Great Catholic Homilies

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First Holy Communion — Jesus is the food for souls

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Fr. Anthony BrankinSaturday, May 7, 2011
Fr. Anthony Brankin
First Holy Communion Mass

Homily summary: When Fr. Brankin received his First Holy Communion as a boy, his teacher, Sr. Celeste Theresa, said that that day was the most beautiful day of their lives, because they received Jesus.

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.

Our children today look beautiful in their dresses and suits. But more beautiful are their hearts and souls. You have nothing but goodness and purity as you wait for Jesus to come inside. When you drink a glass of milk, all the calcium and vitamins go into your bones to make you beautiful, boys and girls. Your parents want the best for you. They also want your souls to be happy. Jesus is the food for souls — to be happy and good and holy. We are what we eat. Continue Reading…

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To speak with authority, we must listen to Authority

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

Fr. John Granato, S.M.
Gospel of Mark

MP3 Audio

Summary: This Gospel shows that both the demons and nature listen to Jesus Christ. The Apostles and Mary Magdalene were told to no longer be quiet, but to preach the Good News. We are no longer called to be quiet. We are given the same authority given to us by Christ, through Baptism, to preach the Good News.

St. Jane de ChantalWhether you are a lay person interested in plunging more fully into a way of daily devotion, or even considering a possible vocation to the monastic Visitandine tradition, we invite you to walk a spiritual avenue with our Founders, Saints and Sisters into the Love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Visitation Spirit website.

As children grow up, they listen less and less to their parents. It’s the same with us; as they grow older, many people listen less and less to our Holy Father. He wants to free us from the bonds of sin and slavery. Parents know what is best for their children, but they cannot force them. The wisdom of two thousand years gives us what is best for us. There is life in the teaching of the Church. Continue Reading…

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Each of us must be a servant to others

Monday, January 17th, 2011

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Jan. 16, 2011
Rev. Msgr. Richard Saudis
Gospel: John 1:29-34. John the Baptist points the way to Jesus
MP3 Audio (excerpt)

Summary: People today do not want to be servants. They want high paying and prestigious jobs. But in the first reading, it says, “I am sending you my Servant.”

Family members must see themselves as servants to each other, or else the family falls apart. Each person has a vocation to serve the others. Pope John Paul II signed his messages, “the servant of the servants of God.” But the bad angel said, “I will not serve.” There is a need in our society for servants. Thank God for people who provide menial services, who keep this world alive.”

Go to the Mercedrarians' Facebook page.Defending the faith is the charism of the Order of Mercy. The most important part of it is our willingness to give up our own selves for others – for those whose faith is in danger. Become a Mercedarian friar. Visit the website of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy. Listen to the Mercedarian message.

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Christmas is heaven breaking into our humdrum world (complete text)

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 19, 2010
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: Matt. 1:18-24. The angel’s command to Joseph
(Sorry, no audio.)

Complete text of homily: I write this on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, and, really in less than a week, it will be Christmas. If you are at all like me you are getting pretty desperate about what to do about gifts and dinners and cards and thank-yous and menus and whatever. And for me as a priest it is all compounded by worrying about Mass schedules and confessions and sermons to write and servers to call. You know things could be better when you begin to look forward–not to Christmas–but to the day after Christmas!

Go to the Sisters' Facebook page.Saint Francis de Sales’ “little virtues” of gentleness, kindness, humility, and cheerful optimism shape the monastic life of the Visitation Sisters. Consider a life of prayer and teaching. Sisters of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary Washington, DC.

Continue Reading…

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Catholic social teaching starts and ends with the family

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

Fr. Anthony Brankin
Go to MP3 Audio

Full text of homily: I remember hearing Cardinal George [Archbishop of Chicago, USA] once say that what we call Catholic Social Teaching starts and ends with the family. If something that is proposed for us–and for our lives by the social scientists or the professors in universities or the government would be harmful to the family then it would be–right off the bat–immoral. No ifs ands or maybes–no qualifications, no conditions. If something is bad for the family–no matter how wonderful it might seem to others for other reasons, then it is bad. Continue Reading…

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