Sunday Sermon, February 10th -- What Makes and Apostle?, and St Matthias (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi Parish)

During his life, our Lord established the hierarchical structure of the Church and chose twelve men whom he named as his Apostles, and whom he sent out with authority to teach, govern and sanctify. These Apostles, having received instruction from the Lord and through the Holy Spirit's inspiration, established the means by which their authority would continue in the Catholic Church, specifically through the bishops of the Church.

We consider the meaning of the word "Apostle" and what were the "requirement" of becoming an apostle. The role of the Apostles in the early Church shows us the divinely instituted structure of the true Church of Jesus Christ. The vocation of an apostle is made evident in the calling of Peter and Andrew (from the Sunday's Gospel) and Paul's own insistence that he is a true apostle (Second Reading from 1 Corinthians)

Finally, we look to St Matthias, patron of the Diocese of Great Falls - Billings, who was chosen to join the Apostles after the fall of Judas.

Sunday Sermon, February 3 -- God Loves You (Father Ryan Erlenbush, Corpus Christi)

1 Corinthians 13 contains the hymn to Divine Love, sixteen characteristic of love/charity.  Love is a theological virtue (together with faith and hope) given by God and which directs to God in himself. As St Thomas Aquinas teaches, love is a certain friendship between God and the soul. The Lord desires not merely to be our king and master, but more to be our friend. He is the dear Friend of your soul!

As we consider the characteristics of love/charity, we recognize that God has so much love for each of us - God is love. What is our primary image for God? A God of wrath who looks to condemn us to hell, or a God of love who desires an eternal friendship with us in heaven?