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, 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 Theology, New Frontiers in Preaching Academy; and is a Master Catechist in the Archdiocese of Washington. Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04052026 to learn more about Charlene, 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.

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 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 women.

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 her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

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. Neal holds an Honorary Doctor of Ministry; a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies and a Certificate in Biblical Spirituality, from Catholic Theological Union (Chicago, IL).

Visit https://www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03152026 to learn more about Joan, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

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/03082026 to learn more about Sr. Xiomara, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

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 Valerie, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.