Adult Formation Series on Prayer, 11/18 - The Last Petitions of the Lord's Prayer

Adult faith formation series on prayer, given at Corpus Christi Parish. 11/18
The last petitions of the Lord's prayer -- from "Give us this day our daily bread" to the end.

Daily Sermons, November 18-22

Daily Mass Homilies at Corpus Christi Parish, Great Falls, MT

The Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts Peter and Paul, St Elizabeth of Hungary, the Presentation of Mary, St Cecilia

Did you know that Mary was raised in the Temple and made a vow of virginity?

November 21^st, The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple

“Congratulate me, all ye that love the Lord, because when I was a little one I pleased the Most High.” (from the Common Office of our Lady)

Though it is related nowhere in the sacred books, ancient tradition tells us of the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Temple when she had been weaned from her mother at the age of three. This presentation is quite diverse from that of our Lord in his fortieth day – for Blessed Mary was given over to the Temple for her rearing and education, as Joachim and Ann returned to Nazareth, she remained in Jerusalem until her fourteenth or fifteenth year.

It was during these twelve years of dedicated service in the Temple that our Lady made her vow of virginity, which God then protected through the ministry of St. Joseph.

Let us consider the outline of the history of the presentation of Mary in the Temple, and then further the vow of Blessed Mary to remain a virgin.

Sunday Sermon, 11/16 - Damned if you do not pray, saved if you do pray

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, November 9 -- Why Catholics venerate relics, and How to become a saint

Listen online [here]!

Advent mini-retreat, November 15 -- From meditation to contemplation

These sermons were given as part of a mini-retreat for the perpetual adoration society of Corpus Christi Parish and Great Falls, MT.

The one talent, prayer, gains all the rest

33^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 25:14-30

To one servant he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one.

In the parable of the talents, our Savior teaches that of each an accounting will be required for whatever gifts God has bestowed. From the one who has received much, much is expected; from him who has received more, still more is expected.

But what shall we say of the servant who has received but one talent? We seek to discern what this talent symbolizes, so that we may know how to make it fruitful in our own lives.

Following that great Doctor of the Church, St. Alphonsus, we will consider how the parable of the talents instructs us of the necessity of prayer as the great means of our salvation.

Daily Sermons, November 11-14

Daily Mass sermons for the week of November 11 through 14.

St. Martin of Tours, Pope St. Martin I, The Dies Irae.

Sermon for All Souls Day

As the previous recording of this sermon was difficult to hear, I have re-recorded the All Souls Day sermon.

Daily Sermons, November 4-8

Daily Homilies from Monday, November 4 through Saturday, November 8.

St Charles Borromeo, The Fires of Purgatory, Don't become a poor forgotten soul, The Last Sacraments and purgatory, Purgatory on earth.

Adult Ed Series on Prayer, 11/11 - On the first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer

This is part of a series on prayer given for adult faith formation by Father Ryan at Corpus Christi Parish, Great Falls, MT.

We consider the first three of seven petitions in the Lord's Prayer.
1) Hallowed be thy name
2) Thy kingdom come
3) Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

The handout for the session can be found below

What's with Catholics and bones? Why we venerate the relics of saints

Relics at the Church of St John Cantius, Chicago

November 9^th – Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? … For the temple of God, which you are, is holy.

As we praise God for the dedication of the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Sts. John the Baptist and the Evangelist on the Lateran, commonly known as St. John Lateran’s, we have a moment to consider that the soul is truly the temple of the Most High God.

Further, reflecting upon how the exterior place of worship (the church) is a symbol for the interior place of worship (the soul), we will further consider how the dedication of a church recalls the theological basis of the Catholic veneration of the relics of the saints.

Adult Education Series on Prayer, 11/4/14: Session 7, "Our Father Who Art In Heaven"

Commentary on the Lord's Prayer, following St Teresa of Avila. "Our Father who art in heaven"

Two Homilies For All Souls: The Nature of Purgatory and How To Not Become A Forgotten Soul

These two homilies discuss first the nature of purgatory and then the means by which we can avoid becoming one of the poor forgotten souls of purgatory.

Sermon for the Feast of All Saints -- To Not Honor the Saints is to Theologically Decapitate Christ

If Christ is the head and we are his members, then to separate Christ from his saints (by not honoring them) is nothing less than to cut the head from the body -- it is theological decapitation!

Daily Homilies, October 28-30

Weekday homilies, October 28 through 30 -- Sts Simon and Jude, Christ the King, St Marcellus