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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.

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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

By Mary Swain SL / November 22, 2020 /

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17; I Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46 Here we are, on the last Sunday of the liturgical year, celebrating Christ as king.  For some of us, “king” may…

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Reflection on the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Mary Swain SL / October 25, 2020 /

Exodus 22:20-26, Matthew 22:34-40 It is as though the reading from Exodus was written for our times.  “Don’t oppress.  Don’t extort.  Be compassionate.”  Oppression, greed and lack of consideration of…

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Reflection on the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Mary Swain SL / September 6, 2020 /
Sunlight shines through the window in the Motherhouse Church

Ezekiel 33:7-9, Matthew 18:15-20 I find the Ezekiel reading today difficult to understand.  I also find it filled with thoughts of hopelessness. It seems to be about correcting the other person, the…

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Reflection on the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Mary Swain SL / August 9, 2020 /

Matthew 14: 22-33 Last Sunday’s Gospel and homily spoke of John the Baptist’s disciples coming to tell Jesus that John had been beheaded.  Jesus would have to be thinking that…

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Reflection on the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Mary Swain SL / June 21, 2020 /

Jeremiah 20:10-13, Matthew 10:26-33 “Fear no one,” we just heard read at the beginning of today’s Gospel.  Jesus said to the Twelve, “Fear no one.”  To back up this command,…

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Reflection on the Feast of the Ascension

By Mary Swain SL / May 21, 2020 /

In Matthew’s Gospel, in the section of the Gospel right before what we heard a few minutes ago, the women have just told the disciples, the eleven, that Jesus is…

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