How can we get the power and strength to make it through the hard times? You can actually hear the voice of the Lord seem to speak to Fr. Chuck during today's homily when he admits to thinking about doing something foolish. Don't stop Blessing the Lord - the Holy Spirit will always guide us.

Catholic Mass Readings for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 18, 2024

First Reading: Proverbs 9: 1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15
Second Reading: Ephesians 5: 15-20
Alleluia: John 6: 56
Gospel: John 6: 51-58

Did you know that your contributing to the parish is actually a spiritual activity? You are offering yourself and continuing Jesus's sacrificial giving of himself. God cares for not just our spiritual but also our physical needs as He cared for Elijah in the desert, so parish expenses are not just overhead. They are feeding us on our spiritual journey.

Catholic Mass Readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 11, 2024

First Reading: First Kings 19: 4-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 30 – 5: 2
Alleluia: John 6: 51
Gospel: John 6: 41-51

Do you need to be turned around by God? If we are not "here listening to Jesus", God will always call us back. Let us return to the childlike grace we all received to be close to God.

Catholic Mass Readings for the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 4, 2024

First Reading: Exodus 16: 2-4, 12-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 78: 3-4, 23-24, 25, 54
Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 17, 20-24
Alleluia: Matthew 4: 4b
Gospel: John 6: 24-35

Intro from Fr. Chuck: A highlight of a just-ended vacation with my sister, brother-in-law, and their kids and grandkids, was some of us taking part in Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Norfolk, Va (https://www.basilicaofsaintmary.org/). This church has roots in a parish founded some 233 years ago, about the same time the U.S. got its first Catholic bishop! The church's website reports that it is this nation's only predominantly African-American Basilica [For the significance of a church becoming a Basilica or Minor Basilica, visit https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=244, for an article from 1959].

With the permission of the Rector, Rev. Jim Curran, I offer you excerpts of his homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, on the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. Surrendering this litte bit of food to Jesus, the young boy in the divinely-inspired retelling of this miraculous event in St. John's Gospel is a (challenging) model for us, says Fr. Jim. To hear how, listen now.

Catholic Mass readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 28, 2024: First Reading: 2 Kings 4: 42-44; Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 10-11, 15-16, 17-18; Second Reading: Ephesians 4: 1-6; Gospel: John 6: 1-15

In light of the July 17–21, 2024, National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN, and because Fr. Chuck is away on vacation, we're bringing you excerpts from a homily titled, "Eucharistic Amazement and Holy Joy," which Fr. Chuck originally preached a little over three years ago at St. Wenceslaus Church, Scappoose, OR. In it, he mostly reads selections from Archbishop Alexander Sample's heartfelt pastoral message, "The Church Draws Her Life from the Eucharist," on God's love poured out in the Eucharist and the "Eucharistic amazement" which can mark our response.

To download and read the Archbishop Sample's full message from 2021—which includes announcements of the end of Covid-19 protocols then in place—click here or copy and paste the following url into your browser window:

https://uploads.weconnect.com/mce/6077ad2b372d5a152de8191d73e3e4480c620035/ABS_Pastoral%20Message%2030Jun21%20Return%20to%20Eucharist_FINAL.pdf.

Enrich yourself further by hearing Archbishop Sample explore "Eucharistic Amazement" in a Jan. 2024 episode of Mater Dei Radio's podcast, "The Voice of the Shepherd. Click here or copy and past the following url into your browser window:

https://materdeiradio.com/captivate-podcast/eucharistic-amazement/

(All links will open a new tab or window.)

How can we gain the courage to follow Jesus and stand out from a culture that is often contrary to His teachings? Listen to today's homily to learn the antidote to "FOMO" (Fear of Missing Out). May God's grace bless us with boldness in our faith.

Catholic Mass Readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 14, 2024

First Reading: Amos 7: 12-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85: 9-10, 11-12, 13-14
Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 3-14
Alleluia: Ephesians 1: 17-18
Gospel: Mark 6: 7-13

Have you ever thought that you could be amazing to Jesus? With the power of the Holy Spirit, we can have amazing faith. Listen to Fr. Chuck's message for your homework, and learn how God will "set me on my feet" each morning with hopefulness and joy. Let's amaze Jesus and set our parish ablaze with God's love.

Full Disclosure: Fr. Chuck edited this recording for clarity and to correct an inaccurate Scripture reference. So, it differs from what participants at any of the weekend Masses would have heard.

Catholic Mass readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 7, 2024

First Reading: Ezekiel 2: 2-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 123: 1-2, 2, 3-4
Second Reading: Second Corinthians 12: 7-10
Alleluia: Luke 4: 18
Gospel: Mark 6: 1-6

How do we use the privilege we have and "excel in this gracious act", as St. Paul wishes for us in today's second reading? Jesus invites us to participate with Him, to be selfless for the good of someone else. Let's look for daily opportunities to join Christ.

Catholic Mass readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 30, 2024

First Reading: Wisdom 1: 13-15; 2: 23-24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 30: 2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13
Second Reading: Second Corinthians 8: 7, 9, 13-15
Alleluia: Second Timothy 1: 10
Gospel: Mark 5: 21-43