Homily
Click on Homily above to listen to this homily
The readings for this Sunday can be found at the USSCB official website
Why do we do that? Have statues in our churches
Human nature being what it is has a desire to enshrine certain people so that their legacy may live on and they may continue to inspire others. Think of Mount Rushmore; why would we go to all the trouble to carve these four presidents into stone? We want them to be an inspiration and a reminder of these men who shaped our country.
As Catholics we have this same desire; to be reminded of the men and women who have shaped, not just our country, but our world. We desire to see in them similarities to our own lives and to be inspired to trust in God and persevere until the end.
The statues also help us to keep in mind that when we are at church we are not alone. The choirs of angels and the communion of saints are present, even if unseen. Thus, the statues call to mind this important reality for our lives. When we walk into church and we are struggling; we see Mary and are drawn into her maternal care and reminded to let it be done unto me as God wishes.
To have statues in a Catholic church is to acknowledge our desire to enshrine in stone the memories of those who inspire us to live our lives for God. May we never tire of this inspiration.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
3rd Sunday of Advent
Homily
Click on Homily above to listen to this homily
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB official website
Why do we do that? Call it the Mass
The word Mass derives from the same word we use for dismissal and missile. The Mass is something that we are sent forth from. Just as one would launch a missile with a particular mission of bringing something to a particular location. So too are we sent forth by God with a particular message to be brought to a particular people. We must always keep in mind that Truth must be taught with Charity and that unlike war missiles ours is not a mission of destruction but of bringing the redeeming Word of God to our world.
Thus, when we come to Mass we come seeking to be filled up and sent forth on behalf of the Church to carry out the gospel mission of proclaiming God's mercy and love for our world.
Click on Homily above to listen to this homily
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB official website
Why do we do that? Call it the Mass
The word Mass derives from the same word we use for dismissal and missile. The Mass is something that we are sent forth from. Just as one would launch a missile with a particular mission of bringing something to a particular location. So too are we sent forth by God with a particular message to be brought to a particular people. We must always keep in mind that Truth must be taught with Charity and that unlike war missiles ours is not a mission of destruction but of bringing the redeeming Word of God to our world.
Thus, when we come to Mass we come seeking to be filled up and sent forth on behalf of the Church to carry out the gospel mission of proclaiming God's mercy and love for our world.
2nd Sunday of Advent
Homily
Click Homily above to listen to this homily
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB official website
Why do we do that? Not have the same ending on the Our Father as some of our Protestant brothers and sisters.
When the Scriptures were written the Our Father as our Lord gave it to his disciples was recorded. Over time a doxology (and ending) was written into the margins of some of the manuscripts in which the words, "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever." was found.
This then was placed at the end of the Our Father and ended up being added to the prayer in some versions of Scripture. The Catholic Church holds that the original Our Father did not contain these words so She does not include when we pray it. At Mass we break up the Our Father and the doxology with a short prayer by the priest.
We are not opposed to things of tradition being brought into our prayers, but it was not the Catholic Church who shortened the Our Father; it was a scribe who lengthened it.
Click Homily above to listen to this homily
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB official website
Why do we do that? Not have the same ending on the Our Father as some of our Protestant brothers and sisters.
When the Scriptures were written the Our Father as our Lord gave it to his disciples was recorded. Over time a doxology (and ending) was written into the margins of some of the manuscripts in which the words, "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever." was found.
This then was placed at the end of the Our Father and ended up being added to the prayer in some versions of Scripture. The Catholic Church holds that the original Our Father did not contain these words so She does not include when we pray it. At Mass we break up the Our Father and the doxology with a short prayer by the priest.
We are not opposed to things of tradition being brought into our prayers, but it was not the Catholic Church who shortened the Our Father; it was a scribe who lengthened it.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Men's Winter Retreat
We were blessed to have Joe Rutten lead our men in a retreat on December 7th. The three talks can be found here.
I was told the link to the second talk was the same as the first. I think I have this fixed.
First Talk
Second Talk
Third Talk
I was told the link to the second talk was the same as the first. I think I have this fixed.
First Talk
Second Talk
Third Talk
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
1st Sunday of Advent
Homily
Click Homily above to listen to this homily
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB website
Why do we do that? Hold hands during the Our Father
The rite doesn't say how the laity should have their hands during the Our Father. The priest is told to hold his hands out in orans (prayer) position. Typically when we pray we would have our hands together and thus for most people that is the posture they would take up during the Our Father.
When the charismatic movement came through the Church many people found themselves raising their hands in prayer and adoration throughout times of praying. Thus it was not uncommon for people to hold hands as well while they were praying.
Bishop Dudley had a great love for this and often encouraged people to hold hands during the Our Father.
If someone does not want to hold hands or prefers to have them together it should not be seen as a sign of disrespect, but simply the person's choice in prayer position.
Click Homily above to listen to this homily
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB website
Why do we do that? Hold hands during the Our Father
The rite doesn't say how the laity should have their hands during the Our Father. The priest is told to hold his hands out in orans (prayer) position. Typically when we pray we would have our hands together and thus for most people that is the posture they would take up during the Our Father.
When the charismatic movement came through the Church many people found themselves raising their hands in prayer and adoration throughout times of praying. Thus it was not uncommon for people to hold hands as well while they were praying.
Bishop Dudley had a great love for this and often encouraged people to hold hands during the Our Father.
If someone does not want to hold hands or prefers to have them together it should not be seen as a sign of disrespect, but simply the person's choice in prayer position.
Christ the King Sunday
Homily
Click on Homily above to listen to this homily
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB website
Why do we do that? Encyclicals
Encyclical is a latin word for letter and they are letters from our bishops to the Church. When St. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans it was just that; a letter to the Romans. It was only later that the Church realized this letter was more than just for the Romans and held a special place in our Scriptures.
Bishops continued this tradition of writing the people to encourage, education, admonish and guide their people. It continues today as our bishops and the pope feel inspired to write us. Take time to read them, they were written to you and me.
Here is Pope Francis' latest letter
Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)
Click on Homily above to listen to this homily
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB website
Why do we do that? Encyclicals
Encyclical is a latin word for letter and they are letters from our bishops to the Church. When St. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans it was just that; a letter to the Romans. It was only later that the Church realized this letter was more than just for the Romans and held a special place in our Scriptures.
Bishops continued this tradition of writing the people to encourage, education, admonish and guide their people. It continues today as our bishops and the pope feel inspired to write us. Take time to read them, they were written to you and me.
Here is Pope Francis' latest letter
Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel)
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
33rd Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
Click on the word "Homily" above to listen to it.
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB's official website
Why do we do that? Abstaining from meat
The Church asks all those between the ages of 14 and 60 to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Outside of the lentan season the USCCB has given us permission to eat meat on Fridays as long as we do some sort of act of penance in place of a meatless Friday.
Fridays are to be a day of penance as we recall our Lords Passion and Death on Good Friday. Food is often associated with our celebrations or moods. Thus the Church has asked us not to eat food that was connected with celebrations. Throughout most of history and the world meat was something reserved for royalty or celebrations. Thus, when the Church asks us to give up food it is to allow Friday to have a sense of penance attached to it. While lobster would technically qualify as fish, it would miss the point of penance. On Sundays we celebrate our Lord's resurrection and thus it is fitting that Sunday is a day of celebration.
Click on the word "Homily" above to listen to it.
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB's official website
Why do we do that? Abstaining from meat
The Church asks all those between the ages of 14 and 60 to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent. Outside of the lentan season the USCCB has given us permission to eat meat on Fridays as long as we do some sort of act of penance in place of a meatless Friday.
Fridays are to be a day of penance as we recall our Lords Passion and Death on Good Friday. Food is often associated with our celebrations or moods. Thus the Church has asked us not to eat food that was connected with celebrations. Throughout most of history and the world meat was something reserved for royalty or celebrations. Thus, when the Church asks us to give up food it is to allow Friday to have a sense of penance attached to it. While lobster would technically qualify as fish, it would miss the point of penance. On Sundays we celebrate our Lord's resurrection and thus it is fitting that Sunday is a day of celebration.
All Saints Day
Homily
Click on the word "Homily" above to listen to it.
The readings for this day can be found at USCCB's official website
Why do we do that? Fast before Mass
The Church asks that we fast one hour before Mass. Fasting builds discipline in what and when we eat. It also helps us prepare a place for our Lord when we receive Communion. When we find ourselves hungry physically we should remind ourselves that there is also a spiritual hunger that can only be satisfied by God. When we come to Mass we should realize that there is a spiritual hunger that should be satisfied before we satisfy our physical hunger.
The Church realizes that for some people food is needed to take medicine or other legitimate reasons and thus one can still receive Communion if this is the case.
Click on the word "Homily" above to listen to it.
The readings for this day can be found at USCCB's official website
Why do we do that? Fast before Mass
The Church asks that we fast one hour before Mass. Fasting builds discipline in what and when we eat. It also helps us prepare a place for our Lord when we receive Communion. When we find ourselves hungry physically we should remind ourselves that there is also a spiritual hunger that can only be satisfied by God. When we come to Mass we should realize that there is a spiritual hunger that should be satisfied before we satisfy our physical hunger.
The Church realizes that for some people food is needed to take medicine or other legitimate reasons and thus one can still receive Communion if this is the case.
32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
31st Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" you will be able to listen to it.
The readings can be found at USCCB website
Why do we do that? Ringing of the bells
We ring the bells at various times during the liturgy to bring people to a point of attention in the Mass. Before Vatican II the Mass was offered Ad Orientum and the churches were often large and so it was not uncommon for people to lose track of where the priest was at in the Eucharistic Prayer. Thus, the server would ring the bell to bring people to attention.
It isn't part of the rite, but it is not forbidden either. Thus, at Immaculate Conception I have the servers ring the bells three different times:
1. At the Epiclesus (when the Holy Spirit is called down upon the gifts).
2. The elevation of the host after it has been consecrated into the Body of Christ.
3. The elevation of the chalice after the wine has been consecrated into the Blood of Christ.
When you click on the word "Homily" you will be able to listen to it.
The readings can be found at USCCB website
Why do we do that? Ringing of the bells
We ring the bells at various times during the liturgy to bring people to a point of attention in the Mass. Before Vatican II the Mass was offered Ad Orientum and the churches were often large and so it was not uncommon for people to lose track of where the priest was at in the Eucharistic Prayer. Thus, the server would ring the bell to bring people to attention.
It isn't part of the rite, but it is not forbidden either. Thus, at Immaculate Conception I have the servers ring the bells three different times:
1. At the Epiclesus (when the Holy Spirit is called down upon the gifts).
2. The elevation of the host after it has been consecrated into the Body of Christ.
3. The elevation of the chalice after the wine has been consecrated into the Blood of Christ.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
30th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded so you may listen to it.
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB's Official Website
29th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The readings for this weekend can be found at USCCB's Official Website
28th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The readings for this Mass can be found at USCCB's Official Website
25th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The readings for this Sunday can be found at USCCB's Website
24th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
23rd Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
22nd Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
My homilies online
Some of my family have asked if I would record my homilies. I have honored their request and am attempting to figure out the best way to do this. So far I am using dropbox to store the file and then link it to this blog. I am not sure if there is a better way for this to be done. Anyone out there that knows a thing or two about all this and would like to assist me feel free to drop me a line.
I hope those who listen to these homilies are drawn more deeper into the mystery that is God's eternal love for each and everyone of us and the gift that is the Eucharist.
I have also included a link to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's Website where the Sunday readings are found for each of the homilies.
Fr. Paul
I hope those who listen to these homilies are drawn more deeper into the mystery that is God's eternal love for each and everyone of us and the gift that is the Eucharist.
I have also included a link to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop's Website where the Sunday readings are found for each of the homilies.
Fr. Paul
17th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
16th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
15th Sunday Ordinary Time Year C
Homily
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
When you click on the word "Homily" the file will be downloaded to your computer so you may listen to it.
The Sunday readings can be found at USCCB's Official Website
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