Most of us know that we are so enriched by the personal and theological reflections of women in the church and yet the times are few when our women parishioners have a voice in the assembly sharing the depth of their prayer and reflection. For the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Lizzie Berne Degear wrote this beautiful reflection on the Annunciation that I’d like to share with the Xavier community. I hope in the future the “pastor’s messages and homilies” will include other pastoral perspectives.