3rd Sunday Advent 16 December 2007

This Homily (15 minutes) was given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 8:30am Mass. John the Baptist has a particular set of expectations to who the Savior will be and what the Savior will do and they prevent him from seeing Jesus in the role. Our expectations often prevent us from seeing Jesus in our midst.

Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10; Psalm 146:6-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11.

2nd Sunday Advent 9 December 2007

This Homily (14 Minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 8:30 am explores the nature of repentance as stressed by John the Baptist. The Greek word translated "repentance" could also be translated "a change of heart" or "re-ordering of our priorities." We hear Paul in the letter to the Romans say, "Welcome one another, then, as Christ welcomed you." This is the hard work of repentance that will bear good fruit in the Kingdom. It all comes down to loving each other as Jesus has loved us, and that is no easy task. Advent is a time to rethink our priorities.

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12.

Immaculate Conception 8 December 2007

Click here to stream This Homily (15 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise & Katy Rice at the 9:30 am Mass. We all know deep down that some thing is wrong with our world so full of sin and suffering. We long for a time when sin and suffering will be wiped away and all creation will be in right relationship with God and each other. The need for the Immaculate Conception of Mary starts in the sin of our first parents who walked away from God in arrogance and fear. In today's Gospel of the Annunciation we hear of Mary's yes to God replacing the no of our first parents. Paul reminds us that we have been chosen by God in Love. Katy, pregnant her self, reflects on what it must have been like to be Mother Mary. She notes that, "We pay for our children with vomit and blood one way or another." We can imagine Mary birthing Jesus, nursing him, caring for him in illness, and finally holding him in her arms when he was taken down from the cross. We can imagine her saying with all of her strong motherly love, "This is my body, given up for you."

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Readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38.

1st Sunday Advent 2 December 2007

Click here to stream This Homily (15 minutes) was given by Deacon Charles Rohrbacher at the 8:30 an Mass. Deacon Charles explores the Social Justice aspect of the season of Advent.

Click here to download this homily as an mp3.

Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122:1-9; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44.

33th Sunday in Ordinary Time 18 November 2007

This Homily (17 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise explores the four last things: death, judgement, heaven, and hell. How does a fear of dying keep us from fully living? The work of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development was investigated under the premise that the poor know what they need to get out of poverty. See www.usccb.org/cchd for more details. The life and ministry of St. Katharine Drexel, (1885-1955) born in Philadelphia is used to tie these two themes together. St. Katharine often said, "Love is proved by deeds."

Readings: Malachi 3:19-20a; Psalm 98:5-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19.

32th Sunday in Ordinary Time 11 November 2007

This Homily (17 minutes) given by Fr. Thomas Weise at the 8:30 am Mass explores the close relationship between Baptisms and funerals.

Readings: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38.

31th Sunday in Ordinary Time 4 November 2007

This Homily (13 Minutes) by Fr. Thomas Weise explores the story of Zacchaeus the short tax collector who climbed a tree to see who Jesus was. Zacchaeus has a conversion experience when Jesus calls his name and comes to his house for dinner.

Readings: Wisdom 11:22-12:2; Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2; Luke 19:1-10.