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i have seen this in NY state! we live in VA in the Arlington diocese which is fairly conservative, in that it is one of the remaining two, that doesn't permit girl altar servers. we were in upstate NY on two different occasions and attended Mass once in Syracuse and once in Rochester. In the first instance, it was a deacon that gave the sermon and that had me agitated because it was my understanding that they could assist at Mass but not give the sermon. The second instance, a ROCK AND ROLL Mass in Rochester (my husband and son were there on an ice hockey trip and they were floored by the priest opening the Mass with ARE YOU READY TO ROCK AND ROLL? ) when the priest turned to some random girlie from the "audience" to do the sermon, my husband and son got up and walked out.

In the first instance, it was a deacon that gave the sermon and that had me agitated because it was my understanding that they could assist at Mass but not give the sermon. The second instance, a ROCK AND ROLL Mass in Rochester (my husband and son were there on an ice hockey trip and they were floored by the priest opening the Mass with ARE YOU READY TO ROCK AND ROLL? ) when the priest turned to some random girlie from the "audience" to do the sermon, my husband and son got up and walked out.

In the first transgression you mention, consider yourself lucky, I guess.

At St. John the Evangelist, on Humboldt, they allowed a female pastoral associate, dressed up like the protestant Rev. Schuller, to deliver the homily. I think she's even a step below Deacon, though I'm not sure, as I don't know what powers the title pastoral associate confers. I was overcome by a desire to bolt, but convinced myself I should't make a scene, and that I was probably over-reacting.

In practice, I'm only opposed to a Deacon delivering the Homily when the Deacon is an idiot. But that would hold true for Priests as well, so there's nothing to be done.

The rock and roll thing speaks for itself.

In case you're interested and ever in town again, I have found a good Church downtown, Our Lady of Victory/St. Joseph's Church on Pleasant. Mass is at 4:30 on Saturday in anticipation of the Sunday Mass, and at 10:00 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. It's very near the arena. And the Priest is a rock solid Priest.

"In the first instance, it was a deacon that gave the sermon and that had me agitated because it was my understanding that they could assist at Mass but not give the sermon."

I believe that it is fully licit for a deacon to give the sermon.
Unfortunately rock and roll type Masses are becoming more common. Last weeks sentinel (Portland Diocese) features a story about this particular fad.
http://www.sentinel.org/articles/2005-5/13561.html

In the first instance, it was a deacon that gave the sermon and that had me agitated because it was my understanding that they could assist at Mass but not give the sermon.

That was my understanding as well. However after reading through the GIRM with the Liturgy Commission at our church, I have found that they are indeed allowed. A priest or a deacon may give the homily. That said, homily time is not the time for a nun or layperson to step up to the podium and solicit donations or tell you their life story or whatever, it is really supposed to expound on the gospel.