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.

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.

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.