Homilies

Homilies given on Sundays and certain feast days by the Pastor & Rector, Father Jerabek, are regularly posted here in PDF format. Where “no homily” is indicated, Father was either away from the parish or a deacon preached that day.

May 9, 2021 – Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B – What is means that Jesus has called us friends

May 2, 2021 – Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year B – Staying united to the true vine through Marian devotion

May 1, 2021 – First Holy Communion Mass – Learning from St. Joseph how to learn from Jesus

April 25, 2021 – Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B – Ruminating on the things of God through the world around us and rising to the things of heaven

April 18, 2021 – No homily

April 11, 2021 – Divine Mercy Sunday (Second Sunday of Easter, Year B) – Forgiveness is an act of mercy to another and also to oneself; intentionally forgiving all

April 4, 2021 – Easter Sunday – The Lord appeared only to a few witnesses; he does a lot with a little

March 28, 2021 – Palm Sunday – The Lord’s way of the cross continues through history and passes through each of our lives; seeing ourselves in the scene of his Passion

March 21, 2021 – No homily

March 14, 2021 – Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A (Scrutinies) – Like the man born blind, we can place all our trust in Jesus

March 7, 2021 – Third Sunday of Lent, Year A (Scrutinies) – Confronting the source of our unease with Jesus and letting him in to heal

February 28, 2021 – Second Sunday of Lent, Year B – Saying “no” to ourselves and “yes” to God – like Abraham, the disciples, and Jesus did

February 21, 2021 – First Sunday of Lent, Year B – Seeing our temptations and Lenten disciplines in the framework of Christ’s

February 17, 2021 – Ash Wednesday – Lent is not a test of endurance but the endurance of a test

February 14, 2021 – Vespers II for the 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Doing everything for the glory of God

February 14, 2021 – No homily (guest priest)

February 7, 2021 – Vespers II for the 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time – Letting the liturgy shape our prayer and help us prepare for death

February 7, 2021 – Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B – Guarding against misguided busy-ness by staying rooted in prayer this Lent

January 31, 2021 – Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B – Preparing for Lent so that we may overcome our rebelliousness

January 24, 2021 – Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B (Sunday of the Word of God) [11am Mass version {gradual instead of psalm}] – The time is running out; responding promptly to Christ by meditating on his Word

January 17, 2021 – No homily

January 10, 2021 – Baptism of the Lord – Through our baptism, the Lord is with us always, and he can do extraordinary things, thus we must not fear

January 3, 2021 – Epiphany of the Lord – Christ is the savior of all, illuminates our way to heaven, and can speak to every heart

January 1, 2021 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – A feast rich in meaning and nuance, with a consideration of several as we enter a new year

December 27, 2020 – Feast of the Holy Family – Reflecting on the proper roles in the family, following the example of the Holy Family; and a note of gratitude

December 25, 2020 – Christmas – Making the best and taking the risk of living life as free children of God, as our Lord did

December 20, 2020 – No homily

December 13, 2020 – Unpublished

December 12, 2020 – Rorate Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Sung Latin Mass) – May Our Lady guide us through the present darkness with the light of Christ

December 8, 2020 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – Mary, filled with grace, knew that nothing would be impossible for God; she gives us hope now

December 6, 2020 – Second Sunday of Advent, Second Vespers – Our Blessed Mother assures us of the Lord’s mercy, which we need to be ready for his coming

December 6, 2020 – Second Sunday of Advent, Year B – Allowing the Lord to purify us now rather than putting it off – and its being worse as a result

November 29, 2020 – First Sunday of Advent, Second Vespers – Re-assuring the Blessed Mother and fearing the Lord with her

November 29, 2020 – First Sunday of Advent, Year B – Consoling the Holy Family as we look back this Advent, and preparing for the Lord’s return as we look ahead

November 22, 2020 – Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year A – Christ’s Kingship in society, the Church, and our lives

November 15, 2020 – Thirty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Ordering our lives more fully to God in the expectation of the Second Coming; not living only for this world

November 8, 2020 – Thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A (preached at St. Leo’s in Demopolis and St. Francis in Livingston) – Recognizing sloth or acedia and fighting against it so that we can be ready for the Lord’s return

November 1, 2020 – Solemnity of All Saints, Year A – Living out the Beatitudes is imitating Christ, who calls us to be saints

October 25, 2020 – Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Sorting through the moral issues in preparation for the elections

October 18, 2020 – No homily

October 11, 2020 – Twenty-eighty Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Four ways that we might live in expectation of special consideration from Christ, when he expects all to have a weddin garment

October 4, 2020 – Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Supernatural grace is the condition for being a member of God’s kingdom and the key to bearing fruit in it; but how can we know we have it?

September 27, 2020 – Twenty-sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – The hidden third son in the parable and overcoming our disobedience

September 20, 2020 – No homily

September 13, 2020 – Twenty-fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Learning how to stop “hugging anger tight” and nourishing it, learning to give it to God

September 10, 2020 – Annual Homeschool Mass (Votive Mass of the Holy Angels) – Contemplating the invisible part of God’s creation – especially the angelic host

September 6, 2020 – Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Are we ever obliged to practice fraternal correction? Yes, and how we can determine that

August 30, 2020 – Twenty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – God has not duped us; indeed, he has told us everything in advance

August 23, 2020 – Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Through the papacy, the Lord gives us the true sense of his divine revelation and certainty on the path to heaven

August 16, 2020 – No homily

August 15, 2020 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Mary fulfills and eclipses the ancient Ark of the Covenant; she reigns over heaven and earth and intercedes for us

August 9, 2020 – Nineteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – The Lord prepares his disciples for glory through successive (and sometimes successively more difficult) trials

August 2, 2020 – Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Understanding divine providence even in bad times and learning to trust

July 26, 2020 – Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – What would you ask for if you were given one wish? On praying for an understanding heart, and why

July 19, 2020 – Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – The Lord’s mercy can change us from weed to wheat – but we must pray this for others, also

July 12, 2020 – Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Guarding one’s heart and home against the devil, so that the Word of God may be more efficacious in us

July 5, 2020 – Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Seeking self-abandonment in childlike dependence and trust in order to find true rest in the Lord

June 28, 2020 – No homily

June 21, 2020 – Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A – Fulfilling the Lord’s command to not be afraid by confronting our fears through prayer and the sacraments

June 14, 2020 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ (Corpus Christi), Year A – How to offer ourselves to Christ more fully in Holy Communion

June 7, 2020 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year A – The Trinity dwells with us even in ordinariness and strife; Our Lady helps to show us the way

May 31, 2020 – Solemnity of Pentecost, Year A – The Holy Spirit has not abandoned us; starting with each one of us, He will reconcile us to God and each other and heal our world

May 24, 2020 – Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year A – We have doubted the Lord and the mission he gives us; solutions for those doubts

May 17, 2020 – Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A – The Lord has not left us orphans; he is always near, and this gives us hope

May 10, 2020 – Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A – Confronting our fear of death, especially during time of pandemic

May 3, 2020 – Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A – Following the Good Shepherd by embracing our trials, allowing the Lord to us and help us to trust

April 26, 2020 – Third Sunday of Easter, Year A – What have we gained from quarantine? Do we recognize the Christ who walks with us, even outside of Holy Mass?

April 19, 2020 – Divine Mercy Sunday, Year A – How both penitent and priest can prepare for confession

April 12, 2020 – Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection – Christ goes before us; let us follow with acts of faith, hope, and love

April 11, 2020 – Easter Vigil – We had been basking in the shadows, but the Lord is waking us up to the true light

April 3, 2020 – Memorial Mass for Victims of COVID-19 – Reflecting on Our Lady of Sorrows, Our Lady of Hope

March 29, 2020 – Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A (livestreamed) – Christ is hidden from us in a different way this Lent – but he is still near; let us console him

March 22, 2020 – No homily

March 15, 2020 – Third Sunday of Lent, Year A (preached at St. Stephen’s University Chapel, Birmingham) – Allowing our Lord to confront us in our fears and lovingly lead us to freedom

March 8, 2020 – Second Sunday of Lent, Extraordinary Form (preached at Our Lady Help of Christians in Huntsville) [similar texts to the Ordinary Form] – The Transfiguration: repenting of the past and preparing for a future of sanctification and honor

March 1, 2020 – First Sunday of Lent, Year A – Identifying with Christ in temptation and pursuing virtue

February 23, 2020 – Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Seeking holiness together during Lent

February 16, 2020 – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Keeping the Commandments righteously involves deciding and depending

February 9, 2020 – No homily

February 2, 2020 – Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (preached at a parish in New Jersey) – Our Lady’s sorrows and ours, as well as our hope

January 26, 2020 – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A – Vocational discernment: do not follow your heart or what others say, but ask yourself this question in prayer

January 19, 2020 – No homily

January 12, 2020 – Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord, Year A – Why did Christ submit himself to baptism? To give us the power to bless and be a blessing

January 5, 2020 – Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord – Our journey and humanity’s journey reflected in the Magi’s following of the star

January 1, 2020 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – Mary is our mother and has pondered our lives in her heart

December 29, 2019 – Feast of the Holy Family, Year A – Each member of the Holy Family had to give his or her “yes” to God; we are part of that family also and our “yes” is important

December 25, 2019 – Christmas Day – It is the birthday of us all; seek to imitate the Holy Family in docility, trust, and holy resignation to God’s plans and providence (same homily as Christmas Eve, only minor changes to adapt for the Christmas Day gospel)

December 24, 2019 – Christmas Eve – It is the birthday of us all; seek to imitate the Holy Family in docility, trust, and holy resignation to God’s plans and providence

December 22, 2019 – Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A – St. Joseph always sought, before all else, to do the right thing

December 15, 2019 – Third Sunday of Advent, Year A (Gaudete Sunday) – Why does God often not grant physical healing? Is it OK to pray for it? What do the scriptures on this mean?

December 14, 2019 – Annual Rorate Mass (Missa Cantata in the Extraordinary Form) – Seeking the grace to bring the light of Christ more fully into the world, through Our Lady’s intercession

December 8, 2019 – No homily

December 1, 2019 – No homily

November 24, 2019 – Solemnity of Christ the King, Year C – Will we end up like the good thief or the bad thief? Putting Christ first now

November 17, 2019 – No homily

November 10, 2019 – Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – The error of the Sadducees and the martyrdom to which we are called

November 3, 2019 – Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – God can’t help but love us, and his love will heal and transform us

November 2, 2019 – Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls) (Sung Traditional Latin Mass) – Praying for the Holy Souls and preparing ourselves for death

November 1, 2019 – Solemnity of All Saints, Year C – Seeking the wisdom of the saints to cooperate with the grace of God in our time

October 27, 2019 – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Living in God’s mercy daily so as to be able to receive the Apostolic Pardon at the point of death

October 20, 2019 – No homily

October 13, 2019 – Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Thanking God in all circumstances

October 6, 2019 – Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Dealing with discouragement

September 29, 2019 – Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Sins of omission and how to avoid them

September 22, 2019 – Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Does the Church require us to tithe? Oh, but teach your children

September 15, 2019 – No homily

September 8, 2019 – Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – When we reject the Cross we reject God’s providence

September 1, 2019 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Acquiring humility

August 25, 2019 – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Salvation is personal and difficult. But we must grow in confidence of God’s transforming grace

August 18, 2019 – No homily

August 15, 2019 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Our Lady never forgets us

August 11, 2019 – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Temptations against vigilant prayer

August 4, 2019 – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – The urgency of living in the light of eternity

July 28, 2019 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Persistence in prayer

July 21, 2019 – No homily

July 14, 2019 – No homily

July 7, 2019 – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C – Exorcism and the priesthood

June 30, 2019 – No homily

June 23, 2019 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, Year C – Faith in the Real Presence

June 16, 2019 – No homily

June 9, 2019 – Solemnity of Pentecost, Year C – How the Holy Spirit will renew the Church one heart at a time

June 2, 2019 – No homily

May 26, 2019 – Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C – The Holy Spirit as “Advocate” or “Paraclete”

May 19, 2019 – No homily

May 16, 2019 – St. Rose Academy 8th Grade Graduation Mass – The lessons of service we’ve learned

May 12, 2019 – No homily

May 8, 2019 – Fraternus Year-End Mass – How can be ready to stand by Christ in times of trial?

May 5, 2019 – No homily

May 4, 2019 – First Holy Communion – Jesus is unshakable and can always reach us through the storms of life

April 28, 2019 – Second Sunday of Easter, Year C (Divine Mercy) – Seeing Christ through the sacraments; needing more “other Christs”

April 21, 2019 – Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection – Keeping the memory of Christ alive through an intimate encounter with him

April 20, 2019 – The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night – Practical advice for Catholics to follow on life’s journey

April 17, 2019 – Year’s Mind Mass for Bishop David E. Foley, D.D. – Remembering Bishop Foley’s approach to divine worship

April 14, 2019 – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year C (Homily within Mass) – Brief words on entering into Holy Week

April 14, 2019 – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year C (Homily before Procession) – The graces of the palms

April 7, 2019 – Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A (Scrutiny Readings) – Jesus’ weeping and ours

March 31, 2019 – Fourth Sunday of Lent (Lætare Sunday), Year A (Scrutiny Readings) – A question to ask to help us grow in trust

March 24, 2019 – Third Sunday of Lent, Year A (Scrutiny Readings) – Encounter true self-love

March 17, 2019 – No homily

March 10, 2019 – First Sunday of Lent, Year C – Did the devil know who Jesus was? We must strive to focus on Jesus more.

March 6, 2019 – Ash Wednesday – Lent as a tithe to God

March 3, 2019 – Extraordinary Form at Blessed Sacrament Parish – Quinquagesima Sunday – Choosing our Lenten penances well

February 24, 2019 – Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C – Paradoxical wisdom: God’s “vengeful” mercy

February 17, 2019 – No homily

February 10, 2019 – No homily

February 3, 2019 – Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C – Loving and praying for our enemies is God’s will for us

January 27, 2019 – No homily

January 20, 2019 – No homily

January 13, 2019 – Baptism of the Lord, Year C – Christ, the new Moses, who identifies with us to save us

January 6, 2019 – Epiphany of the Lord, Year C – The Three Kings meet the Queen Mother – and St. Joseph

January 1, 2019 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – Seeking contemplation and rest in the New Year

December 30, 2018 – Feast of the Holy Family – Imitating the Holy Family in charity and peace

December 25, 2018 – Christmas – Welcoming Jesus today and finding our peace in him

December 23, 2018 – Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C – The Blessed Virgin Mary, woman of heroic courage

December 16, 2018 – No homily

December 15, 2018 – Rorate Mass (Candlelight Mass of the B.V.M. in Advent, in the Extraordinary Form) – Advent expectation and preparing for Christmas

December 9, 2018 – Second Sunday of Advent, Year C – The characters of the time of St. John the Baptist and how God was at work in spite of them

December 8, 2018 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception – The Blessed Virgin Mary as the herald of Christ in the order of grace

December 2, 2018 – First Sunday of Advent, Year C – Awaking from our drowsiness: an Advent examination of conscience

November 25, 2018 – Solemnity of Christ the King, Year B – The kingship of Christ for us who live in a democratic society

November 21, 2018 – Thanksgiving Day – Thanking God for the good but also for the bad

November 18, 2018 – No homily

November 11, 2018 – Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – How to trust in God’s providence

November 4, 2018 – Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – What “fear of the Lord” is and how to get it

November 2, 2018 – Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) – The connection between funerals and marriage

November 1, 2018 – Solemnity of All Saints, Year B – Living out the Beatitudes is imitating Christ, who calls us to be saints

October 28, 2018 – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Some lessons about how to pray

October 21, 2018 – No homily

October 14, 2018 – Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Financial stewardship: intentional and generous

October 7, 2018 – (Guest Celebrant: Fr. Bede, OSB) Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – The biblical foundations of Christian marriage and family life

September 30, 2018 – Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – How to tell a true prophet

September 23, 2018 – No homily

September 16, 2018 – Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Faith and works, flowing from our interior life

September 15, 2018 – Our Lady of Sorrows (closing Mass for reparation vigil) – in English and Spanish – The weight of Mary’s sorrow

September 14, 2018 – Extraordinary Form Mass for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (for healing & purification) – in English and Spanish – Our sanctity as the solution to the problem

September 9, 2018 – Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Foreign words, baptism, and our life of grace

September 6, 2018 – Annual Mass for Homeschooling Families – Seeking St. Joseph’s intercession, to grow in wisdom

September 2, 2018 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Legalism vs. following the moral law in imitation of Christ and in a relationship with him

August 26, 2018 – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – The Lord calls us to an impossible task – impossible without his help

August 19, 2018 – No homily

August 15, 2018 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – The Blessed Virgin Mary as the Ark of the Covenant and our hope of victory

August 12, 2018 – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B (Given at St. Stephen’s) – Using the sacraments well and correctly – avoiding bad communions

August 10, 2018 – Annual Mass in honor of Fr. James E. Coyle – God loves a cheerful giver – seeking the “weight of glory”

August 5, 2018 – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Thankfulness of heart and humility of spirit before the Holy Eucharist

August 4, 2018 – Local Solemnity of St. John Vianney (Mass for Vocations) – The priest as a vigilant watchman

July 29, 2018 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – The McCarrick scandal and a reflection on the worthiness of ministers and our response to scandal

July 22, 2018 – No homily

July 15, 2018 – No homily

July 8, 2018 – Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Faith desires understanding but does not require it

July 3, 2018 – Homily given at fifth day of Fraternus Ranch (see here for more about Fraternus) – Dealing with doubts and being confident Catholics

July 1, 2018 – Homily given at third day of Fraternus Ranch (see here for more about Fraternus) – Kneeling for Holy Communion and receiving on the tongue

June 29, 2018 – Homily given at first day of Fraternus Ranch (see here for more about Fraternus) – Following Peter and Paul’s manly example of living in the truth, seeking reconciliation, and sacrificing self

June 24, 2018 – Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, Year B – The unique mission of St. John the Baptist and how we prepare for Christ’s second coming

June 17, 2018 – No homily

June 10, 2018 – Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B – Three sins against the Holy Spirit and their remedy

June 3, 2018 – Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Year B – Why has devotion to Christ’s Precious Blood practically vanished?

May 27, 2018 – Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, Year B – The tension between faith and understanding

May 20, 2018 – Solemnity of Pentecost, Year B – What the Holy Spirit does and how we err if we look for God in our emotions

May 17, 2018 – St. Rose Academy 8th Grade Graduation – Onward and upward!

May 13, 2018 – No homily

May 9, 2018 – Fraternus Year-End Mass – Exercising the virtue of prudence and learning from the past

May 6, 2018 – Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B – Not backing our way into heaven, being the friends of God

April 29, 2018 – No homily

April 22, 2018 – Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year B – Our collaboration with the Good Shepherd to bring as many as possible into the Catholic Church

April 15, 2018 – No homily

April 8, 2018 – Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy), Year B – Christ’s mercy, painful experiences in confession, and starting again

April 1, 2018 – Easter Sunday of the Lord’s Resurrection – Experiencing the Resurrection like Peter, James, John, and Mary Magdalene – Christ goes before us

March 31, 2018 – Easter Vigil in the Holy Night – Welcoming new members and praying for perseverance

March 30, 2018 – No homily (Bishop Baker preached)

March 29, 2018 – Holy Thursday/Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper – How to be properly disposed to receive Holy Communion

March 25, 2018 – Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year B – The symbolism of the palms

March 17, 2018 – No homily

March 10, 2018 – Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A (Scrutiny Readings) – Overcoming spiritual blindness by opening wide the doors to Christ

March 3, 2018 – Homily not written out

February 25, 2018 – Second Sunday of Lent, Year B – The brightness of the Transfiguration and the obscurity of faith

February 18, 2018 – No homily

February 11, 2018 – No homily

February 4, 2018 – No homily

January 28, 2018 – Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B – Reflections on priestly celibacy