Remembering Aidan Taylor Neary10 Dec 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at St. Pauls on the occasion of the one year anniversary of Aidan Neary's death. Life is Good, every moment is precious, and the next moment is not guaranteed.

Readings: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; Psalm 116; Romans 8:28-32; Matthew 25:1-13.

Click here to download and listen to this reflection (12 minutes) given by Mary and Patrick Neary, Aidan's parents.

Aiden wrote this poem "Legacy" in March of 2008 a few months before his death: "All of us want our memory saved, long after we come to pass. We want a piece of us engraved, or captured, as if behind glass. We all want to leave behind a legacy, so that we'll live on in our endeavors. To want otherwise would simply be a lunacy, for then we'd be forgotten forever. As for mine, I don't ask for much, I don't need to be very far-famed. I want to be good, and remembered as such. With that legacy, I wouldn't be ashamed."

2nd Sunday of Advent, Cycle C, 6 Dec 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (13 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns. John the Baptist calls each of us to conversion. What are we going to do differently to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord Jesus?

Readings: Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6.

1st Sunday of Advent, Cycle C, 29 Nov 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (18 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise. Happy Catholic New Year! What two things will you do to help bring about the Kingdom of God?

Click here to download and listen to this homily (12 minutes) given by Deacon Charles Rohrbacher. Advent is the time to pray "Maranatha--Come Lord Jesus."

Readings: Jeremiah 33: 14-16; Psalm 25; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36.

Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, Cycle B, 22 Nov 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (19 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise. Jesus is questioned by Pilate as to the nature of his kingship. Jesus point out that his Kingdom does not belong to this world, but the world belongs to the Kingdom of God. We have a dual citizenship: our nation here on Earth, and as members of Christ's body the Kingdom of God. What two things will we do in the coming year to learn, pray, work for the coming Kingdom of God.

Readings: Daniel 7:13-14; Psalm 93; Revelation 1:5-8; John 18:33b-37.

33rd Sunday Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 15 Nov 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (19 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise. End Times predictions have been popular since the time of Noah. There is a new movie in town 2012 which sights the end of the Mayan Calender on 21 December 2012 as the end of the world. I remember all the hype about the end of the world at Y2K, yet we are still here. At the end of the Lord's Prayer at Mass we hear, "Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ." Fear and Anxiety prevents us from doing our best for God, instead let us wait in joyful hope. I have no control over the time of my death, only our Loving Father knows the time for each of us. So have no fear and Trust in the Lord.

Readings: Daniel 12:1-3, Psalm 16; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32.

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 8 Nov 09

Click here to download and listen to this Homily (16 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise. God has a great sense of humor in using two widows to call each of us to greater Trust in God and a heroic Generosity.

Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44

All Saints Day, 1 Nov 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise. All Saints day is a time for us to remember the great Heroes of the Faith and that we are all called to be Saints. At baptism we were all marked with the Seal of the Living God.

Homework: Read more about the lives of the Saints.

Readings: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a

30th Sunday in Ordinay Time, Cycle B, 25 Oct 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise. Blind Bartimaeus can help us see how to be a model disciple. He recognises that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and the Son of David. He calls out to God in his time of need. He confidently asks for what he needs. Then he follows Jesus along the way.

Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cylce B, 18 Oct 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (22 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise. James and John want seats of glory in the Kingdom Jesus came to establish. They will receive them, but these seats of glory will involve hard work, suffering, and death; not privilege and power over others. Jesus came to serve and we all need to do the same. What a different world we would have if we started each day and every conversation with, "Hello my name is ______, and I will be your server today. What can I do for you."

Readings: Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45.

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 11 Oct 2009

Click here to down load and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise. The rich young man comes to Jesus to ask what must he do to inherit eternal life? Jesus say keep the commandments, then after that sell all that you have, care for the poor and follow after me. He went away sad because he had many possessions. What if to follow Jesus first, realizing the needs of the poor because of our faith then use our wealth to care for them?

Readings: Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 90; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30.

27th Sunday Ordinary Time Cycle B 4 Oct 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (19 minutes) given by Deacon Charles Rohrbacher. When our hearts grow hard towards our spouse it often leads to difficulties in our marriage if not divorce. God's solution is to develop a warm generous heart full of love for another. Accepting the Kingdom as little children with open generous hearts is the solution.

Readings: Genesis 2:18-24; Psalm 128; Hebrews 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16.

26th Sunday Ordinary Time Cycle B 27 Sept 2009

Click hear to download and listen to this homily (14 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise. Jesus' words are hard. Is he really advocating self mutilation? No, But he is saying in the strongest of terms that sin needs to be avoided at all costs. Today he might say, "If your inter net connection causes you to sin, disconnect!" James in his letter talks about the workers withheld wages crying out to God for Justice. In the Sept 2003 National Geographic Magazine there was an article exposing the reality of Human Slavery in the 21st Century. Some 150 thousand debt slaves bought and sold as property in the USA with 27 million worldwide. They pick our vegetables, work in your homes, and many our imprisoned as sex slaves. What we need is found in the first reading. That the Spirit of God might come down on every member of the human family that all might be free.

Readings: Numbers 11:25-29; Psalm 19; James 5:1-6; Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48.

Read Catholic News Services’ article that highlights USCCB’s work:
Human trafficking remains largely in the shadows across the US

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B 20 Sept 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (19 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Wesie. Jesus corrects the Twelve who are seeking to be the greatest by telling them that they should strive to be the least and the servant of all.

Readings: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Psalm 54; James 3:16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37.

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary 6 Sept 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (18 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise. For the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary we hear the genealogy of Jesus from the beginning of Matthew. Jesus is connected and part of the Human family. How well do you know the story of our own origins? How well you we tell our children and grandchildren the story our their origins?

Readings: Matthew 1:1-23

21st Sunday Ordinary Time Cycle B 23 Aug 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (13 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise. Joshua asks the Israelites on their way into the promised land "who will you serve?" Jesus asks the Twelve "Do you also want to leave?" If you are wondering who you serve examine how you spend your time and money. How well you we serve the Lord and each other as a married couple?

Readings: Joshua 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b; Psalm 34; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69.

20th Sunday Ordinary Time Cycle B 16 Aug 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (11 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise. Jesus is the Living Bread come down from heaven. Come often to the table of life and recieve the Eucharist.

Readings: Prverbs 9:1-6; Psalm 34; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58.

17th Sunday Ordinary Time 26 July 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 8:30 Mass. Jesus feeds the five-thousand with five small loaves and two small fish. After they eat their fill there were 12 baskets of leftovers. When God blesses our scarcity there is always more than enough leftover to share with others. So what are we doing with our extra Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness, Love, Inclusion, Kindness, etc... that we have been blessed by God to have? Let us learn to share with others some of these leftovers.

Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalm 145; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15

16th Sunday Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 19 July 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at St. Paul's 10:30am Mass for the Teen ACTS return Celebration. Jesus as the Good Shepherd is a metaphor that says the he is watching over us, guiding us, and protecting us. We should never forget is that he is also keeping us together, uniting us as one flock. Watch the YouTube video and/or the National Geographic special shot in Kruger National Park South Africa about the water buffalo rescuing one of their young from the lions. There is safety in number, let's stick together as the Body of Christ.

Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalm 23; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34

13th Sunday Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 28 June 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 5:30pm Mass. We all have problems, issues, crosses. God does not give us problems or diseases. "God did not make death." God is about life and health. Problems come from our broken fallen state and "the envy of the devil." God is working with us to heal that brokenness. When have fallen and feel all hope is lost Jesus will say to us "Little one, arise." Then he will grasp our hand and help us up.

Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43.

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ 14 June 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (11 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise on the beauty and gift that the Eucharist is to each of us. We can touch, in fact consume the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now that is intimacy.

Readings: Exodus 24:3-8; Psalm 116; Hebrews 9:11-15; Mark 14:12-16, 22-26.

Trinity Sun 7 June 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (12 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 5:30 evening Mass. The Holy Trinity is the answer to our human need to balance individuality with group inclusion. Love is what it takes: both loving others and allowing ourselves to be loved.

Readings: Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40; Psalm 33; Romans 8:14-17; Matthew 28:16-20

Pentecost 31 May 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (13 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 11 am Mass. Come Holy Spirit is my favorite prayer. She is quick to come to my aid. Paul enumerates the fruits of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-25, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." When every I am be challenged in these areas I pray, "Come Holy Spirit, and she comes to my aid giving me just enough grace to resist temptation.

Readings: Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; Galatians 5:16-25; Pentecost Sequence; John 20:19-23

Vigil of Pentecost 30 May 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (16 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns on the Vigil of Pentecost. After the homily Bishop Burns Confirms seven Cathedral parish young people.

Readings: Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104; Romans 8:22-27; John 7:37-39

6th Sunday of Easter 17 May 2009

Click here to down load and listen to this homily (11 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 11 am Mass. Today we celebrate First Communion which is the act of Jesus giving himself away that we might live. Jesus calls us to do the same. Put our selfishness aside and reach out in love to another. The Eucharist gives us strength to do this. When we love others the Joy of Jesus comes to completion in us.

Readings: Acts of the Apostles 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17

5th Sunday Easter 10 May 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (16 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 8:30 am Mass. Jesus is the true vine and we are the branches. Let us strive to stay connected to the vine through Scripture Study, Prayer, and being other centered in our outreach to those in need. Any dead wood that we hold on to from our past needs to go as well that we might bear abundant fruit.

Also as part of the podcast is a letter from Bishop Edward Burns temporally discontinuing the distribution of the Precious Blood from the cup in response to the H1N1 Flu.

Readings: Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31; Psalm 22; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8

4th Sunday Easter 3 May 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (9 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 5:30 vigil Mass.  This is Good Shepherd Sunday, the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ calls us to be one flock under his care.  Just as two "become one" when they marry so are we to "become one" with Jesus and the whole human family.  We are all God's children now!  The work we can do is to pick one person this week to be reconciled with.

Click here to download and listen to this homily (17 minutes) given by Deacon Charles Rohrbacher at the 11 am Mass.  Jesus is with us always and calls the whole human family to become one.

Readings: Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12; Psalm 118; 1 John 3:1-2; John 10:11-18

3rd Sunday Easter 26 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (13 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 8:30 am Mass.  After the resurrection Jesus commissions us to go out into the world as witnesses to the Love and mercy of God.  Peter does this when he forgives those who condemned Jesus to death when he invites them to be baptized.  The message of God's love and mercy needs to get out into the world and we are the ones who will carry that message.  When ever we witness about Jesus he shows up in our midst.  

Click here to download and listen to this homily (9 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns at the 5:30 pm Mass.  We are called to be witnesses to the resurrection.  Peter does this then he addressed the people of Jerusalem.  We fail in our duty as followers of Christ if we do not do our best to let others know about the new life we have been given in Jesus Christ our risen savior. 

Readings: Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19; Psalm 4; 1 John 2:1-15a; Luke 24:35-48

2nd Sunday Easter 19 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (17 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise.  Today we celebrate with Thomas who wants to touch Jesus.  We have also been asked by Pope Benedict XVI and the US Catholic Bishops to take a look at the the issue of climate change.  The impact of climate change falls heaviest on the world's poor.  As Catholics, our faith demands prudent action.

Homework: visit www.catholicsandclimatechange.org and learn more about climate change.

Readings:  Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35; Psalm 118; 1 John 5:1-6; John 20:19-31

Easter Sunday 12 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise.  Mary of Magdala tells Peter and the beloved disciple about the empty tomb and the race down to see for themselves.  They entered the empty tomb and saw the burial cloths and believed, yet they did not understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.  If Peter can have faith and believe in the resurrected Lord and still have questions and not fully understand; this gives me hope.  The resurrected Lord is alive and helping me grow in understanding.

Readings: Acts of the Apostles 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8; John 20:1-9

Easter Sunday 12 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (17 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns.  Easter morning the church is packed and our Bishop's helps us see how the Resurrection of Jesus works today in our lives.

Acts of the Apostles 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118; Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8; John 20:1-9

Easter Vigil 11 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (14 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns.  The Easter Vigil begins with the blessing of the new fire outside and the lighting of the Easter Candle.  Then we follow the Light of Christ into the church and light our own candles and hear the Easter  proclamation of the Exultet.   Followed by seven readings from the Old Testament.  Then the lights come on for the singing of the Gloria.  Then the Epistle from Paul's letter to the Romans and the Gospel rounds out the Liturgy of the Word.  The story of salvation is proclaimed at the Vigil.

Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:2; Psalm 104; Genesis 22:1-18; Psalm 16; Exodus 14:15-15:1; Isaiah 54:5-14; Psalm 30; Isaiah 55:1-11; Isaiah 12:2-6; Baruch 3:9-15, 32-4.4; Psalm 19; Ezekiel 36:16-28; Psalm 42; Romans 6:3-11; Mark 16:1-7.

Good Friday 10 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (2 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns.  We are to see ourselves as the unnamed Beloved disciple, always close to Jesus.

Readings: Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Psalm 31; Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:7-9; John 18:1-19:42

Holy Thursday 9 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (14 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns.  Tonight Jesus washes the feet of the disciples.  In doing so he shows that the Eucharist which he will institute this night is to be at the service of others.

Readings: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; Psalm 116; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion 5 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) by Fr. Thomas Weise given at the 5:30 Saturday evening Mass.  We stand at the threshold of holy week.  Jesus stands at the threshold of Jerusalem, of the Upper room, of the Garden of Gethsemane, of Calvary, and of the Tomb.  Are we willing to enter deeply into Christ's Passion and Death so that we can also rise with him on Easter?

Click here to download and listen to this homily (6 minutes) by Bishop Edward Burns given at the 11 am Mass.  Are we willing to examine to the duality of "Hosanna to the Son of David--Crucify Him?"  There are time we invite Jesus in and the are time we send him away.

Readings: Mark 11:1-10; Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Mark 14:1-15:47

Chrism Mass 3 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (16 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns.  At the Chrism Mass priests renew their own dedication to Christ as priests of the new covenant.  The oil of the Sick and of the Catechumens are blessed by the Bishop for uses throughout the Diocese.  The Oil of Chrism is consecrated by the Bishop and the priests gathered we him.

Let us pray for one another.

Readings: Isaiah 61:1-3ab, 6a, 8b-9; Psalm 89; Revelation 1:5-8; Luke 4:16-21

Solemn Vespers 1 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to the Homily (17 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns on the eve of his becoming the Fifth Bishop of Juneau.  He gathers with Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Apostolic Nuncio to the USA, brother Bishops of Alaska and the USCCB, representatives from around the diocese, representatives of other religious communities, civic leaders, and the people of God.  Native Alaskans and native americans welcomed Bishop Burns.  The Wooshji.een Dance Group did three dances in honor of the new bishop.

Ephesians 4:32-5:2

5th Week Lent 1 April 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (7 minutes) given by Bishop Edward Burns.  He is preaching to brother bishops and the full time ministers of the Diocese of Juneau.  Only Jesus can truly set us free.  To be set free we must let go of our sinfulness that holds us trapped.

Readings: Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95; Daniel 3; John 8:31-42

5th Week Lent 31 March 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (10 minutes) by Bishop Edward Burns.  He is preaching to a gathering of full time ministers from around the Diocese of Juneau.

Readings: Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102; John 8:21-30

5th Sunday Lent Year B 29 March 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise.  Two weeks ago Jesus tells us that we are Temples of the Holy Spirit and not even death can destroy us.  Last week Jesus tells us that just like Moses who lifted up a serpent on a staff so the Son of Man would be lifted up so that all who look upon him would be saved.  By looking at that which most wounds us we can be saved and set free.

Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51; Hebrews 5:7-9; John 12:20-33

4th Sunday of Lent Year B CFCA 22 March 2008

Click here to download and listen to this homily (22 minutes) by Fr. Art Kirwim OP.  This is a call out homily looking for sponsors for children through the CFCA-Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.  CFCA finds sponsors for over 310K children and aged in 25 developing countries.  The sponsorship helps put food on the table, send the child to school, provides access to health care, and improve living conditions.  By sponsoring a child we help end the cycle of poverty.  See more details at www.cfcausa.org 

Thank You to Cathedral Parishioners who sponsored more than 40 kids!

Readings: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Psalm 137; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21

3rd Sunday Lent Year B 15 March 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (24 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise.  Looking at the Ten Commandments not as rules to ruin our fun, but as the rules of the game of life just as sports have rules to help the players play well together.  So when we fail to play by God's Commandments we are out of bounds or a penalty flag is thrown, sin and suffering are experienced not only by us but by our whole team, the human family. 

Homework: Grab a copy of any Catechism and read up on the Ten Commandments this Lent. Then prepare for the sacrament of reconciliation.  I know after my study I will be saying, "Forgive me Father for I have sin.  Numbers one through ten, in thought and/or in deed."

Readings: Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25; John 2:13-25

2nd Sunday Lent B 8 March 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (22 minutes) by Fr. Thomas Weise on the care of creation.  I was asked, "You don't believe in climate change do you?"  I answered, "No, I believe in Jesus; I am experiencing Climate change."  Yes climate change is happening at an even faster rate than the most conservative scientist expected.  Our response to this economic crisis must be care of creation and the common good.  Jesus was transfigured and the apostles could see in a new way.  Lets us prayer that our eyes are opened as well to the needs of the poor and the care of our planet.

Learn more about the Catholic Response to Climate Change:

 www.catholicsandclimatechange.org

Readings: Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18; Psalm 116; Romans 8:31b-34; Mark 9:2-10

Ash Wednesday 25 Feb 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (7 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 12:10 pm Mass.  Lents starts with high expectations.  This will be the year we loose 30 lbs, volunteer at the soup kitchen, and bring our brother Fred back to the Church.  Yet when our practice is focused on what we want it rarely lasts through to Easter.  Let us spend a few days asking God what we should do differently this Lent.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Rice Bowl Dinners 6 pm with Stations of the Cross at 7 pm.

Readings: Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18.

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B 22 Feb 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (19 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 8:30 am Mass.  Seeing the faith of the friends of the paralytic Jesus says, "Child, your sins are forgiven."  Healing flows from the forgiveness of sins.  Let us learn to forgive as taught to us in the Lord's Payer.  "Loose the cords of mistakes binding us, as we release the strands we hold of others' quilt."  Then we will be able to rise, pickup our mat, and go home.

Readings: Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25; Psalm 41; 2 Corinthians 1:18-22; Mark 2:1-12.

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B 15 Feb 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (25 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 5:30 pm Mass.  Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said to him, "I do will it. Be made clean."  Curing the leper of his spots restored him to the community, he was no longer unclean and outside the community.  This restoration is the good news the former leper feels compelled to tell everyone.  In our stain glass window the lepers look like the have polka dots, in some way we are all covered in dots of one sort or the other.  Jesus heals us of these dots.  We need to be like Jesus and invite all those who feel outside the church community to return and be healed through the Eucharist.

Bishop-Elect Edward Burns would like to personally invite back anyone who feels outside our community.  Please let Fr. Thomas Weise know who these persons might be.

Readings: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; Psalm 32; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:40-45

5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B 8 Feb 2009

Click here to down load and listen to this Homily (20 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 5:30 pm Mass.  Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law and she immediately fixes dinner.  When we are sick we long to get back to work, so that when we are healed we do get busy.  After sunset the whole town shoes up at the door wanting to be healed and set free.  In the morning after prayer Jesus heads out to other towns to share the good news.  The good news is that when we come forward for the Eucharist we a touched by God and set free of sin and healed of our infirmities. 

Who will you invite to come to Mass with you this week?

Readings: Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19; 22-23; Mark 1:29-39

Conversion of St Paul 25 Jan 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (10 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 11 am Mass.  The Conversion of St. Paul on the road to Damascus becomes the touch stone for the rest of Paul's ministry.  He finds Jesus of Nazareth alive in the followers of the way that he was persecuting.  Bono, the lead singer of the rock band U2, when asked about the amazing success of his one.org campaign to end world hunger, said: "We need to stop praying the God will bless what we are doing.  Instead we need to get onboard with what God is doing because it is already abundantly blessed."  Jonah get a trip in the belly of a whale before he gets onboard with God's plan to save Nineveh.  Paul ends up trying to destroy the very Gospel message he will carry to the ends of the earth through his travels and writing before he meets the risen Lord. 

Lets get onboard with what God is already doing, because it is abundantly blessed.

Readings: Jonah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 25; Acts 9:1-22; Mark 1:14-20

Bishop Elect Edward J Burns 19 Jan 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) given by Bishop Elect Edward Burns on the day of the announcement that he will be the next Bishop of the Diocese of Juneau.  "It is with profound gratitude to our Holy Father for his confidence in me to lead this Diocese and with great humility that I have accepted this challenge."  His Episcopal motto is "Pray with Confidence!"  Let us pray for one another.

Monsignor Burns was born on October 7, 1957 to Donald P. and Geraldine Little Burns in Pittsburgh, PA.  He received secondary education at Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, PA.  He obtained a BA in Philosophy and Sociology from Duquesne University, Pitsburgh, PA.  He earned a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theology from Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD.  He was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh on June 25, 1983.

He will be ordained a Bishop on March 3, 2009 in St Paul Cathedral, Pittsburgh, PA.

He will be installed as Bishop of Juneau on April 2, 2009 in St Paul Parish, Juneau, AK.

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B 18 Jan 2009

Click here to download and listen to this homily (9 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise.  We know very little about the deep oceans.  In fact we may know more about the moon and Mars than we know about the deep sea.  I think this is true for us as well.  We need to go deeper into our selves and find the Holy Spirit dwelling there.  We truly are a temple of the Holy Spirit.

Readings: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a; John 1:35-42

Baptism of the Lord 11 Jan 2008

Click here to download and listen to this homily (13 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise.  We are all beloved sons and daughters of the Lord.  Do we live it?

Click here to download and listen to this homily (14 minutes) given by Deacon Charles Rohrbacher.  We are to be the hands, feet, eyes, ears of Christ in the world.  We have been baptized into the living Body of Christ.

Readings: Isaiah 55:1-11; Isaiah 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6; 1 John 5:1-9; Mark 1:7-11