Catholic Women Preach

Preaching for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Teresa Thompson offers a reflection on what it means to be a holy nation for all people:"May all Christians believe in the glory of God with the same strength, and may all people of goodwill share in the project of becoming a nation where all — all, all, all — can thrive."Teresa Thompson is a writer, therapist, and public theologian based in Brooklyn, NY. She is a board member of the Metro NY chapter of Call To Action and serves as part of the Catholic Lesbians ministry at the Church of Saint Francis Xavier. Originally hailing from the Caribbean and Ireland, Teresa worked in New York City’s public mental health system for seven years before founding her private psychotherapy practice. She is also currently a Bernardin Scholar at Catholic Theological Union pursuing an MA in Pastoral Studies.

Visit https://catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/06282026 to learn more about Teresa, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Nicolete Burbach offers a reflection on a God who sees and cares for us - even when society or the Church doesn't: "Even when others do not see you in the Gospel’s consolations—even when you can’t see yourself—God still sees you. God still cares."Nicolete Burbach is a theologian whose work aims to help the Catholic Church to navigate its difficult encounter with transness. Her edited collection with Lisa Sowle Cahill, Trans Life and the Catholic Church Today, was published by Bloomsbury in 2024. Nicolete earned a BA (hons) in Philosophy and Theology, an MA in Catholic Studies, and completed a PhD on Pope Francis’ hermeneutics of uncertainty, all at Durham University. She now lives in London with her wife. In her spare time she plays guitar in multiple bands.Visit https://futurechurch.org/preaching/06212026 to learn more about Nicolete, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Rachelle Simon offers a reflection on how Jesus models a way to serve others wholeheartedly without burning out — through compassion, community, and receiving God's grace before trying to give it:"Basking in [God's] love allows us to tap into gratitude, transforming our service from an obligation, into the overflow of a grateful heart. We remember that we truly have received God's love without cost; why not give love to others freely?"Rachelle Simon is the Executive Director of United Way of Pettis County, Missouri. She earned a Bachelor's degree from Rockhurst University, a Master's of Counseling from Villanova University, and a Master's of Divinity from Boston College. In her personal time, Rachelle enjoys cooking, hiking, and volunteering with her wife and family. Visit https://www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/06142026 to learn more about Rachelle, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Elise Gower preaches for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, offering a reflection on caregiving, belonging, and finding God's presence in the wounded, in-between places of life:"In 1 Corinthians, Paul reminds us that our belonging, too, is ever-present. The work isn’t to earn, be granted, or achieve belonging; it is to recognize God’s truth: we though many, are one body."Elise Gower (she/her) is a queer, cisgender, white woman who lives in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is in her final months of graduate school at Louisiana State University where she is pursuing a master’s in clinical social work. Her career in ministry, community engagement, and leadership development fostered a commitment to cultivating intentional community around the tradition and values of Ignatian spirituality. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/06072026 to learn more about Elise, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Solemnity of the Trinity, Dr. Jennifer Kryszak invites us to reflect the Trinity by choosing courageous, honest relationships that mend division and build true peace:"We cannot be at peace with God if we are not at peace with ourselves and others"Dr. Jennifer Kryszak is the Director of Strategic Planning for the Franciscan Peace Center, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis, Clinton, Iowa. She also serves on the steering committee for Nuns Against Gun Violence. She holds a Ph.D. in religion from Duke University, where her ethnographic research focused on the intersection of visual practices and ecclesiology in a women religious congregation’s mission for social and ecological justice. Jennifer lives in Illinois with her husband and daughter.Visit https://catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05312026 to learn more about Jennifer, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Pentecost, Martha Ligas offers a reflection on overcoming fear and complacency through openness to the Holy Spirit: "The Spirit is ready to bust down the door. She is actively waiting to animate our very selves, to set our hearts on fire, to lead us through a thrown open door into a world that desperately needs our ministries."Martha Ligas (she/her) serves as the Pastoral Minister at the Community of St. Peter in Cleveland, Ohio, and Program Associate 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 will continue pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Catholic Theological Union this fall. Martha lives in Cleveland, OH with her partner and their pets. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05242026 to learn more about Martha, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Solemnity of the Ascension, Karla Keppel offers a reflection on a God who "nudges" us: "When we let ourselves be nudged out of our comfort zones, we open ourselves to the very best God has to offer us. We open ourselves to the possibility of connection, of community, of building the Reign of God in real time with real people who are in desperate, desperate, need of hope.Karla M. Alvarado Keppel is a collaborative mission and formation leader who grounds her work in the Catholic social tradition, forming diverse groups to deepen connections to the Sacred, cultivate meaning and purpose, and deepen vocational understanding. She serves as the Associate Director for Mission Services at the Catholic Health Association of the United States. She has undergraduate degrees in English and Spanish Literature from Loyola Marymount University and graduate degrees in Pastoral Ministry Theology and Counseling Psychology from Boston College.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05172026 to learn more about Karla, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Pau Delgadillo preaches for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, offering a reflection on sharing the love we've received:

"Live in such a way that no one who meets you doubts they are loved. In a world that is beautiful and scary, let us ask ourselves a question: how am I passing that love on? Because the love we’ve received was never meant to stop with us."

Paulina (Pau) Delgadillo is a storyteller with a big heart whose work helps others feel seen, understood, and inspired. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised on the Southwest Side of Chicago, she is passionate about immigration justice, environmental advocacy, and community organizing. She holds degrees in Natural Science and Theology from Dominican University and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union. Pau is the founder of Pau’s Lighthouse, offering a variety of ministries including accompaniment and facilitation.

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05102026 to learn more about Pau, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Claire Lucas offers a reflection on embodying the Living Christ by serving a suffering world:"We are called to act now with boldness–to look amongst us and say–where can we be deacon to those in need? ... Who is most at risk of falling, or being pushed, through the cracks, and how are we, as the Body of Christ in the Church, changed by our encounter with the Living God, called to respond?Claire Lucas is the Program Associate for Formation and Engagement at Discerning Deacons. Claire earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Theology and Religious Studies from Seattle University in 2019 and is in the process of earning her Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry from Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05032026 to learn more about Claire, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Devon James reflects on the discerning the voice of the Good Shepherd: “We see people who follow modern-day thieves and robbers thinking they will be rewarded with green pastures. But we know the true message of Jesus: love, not hate; peace, not war; unity, not division.”Devon James is a Campus Minister at Xavier University in Cincinnati. A native of Chicago, she earned her undergraduate degree in Theology and Public Relations from Xavier, her graduate degree in Pastoral Ministry at the University of Dayton; and a Certificate in Pastoral Formation from Boston College. She is currently completing a program that will certify her to accompany people through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04262026 to learn more about Devon, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women preach.