Mary Ann McGivern SL

Mary Ann lives at the Loretto Motherhouse in Kentucky. She is one of the homilists at Sunday services. She and Mary Swain SL write letters to Congress on behalf of the Community. Mary Ann is leading a call to the governor to commute the sentences of men in Kentucky who are on death row. She remains an active board member of the Peace Economy Project in St. Louis.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent

I was at a nonviolent training in preparation for trespassing and staying limp during arrest at the School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Georgia. Attendees didn’t want to be silent. I wanted to tell them the program teaches how…

Black and white photo showing two sisters in habits and two medical professionals in white coats traveling by boat to deliver water and medicine after a flood.

Reflection on the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sometimes you see a collection of funny church signs. Here’s one that always makes me laugh: Sunday’s text for the sermon will be “Jesus Walks on Water.” Wednesday’s Bible study is titled “Searching for Jesus.” Yes, today we read that…

Haiti Sunrise with a jungle view

Reflection on the Feast of the Ascension

“I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.” When I said I would write this homily for the Feast of the…

Wednesday Witness

Last Wednesday marked the first year anniversary of the Wednesday Witness in Lebanon, Ky. Sisters, Co-members and Marion County residents gather on a Lebanon street corner holding signs every Wednesday rain or shine in order to invite passersby to open…

Direct Action

We live in a dangerous moment. Several states have declared it illegal to boycott items made in Israel. Trespass penalties are higher. It used to be that you got “one bite of the apple,” that is, you’d be released with…

Reflection on the First Sunday of Lent

Today’s first reading and the Gospel are about temptation. They speak for themselves. But Psalm 30, stuck in between,  is a prayer of forgiveness. Here’s the third stanza: “ Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my…

A colorful banner with a white dove and a gradient color background of pink and blue with the text, "We work for justice and act for peace"

Practicing Nonviolent Direct Action

Perhaps you heard a racist joke and you didn’t laugh. Or you went further and said, “That’s not funny.” You engaged in nonviolent direct action. Does this surprise you? You didn’t think you were an activist. But yes, standing up…