How is it possible that the ancient words in today's readings can apply to us today? Father Chuck follows up on last weekend's homily on the "Wild Goose" series about the Holy Spirit by honoring a recently deceased parishioner who lived and faced death in the power and peace of the Holy Spirit. Listen to today's homily for a portrait of a person who lived the scripture readings and who knew that mortal death is not the end of our life and God's love.

Catholic Mass readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 16, 2025

First Reading: Jeremiah 17: 5-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 1: 1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 12, 16-20
Alleluia: Luke 6: 23ab
Gospel: Luke 6: 17, 20-26

Have you ever wondered just what exactly the Holy Spirit does? In today's Gospel, we learn that the Holy Spirit joined Simon Peter's work with God's work to yield the great catch of fish. The Holy Spirit joins our work with God's work to strengthen us and to bring God to others. Listen to Parish Leadership Council member Patty Frahler speak about the impact of our "Wild Goose" workshop on her life, and consider joining us for one of the two new "Wild Goose" study sessions starting next week on Thursday at 1pm or Friday at 7pm.

Catholic Mass Readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 9, 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 6: 1-2a, 3-8
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 138: 1-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 7c-8
Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 1-11 or First Corinthians 15: 3-8, 11
Alleluia: Matthew 4: 19
Gospel: Luke 5: 1-11

How do we reconcile the prophesy of a majestic King of Glory entering the temple with the ordinary simplicity of the actual visit made by the infant Jesus? Let us pray for the grace to recognize Jesus in ordinary people and circumstances. And let us present our ordinary selves to the Lord so that we may show God's glory.

Catholic Mass Readings for the Presentation of the Lord, Sunday, February 2, 2025

First Reading: Malachi 3: 1-4
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24: 7, 8, 9, 10
Second Reading: Hebrews 2: 14-18
Alleluia: Luke 2: 32
Gospel: Luke 2: 22-40 or Luke 2: 22-32

Personal note from Fr. Chuck: This homily is in loving memory of Tom Brophy, Feb. 13, 1937 — July 4, 2024

Would you read the Bible more if you knew that the scriptures are God's love letters to us and also an instruction manual? Today's readings emphasize how important the Word of God is to His people. God's Word brings us back from exile to how we were created to be. Listen now to hear Fr. Chuck's comparison of reparing a car, bent out of shape in an accident, to how the many modes of God's communication with us can get us bent back into shape. Let's get started! Our homework for the month of February is to read 1 Corinthians 15.

Catholic Mass Readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday of the Word of God, January 26, 2025

First Reading: Nehemiah 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19: 8, 9, 10, 15
Second Reading: First Corinthians 12: 12-30 or First Corinthians 12: 12-14, 27
Alleluia: Luke 4: 18
Gospel: Luke 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21

What do you do when someone tells you to do whatever is asked, as Mary advised the servers at the Wedding at Cana? Do you give it your best? That is what we are asked to do as servants of God, growing in faith and trust of Jesus.

Catholic Mass readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 19, 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 62: 1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96: 1-2a, 2b-3, 7-8, 9-10
Second Reading: First Corinthians 12: 4-11
Alleluia: Second Thessalonians 2: 14
Gospel: John 2: 1-11

What does it mean to be baptized with fire, as we hear John the Baptist announce in today's Gospel reading from Luke? Jesus baptizes us in a blaze of consuming love, destroying our destructive ways and transforming our life. Let us pray that through the fire of our baptism we will become the people that God calls us to be.

Catholic Mass readings for the Baptism of the Lord, January 12, 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7 or Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 104: 1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30
Second Reading: Titus 2: 11-14; 3: 4-7
Alleluia: Luke 3: 16
Gospel: Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22

Did you know that there is a religious tradition that the Star of Bethlehem was actually an angel, a Messenger of God who led the Magi to Jesus? For 2025, we can be a Star of Bethlehem for someone. Let us pray to be a messenger to bring someone closer to Jesus. We can be an angel for a family member or co-worker or others. We can also be a co-partner with a person's Guardian Angel to help bring them closer to God this year.

Catholic Mass readings for the Epiphany of the Lord Solemnity, January 5, 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13
Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6
Alleluia: Matthew 2: 2
Gospel: Matthew 2: 1-12

Listen now to hear and learn a blessing for this new year. Receive it as a prayer for you from our pastor, Fr. Charles "Chuck" Wood. Then, pivot and pass it on as a blessing from yourself to others.

Catholic Mass readings for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, January 1, 2025

First Reading: Numbers 6: 22-27
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8
Second Reading: Galatians 4: 4-7
Gospel: Luke 2: 16-21

"In Christ, be blessed and thrive in 2025!"