Catholic Women Preach

Preaching for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sister Bibiana Ngundo offers a reflection on being the light of Christ in our darkened world:  

 "We are called to bring peace and healing to a world torn down by the ravages of war and hatred. As we hold Christ’s candle of love to his people we in turn become their light, their role model, and guide to the true Light, Christ the Lord."  

Sister Bibiana Ngundo, LSOSF, is from Kenya and a member of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of St. Francis. By profession she is a teacher and currently, lecturer at the Catholic university of Eastern Africa (AMECEA). Besides teaching, Sr. Bibiana is involved in research both within and outside the campus. She also delights in composing and teaching liturgical music to choirs as an evangelization strategy.   

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02092020 to learn more about Sr. Bibiana, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Feast of the Presentation, Kathy Lilla Cox offers a reflection on recognizing the unfolding fulfillment of God's promises, like the prophet Anna, in unexpected people and ways:  

"Can we develop a willingness to see the infancy of God’s promises being incarnated into the world, a world awaiting and needing restoration, reconciliation, redemption, and peace?  And then when God arrives, in persons young, vulnerable, and needing care, can we recognize that we are seeing God face to face, give thanks, and proclaim God’s presence in our midst to others awaiting redemption, even as we continue to hope for God’s promises to be fully realized?"  

Kathy Lilla Cox is a Research Associate and Visiting Scholar at the University of San Diego. After earning her PhD in Theology from Fordham University, she taught undergraduates from 2007 to 2018 in central MN at the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.  During the same period, she taught graduate students at St. John’s School of Theology and Seminary (Collegeville, MN).    

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/02022020 to learn more about Kathy, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Helen R. Graham, MM, offers a reflection on light overcoming darkness:  

"It is through our regular 'celebration, study . . . [and contemplation] of the word of God' that we are nourished and enlightened by constant retelling, reinterpretation and re-appropriation of the story of the God who continues to be our light, our salvation and our stronghold  so that we need not fear the darkness." 

Helen R. Graham, a member of the Congregation of the Maryknoll Sisters since 1956, arrived in the Philippines in September of 1967, and soon began teaching at Maryknoll College and at the Sister Formation Institute which was founded during Vatican II to provide a minimum of theological education for religious women. She continues to teach Sacred Scripture in the Philippines today, as well as to conduct evening Bible study groups, workshops and seminars in the Philippines and other parts of the world, which she has been doing since 1984.  

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01262020 to learn more about Helen, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jean Santopatre offers a reflection on giving witness to the Holy Spirit's movement in our world:  

"We are being called today, more than ever, to witness where the Holy Spirit is at work in others, as well as in ourselves."  

Jeanmarie Santopatre is Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation for Family and Ignatian Young Adults and Social Justice Ministry at Saint Ignatius Parish in New York City. She holds a Master of Arts in Theology, Education, Leadership and Ministry from Yale Divinity School and has extensive education and experience in Ignatian Spirituality.  

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01192020 to learn more about Jean, to read her preaching text and view her video, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Jane M. Cruthirds offers a reflection on embracing our own call -- even when that call seems daunting:   

"At our baptism we are claimed by Christ and restored to the holiness which reflects God’s image.  We are given the graces we need to follow Jesus and are anointed into service with Him.  With faith we step forward each day to do important work that might very well be above our pay grade."  

Jane Cruthirds is a mother and Theology teacher living in Louisville, KY.  Her joy is raising her soon to be 10-year-old son, Duncan.  Jane’s professional ministry focuses on providing religious education and service-learning opportunities to students at Sacred Heart Academy in Louisville, KY.  She earned her Master’s in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University – New Orleans.  

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01122020 to learn more about Jane, to read her preaching text or view her video, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Epiphany, Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF offers a reflection on being changed by our encounters with Christ in Scripture, the Sacraments, and in one another: 

"We have a choice to remain the same or to open our hearts, to open our eyes to see the light of Christ in others, to walk with those who are searching, and, to purify our motives and intentions for the spirit is generous to guide and accompany us on our journey of life."  

Sister Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF, PhD  is Associate Vice President of Programs Operations and Head of Catholic Sisters Initiative  for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Wakahiu was previously the executive director of the African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC). She holds a Ph.D. in human development and higher education administration from Marywood University, a Master of Arts degree from Saint Bonaventure University, and a Bachelor of Education from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.  

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01052020 to learn more about Sister Jane and her work, to read her text or view her video, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Sister Draru Mary Cecilia offers a reflection on modeling our lives after Mary and allowing God to bless others through us: 

 "Through the Blessed Virgin Mary, we have each individually, been blest beyond compare. We in turn are called to be a blessing to others. How?" 

 Sister Draru Mary Cecilia (Ph.D.), is of the Congregation Little Sisters of Mary Immaculate of Gulu (LSMIG) in Uganda. She is the Executive Director of African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC). Sister Draru has great passion for education of women in Africa and holds two diplomas in education and another in educational planning and management. In her research, she highlights the resilience of women in Africa and how they constantly negotiate their socio-cultural contexts in order to build successful educational and professional careers.  

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01012020 to learn more about Sister Draru and her work, to read her preaching text and view her video, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Feast of the Holy Family, Cambria Tortorelli offers a reflection on building community and standing in solidarity with the vulnerable -- especially refugees and asylum seekers:  

"Building solidarity between communities that are very different, and yet have so much in common through our shared faith and humanity, is essential to making our hearts bigger and more understanding of one another’s struggles.  After all, it is through healthy loving relationships that grace is unleashed in the world. "  

Cambria Tortorelli has served as the Parish Life Director (pastoral leader) at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena, California, since 2008. She holds a BA in English Language and Literature from Oxford University in England, and a Master’s Degree in Religious Studies from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles.   

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12292019 to learn more about Cambria, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Christmas, Diana L. Hayes, implores us to "Rejoice!":  

"Beautiful are the feet and the entire body of that person who comes to us alight with the love of God, bringing us the good news, the Gospel message, a message never heard before in its fullness. For unto us this day is born in the city of David, a Savior, a child, who is the bearer of peace and all good things not to just a few but to all of humanity."  

Diana L. Hayes is a Professor Emerita of Systematic Theology at Georgetown University.  Her areas of specialization are Womanist Theology, Black Theology, U.S. Liberation Theologies, Contextual Theologies, Religion and Public Life, and African American and Womanist Spirituality. Dr. Hayes is the first African American woman to receive the Pontifical Doctor of Sacred Theology degree (S.T.D.) from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium) and has also received three honorary doctorates.   

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/12252019 to learn more about Dr. Hayes, to read her text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Liz McCloskey offers a reflection inviting us to trust that God is doing something new:  "What are the signs in your own life that God is creating something new in you?  and who is it that helps you see the signs?   Fear not.  Say prophets.  Say angels.  Says God."  

Liz McCloskey is a parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, DC where she is a spiritual director, co-facilitates a feminist bible study, and is on the team of the Ignatian Spirituality Project, a nationwide ministry with formerly homelessness people in recovery from addiction. She is one of the founders of the 5 Theses initiative, a set of simple proposals articulated to prompt reform of the Catholic Church.    

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/12222019 to learn more about Liz, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.