on Easter Sunday, a holy day of obligation, would ensure more Catholics hear John’s full resurrection narrative where she was an example of female leadership, an Apostle to the Apostles, commissioned by Jesus to share the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection."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 Synod of Bishops on Synodality. 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/04202025 to learn more about Dr. Bailey Manns, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Good Friday, Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ, preaches on the transformative love of the Cross: "Everything that we fear, we see in the cross. We see in the cross pain, suffering, shame, defeat, failure, humiliation. And yet it is also a symbol of victory. The victory of Jesus’ love for us.The love of God is more powerful than anything we fear."Sister Norma Pimentel is Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, where she oversees the charitable branch of the Diocese of Brownsville, the second largest Catholic Diocese in the United States. Sister Pimentel has over twenty years of experience in providing oversight to a diverse set of ministries and social services in the Rio Grande Valley such as homeless prevention, disaster relief, clinical counseling, pregnancy care, food assistance, and humanitarian relief to immigrants.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04182025 to learn more about Sr. Norma, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Holy Thursday, Kathleen Dorsey Bellow offers a reflection on being drawn into the Paschal Mystery through the Triduum: "During the sacred passage through the Triduum, we will encounter God through powerful word, symbol and ritual in the retelling of humanity’s redemption. During the three-day celebration, may we come to know that full, conscious and active participation with Christ in the Eucharistic liturgy is a share in his resurrection for our salvation and the deliverance of the world."Kathleen Dorsey Bellow is the director of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies of Xavier University, where she also holds the Drexel Society Endowed Professorship in Black Catholic Studies. A pastoral theologian she writes, consults and presents on several aspects of Catholic ministry, including worship, evangelization, and faith formation. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04172025 to learn more about Dr. Dorsey Bellow, to read her preaching texts and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Palm Sunday, Anne Arabome, SSS offers a reflection on what makes Holy Week holy: "The holiness of Holy Week is in our story, writ large in the passion and triumph of Jesus of Nazareth. This week calls us to focus our gaze on Jesus and to follow him closely along the way. If we do so, we discover an immense treasure: a life of total self-giving that trumps selfishness; a gift of self-sacrificing love for the weakest and most vulnerable among us; a fullness of life that neither death nor despair can threaten, steal, or destroy."Sister Anne Arabome, SSS, is a member of the Sisters of Social Service in Los Angeles, California. She has served as the Associate Director of the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality at Marquette University and recently founded the Sophia Institute for Theological Studies and Spiritual Formation in Namibia. She holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from the University of Roehampton, UK, and a Doctor of Ministry in Spirituality from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04132025 to learn more about Anne, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Dr. Nicole Symmonds offers a reflection on remembering and living our inherent dignity and value as God's beloved: "Today’s lectionary readings show us what remembrance looks like and how to re-member ourselves as the body of Christ. In this re-remembrance, we bring ourselves, our own best things, to our work in faith for God's church and the world, bringing about justice and peace." Dr. Nicole Symmonds is the Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics at Columbia Theological Seminary. Her work sits at the intersection of Christian ethics and women, gender, and sexuality studies. She explores Black women’s embodiment, particularly the practices of liberative embodiment they craft as a method of resistance to domination and as a simulation of freedom. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04062025 to learn more about Dr. Symmonds, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Sr. Lynn Marie Ralph, SBS, offers an imaginative and powerful retelling of the Parable of the Prodigal Son: "The prodigal daughter needed a complete makeover. She needed healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. There are many women who need healing, especially from all types of abuse. The anxiety that builds up, sudden panic attacks, being alone and feeling as if love is lost. The prodigal daughter needed to be home with her mama."Sister Lynn Marie Ralph is a Sister of the Blessed Sacrament whose congregation was founded by Saint Katharine Drexel. She has been a member of the religious order for forty-two years. Currently Sister Lynn Marie is the Coordinator of Pastoral Care at Holy Redeemer Hospital in Meadowbrook, PA, where she has the opportunity to minister with a diverse group of ministers that include Jewish, Baptist, Christian, as well as Catholics. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03302025 to learn more about Sr. Lynn Marie, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Jaime L. Waters preaches for the Third Sunday of Lent, offering a reflection on repentance:"Repentance allows us to turn our attention to aspects of ourselves and our lives that need more care and correction. The gardener acknowledges the ways that the tree has failed and commits to cultivating the earth and adding nutrients to nourish the tree and help it grow. The gardener asks for time, recognizing that renewal might not happen overnight. Then, the parable simply ends unresolved which I think is very fitting. The missing resolution and the lack of conclusion might signal that we need to finish the story. We have the opportunity to give time and care to nourish ourselves (and others too), and the results hopefully will be very positive! Today’s Gospel reminds us to be intentional about our spiritual growth and development, turning away from sin and turning towards God, so that we, too, may bear fruit."Jaime L. Waters is Associate Professor of Old Testament and Program Director of Courage to Preach at Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry. She holds graduate degrees from Yale Divinity School (MA, Religion) and Johns Hopkins University (MA, PhD, Near Eastern Studies). Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03232025 to learn more about Jaime Waters, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Second Sunday of Lent, Mayella Vasquez offers a reflection on listening - really listening:

"Maybe that’s our invitation, too. To listen to the voices that have been silenced. To listen to the cries of the Earth, the wounded, the forgotten.To listen to the One who speaks—not just on the mountaintops, but in the valleys, too. Because when we listen—really listen—we are changed. And when we are changed, so is the world."

Mayella Vasquez is a passionate thinker, storyteller, and advocate for meaningful change. As a Master of Arts in Religion student at Yale Divinity School, she explores world religions with deep curiosity and empathy. She blends her interests in social entrepreneurship and diversity, equity, and inclusion to inspire innovative solutions. Through her preaching, Mayella seeks to foster insight, purpose, and compassionate community connections.

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03162025 to read Mayella's preaching text and for more preaching from Catholic women.