God Chooses

Homily for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception The Immaculate Conception, the solemnity that we celebrate today, also happens to be the patronal feast day of the United States. So, happy feast day. Why do we celebrate this feast? In 1854, in his Apostolic Constitution, Ineffabilis Deus, Pope Pius IX clarified without uncertainty the long-held…

Holy Friendship

Homily for the Memorial of St. Ambrose Over the last few days now, I’ve really been reflecting on this idea of friendship – but not just any type friendship, I’m talking about holy friendships. We all have those people in our lives who care so deeply for us that we almost become family to them.…

Prepare the Way

Homily for the Second Sunday of Advent Earlier this week, I was putting up some Christmas decorations at the rectory and I had a memory come to mind from when I was a kid. Every year my mother would setup our Nativity scene on December 8th but she would always leave baby Jesus in the…

The Chosen Daughter of Israel

Homily for the Night of Merciful Love, December 2020 at Holy Name of Jesus. Votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chosen Daughter of Israel. As I mentioned at the beginning of Mass, tonight I have chosen to celebrate a Votive Mass for the Blessed Virgin Mary, Chosen Daughter of Israel. It is one of…