Mariann
Mariann
McCorkle
McCorkle
When was the first time you felt loved? What is your earliest memory of being in the presence of love?
I felt loved by my mother early on as a child; she delighted in me, and I can close my eyes today and hear her laughter, feel her presence. . . I know that her love of God enkindled in me a desire for a deeper faith, a hunger for being known and loved by God.
My daughter, Olivia, when she was 3 years old, sat with me on the porch swing as a summer thunderstorm moved through the neighborhood. She turned to me and said, "Does God feel the thunder?" I was humbled by her question, saying, "yes, Olivia, I think God feels everything, because he sent his son, Jesus to be human, to be one like us."
By the time this Sunday arrives, Olivia will have given birth to our first grandchild and as we just celebrated Mother's Day, I invite you to reflect on your faith journey. Who accompanied you and made an impact on your spiritual life. Join me in giving thanks for that accompaniment.
How then do we embody that love for ourselves and others?
I think it is by studying Jesus. By listening to his message. By quieting ourselves before Him.
And today, Jesus says, "Love one another as I have loved you."
Mariann McCorkle
Mariann McCorkle
Mariann McCorkle is Co-Director of the Ignatian Legacy Fellows Program, Loyola University Chicago. She founded the program in 2018 with John Fontana, Co-Director, to promote a community of learning in a pilgrimage over one year in one’s retirement. Mariann lives in Maryland, where she enjoys tennis, gardening, writing, and travel. She travels every other month with the Ignatian Legacy Fellows, enjoying Santa Clara University, Boston College, Georgetown University and Loyola University Chicago, as well as Lima, Peru, Machu Picchu, Spain and Italy. She is also engaged in leading change in organizations on the east coast and raises financial support for key initiatives in diversity and inclusion. She enjoys her daughter, Olivia, who is expecting her first child in mid-May 2022 and her son, Zach, who lives near Olivia and who enjoys cooking and hiking with family. Mariann met Betty Anne Donnelly (CWP Co-founder and Preacher Coordinator) at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University in 2010-11 when Mariann was Director of Development. Mariann holds a Bachelors and a Masters Degree in English and has taught literature, poetry and spirituality for years.
October 17 at 7pm ET: Join Catholic Women Preach, FutureChurch, contributors to the Year C book, and co-editors Elizabeth Donnelly and Russ Petrus as we celebrate the release of the third and final volume of this ground-breaking, award winning series.
"Catholic Women Preach is one of the more inspiring collection of homilies available today. Based on the deep spirituality and insights of the various women authors, the homilies are solidly based on the scriptures and offer refreshing and engaging insights for homilists and listeners. The feminine perspective has long been absent in the preached word, and its inclusion in this work offers a long overdue and pastorally necessary resource for the liturgical life of the Church." - Catholic Media Association
Advertise with Catholic Women Preach: email Russ at russ@futurechurch.org
