Mass Readings – The Feast of St. Mary Magdalene
The Gospel of John recounts how Mary Magdalene was the first to meet the Risen Lord. Her conversion and witness inspire us: no matter what our past has been, God’s grace can touch our hearts and change our lives!
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Photo credit: The Passion of the Christ, 2004.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – The Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Apostle
St. Paul’s conversion shows how God calls us to make changes in our lives as we draw close to Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News. The Lord reaches out to us in our weakness, inspiring us to turn away from our sins and become living witnesses to the world.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Christmas Weekday (Jan. 3)
John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the one who takes away our sins. As we renew our faith each day, may we seek Jesus above all else and commit our lives to his saving grace.
Mass Readings – The Octave of Christmas: Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Our knowledge of Mary flows from our knowledge of her Son, and her example teaches us how to be living witnesses in the face of adversity as we continue to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world.
Happy New Year!
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – Friday of the 3rd Week of Advent
The Lord points out that the works he performs testify on his behalf. Following his example and the words of Isaiah the prophet, we have the opportunity every day to lead others to Christ as we observe what is right and do what is just, as we offer Christian witness in our daily actions.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – The Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle
The call of St. Andrew reminds us that the Lord continues to invite us to follow him and proclaim the Good News so that others can experience the saving love of Christ.
Note: these pictures were taken in Amalfi on my recent visit in Italy. Andrew is the patron saint of the town and the Cathedral.
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast
Mass Readings – St. Barnabas, Apostle
Called by God, Barnabas shows us today how we can proclaim the Good News to the people in our lives.
Fr. Andrew’s 3rd Sunday of Easter Homily
What is the script of my thoughts, words, and actions? If I were to write down what I think, speak, and do would it point to Christ? Would it even include Jesus?
We are witnesses for the Lord, and as his disciples we can make changes in our lives – changing the script – so that grace of Christ renews and strengthens our lives.
This homily was given at St. William Church in Foxboro, WI on April 18, 2015.
Study: Where do I consistently observe the Lord in my life? How do I show others that I follow Jesus Christ?
Pray: Does something need to change in my life today? Call upon the Lord for grace and strength.
Serve: Is someone in your life struggling, searching for faith or challenged to live it? How can you help?
How do people know that we are Christians? What “proof” do we offer that clearly reveals the Lord we follow?
Three key areas come to mind:
The pattern of our faith is observed within these arenas of daily life. Everything begins with thought: what comes from within us and moves outward is revealed by what we say and do. Our speech signals our behavior: what we say; how we say it; to whom we speak; and the context in which it is said. Our actions close the deal: our behavior ultimately rests in the consistent pattern of the real results we accomplish.
Knowing this, we can then ask: does the Lord reside in these areas? Is he present in my thoughts, words, and actions? I find it helpful to evaluate this question with a daily examination – reviewing the day with a mental “written transcript” where I walk through what I thought, said, and did – looking for Christ’s presence in my life.
Everyday, in 1001 great and small ways, we have the chance to show those around us that Jesus Christ is the Lord of our lives. We are uniquely placed in the world to touch the hearts of those in our midst; they will see in us a pattern that will either proclaim the Good News…or else we testify to something else.
“You are witnesses of these things.” Luke 24:48
Pastoral Note: This weekend is First Communion for many kids at the Cathedral. Please keep them and their families in your prayers!
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St. Paul Preaching in Athens, Raphael; 1515, 768 x 581 pixels, Royal Collection of the United Kingdom.
Study: When have you experienced a profound moment of change and growth? What brought it about?
Pray: Open your heart to Jesus Christ. Let the joy of the resurrection transform your life.
Serve: Claim your faith! Let your love for the Lord direct your thoughts, words, and actions – in whatever you face today.
Easter Day Readings Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast
In the early hours of that first Easter Day we celebrate an incredible hope as word spread through the city of Jerusalem – Jesus is alive.
His followers had been crushed by the agony of the Cross. Lost – beyond all sense of pain, sorrow, and grief – from the darkness of their fear and despair they passed on the message: we have seen him, we have touched him, we have eaten with him – the Lord has been raised!
I have always been struck by the transformational effect the resurrection of Jesus had upon his disciples:
The same disciples who once fled for their lives will now go out into the world to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. They will face persecution, suffering, and martyrdom in order to testify to the truth of Easter Day: the Resurrection of Christ. What’s more, they will do this with an overwhelming sense of conviction and strength.
No one can ignore the power of this effect. The encounter with the Risen Lord changes everything. What is there to be afraid of? Jesus has broken the chains of sin and death – we can face anything in this world with confidence. Jesus has triumphed, and in the light of Easter Day we now draw on his strength to face our battles with joy.
The death of Jesus on the Cross was for our sins; the resurrection of Jesus was for our lives. The power of Easter Day directs our attention to the sacred and precious gift of life. Life is worth fighting for, worth dying for, and worth living for – in this world and the next. The resurrection reveals God’s love for our lives; we are worth the sacrifice of the Cross and empowered to live with faith, hope, and love.
How will we live this great promise of faith? How will we allow the power of Easter to transform us? For remember: the moment we acknowledge the truth of the resurrection our lives fundamentally change. Directed by the saving work of Christ we now engage the world on new terms: we witness through word and action the love of Jesus each and every day. With our eyes fixed on heaven we boldly walk this earth as his disciples. We live our lives with real truth and power. We live our lives as God’s sons and daughters.
The authentic witness of our faith is THE WAY that people truly discover Jesus. It was true for the disciples on that first Easter Day, and it is true for disciples today.
Perhaps today is the day that our faith takes on a deeper meaning and purpose in our lives – placing Jesus first in all that we say and do. May this Easter Day fill our hearts with grace and power to live in the light of Christ. May we let the Lord into our hearts and allow our lives to be transformed by his love.
Christ is alive! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks
Three Great Things 