Catholic Women Preach

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.