Homilies about faith

The Rosary in a Soviet Gulag: How Faith Survives Crisis

The priest explores the theme of 'apocalyptic literature' as a response to crisis, drawing parallels between the false accusations against Susanna in the Book of Daniel and the Pharisees' trap for the woman caught in adultery. He shares a powerful story of Anamaria Schmidt in a Siberian gulag to illustrate how radical faith and the Rosary can move God to intervene even in the most desperate circumstances of starvation and oppression.

Beyond the Cliches: What Actually Happens When We Die

Father Hank

Father Hank explores the dialogue between Jesus and Martha, arguing that they are 'talking past each other' because Martha relies on limited theological cliches while Jesus offers a radical new reality. He challenges the congregation to move beyond 'cartoonish' views of the afterlife to a robust understanding of glorified bodies and the beatific vision, especially when comforting those in grief. The message is grounded in a moving personal story about a 26-year-old family friend who recently died in a skiing accident.

Finding Miracles and Healing Through Suffering: Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle's Story

This Lenten reflection, delivered by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, emphasizes the constant presence of miracles in daily life and the importance of nourishing one's faith, especially during Lent. She shares deeply personal stories of suffering, including domestic abuse, poverty, and health crises, illustrating how God's providence and the intercession of saints like St. Joseph and Mother Mary brought healing and purpose. The core message is about trusting God's plan, embracing suffering as an opportunity for spiritual growth, and extending love and mercy to others, even in unexpected ways.

A Guided Meditation on Grief and the Hope of Resurrection

The priest leads a unique, guided meditation on the raising of Lazarus, inviting the congregation to visualize a deceased loved one and process their grief and questions. He emphasizes that just as Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, He offers the same hope of resurrection and eternal life to all believers and their families.

Healed: A Seminarian's Miraculous Recovery from Debilitating Illness

Julian shares his powerful testimony of a miraculous healing from a debilitating, undiagnosed neurological condition that left him bedridden for over a year. Despite medical failures and increasing suffering, he surrendered to God, focusing on prayer and spiritual life, and was eventually healed after receiving Holy Communion and praying a devotion to the Precious Blood, hearing God tell him to 'Get up and walk.' His story emphasizes God's mercy, love, and continued power to heal in the present day.

A Heart That Stays: Joe Melendrez on Being Present with God

Joe Melendrez leads a Lenten Mission focusing on 'A Heart That Stays,' emphasizing the importance of being fully present, listening to God's voice, and being still. He introduces the 'SOAP' method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) as a practical tool for daily spiritual growth and engagement with the Word of God.

Fr. Leandro: Letting Go of My Father and Finding the Resurrection

Father Leandro

Father Leandro shares a deeply personal story about rushing to Brazil to see his father, only for him to fall ill and pass away immediately upon arrival. He connects his initial anger and 'selfish' desire to hold onto his father with Martha and Mary's grief, ultimately finding peace in Christ's promise of the resurrection. The homily concludes with a call to 'come out of the tomb' of sin through the sacrament of reconciliation during Lent.

From Silicon Valley Agnostic to Catholic Priest: Fr. Ken Geraci’s Story

Fr. Ken Geraci

Fr. Ken Geraci shares his personal journey from being a tech-industry agnostic to a Catholic priest, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and integrity in the faith. He introduces the upcoming parish mission, challenging the congregation to prioritize their relationship with God over secular activities and to seek a personal encounter with Christ in the Eucharist.

How to Keep Your Kids Catholic: A Father of 11 Shares His Secrets

Tom Britain shares a deeply personal and practical roadmap for raising children who remain active in the Catholic faith, drawing from his experience as a father of eleven. He identifies modern challenges like unprecedented freedom and material comfort while offering five specific pillars: personal parental conversion, intentional Catholic friendships, family unity through shared non-religious passions, simple non-negotiable rules, and the importance of faithful higher education.

Fr. Walt on Losing His Father: Finding Hope in the Story of Lazarus

Father Walt

Father Walt shares a deeply personal reflection on the death of his father during his childhood, connecting his experience of grief and shock to the raising of Lazarus. He discusses his mother's resilience, his father's integrity as a role model despite not attending church, and the Christian hope of being reunited with loved ones in the kingdom of heaven.

Where Was God When My Father Died? Finding Hope in the Story of Lazarus

Father Stan

The homily explores the problem of suffering and God's apparent absence during tragedy, centered around the raising of Lazarus. The priest shares a deeply personal account of his father's sudden death at age 54 to illustrate how we, like Martha and Mary, often ask God 'where were you?' He concludes that while God may not always prevent death, He enters into our helplessness and redeems suffering through a love that is stronger than death.

When Your World Stops: Finding Hope in the Face of Death

The priest reflects on the death of his mother 50 years ago to illustrate the profound 'stop' the world feels when a loved one dies, paralleling the grief of Martha and Mary. He emphasizes that while death feels like a final 'game over,' Christ’s word has the power to break through that finality, both in the physical resurrection and the spiritual restoration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Tougher Than Chuck Norris: Overcoming the Fear of Death

Deacon Bob

Deacon Bob uses the cultural phenomenon of Chuck Norris to contrast human attempts at invincibility with the reality of death, which only Christ can overcome. He shares the personal pain of losing his father and young daughter to illustrate how Martha’s anger in the Gospel is a natural response to grief, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the only one who can 'untie' us from the fear of death.

Our Lady's Lasso: Why the Rosary is a Spiritual Weapon

Fr. Joseph Anthony Cress

Fr. Joseph Anthony Cresse explores the Rosary through the unique metaphor of 'Our Lady's Lasso,' drawing parallels between the skill of a professional cowboy and the spiritual power of the devotion. He emphasizes that the Rosary is not a mere checklist of prayers but a tool anchored in the strength of Jesus Christ, designed to gently draw wandering or 'sick' souls back to the safety of the Church.

The Hard is What Makes it Great: Moving Beyond Spiritual Comfort

Cooper Ray

In this Lenten Mission talk, Cooper Ray explores the concept of being 'made for more,' challenging the audience to move beyond spiritual comfort and mediocrity. Using personal stories of his wife's nursing school journey and his own failure to help a homeless man in New Orleans, he emphasizes that the 'hard' parts of the Catholic faith are exactly what make it great and lead to spiritual stretching.

A Priest's Vietnam Story: Finding God's Providence in Chaos and Coincidence

Charlie Frink

This talk, part of a Lenten Mission, emphasizes trusting in God's providential care, even when His ways are mysterious or difficult to understand. The speaker shares a deeply personal, multi-part story from his Vietnam War experience and subsequent priestly life, illustrating how seemingly random events and connections over decades revealed God's guiding hand. He concludes by drawing on Cardinal Newman and Bead Jarrett's reflections on God's power, wisdom, and love, urging listeners to cultivate profound trust to overcome anxiety and find peace.

A Son's Poetic Tribute: Remembering Jerryanne Mason's Life and Legacy

Father Michael Woods

The homily is a eulogy delivered by the deceased's son, Jeffrey. He offers a heartfelt, poetic tribute to his mother, Jerryanne Mason, highlighting her many talents, competitive spirit, love for family, and deep faith. He shares personal anecdotes, including her singing at Carnegie Hall and for the Pope, her prowess in bridge, and her dedication to her grandchildren, emphasizing her 'all heart' nature and the lasting legacy she leaves.

Breathe in Love: A Chaplain's Story of Faith and God's Silence

Father Ron

Reflecting on the prophet Jeremiah's suffering and the Gospel's tension, the priest explores the theme of God's silence during moments of vocational crisis and personal trial. He uses the Parable of the Wedding Feast to challenge the congregation to fully 'clothe' themselves in the Word of God and invite others to the upcoming Easter celebration. He concludes with a powerful story from his time as a military chaplain, where he helped a dying, atheistic soldier find peace by 'breathing in love' despite his lack of formal faith.

The Day My Father Found Me: A Story of God's Unconditional Love

Father Ben

The homily uses a vivid personal anecdote from the priest's childhood about getting lost and being found by his father, who, despite his anger, only expressed immense relief and love. This story is then connected to the Easter message, emphasizing that God, like the father, sent Jesus to search for us, pick us up, and carry us home, driven by profound love and a desire for our safety and return.

Why Your Doubts Don't Disqualify You from God

Jim 'Butch' Murphy (Lay Speaker introduced by Fr. Mike)

Guest speaker Jim 'Butch' Murphy explores the mystery of God being simultaneously revealed and concealed, using the healing of the man born blind to illustrate faith as a step-by-step journey. He emphasizes that personal struggles, doubts, and 'unbelief' do not disqualify one from a relationship with Christ, but are actually the primary reasons Jesus seeks us out. The talk concludes with a powerful reflection on the physical reality of Christ's 'broken heart' as the source of the water of baptism.