Catholic Women Preach

Preaching for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Celeste D. Mueller, D.Min offers a reflection on confronting the violence of our world by uniting ourselves more deeply to one another: 

 "Let us pray every headline and every statistic with these words: This is my body, this is my blood. As we see the faces in communities locked in opposition to one another. . . As the news brings to our eyes the faces of the victims, and the faces of the perpetrators, Let us pray: This is my body, this is my blood. We are one."

Celeste Mueller serves as Vice President, Ministry Formation for Ascension, a Catholic health system headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.  She also serves as designer and faculty for the Ascension Leadership Academy and leads Ascension’s Formation Facilitator Certification Program. Celeste’s current research and writing interests include advancing the professional competence in formation as a multidisciplinary art and science,  and formation for virtuous leadership. She holds a Doctor of Ministry in Practical Theology from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, an MA from Aquinas Institute of Theology, and a BA in philosophy and theology from the University of Notre Dame. 

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/06062021 to learn more about Celeste, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Trinity Sunday, JoAnn Melina Lopez offers a reflection on our call to share God's love with the world:   

"This isn’t a trite, saccharine kind of love. It’s not the kind of love that helps us fall asleep at night, warm and cozy in our beds. It’s a fierce, fiery, energizing, transforming love, that calls us to awaken every morning and go about our days as enfleshers of freedom, and disruptors of every system that obscures God’s love."  

JoAnn Melina Lopez currently serves as Campus Minister for Liturgy at Seattle University. She completed her undergraduate degree at Saint Joseph’s University, before going on to serve as a Jesuit Volunteer in Houston, working with asylum seekers and refugees. She received her Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) from the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, and joined Seattle U’s Campus Ministry team six years ago. JoAnn grew up in India and Singapore, where she learned the importance of hospitality, inclusion, sharing meals, and how to live in an multifaith and multicultural world.

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05302021 to learn more about JoAnn, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Pentecost Sunday, Dr. Suzanne Nawrocki offers a reflection on the free gift of the Spirit for all:  

"Maybe John wants to clarify that the Holy Spirit, the love between the Father and the Son is for everyone. That it is for you and for me. But, then it would follow that the command, I send you is also for everyone. I send you to be missionary disciples, yes, but I am also going to equip you. I give you the bond of love that I have for my Father and my Father has for me. A love that Jesus wants us to share with the world."  

Dr. Suzanne Nawrocki holds a Doctorate in Ministry from Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis where she has previously been an adjunct professor. She is an executive member of the Catholic Association of Homiletics, known as C.A.T.H.; the wider ecumenical group, the Academy of Homiletics; and the international guild Societas homileticus. Dr. Nawrocki assisted in the Practices Peer Forum to update accreditation standards for the Association of Theological Schools, helped the USCCB train clergy on preaching Laudato Si, consulted and lectured for the University of Notre Dame Martin Preaching initiative, and assists the Diocese of Austin Deacon formation in preaching.   

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05232021 to learn more about Dr. Nawrocki, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Solemnity of the Ascension, Megan Effron offers a reflection on living out our baptism with the help of the Holy Spirit:   

"The next time you dip your hand into a font of holy water, remember that Jesus has appointed you –not just your bishop or your pastor—but YOU to proclaim the Gospel to every creature. And think about that four-letter word: WILL. The Holy Spirit will be with you, but what WILL you do with that power?"  

Megan Effron is the Director of Faith Exploration at La Lumiere School, an independent, Catholic boarding and day prep school in La Porte, Indiana. She teaches a variety of theology courses—Biblical Literacy, Stories of Grace, and Exploring Faith with C.S. Lewis—and also coordinates school retreats and liturgies. She and her husband Kevin live on campus and serve as Dorm Parents for the residential students of Becket Dorm. Prior to working at La Lumiere, Megan served in a variety of ministry roles while earning her Master of Divinity at the University of Notre Dame.   

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05162021 to learn more about Megan, to read her text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Jane Mellett offers a reflection on making this Easter Season one of ecological transformation:  

"To be followers of Jesus, to love our neighbour, involves embracing the joy of Christ in all of creation and walking more gently on this earth, to be guardians and protectors of God’s handiwork."  

Jane Mellett lives in Dublin, Ireland and is the Laudato Si’ Officer with Tròcaire (the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland). Prior to this, Jane was a parish pastoral worker with the Archdiocese of Dublin serving in parish ministry for many years. A graduate of St. Patrick’s College Maynooth, Jane holds a Masters Degree in Theology (specializing in New Testament Scripture) as well as a Masters in International Development from Kimmage Development Studies Centre, Dublin.   

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05092021 to learn more about Jane, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Monique Jacobs offers a reflection on the image of the Divine vine grower and invites us to build a partnership of trust:  

"Often, left to my own wisdom, I might point to what feels fruitful to me, showy, productive…when in fact, that is what will be pruned away… If I cling too tightly to what I know, to what I prefer, will I miss out on what else God wants to reveal to me? What else will come to life? This partnership, for it is indeed a partnership, can only work if there is trust."  

Monique Jacobs is Director of Faith Formation for the Diocese of Reno, Nevada - a ministry she has served for almost 20 years. She also accompanies seekers as a spiritual director and contributes monthly to the Faith Forum column in the Reno Gazette Journal, engaging with leaders of multiple faith traditions on given topic. She received her M.A. in Religious Education at Fordham University in New York.  

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05022021 to learn more about Monique, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Bonnie MacLellan, CSJ offers a reflection on the image of the Good Shepherd:  

"Our life circumstances may persist, but our responses to these circumstances change when we know that we do not face life's challenges alone. Jesus, our Good Shepherd, will never abandon us, and that makes all the difference in the world!"  

Bonnie Anne MacLellan is a Sister of Saint Joseph of of Sault Ste. Marie. Having served in numerous ministries and professions including nursing, health care administration and canon law, she is currently General Superior for her congregation and Executive Director of the Centre for Canonical Services at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She holds a Doctorate of Canon Law from the Saint Paul University; a Ph.D. in human and organizational systems from the Fielding Institute in Santa Barbara, California; and several graduate degrees and certifications including a master's of public health from The University of Minnesota.   

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04252021 to learn more about Sr. Bonnie McLellan, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Third Sunday of Easter, Christy M. Hicks Aydt offers a reflection on joyously welcoming Christ into our midst, even as we journey through sorrowful and fearful times:  

"Our sorrow and fear is not so different from the first disciples of Jesus. But notice what happens in the midst of their distress and confusion. Jesus appears. He eats with them, maybe he even dances with them. And they are filled with amazement, sheer joy, wonder, fullness."   

Christy M. Hicks Aydt is a Campus Minister at Saint Louis University and a spiritual director; also trained in the 19th Annotation, the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Most of her career has been ministering to young people on college campuses. Prior to working at Saint Louis University, Christy worked as an Acquisition Editor at Liguori Publications for two years. In 2010-2011, she spent a year in India and Nepal. Though her studies have been through the lens of Catholic-Christian faith and thought, she reverences the faith and beauty other faith traditions share. Eastern spirituality and culture has gifted her with a more expansive image of God. Christy lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her husband and family.  

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04182021 to learn more about Christy, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Second Sunday of Easter, Nicole Perone offers another look at "doubting Thomas":  

"We realize that identifying as a disciple of Jesus Christ is not simply a matter of whether you believe or you don’t. Rather, it is about what we do with our belief...Can we become the living proclamation of Doubting – no, Believing Thomas, who gasps in breathless awe, 'My Lord and my God!'"  

Nicole M. Perone is the National Coordinator of ESTEEM, the faith-based leadership formation program for Catholic students at colleges and universities across the United States. ESTEEM is a partnership between Leadership Roundtable and Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University. Nicole previously served as the Archdiocesan Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Hartford. She holds a Master of Divinity from Yale University. In 2018, Nicole was a delegate to the Pre-Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment, and served on the writing committee for the final document. Her work has been published by Catholic News Service, America Media, The Jesuit Post, and US Catholic.    

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04112021 to learn more about Nicole or to read her preaching text and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Sr. Anita Baird, DHM Preaches for Easter Sunday, inviting us to rejoice and be glad in the Good News:  

"The Easter story is our story!  It is a story of light overcoming darkness.  It is a story of truth overcoming lies.  It is story of love overcoming hate.  It is a story of hope overcoming despair.  It is a story of victory!...Go forth and tell somebody, tell everybody, that Jesus Christ is raised from the dead.  He has conquered death and the victory is ours in Jesus’ name."  

Sister Anita Baird, a native of Chicago, IL, is a member of the Religious Congregation of the Society of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. In 1997 Sister Anita became the first African American to serve as Chief of Staff to the Archbishop of Chicago and in 2000, she was appointed founding director of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for Racial Justice, which directed the Archdiocese’s initiatives to eradicate racism in its structures and institutions.  Sr. Anita is a past president of the National Black Sisters’ Conference and recipient of the organization’s Harriet Tubman “Moses of Her People” Award.   

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04042021 to learn more about Sr. Anita, to read her text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.