Homilies about liturgical

The Two Miracles That Prepared the Way for Christ: Immaculate Conception and Virgin Birth

Father Cassidy

This homily focuses on the significance of Saints Joachim and Anne, Mary's parents and Jesus' grandparents, in the context of the Immaculate Conception and the Virgin Birth. The priest explains how the Immaculate Conception, Mary being preserved from sin, is a crucial precursor to the Virgin Birth of Christ, emphasizing God's sovereign plan for Jesus' arrival. He also shares a personal anecdote about his great-grandfather, a cobbler who served priests in a French-Canadian parish dedicated to St. Anne and St. Joachim, and discusses the recent construction of a replica of the Lourdes grotto at the local cathedral.

Understanding God's Kingdom: More Than Just a List of Characteristics

Father Michael Rozier SJ

Father Rozier explains that Jesus uses parables about the Kingdom of God not to list God's characteristics, but to provide an experiential understanding of God's nature. He emphasizes that understanding the Kingdom helps us recognize God's desires and empowers us to actively participate in building this Kingdom in our daily lives and through our liturgical worship.

The Pearl of Great Price: Why We Come to Mass

The homily uses the Gospel parable of the 'pearl of great price' to emphasize that the true treasure of the Mass is the Eucharist, the real presence of Christ, not the homily, music, or fellowship. The priest shares his personal experience of finding Mass boring as a teenager, highlighting that the Eucharist is the ultimate reason for attending Mass and is infinitely superior to any other aspect of the liturgy.

Mass as Supper: Understanding the Eucharist and Your 'Amen'

Mark Healey

This homily, delivered by a lay minister, focuses on the Eucharist as the 'supper' and the 'source and summit' of faith. It explains the concept of transubstantiation not as an explanation of the mystery, but as an invitation to enter into it, emphasizing that receiving communion is a commitment to believe, belong to the Body of Christ, and be transformed. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about attending Mass in a foreign language to illustrate the importance of active participation.

How Mass Connects Heaven and Earth: Joining the Angels' Song

This homily, delivered on the Feast of St. Benedict, emphasizes the connection between heaven and earth during Mass, particularly when singing 'Holy, Holy, Holy.' The speaker highlights how this act joins the faithful with the angels' perpetual song, making the boundary between the divine and earthly thinnest. It encourages listeners to remember this profound participation in the heavenly liturgy at every Mass.

St. Benedict: The Father of Western Liturgy and Contemplative Prayer

This homily focuses on the profound influence of St. Benedict of Nursia on Western monasticism and the Catholic liturgy. It highlights how Benedict's emphasis on communal and contemplative prayer shaped the church's worship, particularly the Liturgy of the Hours and the 'Holy, Holy, Holy' acclamation, and encourages all faithful to embrace contemplative prayer in their daily lives.

50 Years of Faith: The Cathedral as a Place of Encounter and Memory

This homily celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and its recent renovations. The speaker recounts the history of the diocese and the cathedral, emphasizing its role as a place of encounter with God and a symbol of faith passed down through generations. He highlights the significance of the cathedral as the bishop's seat and the importance of Mary as the keeper of memories and a guide to Jesus.

How to Pray: Speaking from the Heart and Letting God's Word Form You

The homily emphasizes the importance of both spontaneous prayer from the heart and allowing the structured prayers of the Church and Scripture to form us. It highlights how the prophet Hosea provides specific words for repentance, while Jesus tells his apostles not to worry about what to say, as the Holy Spirit will speak through them. This duality underscores that prayer involves both personal expression and being shaped by divine words and liturgical tradition.