Homilies about parenting

The Nasty Glitter of Pride (and the Macaroni Miracle)

Fr. Joe

Fr. Joe concludes a Lenten series on the seven deadly sins by focusing on pride, describing it as a 'nasty glitter' that sticks to everything and ruins life's joyful moments. Through humorous personal stories about a slow coffee order and his father's 84-year-long silent endurance of macaroni and cheese, he illustrates how humility is the only cure for the self-obsession that fuels our misery.

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.

Healing the Father Wound with St. Joseph

The priest uses a poignant story about prisoners who eagerly sent Mother's Day cards but refused to send Father's Day cards to highlight the deep wounds caused by absent or abusive fathers. He presents St. Joseph as a model of graced masculinity and a source of healing for those with 'aching hearts' regarding their own earthly fathers. The homily emphasizes that children don't need perfect parents, but rather parents who genuinely love and respect one another.

Sức Mạnh Của Lời Khích Lệ: Bài Học Từ Mẹ Của Thomas Edison

The priest reflects on the 'Week of Stoning' in Lent, focusing on Jesus' revelation of His divinity and the eternal life promised to those who keep His word. He uses the inspiring story of Thomas Edison and his mother, Nancy, to illustrate how encouraging words rooted in love can transform a 'dull' child into a world-changing inventor.

Cómo Preparar a Nuestros Hijos para Elegir su Vocación y Defender su Fe

Dr. Marcos Randle

This homily, delivered by a psychologist, focuses on the critical role of parents in guiding their children through vocational discernment, particularly as they approach adulthood and career choices. It emphasizes the importance of fostering a strong sense of self-worth, teaching children to seek God's will, and cultivating virtues like magnanimity. The speaker also addresses common parenting errors and offers advice on preparing children to navigate the challenges to faith in secular environments like universities.

El Rol Esencial del Padre en la Formación Afectiva y Espiritual de los Hijos

This is not a homily from a Mass, but rather a talk or conference titled "The Role of the Father in the Affective Formation of Children" by Dr. Marcos Randle. The speaker, a psychologist, shares insights on the crucial role of fathers in their children's identity, security, autonomy, sexual development, and faith transmission. He emphasizes the importance of a father's active presence, moral authority, and loving example, particularly through his relationship with his wife.

The Power of Silence: What St. Joseph Teaches Us About Belonging

Father Ethan

On the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Father Ethan reflects on the silent strength of Jesus' foster father, noting that Joseph speaks zero words in the Gospels but communicates through his actions and listening. He uses the example of a first-grade class caring for new baby chicks to illustrate how we are called to welcome, protect, and nurture others just as Joseph welcomed the Holy Family.

Dr. Marcos Randle: Positive Education for Raising Holy Children

Dr. Marcos Randle

This is not a homily from a Mass, but rather a lecture on "Positive Education" for parents, delivered by Dr. Marcos Randle. The speaker emphasizes that the ultimate goal of Catholic parenting is to lead children to holiness, focusing on three key areas: affections, will, and intelligence. He highlights the importance of a strong marital bond (conyugalidad), setting clear educational goals, fostering optimism, teaching children to handle suffering and mistakes, and cultivating virtues through faith and sacramental life within the domestic church.

The Dignity of Your Work: Lessons from St. Joseph's Toolbelt

On the Feast of St. Joseph, the priest reflects on the dignity of manual labor and the unique role of fatherhood, noting that Jesus was mentored by both an earthly and a heavenly father. The homily includes a unique 'blessing of the tools' where parishioners brought physical implements of their trade to the altar, modeled after St. Joseph the Worker.

A Father's Secret: Why St. Joseph is the Model for Every Man

The priest reflects on the Solemnity of St. Joseph by sharing a personal story about his father's humble dependence on Christ to be a good husband and parent. He challenges the men of the parish to embrace the 'intimidating' call of fatherhood and asks the congregation to pray for priests to serve their people with the same sacrificial love as St. Joseph.

Fathers: Your Role as Spiritual Leader (and the 'Ring Pop' Distraction)

Father Cooper

The homily uses the Gospel story of the lost Jesus in the Temple and a personal anecdote about getting lost in a candy store to illustrate how easily we can become spiritually lost by distractions. It emphasizes that God is always searching for us and can be found in the Eucharist, sacraments, confession, scripture, and prayer. The homily specifically addresses fathers, calling them to embrace their role as spiritual leaders of their families, highlighting that a father's faith practice is the greatest factor in whether children practice the faith.

The Crisis of Fatherhood and Why Couples Won't Pray Together

On the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the priest emphasizes the critical role of fathers as spiritual leaders, noting that children are far more likely to remain in the faith when fathers lead. He shares a personal story about his own father's late conversion and challenges couples to overcome the awkwardness of praying together, noting that spiritual intimacy should naturally follow physical and financial trust.

Bishop Zarama: Don't Be a Cheap Copy – Embrace Your God-Given Masterpiece

Bishop Zarama

The homily, delivered during a Confirmation Mass, encourages the candidates to embrace their true selves as masterpieces of God's creation, rather than seeking to be cheap copies of others. It emphasizes the importance of listening to God and one's own heart, finding one's true vocation, and having the courage to face life's challenges with love and self-respect. The Bishop also advises parents to be parents, not friends, to their children, providing the love and guidance they truly need.

St. Joseph and the Garth Brooks Test: Loving Like a Father

On the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the priest highlights Joseph as a model of radical trust in God's providence despite trials like the flight to Egypt and the loss of Jesus in the temple. He connects Joseph's protective, 'manly strength' to the way earthly fathers and father figures provide a foundation of love that empowers their families to withstand life's suffering. The homily concludes with a poignant reflection on the Garth Brooks song 'If Tomorrow Never Comes' to emphasize the importance of showing love today.

The Affirming Hand: Fr. Bill on the Quiet Strength of St. Joseph

Father Bill

Reflecting on a visit to a hand-carved shrine in Indiana, the priest explores the 'spiritual fatherhood' of St. Joseph as a model for both priests and biological fathers. He emphasizes Joseph's role in setting boundaries, working hard, and providing an affirming hand on the shoulder of those in his care.

St. Joseph vs. The Maury Show: What Real Fatherhood Looks Like

The priest highlights St. Joseph as the iconic model of fatherhood, emphasizing his role as a 'just man' who chose to protect Mary's dignity rather than shame her. He challenges the congregation to emulate Joseph's silence, obedience, and deliberate commitment to doing the right thing even when it is inconvenient.

The Stress of Being a Stepfather to God

The priest explores the human side of St. Joseph, imagining the stress and 'awful burden' of having his life plans detoured by God's sudden call. He highlights Joseph's role as a stepfather, humorously noting that Jesus's claim to be in His 'Father's house' might have been a 'worst possible response' to a worried parent, ultimately reminding us that every moment is a fleeting blessing to be used for God's glory.

Sticks, Stones, and Beaker: A Father's Lesson on Bullying

Addressing a group of schoolchildren, the priest uses a personal story about his daughter being bullied to illustrate how people often fail to see the goodness in others. He connects this to the Pharisees' blindness toward Jesus' divinity, urging the children to choose kindness and defend those who are marginalized.

Carrying the Cross: How Helping Parents of Autistic Children Reveals God's Nudge

This reflection, delivered during the Stations of the Cross, connects the burden of Simon helping Jesus carry the cross to the struggles of parents raising children with severe autism. The speaker, a behavior analyst, shares her personal experience of being 'Simon' for these families, helping them navigate complex challenges and lighten their load. She emphasizes the importance of humility in accepting help and being willing to assist others in carrying their burdens, drawing a parallel to Jesus needing Simon's aid.

Padre Salvador: How 'Woke' Ideology Blinds Our Children

Padre Salvador Año Nuevo

The homily uses the Gospel story of the man born blind to discuss spiritual blindness, particularly in the context of modern societal influences. The priest warns parents about the 'communist ideology' and 'Woke' groups that seek to separate children from their families and traditional values through social media and the internet. He urges both parents and children to ask Christ to open their eyes to these dangers and to see Christ as the only savior from evil.