Adult Faith Formation, September 1st -- Wisdom Literature, Session 4 -- Ecclesiastes and Solomon's Comversion

In this session, we look to the second book of Solomon - Ecclesiastes. Qoheleth, the Preacher, tells us of the vanity of all earthly things. It is King Solomon, perhaps after a conversion late in life.

Sunday Sermon, August 30 - Both Simon and Peter, the Human Element in the Church

 Last week, Simon was named Peter, the Rock upon which Christ will build his Church. This week, Peter is caller Satan, for he continued to think as Simon, as men do rather than as God does.

Inspired by Archbishop Fulton Sheen, we reflect upon how the Church is both Simon and Peter, both human and divine. The human element in the Church can be painful, but the gates of hell will never prevail against her.

We discuss also the pain and confusion caused in our own city by the recent closure of two Catholic schools, emphasizing that the faithful have the right to ask questions of Diocesan leadership - but also emphasizing that it is gravely sinful to attack the Bishop and his staff  or to presume to assign motives or nefarious behind the scenes plans to the Bishop.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, August 25 - Wisdom Literature, Session 3 - The Book of Proverbs and Lady Wisdom

 We look to the first book ascribed to Solomon and officially recognized as "a book of Wisdom" - that is, Proverbs, the first of the five books traditionally seen by the Church part of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

Handout posted below.

Sunday Sermon, August 23 -- St Peter, the Keys, and the Papacy

 "I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven."

We discuss the various analogies used by our Lord in relation to Peter's role as prince of the apostles (and, by extension, the Pope's role as head of the Church) -- especially the rock, the keys, and binding and loosing.

We consider the primacy of Peter and how this primacy is given through the petrine office to the bishop of Rome who is Pope of the universal Church. We also discuss what we do and don't believe about papal elections and about infallibility.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, August 18 - Wisdom Literature, Session 2 - The Book of Job

 In this second class, we consider the book of Job. One of the most difficult books to interpret, Job also highlights certain characteristics of the Wisdom Literature.

Handout is below!

Sunday Sermon, August 16 - Our Lady of Champion (External Solemnity of the Assumption)

 We celebrated the Assumption as an external solemnity, since the Saturday feast was not kept as an Obligation Day this year.  First, we note that this week and octave of the Assumption is the most important week of the year for Marian devotion - it is an octave in which we must celebrate with Mary and grow closer to her.

We consider the only approved Marian apparition in the USA - Our Lady of Champion. Mary appeared to Adele Brice on 9 October 1859, asking her to teach catechism to the children of the region.  Twelve years later (8 Oct 1871) was the horrific Peshtigo fire - but the shrine and all there were saved.

Listen online [here]!

Conference Talks, FSSJ August 2026 -- Catholicism in America, 250 Years

 The Priestly Fraternity of St Joseph held our annual conference in Laurel, MT - with the general theme of Catholicism in America for the 250th Anniversary of the USA.

The playlist of all the talks is [here]!

Monday: Fr Ryan Erlenbush, "The Catholic Influence on American Literature"

Tuesday: Fr Eric Andersen, "The Apostle of Alaska: The Martyrdom of Archbishop Seghers"

Wednesday: Fr Samuel Spiering, “Ecclesiastical Order in a Protestant Land: Canon Law in America”

Thursday: Fr Joseph Bergida, "Early Jesuit Missionaries in the New World: True sons of Ignatius and zealous evangelizers"

Friday: Fr Bart Stevens, "The Family that Prays Together: Fr Peyton and the Rosary"

Adult Faith Formation, August 11 -- Wisdom Literature, Session 1 -- Introduction and Life of Solomon

 We begin a new series on the Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament. In our first session, we discuss the themes and style of the so-called Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament.

August 9, Sunday Sermon - The Catholic Refutation of Antisemitism and Our Relation to the Jews

 From St Paul's Letter to the Romans,

"They are Israelites;

   theirs the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
   the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
   theirs the patriarchs, and from them,
   according to the flesh, is the Christ,
who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen."

We consider the teaching of the Second Vatican Council on the relation of the Church to the Jews, especially in the document Nostra aetate.  This is especially needed today because the main problem that the SSPX has with the Church and Vatican II is our relation to the Jews and the question of religious liberty. Furthermore, we see a troubling rise in antisemitism today, especially among traditional Catholics.

We discuss the ways in which the Jews remain the Chosen People, and also that all salvation only comes through Christ Jesus and the Catholic Church.

Listen online [here]!

Father Ryan strongly recommends staying away from the following social media personalities, who are all heavily leaning towards antisemitic rhetoric:

 

Bad traditional Catholic online personalities include:  Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes, E Michael Jones, Carrie Prejean Boller, and Robert Sungenis.

Other online personalities to be avoided include: Tucker Carlson, Lucas Gage, Vincent James, and Sam Parker.

Of course there many more besides these – and we should be cautious about anyone online who is promoting conspiracy theories of any sort.  It would be far better to spend our time studying the Bible, the Catechism, and the writings of the saints!

Handout for FSSJ Talk on Catholic Literature

 Catholic Literature of the USA

The Catholic Influence on American Literature

Some Recommended Book Lists

Don’t read good books, or else you won’t have time for the great books!   (Fr Raymond Nyquist)

2026-08-03 The Catholic Influence on American Literature (FSSJ Conference on Catholicism in America at 250 years)

 In this talk, we consider why literature is important for all people and especially for Catholics. We then look to American Literature, Catholic Literature, and American Catholic Literature - focusing on such authors as Willa Cather, F Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Walker Percy, and Flannery O'Connor.

The handout of book recommendations is below, and Fr Ryan's series of courses on American Catholic Literature with many handouts can be found [here]!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, August 2 -- The Case for Miracles

 The miraculous feed of the five thousand from the multiplication of loaves and fish is one of the most prominent miracles of our Lord's public ministry. And still, many modernists try to doubt it, or claim it was only people sharing.

We look at the Catholic approach to miracles, the caution we ought to have when approaching supposed miracles or apparitions, the defense of the miraculous, and answers to common biases of the modern world which try to disavow the possibility of miracles.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, July 26 -- You Are the Treasure in the Field

 [introductory note on Wisdom Literature of the Old Testament, and Solomon's prayer from the first reading in which he asked for wisdom]

We conclude Matthew 13 and this section of parables, hearing today the parables of the buried treasure, of the pearl of great price, and of the net which caught all sorts of fish.

These parables inspire us to seek the kingdom of God before all else.  On the other hand, your soul is the treasure and the pearl which our Lord purchased with his own blood.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, July 19 - Parables of the Increase of the Kingdom

 In this portion of Matthew 13, we continue to hear many of our Lord's parables. We consider some of the profound interpretations given by the Church Fathers. The Parable of the Mustard Seed, that of the Yeast and the Dough, and the parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat.

We especially consider the patience and confidence that we must have, for the grace of Christ has triumphed and will triumph over all the earth and within our souls.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, July 12 -- The Purpose of Parables

 In this sermon, we consider why our Lord spoke in parables. And, we also reflect upon the fact that the parables (and all great literature) cannon be boiled down to a simple moral - the meaning is the whole story. As when people asked Flannery O'Connor what her stories meant, she replied, "If I could have said it more clearly, I would have!"

So Our Lord cab assure us that if there were a way we could have understood more clearly, he would have used that means. But the parables are suited to our lowliness and ignorance, and they pierce the hardness of our hearts to bring us to conversion.

Also, the parables require us to look to the apostles and the bishops of the Church for the proper interpretation - in this way, the hierarchy of the Church is intended.

Listen online [here]!

Comments on the SSPX Excommunications (July 2026)

Following upon the illicit ordinations/consecration of four bishops, the Vatican has issued a stern reprimand and excommunication not only for the four new bishops and the bishop(s) involved, but also warnings of excommunication for the priests of the SSPX (likely incurred) and also even for the lay people that attend the SSPX (danger of incurring).

We explain and defend the Vaticans position.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, July 5 -- Humility is the Yoke and Burden that Lightens

 We discuss Matthew chapter 11, and give context for the Sunday Gospel and the exhortation to humility.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, June 28 -- Loving Chrst More Than All

 We continue reading from Matthew 10, Christ's exhortation to his Apostles.  The Apostles put God before all (as did Elisha and the woman from the first reading).

As we see again that Christ preaches himself (all depends on how we respond to him), we consider how the apostles lived this and how we can also live this.

Listen online [here]!    

Sunday Sermon, June 21 -- Who Can Destroy Body and Soul

 The context of our Gospel from Matthew 10, the call and sending of the Apostles.

All that is hidden will be made known-- this is not about secret sins being revealed, but the Gospel which will be made known to all.

Further, though God destroys both body and soul in hell, he cares for us and loves us and knows all things about us (as the hairs on our head).

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, June 16th -- American Catholic Literature, Session 5 -- Spiritual Writers of the USA

 In our fifth and final session of this course, we look to the spiritual writings of Catholic authors of the USA.

Most particularly, we consider the writings of the early missionaries, and then those of Dorothy Day and Fulton Sheen.

Adult Faith Formation - American Catholic Literature - Recommended Reading Lists

 Catholic Literature of the USA

The Catholic Influence on American Literature

Some Recommended Book Lists

Don’t read good books, or else you won’t have time for the great books!   (Fr Raymond Nyquist)

Sunday Sermon, June 14th -- Celebrating the Feasts of Faith (External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart)

 We celebrate this Sunday, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus as an external solemnity. This feast celebrates the reality of Christ's humanity, by which the infinite, transcendent divine love is made manifest and visible through our Lord's human love.

We consider that our faith must receive concrete, visible expression -- and a major part of this is celebrating the feast days of the Church.  If we believe in the mystery of the Sacred Heart (and in the other great mysteries of our Faith), these feast days will be very important to us and we will celebrate them with great joy - not only in the church building but also in our homes.

This sermon is a strong encouragement to celebrate the feasts of faith in our home and family life!

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, June 9th -- American Catholic Literature, Session 4 - Devout American Catholic Authors

 In this fourth session of the Catholic influence on American Literature, we consider the contributions of devoutly Catholic American authors. Looking at a number of the more well known figures like Flannery O'Connor and Walker Percy, we then consider others like Walter Miller jr, John Kennedy Toole, and Andre Dubus.

Sunday Sermon, June 7th - Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi; The Law of Prayer, The Law of Belief (Transferred Feast of Corpus Christi)

 Lex orandi legem statuit credendi - the law of prayer establishes the law of belief. While the Church established the rubrics and norms of liturgical prayer and worship based on the beliefs and doctrines she holds; for the individual Catholic, the practice of prayer and the rites of liturgical worship come before belief in the doctrines. We believe because we practice our worship in a particular way which emphasizes those doctrines.

On the Feast of Corpus Christi, we consider how the rites and rituals of the Mass (and of the Eucharistic Procession) teach us what we believe about the Eucharist.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, June 2nd - American Catholic Literature, Session 3 - Popular Lapsed-Catholic Authors

 In this third session, we consider the Catholic influence on two of the great American authors: F Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Fitzgerald strayed far from the Catholic faith of his youth, while Hemingway converted as an adult and remained a "bad" Catholic throughout his life. The Catholic foundation of these two authors is far too overlooked.

We also comment on Cormac McCarthy, another lapsed Catholic.

Sunday Sermon, Perichoresis and the Mutual Indwelling of the Three Persons (Trinity Sunday)

 Perichoresis means "dancing in circle" and refers to the mutual indwelling of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. We consider an analogy for understanding the Trinity (God knows himself, and the Father begets the Son; God loved himself, and the Father and Son breathe the Holy Spirit).

We conclude with a beautiful reflection from St Maximus the Confessor (see below).

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, May 26 -- American Catholic Literature, Session 2 - Catholic Themes in Non-Catholic American Authors

 In this session, we look to certain non-Catholic authors who have many Catholic characters and themes. Most especially, we consider Henry James and Willa Cather. 

Also, some lists of American authors and books are offered.

Sunday Sermon, The Holy Spirit and the Catholic Church (Pentecost Sunday)

 We consider some of the Trinitarian theology related especially to the Person of the Holy Spirit. Then, reflecting on the Veni Sancte Spiritus sequence of Pentecost, we consider how the Church in many ways is the work of the Holy Spirit in the world. If the Church is the Body of Christ, the Holy Spirit is the Soul of the Church.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, May 20th -- American Catholic Literature, Session 1 -- Introduction and the Importance of Literature

 In this series, we discuss literature and especially the Catholic influence on American Literature - especially in honor of the 250th Anniversary of the Nation.

Our first class discusses the importance of literature and also gives various recommendations of great book lists -- Catholic authors, American authors, and a list of the great books that should be read.

Sunday Sermon, May 17 -- The Mass, The Great Commission, and the Ite Missa Est (Transferred Ascension)

 On the transferred feast of the Ascension, we look to the Great Commission and consider how the various resurrection appearances are mystically presented in the Mass. Furthermore, we consider in detail the words of the commission- "Go, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

Finally, the Ite of the Mass is seen as a continuation of this Great Commission.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 10 - Lunatic, Liar, or Lord

 Following the classic argumentation of CS Lewis, we put forward the Trilemma -- Jesus cannot be accepted only as a moral teacher; he claimed to be God and preached himself as the Kingdom of God, Savior and Salvation.

Jesus, in his claims, must either be a lunatic or a horrible liar and devil - or, if he is true, he is the Lord and God of the universe. We consider this as we prepare for our Lord's Ascension.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, May 3 -- What Deacons Are

 The first reading from Acts speaks of the ordination of the first seven deacons. As, since Vatican II, permanent deacons have become more common in the Church and especially in the USA. But what are deacons and what is the diaconate?  After pointing out some common misconceptions, we look at the history of deacons and especially in the early Church.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, April 26 -- St Mark, His Life and His Gospel

Following upon our series of sermons on the Apostles, we look to St Mark the Evangelist.  Though not an Apostle, he was a close disciple of St Peter and wrote his Gospel on the authority of that apostle. We consider St Mark's life  (even from his original service as a Jewish priest of the Temple), and then turn to the particularities of his Gospel.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, April 12 -- Divine Mercy and the Traditional Latin Mass

We consider the Divine Mercy devotion, the indulgence offered by the Church, and also the promise which our Lord made for Divine Mercy Sunday.

We then show that this Sunday (especially before Vatican II) has always been perfect for the Divine Mercy Devotion, and that Divine Mercy Chaplet largely come from the Traditional Good Friday commemoration of the Passion.  Any who love the TLM should love the Divine Mercy Devotion, and those who love the Divine Mercy Devotion should love the Tridentine rites!

Listen online [here]!

Easter Vigil, April 4 -- Easter Vigil, Baptism, and Proofs of the Resurrection

The mystical signification of the rites of Easter Vigil (from the Paschal Candle to the Exultet and more), the grace of baptism, and the way that believers and converts are themselves proofs of the Resurrection.

Listen online [here]!

Palm Sunday, March 29 - All Glory Laud and Honor, and Holy Week

 We discuss the classic hymn Gloria Laus et Honor, and how this was used in the traditional Palm Sunday procession - and how this hymn and procession invites us to move into Holy Week and return to the mysteries of the Paschal Mystery of our Salvation.

Written by St Theodulf of Orleans around AD 820, Gloria Laus et Honor is one of the great hymns of the Catholic tradition.

Listen online [here]!  

Sunday Sermon, March 22nd -- The Raising of Lazarus and the Penitents

 The Gospel of the raising of Lazarus is one of the traditionally important passages for the season of Lent - traditionally read on Friday of the 4th week of Lent.

Jesus raised three from the dead in the gospels - the little girl, the young man, and Lazarus; and these represent the different conversions from sin to grace.  The passage of the raising of Lazarus is meant to encourage the penitents of the early Church to persevere through the remainder of Lent!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, March 15 -- The Man Born Blind, Baptism, and the Catechumens

 We return to reflections upon the scrutinies of Lent and all the preparations which the catechumens are undergoing as they look forward to baptism at Easter.

This Gospel passage of the man born blind has always been seen in the Church as one of the most important spiritual reflections upon baptism - which is called "Illumination".

He also discuss some of the history of the man who was born blind (St Sidonius).

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, March 1 -- The Scrutinies and the Woman at the Well

 The Third Sunday of Lent is Scrutiny Sunday, traditionally the scrutinies began on this Sunday (even though, in the early Church, the remaining six scrutinies would be on weekdays).

We look at the history of the scrutinies in the early Church, and how they have been adapted since the Second Vatican Council. We also consider what the story of the woman at the well teaches us about Lent and conversion, and especially how it is meant to inspire the catechumens.

Finally, we note that the woman at the well is St Photina whose feast day is March 20th!

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, March 1 -- The Transfiguration of the Soul Through Prayer

 The Transfiguration of Jesus (a true historical event) js also the foreshadowing and sign of the transfiguration of the soul through the life of prayer.  We speak of the importance and power of mental prayer, and give an outline of a method of entering into meditation and mental prayer.

A handout is posted below the sermon.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, February 22nd -- On Original Sin

 "We must know Christ as the source of grace in order yo know Adam as the source of sin." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 388)

We discuss the history of the fall of Adam, the sin which Adam and Eve committed in eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and the consequences of original sin for the human race.

Listen online [here]!

Ash Wednesday and Lenten Schedule

 Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, but it is a day of fasting and abstinence.

Masses are 7am (to 7:40am - in Latin, with distribution of ashes at the very beginning) and 5:30pm (to 7pm - solemn Mass with incense).

Confessions during Lent are increased:

Wednesdays, 4:30-7pm

Thursdays, 4:30-7pm

Fridays, 4:30-5:30pm and 6-7pm

Saturdays, 4:30-5:30pm

Lenten devotions:

Tuesdays, 7-8pm, FORMED series on Mary (Lectio series with Dr Pitre) 

Fridays, 5:30-6:30pm, Stations of the Cross

Sunday Sermon, February 15 -- Explaining and Defending the Annulment Process

 In this sermon, we consider divorce, annulments and remarriage - based on the words of our Lord which give the Biblical foundation for annulments, "Whoever divorces his wife - unless the marriage is unlawful - causes his wife to commit adultery."

We discuss how those who have been divorced can come to full practice within the Catholic Church, and also defend annulments as not being mere "Catholic divorce".  We also discuss why there are so many more annulments now than there were before Vatican II - and see that the Canon Law of the Church is good and just.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, February 15 - Ferverino for Lenten Penance

 A brief discussion of the importance of fasting in Lent - with some encouragement about prayer and almsgiving as well.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, February 10th -- Thomistic Ethics, Session 4 -- Overcoming the Capital Sins

 In this final class, we look to how the virtues are interconnected as well as which vices are opposed to each of the virtues.

Further, we then discuss the capital sins and which virtues overcome each of the vices. We follow the themes of Fr Basil Cole in his book, Angelic Virtues and Demonic Vices.

Sunday Sermon, February 8 - A History of 1 Corinthians

 "I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling."

With these words, St Paul describes his arrival in Corinth and his ministry there.  In this sermon, we consider the history of St Paul's coming to Corinth and also the purpose behind his First Letter to the Corinthians.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, February 3 - Thomistic Ethics, Session 3 - Daughter Vices

 In this third class, we discuss how the various vices floe from the seven capital sins. And we also look to the various virtues that are connected to the theological virtues.

Sunday Sermon, February 2 - The Sermon On The Mount

 On the Sermon on the Mount - in the context of the liturgical year, in the context of the history of Our Lord's public ministry, and in the life of every Christian.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, January 25 -- What Makes A Good Sermon

 "Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach."

"From that time one, Jesus began to preach."

In this sermon, we consider what the Church understands the homily to be, and further reflect upon what makes a good Sunday homily.  The sermon is an important part of the Mass, and must be approached with great reverence by the priest if he wants the people to benefit from his preaching!

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, January 27 -- Thomistic Ethics, Session 2 -- The Seven Capital Sins

 Following the approach of Fr Basil Cole, op in "Angelic Virtues, Demonic Vices", we now begin the discussion of the seven capital vices and see which "daughter vices" flow from the capital sins.

Handout is below.

Adult Faith Formation, January 20 -- Thomistic Ethics, Session 1 - Introduction and Happiness

 As we begin a new Adult Faith Formation series, we turn to the Thomistic approach to ethics and morality. Following a book by Fr Basil Cole, op (Angelic Vices and Demonic Virtues), we look to St Thomas' practical advice for growing in virtue and overcoming vice.

Handout is below.

Sunday Sermon, January 18th -- Christ is the Minister of Baptism

 We consider St Augustine's sermon on the words of St John the Baptist - "I did not know him."  The Baptist clearly knew who Jesus was, and that he is Messiah and God - but what he learned was that Jesus is always the minister of baptism. Whoever baptizes, it is always Christ who baptizes - and this is why the power of the sacraments is not determined by the holiness of the particular human minister.

Listen online [here]!  

Sunday Sermon, January 11th -- Why We Celebrate the Baptism of the Lord at Christmas Time

 The feast of our Lord's baptism concludes the official liturgical Christmas season.  Furthermore, Jesus' baptism has always been associated with the Epiphany to the Magi.  Why is this event (from 30 years later in our Lord's life) connected so closely to Christmas?

We give a few of the many reasons:  Jesus' baptism is a second Epiphany and actually happened on the same day (January 6th) thirty years later; Jesus was born at Christmas so that we might be reborn in baptism; and our baptism unites us to the Lord in such a way that the mysteries of his life are lived within us each year.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, January 4th - The Meaning of the Gifts of the Magi

 The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh show the faith of the magi in Jesus as King, God, and Priest (and victim to be offered in sacrifice).

We also speak of an interesting poem by T.S. Eliot - Journey of the Magi. (Posted below)

Listen online [here]!   

Sermon, Octave of Christmas, January 1st -- Vatican Statement on Mary as Co-Redemptrix (Mary, Mother of God)

 An explanation of the history of the use of the term "co-redemptrix and mediatrix. We consider the level of authority that the new Vatican document (Mater Populi Fidelis) has - and also the strong emphasis which it places on the role of Mary and the importance of Marian devotion.

While the new document discourages the use of these terms, numerous popes and saints have used them - furthermore, the Second Vatican Council calls Mary our "mediatrix" (though not using the term "mediatrix of all graces").

However, even if there are many saints and great theologians who have used the term co-redemptrix, it would not be proper to question the orthodoxy or devotion of those who question or even oppose the use of these terms.

Listen online [here ]!

Sunday Sermon, December 28th - St John the Evangelist and the Wine Blessing

 We consider the life and ministry of St John the Evangelist, as we continue (and nearly conclude) preaching on the Apostles.

The other sermons on the Apostles can be found [here]!

Listen online [here]!

Christmas Sermon, December 25th -- The Eternal Birth of God the Son

 There are three births of Christ celebrated at Christmas -- Jesus' Birth from Mary in human history, his birth in our souls by grace, and his eternal birth from God the Father in the mystery of the Trinity.

In this year, with the 1700th anniversary of the ecumenical Council of Nicaea, we consider the Birth of God the Son from the Eternal Father.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, December 21st - Mary's Virginity and St Joseph's Doubt

 We discuss the language of the Scriptures and show how the Catholic Doctrine of Mary's virginity is contained jb the Bible and in now way contradicted by Scripture.

We also consider the crisis which St Joseph endured after realizing that Mary was with Child. We propose that St Joseph did not accuse Mary of sin, but simply did not know what to think or do - until the angel came and relieved his anxiety.

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, December 14th -- The Life and Ministry of St John the Baptist

 We consider the history of St John the Baptist, from his conception and birth (which shows us also that Jesus was born in late December) to his public ministry, and finally his death - as well as the story of what happened to his murderers.

Listen online [here]!

December 8th - Mary's Joy at Her Conception

 For the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, we consider the joy of Mary at the moment she was conceived (for she was no ordinary baby but had the use of reason).

We emphasize the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception and that Mary was redeemed by Christ's prevenient grace (coming before the Incarnation and Paschal Mystery).  We make comparison to the consecration of St John the Baptist at the Visitation.

Listen online [here]!