Great Catholic Homilies

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Archive for the ‘family’ Category

A great blessing: a child who enters religious life

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Photo of Fr. Joseph Eddy. Go to Fr. Joseph's bio.Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: John 1:35-42 “Look, there is the Lamb of God.”

Full sermon text: In J. R. Tolkien’s, Lord of the Rings, a young hobbit, Frodo, is thrust into a dangerous mission to save the Middle Earth from evil. He must take the Ring of Power, which is a symbol for sin and the cross, and destroy it. The whole situation is beyond the little humble hobbit, but it becomes clear to all that only he can do it. Frodo’s friends, Gandalf and Aragorn, help him to understand his great calling and carry it out.

Click for Fr. Eddy's Facebook page

Why is there growth in this Order?

God is blessing us with new men, strong in the faith, eager to serve Him under our charism. Why? Go to our website and read, “Ancient Order of Friars Sees Vitality in U.S.”

Is God calling you to become a Mercedarian friar? Visit Fr. Joseph’s Facebook page.

Each of us as Catholic Christians have a special vocation or “calling” from God. Our vocation comes from God and is uniquely suited for us. Young people need several things to discern and fulfill their vocation in this life: 1) a foundation in virtues, 2) a habit of frequenting the Sacraments and avoiding serious sin, and 3) the example and support of family and friends. Continue Reading…

Family life and how I became A Mercedarian priest

Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011

Photo of Fr. Joseph Eddy. Go to Fr. Joseph's bio.Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.

A new video interview of the vocation director of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M., one of this website’s homilists, has received more than one thousand views within 12 hours of its broadcast. See the video to the right.

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Small town. Church-going family. Serving as an altar boy in the local parish. This, with God’s grace, added up to a vocation to the priesthood for Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M. Continue Reading…

We must rise above the media, which doesn’t like motherhood

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Go to Fr. Brankin's bioMother’s Day 2011
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: Luke 24:13-35 They recognized Him in the breaking of the bread.

Full homily text: On behalf of all the priests in the rectory—and with the sisters in the convent, I wish to extend to all our mothers—the joys of this Mother’s Day.

It is so beautiful to see this confluence of events—just yesterday our children received their Blessed Lord in Holy Communion for the First time—and today—Mother’s Day—they crown Jesus’ mother, Mary.

St. Jane de ChantalWalk on the spiritual path along with St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal into the Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Are you a lay person interested in plunging more fully into a way of daily devotion? Or considering a vocation to the monastic Visitandine tradition? Go to Visitation Spirit website.

In Latin, Italian and Spanish, you could say that yesterday our children received Il Santissimo–Holy Communion—and today they give thanks to His Mother La Santissima. Continue Reading…

Parents — guard your children against the devil in the media

Sunday, May 15th, 2011

Go to Fr. Brankin's bioFourth Sunday of Easter, May 15, 2011
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: John 10:1-10 “I am the door of the sheep”
Free MP3 Audio

Homily summary: This is Good Shepherd Sunday. Sheep dogs are smart. A border collie will count the number of fingers that the shepherd holds out, and know how many sheep are missing.

Go to Sister Anna's Facebook page.The twin apostolates of prayer and the education of young women are pursued by the Visitation Sisters of Georgetown. Are you searching for God’s calling? Consider a life with the Sisters of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, Washington, DC.

The first shepherds of children are parents, and the next are grandparents, and also brothers and sisters. In a family that acts as a good shepherd, there are no “mistakes” or “surprises.” Among parents who are good shepherds, they are happy to have their little flock. Continue Reading…