Author archive

Mary Swain SL

Mary Swain SL has been a consultant to the National Religious Retirement Office and has served on the board for the National Association for Treasurers of Religious Institutes. Along with her math background and service to the Loretto Community in the financial area, she has experience as a church organist and plans and prepares materials for Loretto liturgies at Loretto Motherhouse and for special occasions. Mary resides at Loretto Motherhouse, the grounds of which receive her careful tending and loving touch.

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Reflection on the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Mary Swain SL / July 3, 2022 /

A road passes between two pillars built of stones and goes off to the horizon.

Last Sunday and now this Sunday we have been reading from chapters 9 and 10 of Luke’s Gospel. Jesus is aware that his days are numbered. He is heading toward…

Reflection on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord

By Mary Swain SL / May 26, 2022 /

Acts 1:1-11, Eph. 1:17-23, Luke 24:46-53 The Gospel passage from Luke that we just heard begins starkly and abruptly — an instruction from Jesus for his disciples. It is helpful,…

Reflection on Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

By Mary Swain SL / April 11, 2022 /

In today’s Gospel reading Jesus sends two of his disciples off to get a colt in the nearby village. He and his disciples were heading to Jerusalem. Many people were…

Reflection on the First Sunday of Lent

By Mary Swain SL / March 6, 2022 /

Luke 4:1-13 Today’s Gospel begins where the Gospel from several weeks ago ended. Back in January we celebrated the feast of Jesus’ baptism. The Holy Spirit had descended upon him, looking…

Reflection on the Baptism of the Lord

By Mary Swain SL / January 9, 2022 /

Imagine what this day in Jesus’ life must have been for him. He has just taken part in a purification ritual that John, his cousin, does with the people. Jesus…

Reflection on the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

By Mary Swain SL / November 21, 2021 /

Here we are, on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, celebrating Christ as king. For some of us, “king” may carry negative connotations — kings and their subjects, power…

Reflection on the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Mary Swain SL / September 12, 2021 /

Isaiah 50:4-9; Mark 8:27-35 We can imagine the scene we have just heard described. Jesus and a few others walking along the road, maybe on a day like this, heading…

Reflection on the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Mary Swain SL / July 18, 2021 /

A graphic symbolizing community and connection. A blue and green world graphic with different colored hands surrounding it on a black background.

Mark 6:30-34 Earlier in this chapter of Mark’s Gospel Jesus sends out the Twelve, two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. They were to wear the clothes they…

Bringing Peace

By Mary Swain SL / July 1, 2021 /

A book cover featuring a man with short grey hair and glasses playing a banjo and smiling with the title in bold white letters: What Belongs to God by David Edwards. The book is displayed standing on a rock in front of large white flowers and greenery.

David Edwards was a college student during the Vietnam War, planning to continue his studies in the seminary. He was thus exempt from the draft that threatened so many young…

Reflection on the Fifth Sunday of Easter

By Mary Swain SL / May 2, 2021 /

Acts 9:26-31, I John 3:18-24, John 15:1-8 This Gospel reading is so familiar to us: “The vine and the branches, I am the vine and you are the branches.” Jesus…

Reflection on the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Mary Swain SL / January 31, 2021 /

Mark 1:21-28 Jesus is in Capernaum. It’s early in his public life. Things go well. In last Sunday’s Gospel, he met Simon and Andrew, then James and John. He asked…

Reflection on the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God

By Mary Swain SL / January 1, 2021 /

The Gospel we just heard sounds like Christmas all over again. The shepherds have made their way to Bethlehem. Mary, Joseph and the child are there, just as the angel had…

The Loretto Community consists of the congregation of the Sisters of Loretto and Loretto Co-members. The congregation of the Sisters of Loretto at the Foot of the Cross was founded in rural Kentucky in 1812. Today, our Sisters and Co-members continue to live out the Loretto Community’s mission to “work for justice and act for peace because the Gospel urges us.” In the United States and throughout the world, Loretto Community members serve in many fields, including education, healthcare, elder care, environmental stewardship and advocacy.