Mercy Missionary Ioane joins us to talk about his outreach carrying Christ to Portland's homeless through St. Michael the Archangel parish.

You can learn more about the Mercy MIssionary ministry and how to support their work at: https://www.stmichaelportland.org/mercy-mission.

Do you believe that only Jesus can be transfigured? We learn in today's second reading that Jesus "will change our lowly body to conform with his glorified body". The purpose of our Lenten practices is to help transform us to become citizens of heaven. So let's follow Father Chuck's list and do more heavenly good for Lent, and less of our earthly bad habits.

Catholic Mass Readings for the Second Sunday of Lent, March 16, 2025

First Reading: Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27: 1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14
Second Reading: Philippians 3: 17 – 4: 1 or 3: 20 – 4: 1
Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 17: 5
Gospel: Luke 9: 28b-36

We hear in today's Gospel that Jesus refused to be tempted to turn a stone into food after fasting for 40 days. Did you know that God's grace can help turn stones into prayers for our Lenten journey? Those who attended Mass at St. Elizabeth of Hungary today asked the Holy Spirit to help choose a special prayer stone for themselves and to share God with others. We will keep them through the Easter season and return them on the Feast of the Pentecost.

Catholic Mass Readings for the First Sunday of Lent, March 9, 2025

First Reading: Deuteronomy 26: 4-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 91: 1-2, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Second Reading: Romans 10: 8-13
Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 4: 4b
Gospel: Luke 4: 1-13

Ash Wednesday usually prompts folks to ask one another what they are doing for Lent. This year the start of Lent prompted Fr. Chuck to recall the opening song of the hit 1960s musical, Camelot, "I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight." Listen now to hear why, and to get fresh ideas for how to approach this Lent with active receptivity to what the Lord wants to do for you, in you, with you, and through you. Fr. Chuck gives thanks and primary credit for this idea to Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, and her Ash Wednesday commentary from her Ave Maria Press book and video series Wilderness Within.

Catholic Mass readings for Ash Wednesday, March 5, 2025:

First Reading: Joel 2: 12-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51: 3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14 and 17
Second Reading: Second Corinthians 5: 20 – 6:2
Gospel: Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

How can we know that God's love has been poured into our hearts? We learn in today's readings that how we speak depends on what is in our hearts. May we let God's love flow out in the words we share with others. Today's homily was for the First Communion Mass of a young girl named Clare who was also baptized at St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

Catholic Mass readings for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, March 2, 2025

First Reading: Sirach 27: 4-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 92: 2-3, 13-14, 15-16
Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 54-58
Alleluia: Philippians 2: 15d, 16a
Gospel: Luke 6: 39-45

We don't want to give you a spoiler alert, so you'll need to listen to today's homily to learn Father Chuck's explanation for why a German luxury car is a reminder of today's Gospel message. God's words breathe life into us so we can bring His mercy to those who have harmed us.

Catholic Mass Readings for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 23, 2025

First Reading: First Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 103: 1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13
Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 45-49
Alleluia: John 13: 34
Gospel: Luke 6: 27-38

How is it possible that the ancient words in today's readings can apply to us today? Father Chuck follows up on last weekend's homily on the "Wild Goose" series about the Holy Spirit by honoring a recently deceased parishioner who lived and faced death in the power and peace of the Holy Spirit. Listen to today's homily for a portrait of a person who lived the scripture readings and who knew that mortal death is not the end of our life and God's love.

Catholic Mass readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 16, 2025

First Reading: Jeremiah 17: 5-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 1: 1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 12, 16-20
Alleluia: Luke 6: 23ab
Gospel: Luke 6: 17, 20-26

Have you ever wondered just what exactly the Holy Spirit does? In today's Gospel, we learn that the Holy Spirit joined Simon Peter's work with God's work to yield the great catch of fish. The Holy Spirit joins our work with God's work to strengthen us and to bring God to others. Listen to Parish Leadership Council member Patty Frahler speak about the impact of our "Wild Goose" workshop on her life, and consider joining us for one of the two new "Wild Goose" study sessions starting next week on Thursday at 1pm or Friday at 7pm.

Catholic Mass Readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 9, 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 6: 1-2a, 3-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 138: 1-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 7c-8
Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 1-11 or First Corinthians 15: 3-8, 11
Alleluia: Matthew 4: 19
Gospel: Luke 5: 1-11