Dec 28, 2016

Christmas Sermon -- Christmas and the Poor

We have considered, in past years, the circumstances in which our Lord was born and what these teach us about the Christmas mystery. He was born in Bethlehem (meaning "House of Bread") and laid in a manger (a feeding trough), teaching us that he is the Living Bread in the Eucharist. He was born at midnight on December 25th to teach us that he is Light for the world. He was born of Mary under St Joseph to teach us that we must be children of Mary and Joseph if we are to be true Christians.

Jesus chose to be born poor. This is both an expression of love for the poor and a rejection of the rich who are satisfied in their riches. Jesus shows us the power of his divinity by being born with no human power. He teaches us that we too must love the poor. He inflames our love by become so lowly in order to gain our hearts.



Listen online [here]!





Daily Sermons, December 19 - 24

Daily Sermons, December 19-24.
Early morning Masses for the conclusion of Advent.


Sunday Sermon, December 18 -- Our Lady's Virginity and Devotion to St Joseph

4th Sunday of Advent: St Joseph's "doubt", Biblical Defense of Mary's Virginity, Devotion to St Joseph.

1) Why we ought not to think that St Joseph expected Mary of sin.
2) A careful examination of what the Bible says about Mary's virginity: Words like "before" and "until" in reference to Joseph and Mary "coming together" and "knowing one another" as man and wife.
3) Devotion to St Joseph as a patron of our spiritual life.


Listen online [here]!





Dec 17, 2016

Daily Sermons, December 13-17

Sermons from daily Masses, December 13-17.
Lucy, Ember days, Christmas Novena, O Antiphons.


Dec 13, 2016

Sunday Sermon, December 11 -- St John the Baptist Did Not Doubt

Although many today will say that St John the Baptist was doubting whether Jesus is the Messiah when he sent his disciples to ask, "Are you the one?", however the unanimous teaching of the Fathers of the Church, the saints, and the Catholic theologians is that St John was in no way doubting but was leading his disciples to Jesus.

Listen online [here]!





Thursday Sermon, December 8 -- The Immaculate Conception and Advent

A comparison of the mystery of Advent with the Immaculate Conception.

The prayers of the Church during Advent were received in advance to grant the gift of the Messiah at the first Christmas, the prayers of Jesus from the Cross were received in advance to grant the Immaculate Conception to his Mother.

Listen online [here]!




Daily Sermons, December 6 -10

Sermons from daily Masses.
St Nicholas and St Juan Diego.

Dec 5, 2016

Sunday Sermon, December 4 -- St Andrew, Disciple of St John the Baptist and Advent Saint

The whole Church hears the cry of St John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord. St Andrew (together with St John the Evangelist) was the great disciple of St John the Baptist. Andrew is an example to us of responding to the preaching of St John to welcome the Messiah into our hearts.

Andrew was the first disciple called by the Lord in his public ministry, and he is known as the Apostle of the Cross. St Andrew reminds us that Jesus was born so that he might die upon the Cross -- this love inspires us to do penance during this season so as to be ready to welcome Jesus anew at Christmas.


Listen online [here]!







Sunday Sermon, November 27 -- Advent Penance to Prepare for the Christ

Advent is a season of penance in which we look to the coming of Christ in his first advent and his final advent -- in his incarnation born of Mary,  and at the end of time in the second coming and day of judgement.

Let Advent be Advent! Don't celebrate Christmas during Advent, but allow this to be a season of preparation. Then, fully celebrate Christmas when it is Christmas.

We do penance during Advent -- Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving.


Listen online [here]!




Daily Sermons, Nov 22-30

Sermons from daily Masses, November 22-30.
St Cecilia, Advent, St Andrew


Nov 25, 2016

Sunday Sermon, November 20 -- Three Responses to Mercy: The ruler, the wicked thief, and the good thief

Sunday Sermon, November 20 -- Solemnity of Christ the King.

The conclusion to the Year of Mercy is today. Christ is the King of Mercy, and we see three responses to mercy: The ruler, the wicked thief and the good thief.

The ruler doesn't think he needs mercy. He rejects Jesus' teaching, and especially hates the Gospel for not being popular with the worldly. He symbolizes those today who don't think they have any sins, who don't go to confession, who think that the Church needs to "get with the times".

The wicked thief desires mercy, but sees mercy as a license for sin. He wants mercy as a way of escaping punishment, but not as a remedy for sin. He symbolized those today who say that mercy means giving communion to the divorced and remarried, and who don't want any consequence for sin.

The good thief accepts punishment as just, but hopes for something more. He desires mercy not as a way of avoiding justice, but as doing what justice alone could never do. Justice punishes sin, but mercy totally annihilates sin by bringing about true conversion. He symbolizes the one who experiences the grace of repentance and confesses his sin and truly strives to follow the Gospel.

The good thief reminds us that it is never too late to become a saint.


Listen online [here]!





Nov 19, 2016

Daily Sermons, November 15 - 19

Sermons from daily Masses, November 15-19.
St Albert, St Gertrude, St Elizabeth, Sts Peter and Paul.

Nov 13, 2016

Sunday Sermon, November 13 -- The Destruction of Jerusalem and the End of the World

Sunday Sermon, 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.

In the year AD 66, St Simeon, the second bishop of Jerusalem, led the Christians out of the city of Jerusalem before the soon-to-be emperor Titus destroyed the city in 70 AD. Yet, God was merciful, for the Christians returned to perform works of charity after Titus left the city in ruins.

Jesus doesn't want us to be afraid of the day of Judgment. His second coming isn't a threat, it's a promise. If we are afraid of the Lord's return, either we need to recall his love or recognize that it is our lowliness and our misery call upon our mercy.


Listen online [here]!




Nov 12, 2016

Daily Sermons, November 9-12

Daily homilies, November 9 through 12.
Worship, St Leo, St Martin, Monothelitism.


Daily Sermons, October 25 to 28

Sermons from daily homilies, October 25 to 28.
Marriage, St Evaristus, St Frumentius, Sts Simon and Jude.


Nov 9, 2016

Sunday Sermon, November 6th -- Why the Church is still against cremation

Sunday Sermon, November 6th -- What the Church really teaches about cremation, and why she still strongly discourages the practice and desires full body burial.


From the Code of Canon Law:

"The Church earnestly recommends that the pious custom of burying the bodies of the deceased be observed; nevertheless, the Church does not prohibit cremation unless it was chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine." (Canon 1176.3)


From the official liturgical book of the Church, on cremation (Order of Christian Funerals, Appendix):

"The human body is inextricably associated with the human person … Although cremation is now permitted by the Church, it does not enjoy the same value as burial of the body. The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites … The Church's teaching in regard to the human body as well as the Church's preference for burial of the body should be a regular part of catechesis on all levels and pastors should make particular efforts to preserve this important teaching." (411, 413, 414) The document continues to speak of cremation as "extraordinary" and as to be chosen when it is "the only feasible choice". (415)



There are real circumstances in which cremation would be appropriate (examples: when the body will be buried in a place far distant from the place of death; times of war or plague; when there is not sufficient cemetery space for burial), but the Church does not desire that we would choose cremation as a first option, nor does she place cremation as a good choice. The Church does not want us to be cremated, whenever full body burial is a viable option.

Many chose cremation so as to cut funeral costs - there are many ways to avoid an expensive funeral. The law does not require embalming (in most cases) and we can certainly opt for a pine box rather than an expensive casket. Don't let the funeral home or societal pressures force you to chose something that the Church has always forbidden and still strongly discourages. Educate yourself about options available for the preparation of the body for burial (a simple google search will reveal a great many options).


Listen online [here]!








Sunday Sermon, October 30th -- The Rosary with St Joseph, the Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries (Part 5 of 5)

Sunday Sermon, October 30th -- The conclusion of sermons on the Rosary with St Joseph, the Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries.

St Joseph witnessed the sorrowful mysteries from limbo, and felt deep compassion and sorrow as in a father's heart.

At the Resurrection of Jesus, St Joseph also rose. When the Lord ascended, St Joseph was assumed. The Patron of the Universal Church witnessed the remaining mysteries from heavenly glory.



Listen online [here]!





Nov 7, 2016

Daily Sermons, November 2 - 5

Daily Sermons, November 2-5.
Requiem Masses and the Souls in Purgatory.

Holy Day Sermon, November 1st -- All Saints' Day

In the Catholic Church, we are united to the saints in heaven and the souls in purgatory as one great family in Christ. This is the essential truth that is proposed in the doctrine of indulgences - that the merits of the stronger members of our Catholic family (the saints) benefit the weaker members (us). Furthermore, we can assist the holy souls in purgatory by offering indulgences for them.

Listen online [here]!




Thursday Adult Formation, November 3 -- Dante's Paradiso, Conclusion (Part 4 of 4)

Pope Francis has named the Divine Comedy the official book and spiritual guide of the Year of Mercy. We conclude our series which has extended through the past year.

Thursday Adult Formation, October 27 -- Dante's Paradiso, Part 3 of 4

Pope Francis has named the Divine Comedy the official book of the Year of Mercy. We continue our study of the Paradiso, the third part of the Comedy.

Oct 25, 2016

Sunday Sermon, October 23 -- The Rosary with St Joseph, The Finding in the Temple (part 4 of 5)

Sunday, October 23 -- The Finding in the Temple.

The slaughtering of the Innocents occurred about 15 months after Jesus was born, and the Holy Family returns to the Holy Land at about his 7th year.
The loss and finding of the Child occurs when Jesus is 12 years old. In this mystery, we must recognize that Jesus did nothing wrong, neither did Mary or Joseph do anything wrong -- rather, the three days he was lost we a prophetic teaching in preparation for his death and resurrection.

Finally, we recognize that Jesus was perfectly obedient to St Joseph for the first 30 years of his life on earth. If we are true Christians (Christ-like), we will be totally consecrated to St Joseph. A Christian is one who is known to be the "child of St Joseph".


Listen online [here]!






Oct 23, 2016

Daily Sermons, October 11 - 17

Homilies from daily Masses, October 11 - 17.
St John XXIII, Our Lady of the Pillar, St Callistus, St Teresa of Avila.


Daily Sermons, October 18 to 22

Sermons from daily Masses, October 18 to 22.
St Luke the Evangelist, St Peter of Alcantara, St Paul of the Cross, St Ursula, St John Paul II.

Tuesday Adult Formation, October 20 -- Dante's Paradiso, Cantos 6 through 14 (Part 2 of 4)

 The Divine Comedy has been named by Pope Francis as the official book of the Year of Mercy. We now turn to the study of the third part of the Comedy -- Paradiso. 



Listen online [here]!




Sunday Sermon, October 16 -- The Rosary with St Joseph, the Nativity and Presentation (Part 3 of 5)

Sunday Sermon, October 16.

October is the month of the Rosary, this month we will preach a series of sermons on the mysteries of the Rosary through the unique perspective of St Joseph. We will rely most especially on the writings of the Fathers of the Church and the great theologians, as well as the mystical revelations given to certain visionaries (notably, St Bridget of Sweden, Bl Anne Catherine Emmerich, and Ven Mary of Agreda).

The miraculous birth of Jesus in which Mary suffered no pain nor was her virginal integrity wounded in any way. Like light through glass, Jesus came into the world.
At the command of the angel, after the presentation in the Temple, St Joseph took his family into Egypt, and many in that land were freed from demonic possession - Joy came to the land of darkness.

Listen online [here]!





Oct 16, 2016

Tuesday Adult Formation, October 13 -- Dante's Paradiso, Introduction (Part 1 of 4)

 The Divine Comedy has been named by Pope Francis as the official book of the Year of Mercy. We now turn to the study of the third part of the Comedy -- Paradiso.


Listen online [here]!






Sunday Sermon, October 9th -- The Rosary with St. Joseph, the Visitation (part 2 of 5)

Sunday Sermon, October 9th -- The Rosary with St Joseph, The Visitation (Part 2 of 5)

October is the month of the Rosary, this month we will preach a series of sermons on the mysteries of the Rosary through the unique perspective of St Joseph. We will rely most especially on the writings of the Fathers of the Church and the great theologians, as well as the mystical revelations given to certain visionaries (notably, St Bridget of Sweden, Bl Anne Catherine Emmerich, and Ven Mary of Agreda).

The Visitation: St Joseph did not hear Elizabeth's words and remains ignorant of the mystery entrusted to his care. At about the 5th month, he sees that Mary is with child, and he knows that the Child is not his. He would never accuse our Lady of sin, but he knows not what to think.  Unable to go on, he makes up his mind to divorce her quietly - which is to say, St Joseph decides to retire into the desert and abandon all human society. At the angel's message, he realizes the truth of the Incarnation and rejoices! 

Joseph takes his wife, Mary, to Bethlehem to be enrolled in the census, and he is amazed to discover that she is rejected by men. However, our Lady comforts her husband saying that he is her shelter and her protection.


Listen online [here]!





Oct 11, 2016

Daily Sermons, October 4 - 8

Homilies from daily Masses of October 4 through 8.
St Francis, Bl Bartolo Longo, St Bruno, Lepanto, St Bridget.

Oct 4, 2016

Sunday Sermon, October 2nd -- The Rosary with St Joseph, The Annunciation (Part 1 of 5)

Sunday Sermon, October 2nd -- The Rosary with St Joseph, The Annunciation (Part 1 of 5)

October is the month of the Rosary, this month we will preach a series of sermons on the mysteries of the Rosary through the unique perspective of St Joseph. We will rely most especially on the writings of the Fathers of the Church and the great theologians, as well as the mystical revelations given to certain visionaries (notably, St Bridget of Sweden, Bl Anne Catherine Emmerich, and Ven Mary of Agreda).

The Annunciation: Mary was already the wife of Joseph, and was most probably living at his house though only betrothed (since betrothal was already a permanent commitment in the Jewish rites). Mary and Joseph had made a vow of virginity within their marriage. Joseph was not previously married and was probably only in his early thirties at the time of the betrothal (our Lady was about 14 or 15 years old). Joseph is part of the "hypostatic order," meaning that we can't understand the Incarnation without St Joseph (even as we cannot think of the Incarnation without Mary).


Listen online [here]!







Oct 2, 2016

Daily Sermons, September 27 to October 1

Sermons from daily Masses, September 27 through October 1.

St Vincent de Paul, St Wenceslas, St Michael and the Archangels, St Jerome, the Family Rosary.

Sep 27, 2016

Sunday Sermon, September 26 -- Hell is Real, Almsgiving is necessary

Sunday, September 26 -- Jesus teaches very clearly that hell is real, and most people go there. We cannot think that everyone goes to heaven, the "rich man" of today's Gospel is certainly in hell as we speak. This passage (the rich man and poor Lazarus) is no parable, it is literal history -- here, we have a real man damned to hell and a real saint praying for us in heaven.

In order to be saved, we must be generous with our wealth. We give to the Church and to the poor because we need to give, if we are to be saved.


Listen online [here]!





Sunday Sermon, September 18 -- The Life and Gospel of St Matthew

Sunday, September 18 -- St Matthew was a good and faithful steward who sacrificed all that the world has to offer in order to follow Christ. He wrote the first Gospel, most modern biblical "scholars" are confused on this point.


Listen online [here]!




Daily Sermons, September 21-24

Sermons from daily Masses, September 21-24.
St Matthew, St Padre Pio, Our Lady of Mercy.

Daily Sermons, September 13-17

Sermons from daily Mass, September 13-17.
St John Chrysostom, Traditional Mass and the Cross, Mary's Sorrow, Sts Cornelius and Cyprian, St Francis' Stigmata.


Sep 12, 2016

Sunday Sermons, September 11 -- How to forgive those whom we hate

Sunday Sermon, September 11 -- 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The parable of the prodigal son, especially in the Year of Mercy, reminds us of the importance of confession. We have had a good Year of Mercy in direct proportion to how much more we have learned to love confession.

The sin of the older son points us to the necessity of forgiveness. We simply must forgive, if we are to be saved. How do we forgive those who have profoundly hurt us or someone we loved? This meditation is a means of beginning to learn to forgive.


Listen online [here]!



Daily Sermons, September 6-10

Daily Sermons, September 6-10.

Baptism, St Joseph, Our Lady.

Sep 4, 2016

Sunday Sermon, September 4 -- Slavery: Comparison of Christianity and Islam

Sunday Sermon, September 4.

The second reading from the Letter of St Paul to Philemon discusses the relation of slavery to the Christian religion. A simple historical fact: Wherever Christianity has spread, slavery has been eradicated - because slavery is incompatible with the Gospel and the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Where Islam has spread, slavery has increased. Mohammedans had taken some 1.25 million European Christians into slavery from the mid-1500's to the mid-1700's. An additional 2.5 million eastern Europeans were sold into Islamic slavery by the Tartars.
To give perspective: From the mid-1600's to the mid-1800's, about 300,000 Africans were taken as slaves for the United States -- an horrific event, but much less in terms of the sheer numbers than Christians enslaved by the Muslim world.
Additionally, studies show that perhaps over 100 million Africans were taken into slavery by the Mohammedans over a period of about 8 centuries.
Can anyone really believe that the Crusades were unjustified?

The inspiring story of St Raymond Nonnatus, who gave himself over to enslavement to "purchase" the freedom of a number of Christian slaves in Algiers.


Listen online [here]!



Daily Sermons, August 23 to September 3

Daily Sermons for August 23-24, September 2-3.
St Rose of Lima, St Bartholomew, Friday Penance, St Pius X.


Sep 3, 2016

Sunday Sermon, August 21 -- External Solemnity of the Assumption, How to speak with Protestants

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary -- How to speak about the dogma with Protestants

The meaning of the dogma, and a biblical argument based on Matthew 27:52-53.

The Bible makes clear that many of the Old Testament saints have been raised from the dead with glorified bodies -- no longer subject to death, they were assumed into heaven when our Lord ascended. If "all generations will call [Mary] blessed", then surely she must have received this grace which was given to so many others!


Listen online [here]!




Sunday Sermon, August 28 -- Sacred Music, Singing AT Mass vs Singing THE Mass

Sunday Sermon, August 28 -- On music in the Liturgy.

From Musicam Sacram, the only Vatican document on sacred music since Vatican II: The parts of the Mass are divided into three categories related to singing. If anything of the second or third category is sung, then all of the first must be sung -- and it is more proper to sing the portions of the first and the second than to sing parts of the third.

The first category includes: The opening prayer, the prayer over the gifts, the prayer after communion, the preface and the Our Father (and others).
The second: The Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, the Creed, etc.
The third: The antiphons/hymns at opening, offertory, and communion, the readings, etc.

What this means is that, according to the law of the Church and the logic of the Mass, it is more fitting to sing the Creed than to sing an opening hymn; or again, if the "Holy, Holy, Holy" is sung, the preface must be sung.

The practice of singing hymns as the main musical theme at Mass is an example of singing AT Mass rather than singing THE Mass -- and it is an abuse that should be eliminated as soon as possible.


Listen online [here]!



Aug 24, 2016

Daily Sermons, August 16-20

Sermons from daily Masses, August 16-20.
St Hyacinth, St Helen, St John Eudes, St Bernard.

Aug 16, 2016

Sunday Sermon, August 14 -- Division in families, Devotion to St Philomena

Sunday Sermon, August 14.

Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation. (Luke 12:51)

The peace of Christ comes from an interior joy that none can take away even in the midst of exterior trials and persecutions. Jesus came not to make us feel good, but to make us to be good. This can even mean division from family and friends.

St Philomena is a great patroness for those suffering division in their families. She is one of the great patronesses of the Church and a favorite saint of many of the great saints of modern times (St John Vianney, St Peter Chanel, St Damien of Molokai, St Anthony Marie Claret, and many others).

Contrary to what some say, Vatican II never did away with devotion to St Philomena (and she never was on the general liturgical calendar, but that didn't stop St John Vianney and all the others from promoting her devotion). Indeed, the shrine of her relics remains active with the approval of the local bishop and of the Vatican. Her feast (kept only by the devotion of the faithful) is August 11, she died August 10.

Listen online [here]!



Marian Conference, August 7 through 12 -- Mother of Mercy

Talks given at the Marian Conference at Corpus Christi, August 7-12, 2016.

Sunday Sermon, August 7 -- Do we treat Jesus like a thief?

Sunday Sermon, August 7

Jesus compares himself to coming as a thief to despoil a rich man of his possessions. Do we treat him like a thief, unwelcome and unwanted when he comes to us asking for our time, our energy, our love in our family and workplace and in the poor? If we see others (and especially the poor) as a burden now, Christ will rob us of all that we have when we meet him in the judgment and he will give us a place among the unbelievers.


Listen online [here]!





Daily Homilies during Vacation Bible Camp Week -- August 1 through 6

Daily Sermons given during the week of children's vacation Bible camp with the Nashville Dominican Sisters.

Sunday Sermon, July 31 -- Wealth and the Christian Life

Sunday Sermon, July 31 -- Wealth and the Christian Life


Leo XIII (encyclical letter Rerum Novarum, 1891): Every person has by nature the right to possess property as his or her own […] But if the question be asked: How must one’s possessions be used?, the Church replies without hesitation in the words of St. Thomas Aquinas: ‘One should not consider one’s material possessions as one’s own, but as common to all, so as to share them without hesitation when other are in need.’ […] True, no one is commanded to distribute to others that which is required for one’s own needs and those of one’s household; nor even to give away what is reasonably required to keep up becomingly one’s condition in life. […] But when what necessity demands has been supplied and one’s standing fairly provided for, it becomes a duty to give to the needy out of what remains over.

John Paul II (encyclical letter Centesimus Annus, 1991): “It will be necessary above all to abandon a mentality in which the poor – as individuals and as people – are considered a burden, as irksome intruders trying to consume what others have produced.”


Listen online [here]!





Daily Sermons, July 26 to 30

Sermons from daily Masses, July 26-30.

Jul 24, 2016

Sunday Sermon, July 24 -- Mental Prayer and the Prayer of Petition

St Alphonsus teaches that the prayer of petition is simply and absolutely necessary for salvation for those who have the use of reason -- if we want to go to heaven, we must ask; and if we don't ask, we certainly will not be saved.
This follows from our Lord's words: Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.

But, in order that we may persevere in asking, it is also necessary that we daily engage in mental prayer or meditation in which we spend time considering the love of God that has been made manifest in Christ.

This is one of the keys to prayer, and especially to dealing with the struggle of distractions: We don't begin our prayer with all our petitions or all our cares, but rather we begin by meditating upon the mysteries of our faith (for example, the mysteries of the Rosary or the stations of the Cross) and upon the love God has shown us in these mysteries. Then we have the courage to ask God for every good gift, and our own love grows and inspires us to truly seek heaven above all things.


Listen online [here]!




Daily Sermons, July 19-23

Daily Sermons, week of July 19-23.

Ad Orientem, St Jerome Emiliani, St Lawrence of Brindisi, St Mary Magdalene, and the Readings.

Jul 17, 2016

Sunday Sermon, July 17 -- St Mary Magdalene's Life of Penance in Southern France

Sunday Sermon, July 17 -- 16th Week of Ordinary Time
"She has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her."

The relics of St Ann were miraculously discovered in Southern France in the late 700s, but how did they get there? St Mary Magdalene, with Sts Martha and Lazarus (and a number of other early Christians) were sent to their death upon an oar-less, sail-less, rudder-less boat, but were miraculously brought safely to Marseilles.

St Mary Magdalene's preaching converted the pagans of the region, then she spent her remain 30 years in a life of penance up in the mountains. She is the witness to Divine Mercy: Receiving mercy, we share mercy; true mercy leads to a life of penance; and divine mercy makes us recognize the value of receiving communion worthily and well.



Listen online [here]!





Daily Sermons, July 12-16

Daily Sermons from Corpus Christi Parish, July 12-16.
Sts Louis and Zelie, St Henry, St Kateri, St Bonaventure, the Brown Scapular.

Jul 12, 2016

Sunday Sermon, July 10 -- Christ is the Good Samaritan

July 10 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

The parable of the Good Samaritan can be interpreted mystically as an allegory for the pitiable state of fallen humanity and the love of Christ who heals us and brings us into his Church, promising that he will return again at the end of time.


Listen online [here]!


Daily Sermons -- July 5 through 9

Daily Sermons at Corpus Christi, July 5 - 9.

St Elizabeth of Portugal, St Maria Goretti, Communion under Both Kinds, Precious Blood, and Liturgy of the Word.

Jul 7, 2016

Sunday Sermon, June 3 -- St Junipero Serra and Missionary Discipleship

Sunday Sermon, June 3.

In the sending of the 72, we recognize that to be baptized is to be a missionary. Every disciple of Christ is a missionary, sent to the world to proclaim the good news of the Gospel!

We consider the life of St Junipero Serra, one of the most important founding fathers of our Nation (USA). Although he is almost completely ignored in school history books, St Junipero Serra is the Father of California and the founder of the American West!

Pope Francis opened the Year of Mercy in the United States with the canonization of St Junipero Serra. We learn three things from the saintly Franciscan missionary: Dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary, reliance on God's grace rather than human power, and boldness when defying corrupt secular authorities.


Listen online [here]!




Daily Sermons: June 28 - July 2

Daily Sermons, June 28 through July 2.
Sts Peter and Paul, Roman Martyrs, Precious Blood, Mary's will.


Jun 30, 2016

Sunday Sermon, June 26 -- Why Same-Sex Marriage is Wrong, A Catholic Perspective

Sunday Sermon, June 26.
This past week we celebrated the feasts of Sts John Fisher and Thomas Moore, as well as of St John the Baptist. These three were martyrs for marriage -- all being killed because they rejected divorce and remarriage as adultery. Sunday is also the feast of Sts John and Paul who were put to death under the Apostate Julian who used the power of law to persecute the Christian people.

Thus, as we are near the one year anniversary of the legalization of same-sex "marriage" in the USA, a sermon on why the Catholic Church teaches that marriage can only be between a man and a woman.

1) Some who promote same-sex "marriage" claim that "the government has no right to tell me whom I can love." Even if this argument were correct (and it's not) this wouldn't prove that the government should legalize same-sex "marriage", but only that the government shouldn't recognize anything as marriage.

2) But there is a reason why the government should make laws which support the fidelity and permanence of the marriage of a man and woman. Marriage laws are established for the good and protection of the vulnerable and the innocent, namely of children. Since only the union of a man and a woman can produce a child, only this union of a man and a woman can rightly be the subject of the laws of the State. And the government as a duty to promote the union of a man and a woman as faithful (i.e. no adultery) and as permanent (i.e. no divorce, except in extreme cases).

3) That being said, the Catholic and the Christian must always show love and understanding as well as kindness to those who either promote same-sex "marriage" or even who are involved in such a "marriage". There is no room for disgust - we must never be repulsed by any persons, no matter how different their lifestyle is from our own. At the same time, we cannot promote an objectively sinful lifestyle -- therefore, we cannot attend these types of weddings, nor can we every allow such a "couple" to sleep in the same room in our home.



Listen online [here]!




Jun 25, 2016

Daily Sermons, June 21 to 25

Sermons from daily Masses, June 21 through 25.
St Aloysius, St Paulinus, the Priesthood, St John the Baptist, St William.


Jun 24, 2016

Sunday Sermon, June 19 -- The Sacred Heart of Jesus, An Open Wound with Love

Sunday Sermon, 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

"They shall look on him whom they have pierced." Zechariah 12:10

Stanzas applied spiritually to Christ and the Soul, by St John of the Cross

A lone young shepherd lived in pain
withdrawn from pleasure and contentment,
his thoughts fixed on a shepherd-girl
his heart an open wound with love.

He weeps, but not from the wound of love,
there is no pain in such affliction,
even though the heart is pierced;
he weeps in knowing he’s been forgotten.

That one thought: his shining one
has forgotten him, is such great pain
that he bows to brutal handling in a foreign land,
his heart an open wound of love.

The shepherd says: I pity the one
who draws herself back from my love
and does not seek the joy of my presence,
though my heart is an open wound with love for her.

After a long time he climbed a tree,
and spread his shining arms,
and hung by them, and died,
his heart an open wound with love.



Listen online [here]!






Daily Sermons, June 13 to 18

Sermons from daily Masses, June 13 through 18.
St Anthony of Padua, Mercy, Bl Germain, The Sacred Heart, St Ephrem the Deacon.


Sunday Sermon, June 12 -- St Mary Magdalene, Witness of Divine Mercy

Sermon for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time: St Mary Magdalene, Witness of Divine Mercy

Pope Francis has recently elevated St Mary Magdalene's feast and set her forward as a "witness of divine mercy" (quoting St Gregory the Great). This connects St Mary Magdalene with the penitent woman of Luke 7, following the general tradition of the Roman Catholic Church.  We further show that Mary Magdalene is one and the same Mary of Bethany, the sister of Martha and of Lazarus.

St Mary Magdalene is a witness to us in this Year of Mercy that Jesus did not come to save the righteous, but sinners; and that he is powerful in our soul precisely when we allow him to heal the wounds of our sin.


Listen online [here]!




Jun 12, 2016

Daily Sermons, June 7 - 11

Sermons from daily Masses at Corpus Christi Parish, June 7 - 11.
St Norbert, Our Lady of Sunday, St Ephrem, St Margaret of Scotland, St Barnabas.

Jun 10, 2016

Thursday Adult Formation Sessions, June 9 -- Dante's Purgatorio, Cantos 17-26 (Part 4 of 5)

Pope Francis has named the Divine Comedy as the official book and spiritual guide for the Year of Mercy. We discuss cantos 17-26 of the Purgatorio: sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust.

The recording cuts out near the end, we will review this portion in next week's session.

Jun 9, 2016

Sunday Sermon, June 5 -- Three Resurrections, Three Kinds of Sin Overcome By Christ

Sunday Sermon, June 5 -- 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time: Three Resurrections, Three Kinds of Sin Overcome by Christ

The Gospel for this Sunday tells of the raising of the son of the widow of Nain. Jesus also raises two others as recorded in Scripture: Jairus' daughter and Lazarus.
The little girl of Capernaum symbolizes sin in the heart, the son of the widow of Nain is sin committed once or twice, Lazarus is habitual sin which imprisons the soul. All these are overcome by Christ.

(Based on a sermon from St Augustine: Homilies on John, 49)


Listen online [here]!



Jun 4, 2016

Daily Sermons, May 31 - June 2

Daily Sermons at Corpus Christi.
The Visitation, Sacred Heart, Sts Marcellinus and Peter.

Thursday Adult Formation, June 2 -- Dante's Purgatorio, Cantos 9-17 (Part 3 of 5)

Dante's Divine Comedy has been named by Pope Francis as the official book and spiritual guide of the Year of Mercy. We discuss the Purgatorio, part 3 of 5.

Purgatorio, cantos 9-17. A review of ante-purgatory and covering the purification of the soul of "bad love" - Pride, Envy, Wrath.

Sunday Sermon, May 29 -- Making Spiritual Communions (Corpus Christi)

Sunday Sermon, May 29 -- Making Spiritual Communions

Sermon for the transferred Solemnity of Corpus Christi:

St Julian Falconieri received her final communion (viaticum) in a miraculous way through a spiritual communion. The key to continually living the virtuous life is to make many spiritual communions throughout the day.


Listen online [here]!



May 28, 2016

Daily Sermons, May 24-28

Sermons from daily Masses, May 24-28.
Our Lady Help of Christians, St Gregory VII, Corpus Christi, 40 Hours Devotions, Eucharistic Peace.

May 26 - Adult Formation on Dante's Divine Comedy - Purgatorio, Part 2 of 5 (Cantos 1-9)

Pope Francis has named the Divine Comedy as the "official book" and "spiritual guide" for the Year of Mercy.

We discuss the opening cantos of the Purgatorio -- "Ante-purgatory" where those who put off conversion must wait before beginning their spiritual ascent.

May 24, 2016

Sunday Sermon, May 22 -- Trinity Sunday -- The Equality of the Three Divine Persons

Sunday, May 22 -- The Equality of the Three Divine Persons.

A sermon on the mystery of the Trinity, three Persons in one God and one God in three Persons. There is no obedience or subordination within the Trinity, be all three are co-eternal and co-equal. Each Person is fully God and all three are one only God.


The first half of the Athasian Creed:

"Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith. Which Faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the Catholic Faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity. Neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost is all One, the Glory Equal, the Majesty Co-Eternal.

"Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father Uncreate, the Son Uncreate, and the Holy Ghost Uncreate. The Father Incomprehensible, the Son Incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost Incomprehensible. The Father Eternal, the Son Eternal, and the Holy Ghost Eternal and yet they are not Three Eternals but One Eternal. As also there are not Three Uncreated, nor Three Incomprehensibles, but One Uncreated, and One Incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty. And yet they are not Three Almighties but One Almighty.

"So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not Three Gods, but One God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not Three Lords but One Lord. For, like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by Himself to be God and Lord, so are we forbidden by the Catholic Religion to say, there be Three Gods or Three Lords. The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created, but begotten. The Holy Ghost is of the Father, and of the Son neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

"So there is One Father, not Three Fathers; one Son, not Three Sons; One Holy Ghost, not Three Holy Ghosts. And in this Trinity none is afore or after Other, None is greater or less than Another, but the whole Three Persons are Co-eternal together, and Co-equal. So that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshiped. He therefore that will be saved, must thus think of the Trinity."



Listen online [here]!


May 21, 2016

May 20, 2016

Thursday Adult Formation, May 19 -- Introduction to Dante's Purgatorio (Part 1 of 5)

Part 1 of 5, Dante's Divine Comedy: The Purgatorio

Pope Francis has named the Divine Comedy as the official book of the Year of Mercy. We now begin the second part of the Comedy, the Purgatorio.

Handouts are below:

May 15, 2016

Sunday Sermon, May 15 -- The Gift of Tongues Means Speaking New Languages

Pentecost Sunday - The Gift of Tongues Means Speaking New Languages

The gift of tongues is the wondrous miracle whereby the Apostles spoke many new languages on the feast of Pentecost. This miracles was prevalent in the early Church, but has since mostly disappeared. We consider that this gift was given for the spread of the Gospel in the earliest days of the faith, but is no longer needed since there are men and women of every language who speak the praises of God.

"Prayer of the Spirit" means prayer that is filled with love. Love of God and love of neighbor.


Listen online [here]!

May 12, 2016

Sunday, May 5 -- The Dogma of the Ascension of the Lord

Sermon for the Solemnity of the Ascension (transferred from Thursday in Montana, USA) -- The Dogma of the Ascension of the Lord.

1. What the dogma of the Ascension entails: Jesus has not left his humanity, nor has he abandoned us; he has removed his visible, tangible presence (natural species) from us, even as he remains present in the Eucharist to the end of time.

2. What the Ascension means for us: Our Lord inspires our faith in what is not seen, lifts us our hope to the things of heaven, and makes our love to be truly spiritual and celestial.


Listen online [here]!



May 7, 2016

Ascension Thursday Sermon, May 5 -- The Ascension helps the spread of the Gospel

Ascension Thursday -- The Ascension helps the spread of the Gospel.

It is tempting to think that we would be better off if Jesus had remained upon the earth and not ascended to heaven -- he could solve all the disputes present in the Church and world today! However, the simply history proves that Jesus' ascension has been the greatest benefit to the growth of the Church and the spread of the Gospel.


Listen online [here]!


Daily Sermons, May 3 - 7

Homilies from daily Masses at Corpus Christi, Great Falls, MT -- May 3 through 7.
Sts Philip and James, Pentecost Novena, St John at the Latin Gate, Mary the Mother of the Church.

May 2, 2016

Sunday Sermon, May 1st -- Mary is the True Spouse of the Holy Spirit

The Bible shows Mary to be the spouse of the Holy Spirit, through whom he desires to come into the world and produce Jesus Christ. Acts of the Apostles shows a Christian Church which is gathered around Mary through whose intercession the Spirit descends in power.

There is much fruit to be gained from meditating upon the intimate union of the Holy Spirit and the Blessed Virgin Mary.


Listen online [here]!




May 1, 2016

May Crowning 2016

After the 9am Mass on Sunday, May 1st, Corpus Christi had our traditional May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The practice of dedicating the month of May to our Lady was popularized especially by the Rosary Encyclicals of Leo XIII – beginning in 1883 and concluding in 1889, the Pontiff wrote twelve encyclicals and five apostolic letters on the Rosary. The Catholic Encyclopedia discusses the rather recent origin of Mary Month:


“The May devotion [to our Lady] in its present form originated at Rome where Father Latomia of the Roman College of the Society of Jesus, to counteract infidelity and immorality among the students, made a vow at the end of the eighteenth century to devote the month of May to Mary. From Rome the practice spread to the other Jesuit colleges and thence to nearly every Catholic church of the Latin rite (Albers, "Bluethenkranze", IV, 531 sq.). This practice is the oldest instance of a devotion extending over an entire month.” (Catholic Encyclopedia, “Special Devotions for Months”)
The connection between motherhood and May led Christians eventually to adopt May as Mary Month. May is the Month of our Lady precisely as the Mother of God. So wrote the priest-poet Fr. Gerard Manley Hopkins, sj in his marian classic “May Magnificat.”

Apr 30, 2016

Daily Sermons, August 20, 26-30

Daily Sermons, August 20 and 26-30.

St Agnes, St Cletus, St Peter Canisius, St Louis de Montfort, St Peter Martyr, St Catherine of Siena.

Apr 24, 2016

Sunday Sermon, April 24 -- Eucharistic Love

"As I have loved you, so you should love one another."

The new commandment of love is given in the context of the Last Supper, indicating that this a Eucharistic Love. Holy Communion inspires within us a love of our fellow Catholic and christian, a love of the poor, and a love of all people.

Listen online [here]!




Apr 20, 2016

Sunday Sermon, April 17 -- Hearing the Voice of the Shepherd, and the Call to Celibacy

"My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me."

A note prior to the sermon discusses the recent Exhortation written by Pope Francis (what the Pope himself actually says is important to focus on, rather than what the media focuses on).

Sermon: Hearing the voice of Jesus in my heart requires hearing his voice in the magisterium of the Church, following his voice by living a moral life, and listening for his voice in daily prayer. We then consider the call to the priesthood and the religious life, specifically the vocation to celibacy which is the happiest life this side of heaven.


Listen online [here]!


Apr 18, 2016

Daily Sermons, April 4 through 16

Homilies from daily Masses at Corpus Christ between April 4 and April 16.
The Annunciation, St Vincent Ferrer, Ad Orientem, Catholic Schools, St Giuseppe Moscati, St Hermenegild, St Benezet, The Eucharist, Our Lady

Apr 12, 2016

Sunday Sermon, April 10 -- Returning to Galilee this Easter Season

This Sunday's Gospel (of the great catch of fish) is one of the most often misinterpreted passages of the New Testament. Very often we will hear that Peter and the other Apostles were wrong to return to fishing. However, the Catholic Tradition is unanimous in teaching that Peter and the Apostles were right to return to fishing. Indeed, there is a great mystery hidden in this action -- the Apostles teach us that Easter is a time to renew our baptism and enter into mental prayer.

Listen online [here]!



Apr 4, 2016

Sunday Sermon, April 3rd -- Divine Mercy, Storehouse of God's Treasures

Divine Mercy Sunday -- Sermon on receiving the mercy of God which is given especially on this day and through this image of Divine Mercy. On trusting in God's Mercy, not presuming upon it.
Imagine that the president of a bank opens the safe for a man and tells him he can take all the money that he wants, but that he will return and shut the door at some point and then the time for taking the money will be over. What would be the proper response? Not to procrastinate, not to get mad that the president would some day return and shut the door, not to become anxious about when the president might return. Simply to go in and receive the treasure! The Heart of Jesus is the treasury of Divine Mercy, and it was opened by a lance, and the time for receiving Mercy is now!

Listen online [here]!



Mar 30, 2016

Easter Sunday, March 27 -- Christ's Descent into Hell

The theology of Jesus' death, descent into hell, and rising.

Listen online [here]!

Holy Week and Triduum Sermons

Sermons for Holy Week, March 22 - 25.
Holy Tuesday, Spy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday.

Mar 20, 2016

Palm Sunday Sermon, March 20 -- The Logic of Holy Week and of the Triduum

Palm Sunday, March 20 -- The Logic of Holy Week and of the Triduum.

Throughout the year, we enter into the mysteries of salvation in the sacrifice of the Mass through sacramental signification, but during this week we enter into these mysteries after the manner in which they were actually accomplished in history. Thus, we carry palms on the day that the children of the Hebrews had, etc.
After a review of what happened each day of that first Holy Week, we consider the Liturgies of the Sacred Triduum.


Listen online, [here]!

Mar 19, 2016

Daily Sermons, March 15-19

Homilies from daily Masses, March 15 - 19.

Total Consecration and St Joseph.

Mar 14, 2016

Sunday, March 13 -- Accepting God's Mercy, Divine Mercy Sunday

The story of the woman caught in adultery. On accepting God's mercy, preparing for an holy Divine Mercy Sunday. The Sunday after Easter is a special day for receiving God's forgiveness and mercy -- Jesus has promised that the one who receives Communion in the state of grace on that day, trusting in Divine Mercy, will be forgiven of all sin and also of all the punishment due to sin (purgatory). This is something like a second baptism, and we are able to receive it each year!

Listen online [here]!


Mar 12, 2016

Daily Sermons, March 7 through 12

Sermons from daily Masses, March 7-12.
St Thomas Aquinas, St Frances of Rome, The 40 Martyrs, Stations of the Cross, St Gregory the Great.

Mar 11, 2016

Dante's Inferno, Cantos 24-34 (Adult Formation on the Divine Comedy, Part 5 of 6)

This is the final session on the Inferno, as next week's session is cancelled for St Patrick's Day.

The Divine Comedy has been named by Pope Francis as the primary book and spiritual guide of the Year of Mercy. We will continue with sessions on the Purgatorio beginning in May.


Listen online [here]!


Mar 10, 2016

March 8 -- Missionary Of Mercy Conference On Confession

Father Ryan Erlenbush has been chosen by Pope Francis as one of some 54 priests in the USA appointed as an official Missionary of Mercy in the promotion of the Year of Mercy, especially through receiving special faculties from the Holy See in the administration of the sacrament of confession.

In this conference, delivered at St. Leo's Church in Lewistown, MT, we consider how to make a good confession, as well as several questions and concerns related to the sacrament.

Listen online [here]!


Mar 9, 2016

Holy Week and Easter Services, March 22-27

Holy Week Confession Times

Tuesday - Friday 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Holy Thursday 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Holy Saturday 10 AM to Noon

-------------------------------------------------------

Holy Thursday - March 24th
Mass of the Lord's Supper, 5:30 PM
Adoration in the "Garden" until Midnight

Good Friday - March 25th
Commemoration of the Passion of the Lord, 5:30 PM
Stations of the Cross, 7:15 PM

Holy Saturday - March 26th
Marian Devotions, 12 Noon
Easter Vigil Mass, 8:30 PM

Easter Sunday - March 27th
Easter Masses, 9 AM and 11:30 AM



Mar 6, 2016

Sunday Sermon, March 6th -- St Philip of Jesus, The Prodigal Son, and Confession

Sunday Sermon, March 6th -- The Parable of the Prodigal Son.
St Philip of Jesus is the first beatified martyr of the New World, and was very much a prodigal son who returned to the Lord and offered his life for the sanctification of Japan. His life reminds us that God can triumph over any evil or any failure -- indeed, he can even use our wandering astray as a means to gain his own glory, our salvation, and sanctification for the world.
A word on confession -- be courageous in confessing, and cowardly only in sinning.


Listen online [here]!



Mar 5, 2016

Daily Sermons, March 1-5

Sermons from daily Masses at Corpus Christi, March 1 through 5.
Forgiveness, Total Consecration, St Joseph, St Katherine Drexel, Stations of the Cross, Susanna and the Adulterous Woman.


Dante's Inferno, Cantos 18 to 24 (Adult Formation on the Divine Comedy, Part 4 of 6)

NOTE: The 6th session has been cancelled due to a special Mass for St Patrick on that day.

The Divine Comedy has been named by Pope Francis as the official book of the Year of Mercy. In this session we discuss the first half of the 8th circle of hell, and also give a defense of Dante's enemy, Pope Boniface VIII.

Listen online [here]!











Feb 29, 2016

Sunday, February 28th -- Mental Prayer as the Key to Repentance

"Unless you repent, you shall all parish." - "Unless you do penance, you shall all perish."

To gain the grace of true repentance, we need to do penance. Three means of penance: Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Prayer is a most effectively produces repentance in the soul through inspiring divine love.


Listen online [here]!


Feb 27, 2016

Daily Sermons, February 23-27

Homilies from daily Masses, February 23 through 27.
St Margaret of Cortona, St Matthias, Dives, Stations,

Feb 26, 2016

Dante's Inferno, Cantos 12-17 (Adult Formation on The Divine Comedy, Part 3 of 6)

The Divine Comedy has been named by Pope Francis as the official book and spiritual guide of the Year of Mercy.
Cantos 9-17 of the Inferno. Catching up from last week and moving forward. We discuss the punishment of heretics, suicides, sodomites, and usurers.

Listen online [here]!



Feb 23, 2016

Sunday Sermon, February 21 -- Fasting and the Resurrection

Second Sunday of Lent -- Fasting and the Resurrection

In the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus -- these are the only three figures in Sacred Scripture to have fasted for 40 days. Is this not a clear indication that the fast merits the resurrection of the body?

Listen online [here]!


Feb 20, 2016

Dante's Inferno, Cantos 6 - 11. Adult Formation on the Divine Comedy (Part 2 of 6)

Pope Francis has named the Divine Comedy as the official book and spiritual guide of the Year of Mercy.

Listen online [here]!



Daily Sermons: February 16 through 20

Sermons from daily Masses, Feb 16 - 20.
St Onesimus, The Servite Founders, St Simeon, Stations of the Cross, Bls Franciso and Jacita.


Feb 14, 2016

Sunday Sermon, February 14 -- Lent means being hungry with Jesus, The importance of fasting

First Sunday of Lent -- The Importance of Fasting: Lent means being hungry with Jesus

"The observance of Lent is the very badge of Christian warfare. By it we prove ourselves not to be enemies of Christ. By it we avert the scourges of divine justice. By it we gain strength against the princes of darkness, for it shields us with heavenly help. Should men grow remiss in their observance of Lent, it would be a detriment to God’s glory, a disgrace to the Catholic religion, and a danger to Christian souls. Neither can it be doubted that such negligence would become the source of misery to the world, of public calamity, and of private woe." (Benedict XIV)

During Lent, we join Jesus in the desert -- and in his fast, he was hungry. If we go through Lent with rarely or never being really hungry, then we have failed at Lent because we have failed to be truly united to Jesus.
In our Catholic Tradition, Lent is a time of real fasting. 1,000 years ago, our Catholic ancestors would abstain from meat and eggs and dairy on every day of Lent, and fast (only one meal with no snacks) on every day except Sundays and Solemnities. Even just over 100 years ago, Lent meant no eggs, meat, dairy on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and fasting (one meal with two very small snacks) on every day except Sundays and Solemnities.
How can we claim the name "Catholic" if our own Lenten disciplines are as nothing compared to the Tradition and, even more, if they do nothing to bring us to union with Christ in his hunger?


Listen online [here]!






Feb 13, 2016

Daily Sermons, February 8-13

Homilies from daily Masses, February 8 through 13.

St John of Matha, Bl Anne Catherine Emmerich, Our Lady of Lourdes, St Julian the Hospitaller, St Catherine of Ricci.

Feb 12, 2016

Dante's Inferno, Introduction and the first Cantos. Adult Formation on the Inferno of the Divine Comedy, Session 1 (of 6)

Pope Francis has named the Divine Comedy as the "spiritual guide" and official book of the Year of Mercy. Having already made a two part introduction to the Comedy, we now begin to study the Inferno which is the first part of the three part Divine Comedy.

Handouts are reproduced below.

Listen online [here]!




------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dante’s Inferno
Presented by Fr Ryan

I. Outline of sessions: Thursdays from February 11th to March 17th<4sup>
            A. Sessions
                        1. February 11th: Introduction to the Inferno. Cantos 1-5
                        2. February 18th: Cantos 6-11
                        3. February 25th: Cantos 12-17
                        4. March 3rd: Cantos 18-23
                        5. March 10th: Cantos 24-29
                        6. March 17th: Cantos 30-34, Review of the Inferno
            B. Personal Reading
                        1. Month of January: Inferno, Cantos 1-9
                        2. Month of February: Inferno, Cantos 10-18
                        3. Month of March: Inferno, Cantos 19-27
                        4. Month of April: Inferno, Cantos 28-34; Purgatorio, Cantos 1-2
                        5. Month of May: Purgatorio, Cantos 3-11

II. Introduction to the Inferno
            A. The Map of Hell (see handouts)
                        1. Sins of Passion/Incontinence
                                    a. Circles 2-6
                                    b. Sins of Lust
                                    c. Sins of Wrath
                        2. Sins of Violence
                                    a. Against neighbors
                                    b. Against self
                                    c. Against God
                        3. Sins of Fraud/Malice
                                    a. Simple fraud
                                    b. Compound fraud – treachery
            B. Notice that this is a map of the seriousness of sins as well
            C. Also is meant to teach us how to respond to sin (see how Dante matures)








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Ash Wednesday: Why Catholics Fast from food and abstain from meat

It is scandalous that so many people (even well-meaning Catholics) pick Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent as a time to disparage the value of fasting. More than ever, this time of year it is common to hear people say that, "It's not really about what you give up, it's about adding good things" or "Lent isn't about giving up candy, it's about being a better person."  Of course Lent is about being a better person! Of course Lent is about adding prayers and almsdeeds! But the heart of Lent is the fast! If all we do is add prayer and almsgivng, then we have done only two out of three of the practices of Lent (prayer, fasting, almsgiving) -- that is a 66%, or a D-.

The heart of Lent is the fast. In this homily, we explain why Catholics fast from food (although it is also good to fast from other things like video games or the radio), and why we abstain from meat.

Listen online [here]!



Sunday Sermon, February 7 -- The Mass is about God's Majesty

When man encounters God, he recognizes the divine greatness and human littleness. It is precisely when we humble ourselves before the Lord, that he will exalt us. The Mass isn't about "community" or "warm-fuzzy", the Mass is meant to manifest the divine majesty and inspire awe and holy fear in men.


Listen online [here]!



Daily Sermons, February 1-6

Sermons from daily Masses, February 1st through February 6th.
St Ignatius of Antioch, Purification of Mary, St Blase, St Jane of France, St Agatha, The Martyrs of Japan


Jan 31, 2016

Sunday Sermon, January 31 -- Love Is Pro-Life, No Abortion and No Contraception

Sunday Sermon, January 31 -- Mother Teresa says that love means sacrifice, and that abortion and contraception destroy true love. See her speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in 1994 [here]!
Who are you going to side with? Blessed Mother Teresa, St John Paul II, Blessed Paul VI, and our own Bishop Warfel, or the demonic institute Planned Parenthood? The choice is between life and death -- between eternal happiness, and eternal damnation.

Mother Teresa: "And so it is very important for us to realize that love, to be true, has to hurt. I must be willing to give whatever it takes not to harm other people and, in fact, to do good to them. This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts." ... "But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child, a direct killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself." ... "By abortion, the mother does not learn to love, but kills even her own child to solve her problems." ... "In destroying the power of giving life, through contraception, a husband or wife is doing something to self. This turns the attention to self and so it destroys the gift of love in him or her. In loving, the husband and wife must turn the attention to each other as happens in natural family planning, and not to self, as happens in contraception. Once that living love is destroyed by contraception, abortion follows very easily." ... "Let us make that one point - that no child will be unwanted, unloved, uncared for, or killed and thrown away. And give until it hurts - with a smile."

Listen online [here]!




Bishop Warfel's letter on NFP: "Catholic couples who use contraceptive methods in marriage frequently omit this information in Confession even though the Church teaches contraception is seriously sinful. Intentionally to withhold a serious sin within Confession affects the sacramental validity of that Confession."
And gain: "Other technologies, however, often function as abortafacients, such as, the IUD, the Morning After pill, Norplant, Depo-Provera, etc. ... Whether intended or not, utilization of these methods implies formal cooperation to allow chemical abortion to occur."

Read all of Bishop's letter [here]!