Catholic Women Preach

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.

Preaching for the Solemnity of the Ascension, Karla Keppel offers a reflection on a God who "nudges" us: "When we let ourselves be nudged out of our comfort zones, we open ourselves to the very best God has to offer us. We open ourselves to the possibility of connection, of community, of building the Reign of God in real time with real people who are in desperate, desperate, need of hope.Karla M. Alvarado Keppel is a collaborative mission and formation leader who grounds her work in the Catholic social tradition, forming diverse groups to deepen connections to the Sacred, cultivate meaning and purpose, and deepen vocational understanding. She serves as the Associate Director for Mission Services at the Catholic Health Association of the United States. She has undergraduate degrees in English and Spanish Literature from Loyola Marymount University and graduate degrees in Pastoral Ministry Theology and Counseling Psychology from Boston College.Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05172026 to learn more about Karla, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.

Pau Delgadillo preaches for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, offering a reflection on sharing the love we've received:
"Live in such a way that no one who meets you doubts they are loved. In a world that is beautiful and scary, let us ask ourselves a question: how am I passing that love on? Because the love we’ve received was never meant to stop with us."
Paulina (Pau) Delgadillo is a storyteller with a big heart whose work helps others feel seen, understood, and inspired. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised on the Southwest Side of Chicago, she is passionate about immigration justice, environmental advocacy, and community organizing. She holds degrees in Natural Science and Theology from Dominican University and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Catholic Theological Union. Pau is the founder of Pau’s Lighthouse, offering a variety of ministries including accompaniment and facilitation.
Visit www.catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/05102026 to learn more about Pau, to read her preaching text, and for more preaching from Catholic women.