From Too Many Priests to Too Few Priests

Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. John Neumann, the first American to be canonized.  He was born in 1811 in Bohemia in Europe.  He was studying to become a priest there when the bishop there announced there would be no further ordinations as there were too many priests.  Today, this might seem impossible for us to believe but …

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Mary as Mother of God and New Year’s Resolutions – Homily

Mary, the Holy Mother of God Numbers 6:22-27 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 January 1, 2018 January 1st is associated with various things.  In our secular society, it is the beginning of the new calendar year.  The beginning of a “new” year is seen as an opportunity to make changes with …

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The Feast of the Holy Family, Year B – Homily

Holy Family, Year B Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3 Psalm 105:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 Luke 2:22-40 December 31, 2017 Abraham had answered God’s call to follow his lead to a land that God had prepared for him.  However, while Abraham was a man of some wealth, he felt lacking in one thing, he …

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Christmas 2017 Homily

Christmas 2017 Readings from Mass during the Night Isaiah 9:1-6 Psalm 96:1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13, (Luke 2:11) Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 December 25, 2017 Today we celebrate something very special.  It is so special that people come in great numbers.  Some of you are here every week.  Some are in town visiting.  Some may be …

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4th Sunday of Advent, Homily – Year B

4th Sunday in Advent, Year B 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 Psalm 89:2-3, 3-5, 27, 29 (2a) Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 December 24, 2017 King David was a great king.  He is the king who built the kingdom of Israel but he knew he did it by God’s grace.  David had a great palace …

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Holy Hour Homily – December 2017 – The Word Became Flesh

Homily for December 2017 – Year of the Eucharist Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5 Titus 3:4-7 John 1:1-18 (all readings taken from readings for Christmas – various Masses) In four days, we will begin our Christmas celebration but not yet.  Earthly preparations have been busy for Christmas but tonight is not about baking, …

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3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B – Homily

3rd Sunday in Advent, Year B Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11 Responsorial – Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54 (Isaiah 61:10b) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28 December 17, 2017 As we have seen the last two weeks, our liturgical color for Advent is violent (we typically say purple).  As we celebrate this third Sunday of Advent our banners, …

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Second Sunday of Advent, Year B – Homily

2nd Sunday in Advent, Year B Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Psalm 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14 2 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8 December 10, 2017 We continue our Advent season this week.  You might remember that the word “Advent” means coming.  As such, I spoke last week of how our Church calls us to think about both the first …

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1st Sunday of Advent, Year B – Homily

1st Sunday in Advent, Year B Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b; 64:2-7 Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:33-37 December 3, 2017 Today begins a new year for us. As we look around, our banners and vestments have changed to violent symbolizes our season of Advent.  Why today? Everything about our liturgical year in our …

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Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year A – Homily

Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year A Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 Psalm 23:1-2, 2-3, 5-6 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Matthew 25:14-31-46 November 26, 2017 Today is our last Sunday before we begin a new liturgical year.  That means today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. To …

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