Catholic Women Preach Catholic Women Preach

Preaching for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Sharon M.K. Kugler offers a reflection on what believing in a Good Shepherd God means for us:

"If we believe in a Good Shepherd God then we are, each one of us, held as we navigate through the shadows of life, as we encounter illness of body or mind in ourselves or others, as we see despair and try to ease it, as we see the absence of justice and respond. These are the things that our God is acutely aware of and is constantly tending. We look to the Good Shepherd God to show us the way and we look to one another each of us, sheep, to follow, to care."

Sharon M.K. Kugler became the seventh University Chaplain to Yale in July of 2007 and retired in June of 2023. She came to New Haven from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore where she had served as the University Chaplain since 1993. Sharon received her Masters degree from Georgetown University and is a member of the Theta Alpha Kappa National Honor Society for Religious Studies and Theology.

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04212024 to learn more about Sharon, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Third Sunday of Easter, Mary Erika Bolaños offers a reflection on bringing our doubts and questions to faith:

"Like the disciples, we often find ourselves troubled by doubts and questions. We may struggle to reconcile the complexities of life with our beliefs, or we may feel overwhelmed by the challenges we face. In these moments, Jesus’ words offer us both comfort and challenge. The gospel reminds us that faith is not immune to doubt but can coexist with it. We are invited to confront our doubts honestly and openly, trusting that Christ will meet us in our vulnerability."

Mary Erika Bolaños, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Santo Tomas Manila, Philippines, and concurrently serves as the Principal of UST Senior High School. She teaches at the UST Graduate School and the Institute of Preaching of the Dominican Province of the Philippines. She completed her Ph.D. Theology in UST with a concentration on the Biblical Paul and finished a Biblical Studies Certificate at the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies. In addition, she has written manuscripts, articles, and textbooks in Religious Education and Pauline studies.

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04142024 to learn more about Dr. Bolaños, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for the Second Sunday of Easter, Layla A. Karst reflects on our call to be credible witnesses to the Resurrection in today's world:

"We are an Easter people, a community of missionary disciples, beloved of God and witnesses to the resurrection. Ours is a church that is called to be radically inclusive. Our Easter joy is abundant enough to share with all and still have more left over. Our joy is deep enough to hold grief and sorrow and anger and doubt without fear. We are recognizable by our joy, yes, but also by our wounds, and by the Spirit within us that greets all with a word of peace."

Dr. Layla A. Karst is an assistant professor in the department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University where she teaches and writes at the intersection of liturgy and ecclesiology. She is currently studying the theology and practice of lay preaching in Catholic communities and their implications for building a more synodal church. She holds a PhD from Emory University and an MDiv from the University of Notre Dame.

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/04072024 to learn more about Dr. Karst, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Easter Sunday, Dr. C. Vanessa White offers a reflection on the power of women's voices proclaiming the Good News then and now:

"If women doubt their value, this telling and retelling of the resurrection story reaffirms the power of a women’s voice  - for it was Mary’s voice that first testified to the Resurrection and whose story continues today...On this day, can we, like Mary, run and share the news of Jesus’ presence in our world?  In spite of our doubts and fears, do we have the strength, the fortitude, the faith to go out like Mary and the disciples and share the news that Jesus has risen? This Good News can change our hearts and change the world, if only we believe."

Dr. C. Vanessa White is Associate Professor of Spirituality and Ministry  as well as the Director of the Certificate in Black Theology and Ministry at Catholic Theological Union.  She received her Doctor of Ministry and Master of Theological Studies degrees from Catholic Theological Union, with additional post-graduate work at Xavier University of Louisiana and Loyola University Chicago.  She is also a member of the faculty for Xavier University’s Summer Institute for Black Catholic Studies in New Orleans where she teaches in both the Master’s degree and Continuing Education and Enrichment Program.  

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03313024 to learn more about C. Vanessa White, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Good Friday, Leslye Colvin offers a reflection on resisting systems of power and oppression:

"History teaches that those who speak from the margins are targeted to suffer cruelties, and, quite often, to suffer death. Jesus was a man with a target on his back. He was born and lived on the margins of a powerful and oppressive system that placed no value on his life. He resisted the dehumanization of this system by recognizing each person as being made in the image and likeness of his beloved Abba, and he acted accordingly. For him, this was God’s law written on his heart, and his life testified to this truth."

Leslye Colvin is a writer, spiritual companion, retreat facilitator, and contemplative activist. Inspired by the tradition of Catholic social teaching, she is passionate about encouraging diversity of thought especially as it relates to those often marginalized within the community. Currently in the apprenticeship program of the Guild for Spiritual Guidance, Leslye is a graduate of the Living School and the Haden Institute. She holds an M.A. in Communication from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an undergraduate degree from Xavier University of Louisiana. Leslye serves on the Boards of FutureChurch, and NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice.

Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/03292024 to learn more about Leslye, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Preaching for Holy Thursday, Dr. Cynthia Bailey Manns offers a reflection on living God's bold, fierce love for everyone:

"In October, I will return to Rome to participate in the final assembly of this Synod. And although I will NOT be washing feet, I will follow the model of Jesus’ bold, fierce love as he cared for those he encountered. He was a healing presence to those he taught, listened to, guided and accompanied. I will be a healing presence to those I encounter, listen to, and accompany. I will love others with more empathy and without distinction. And I will love God more fiercely. Beginning today, I invite YOU to multiply and deepen your Holy Thursday experiences as you embody Jesus’ bold, fierce love in your sacred encounters with others and God."

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 first general assembly of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality this past October and again in October 2024. 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/03282024 to learn more about Dr. Bailey Manns, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.