Great Catholic Homilies

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Archive for the ‘Texts of talks’ Category

Between soccer and sleep, grab some time alone with God

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Photo of Fr. Joseph Eddy. Go to Fr. Joseph's bio.5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 5, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: Mark 1:29-39 Healing of Simon’s mother-in-law

Full sermon text: As a priest, one of the most blessed and challenging tasks is to be on “hospital duty.” It is certainly one of the most rewarding things to do, because we get a chance to be with people in their weakest hour. Often this is when they really reflect on their lives and mistakes. The priest has the opportunity to help them to turn with confidence to God, who is loving and forgiving. What a blessing!!

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From the hills of “Andy Griffith” to ordination in Sardinia: the story of Deacon Scott

It might seem a wayward path, but Scott Brentwood’s journey began in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Parkway near the town about which “Mayberry RFD” was written, and ended at the altar with Scott receiving ordination in the historic city of Cagliari amidst the balmy breezes of the Mediterranean.

See the video which went viral in its first day: “The Humble Roots of the Ordination of Deacon Scott Brentwood.”

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

Yet, the times at the hospital can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining. So much suffering and so many difficulties are faced by those trying to minister to the sick. Two hours spent visiting patients and distributing the Sacraments can feel like five hours. I certainly have much more respect for chaplains and medical personal who must work in this environment five days a week. They must have to pace themselves or find healthy outlets to cope with the physical, emotional, and spiritual strain. Continue Reading…

We cannot be forced to violate our consciences

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Photo of Fr. Joseph Eddy. Go to Fr. Joseph's bio.Sun., Jan. 29, 2012
Fr. Joseph Eddy, O. de M.
Gospel: Mark 1:21-28 “He taught them with authority.”

Full sermon text: Over the past 20 years it has been popular for young Christians to wear wrist bands or necklaces with the capital letters W.W.J.D. This, of course, stands for “what would Jesus do?” Actually, this trend can be a very effective way to help us think about our commitment to live as a Christian at each moment of our life. But, Christians, particularly Catholics and Protestants, would at times have different views on what Jesus would do in certain circumstances.

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What is behind the noble history of the Order of Mercy?

In a vision to a young nobleman named Peter Nolasco, the Blessed Virgin urged the formation of a military fraternity that would rescue prisoners by means of ransom. Go to our website and read, “Our Lady’s Coat of Arms Stands With the Rescue of Captives.”

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

People form their conscience based on what they have been taught or what they know to be right or wrong. Conscience is defined as the judgment of reason which at certain moments enjoins us to do good or to avoid evil. We all have a conscience but not everyone’s conscience is fully formed. Yet, it is a good thing when modern people recognize that they have a conscience and try to form it properly. This is what is being done if a teenage wears the WWJD wrist band and uses it to make proper decisions. Continue Reading…

The Mysterious Travel of Mother Mary Agreda, and the Three Kings

Friday, January 20th, 2012

Go to Fr. Brankin's bioEpiphany, 2012
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Gospel: Luke 2:1-14 “You will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths”

Complete sermon text: I guess it is somewhat strange, but today—even though it is two days later after the “real” date, we are celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany. And we do this because America is such a non-Catholic, non-Christian, non-religious country. Officially, at least, all our politicians and all our laws, of course, are either against the practice of religion or ignore it entirely.

Now if we lived in a little village in a happily Catholic country, then naturally on the 6th of January—the Twelfth Day of Christmas to be exact—no one would have to go to work—and everyone would go to church; and we would have a beautiful Mass, and three men would dress like the Three Kings, and pass out candy and little gifts to the children; and they would even bake cakes with tiny little figures of the Baby Jesus inside— and whoever found the little figurine would be declared “King!” Continue Reading…

War, crime, ruin — the Reformation removed Christ and Church as King (sermon text)

Friday, December 16th, 2011

Go to Fr. Brankin's bioFeast of Christ the King
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Homily: Matt. 25:31-46 As you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.

Full sermon text: Just a few weeks ago in the Latin Mass, we celebrated the Feast of Christ the King. Now interestingly enough, that is the Sunday the Protestants would celebrate Reformation Sunday.

Go to the Georgetown Visitation.The twin apostolates of prayer and the education of young women are pursued by the Visitation Sisters of Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

Are you called to religious life? Consider a life with the Sisters of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, Washington, DC.

To show you at what low ebb the church was when I went to the seminary—the 60’s and 70’s—the era of the Spirit of Vatican II—our seminary—at least one year celebrated Reformation Sunday—instead of Christ the King. Continue Reading…

Purgatory — where God’s mercy and justice meet

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

Go to Fr. Brankin's bioFeast of Christ the King
Fr. Anthony Brankin
Homily: Matt. 25:31-46 As you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.

Full homily text: All the time, the Protestants, the sects, the so-called “Christians” will challenge us Catholics and will say to us, “You Catholics believe in a place called Purgatory! Well, where is that to be found in the Bible? Where does Jesus say that there is—besides heaven and hell—a place called Purgatory?”

Go to the Dominican Sisters' websiteAre you attracted to a life of prayer and contemplation? The words Contemplare et contemplata aliis tradere – “to contemplate and to share with other the fruits of the contemplation” – is the motto of the Dominican Order. Take the 7 Quick Questions survey of the Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and find out whether you might have a calling as a Dominican Sister.

Well, of course, there is no use of the word “purgatory” in the Bible. We know that Jesus is not quoted in the Bible as telling us that there is a third place where we go when we die called Purgatory. But that makes no difference, because there are many things that we believe as disciples of Christ that either came from the mouth of Jesus—or under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These facts of faith were not written down in the Bible but still we must believe them if we are to be true to Jesus. Continue Reading…