Happy Easter - Archbishop Burke Easter Vigil Homily

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke preached the following homily at a Mass on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis.

Praised be Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen.

Today, we celebrate with the deepest possible joy our life in Christ in the Church. We mystically return to the baptismal font at which we first came to life in Christ in His holy Church. We mystically return to the church in which our forehead was anointed with the sacred Chrism in the sacrament of Confirmation, strengthening and increasing the life of the Holy Spirit within us, and sealing indelibly our identity as members of the Church, true sons and daughters of God, temples of His Holy Spirit. And, finally, we mystically return to what must always be the happiest day in our lives, the day on which we made our first Holy Communion, receiving the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ into our very being, for the first time, as the heavenly food which both sustains us along the way of our earthly pilgrimage and is the pledge of the final destiny of our pilgrimage: the heavenly Jerusalem.

Today, we celebrate the great mystery of God the Father's love in our lives, His love which reached its fullest expression in the sending of Christ, His only-begotten Son, to us as our true brother; in Christ's taking upon Himself all of our sins by His suffering and dying, and in Christ's winning for us, in our human nature, the victory over sin and death, the victory of life without end, by His rising from the dead. With the apostle John, we stand before the empty tomb of the redeemer, and we believe the truth to which it and so many other signs infallibly point. Dom Prosper Guéranger, in his meditation on the visit of the apostles Peter and John to the empty tomb, helps us to reflect upon the great mystery we celebrate today, and all that it means for our daily living:

This glorious, happy morning has come, O Jesus! and great indeed is our gladness at seeing that this same sepulchre, whither we followed Thee with aching hearts, is now but the trophy of Thy victory! Thy precious wounds are healed! It was we that caused them; permit us to kiss them. Thou are now living, more glorious than ever, and immortal. And because we resolved to die to our sins, when Thou wast dying in order to expiate them, Thou willest that we, too, should live eternally with thee; that Thy victory over death be ours; that death should be for us, as it was for Thee, a mere passage to immortality, and should one day give back, uninjured and glorified, these bodies which are to be lent for a while to the tomb. Glory, then, and honor, and love, be to Thee, O Jesus! Who didst deign not only to die, but to rise again for us! (Dom Prosper Guéranger, The Liturgical Year, Vol. 7–Paschal Time, Book I, tr. Dom Laurence Shepherd, O.S.B., Fitzwilliam, NH: Loreto Publications, 2000, p. 147 indeed, Christ rose from the dead to dwell with us always and to bring us, body and soul, to the glory which is now His at the right hand of the Father.

Through the Easter sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist, we experience personally and directly the abiding presence of our Risen Lord with us, the immeasurable and unceasing love of God for us in His only-begotten Son. We also experience personally and directly the mystery of God's love of us in the sacrament of Penance, in which we regularly meet Christ to confess our sins and to receive absolution. In the sacrament of Penance, Christ renews and restores the life of the Holy Spirit, which we have received in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, and He disposes our minds and hearts to receive His body, blood, soul, and divinity in the Holy Eucharist. Having listened to the preaching of Saint Peter to the household of the centurion Cornelius at Caesarea, we understand, from our own life in the Church, the meaning of his words: Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, "is the one appointed by God to judge the living and the dead," the one to whom "all the prophets bear witness." Through faith in Him, we have received and we receive "forgiveness of sins through His name" (Reading I).

By the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we celebrate today, Christ has brought us to life in Himself, in His Mystical Body, the Church; and He has poured out upon us, from His glorious pierced heart, the gift of His spirit, so that He might live in us throughout the days of our earthly pilgrimage, with our eyes and hearts ever fixed on our final destiny with Him, in the company of the angels and all the saints. Today, we rejoice, in the truth that "[our] life is hidden with Christ in God," through the sacraments, and we lift up our thoughts and affections to Christ, in order to live more deeply His Easter life within us (Reading II).

But what is living "with Christ in God," if not the piercing, the opening, of our own hearts, so that the love of Christ may pour forth as "living water" for all whom we meet, especially our brothers and sisters who are in most need (John 7:38)? Our mystical return, today, to our baptism, confirmation and First Holy Communion does not turn us inward, as if our deeply personal relationship with Christ could somehow exclude others. As we reflect today upon our living communion with Christ risen, we experience most strongly the dynamism of His life and love within us, drawing us outward in love of our neighbor. Pope Benedict XVI expressed succinctly and powerfully the reality of our life "hidden with Christ in God" when he declared: "Union with Christ is also union with all those to whom He gives Himself" (Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Deus caritas est, "On Christian Love," December 25, 2005, n. 14).

Recognizing the Risen Christ in our midst, above all, in the sacraments, we are drawn, with Him, to love those whom the world considers our "least brethren": the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, the imprisoned, and all those who long for a sign of God's mercy and love in their lives. Professing our faith in the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the question raised to the Heavenly King, in the Parable of Last Judgment, by both the righteous and the condemned. Having heard the King declare their judgment, they wondered about when they had seen their Lord 'hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison" (Matthew 25:44; cf. Matthew 25:37-39). The response of the Heavenly King, the response of our Risen Lord, makes clear the dynamic mandate of our life with Him in God: "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me....Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me" (Matthew 25:40, 45).

Our participation in the Eucharistic sacrifice and our daily prayer united to our communion with our Eucharistic King are not foreign to our acts of charity. They are, in fact, the first and greatest acts of love for our brothers and sisters in need. The example of our Lord Himself and of all the saints teach us that our communion with Him is the source of every genuine act of love of neighbor. Referring to the heroic sanctity of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Pope Benedict XVI taught us:

Prayer, as a means of drawing ever new strength from Christ, is concretely and urgently needed. People who pray are not wasting their time, even though the situation appears desperate and seems to call for action alone. Piety does not undermine the struggle against the poverty of our neighbors, however extreme. In the example of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta we have a clear illustration of the fact that time devoted to God in prayer not only does not detract from effective and loving service to our neighbor but is in fact the inexhaustible source of that service (Pope Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Deus caritas est, "On Christian Love," December 25, 2005, n. 36).

Prayer and the sacramental life are not only not foreign to our charity which is so urgently needed in the world. They are the one and only true source of Christlike charity which is pure and selfless.

As we now lift up our hearts to the glorious pierced heart of our Risen Lord in the Eucharistic sacrifice, let us lift up all our brothers and sisters who are suffering in any way: our innocent and defenseless brothers and sisters whose lives are threatened in the very first stages of their development; our brothers and sisters who have grown weak under the burden of special needs, serious illness, or advanced years; our brothers and sisters who are homeless and without food and drink; our brothers and sisters who are the victims of war and civil strife, and those who give their lives for the sake of peace in our local communities and among the nations of the world; our immigrant brothers and sisters who have come to us, seeking a better life for themselves and their families; our brothers and sisters who are in prison, especially those who have been condemned to death; our brothers and sisters who do not practice the faith or are held captive by habits of sin; in short, all of our brothers and sisters who need so much to know personally and directly the love of God for them in Jesus Christ who died and rose from the dead for us all. Through our prayer and, above all, our participation in the Eucharistic sacrifice, let us draw their hearts to the heart of Jesus, pierced by the soldier's spear on Calvary and now glorious in heaven, remaining always open to receive us, to give us healing, strength, joy, and peace.

Returning mystically to our encounter with Christ in the Easter sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist, let us recognize Him in our midst, offering anew the sacrifice of Calvary to sustain us during the days of our earthly pilgrimage and to bring us safely home to Him who is, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Let us lift up our hearts to His glorious pierced heart; let our hearts rest always in His Sacred Heart; and let us bring from His royal heart the "living water" of His divine love for all our brothers and sisters (John 7:38).

Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America and Star of the New Evangelization, pray for us.
Saint Louis of France, pray for us.
Saint Vincent de Paul, pray for us.
Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, pray for us.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Your Sunday Catholic Homily; The Second Sunday of Advent

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily; The Second Sunday of Advent

My Dear People,

Bring A Clean Heart To The Manager

"A voice cries out in the wilderness...prepare the way of the Lord." Matthew's Gospel calls us to a spirit of repentance. St. John the Baptist called all to a simple and holy life hungry for the Messiah. Jesus announces that the Kingdom of God is at hand. Humility and obedience always open the door to Our Lord Jesus Christ. What better way to get ready for Christmas than to bring a clean heart to the manger.

Remember, the Church still requires confession at least once a year, especially if you receive the Holy Eucharist often. Makes plans to come to confession this Advent on Saturday, or to your Parish Penance Service. Jesus is calling YOU to receive His Divine Mercy in the confessional this Advent.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily; The Second Sunday of Advent

Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-Fourth Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-Fourth Sunday


My Dear People,

Christ The King, Come Lord Jesus

The holy image of Christ the King has been impressed upon the hearts of Christians of all ages. Of the house of King David, Jesus Christ crucified, will reign over all powers and principalities until the end of time. St. Paul tells us that, "He is the beginning, the first born of the dead..." Jesus reconciles all things to Himself. He has redeemed us through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection.

All who are baptized and confess His Holy Name will be saved. We are the people of this "holy promise". We long for the return of Our Lord Jesus Christ. "Maranatha..Come Lord Jesus Come". This was the cry of the early Church. We long for the complete reign of Christ the King. Lord of all nations, come to reign over us!

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 34th Sunday


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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-Third Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-Third Sunday

My Dear People,

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Is A Lie

If we had to summarize the present age, it would be described as one of "entitlement". Simply put.."I am owed." Unlike our forefathers who struggled to provide the basic necessities for their families in an environment of faith and trust in Almighty God, this age places pleasures and power before everything else. When Eve was seduced in the Garden, she was given the BIG LIE, "you can have it all, right now". "You can become God, and possess it all, including have His knowledge," the Devil promised Eve. Once seduced, she convinces Adam of the lie as well, and so it goes. Today, this BIG LIE has never been so alive as it presently is. We must have it all right now, without pain or sacrifice, because "I am owed." There are no longer boundaries of reason, simply a seeking and a gaining what is owed me.

The Schismatic Group, Roman Catholic Womenpriests,
Excommunicate Themselves With Scandalise Ordination

The recent SCHISM with the "ordination" of women in the St. Louis Archdiocese, is the penultimate LIE of "I am owed." The apostates, who refer to themselves as Catholics, have been completely seduced by Eve's deception..."I am owed." Roman Catholic Womenpriests, as they call themselves, are the epitome of the lie. Unlike the hundreds of holy women saints, who submitted themselves to God's Divine Will, these women image "self-will." Like Lucifer, they boldly cry out publicly, "we will not obey our God." And so the sin is perpetuated in the name of "I am owed." We have much to atone for this present age. ONLY by God's Divine Mercy and Forgiveness will we emerge from this "present darkness." Stand in contradiction to the BIG LIE. Submit yourselves and your families in humility to Jesus' Most Sacred Heart. Ask Our Lady to cover you with Her Holy Mantle. Trust and believe in the power of God's Divine Love.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-Third Sunday

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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-Second Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-Second Sunday

My Dear People,

Thankfulness As A Way of Life

Even though it may not seem that way at times, we are a people of abundance. Compared to other nations, we are still among the richest countries of the world. Just because we don't have as many things as our next door neighbor, does not mean that we are POOR in the eyes of the world. Being thankful for all that we have is truly a "way of life". Gratitude does not come overnight. Realizing how very brief life really is, and that each day is truly a gift from God, is a great grace.

So this week, decide to become a person who is grateful to Almighty God for all that you have, and all that you will become. Count your blessing, not your disappointments. Living in this LIGHT, will bring even more graces of abundance upon you and your whole family. Praise be to our God!

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,



Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-Second Sunday


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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-First Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-First Sunday

My Dear People,

Zacchaues Filled With Great Joy

Zacchaeus is a very interesting character in the New Testament. In today's gospel, Jesus says, "this day salvation has come to your house." Jesus was not speaking of a physical dwelling. He was speaking about the temple of Zacchaeus's soul. In order for Jesus to bestow this great grace of salvation, Zacchaeus had to open his own heart and soul. Filled with great joy, Zacchaeus hurries down from his perch, and confesses his desire for complete conversion.

In Jesus' day, tax collectors were usually very wealthy men. They had very lucrative jobs. For Zacchaeus to declare publicly that he would give 1/2 of all his possessions to the poor, was a great "offering". Imagine selling your house, cars, properties, and cashing in all of your savings and giving 1/2 of your net worth to St. Vincent de Paul. That is some serious money. But he knew God's eternal mercy and love was truly worth it. Everytime we receive Holy Communion, Jesus opens the "portal way" to eternal life. It costs us NOTHING but our surrender and conversion to Him alone. Confess your total dependence upon the Lord, and know the GREAT JOY of Zacchaeus.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirty-First Sunday


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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 30th Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Thirtieth Sunday

My Dear People,

Is Harry Potter Replacing Catholic Saints As Heroes?

When occult practices in the media and in the general populace have become so acceptable and mainstream in our present age, this highlights the need for our ALL SAINT DAY masses. Saints are our heroes. For the past twenty centuries, God has raised up women and men outstanding in holiness, uncompromising in their love and faithfulness to Jesus Christ. In our present age, when children and adults of all ages are obsessed with video violence, the occult, and paranormal practices, our Saints stand in contradiction to this norm.

When parents and Children alike become obsessed with the current "Harry Potter" books and videos, dismissing them as "harmless", SAINTS then become our REAL HEROES. All to often Catholics take very lightly their moral obligation to participate in Holy Day Masses, but would never even consider missing their children's sports event. This flip flop in moral values points to our need to know and love the SAINTS. Don't forget to fulfill your moral obligation to celebrate with the "HOLY ONES" this All Saints Day.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 30th Sunday

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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Ninth Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 29th Sunday

My Dear People,

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Eucharistic Prayer Warrior

St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, born in Grenoble France around the time of the French Revolution, a devoted religious, lived and worked in Florissant and St. Charles, MO. A Madame of the Sacred Heart, she desired to work with Native Americans from her early childhood. One time, while working in Kansas with the Patwomoni Indian tribe, St. Rose spent hours before the Blessed Sacrament in adoration. Sometimes her prayer would go long into the nighttime hours. Lost in prayer, she would spend 6-8 hours at a time in supplication. Noticing her great love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist, some of the children of the tribe wagered a bet that St. Rose actually took breaks in between her prayer time. While she was kneeling in prayer, the children placed twigs on the end of her habit, hoping to find them displaced during the course of the night. Every time they did so, they would return 8-10 hours later only to find them in exactly the same place they were originally laid. So taken back were the Indian children, that they "nicknamed" St. Rose "the woman who prays ALWAYS."

Jesus tells us in the Gospel to "pray always". Like our St. Louis, we ask St. Rose Philippine Duchesne to intercede for us before the throne of God, to grant us a heart HUNGRY for Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. In doing so, may we fulfill the command of Christ in the Gospel for Luke this Sunday...men and women who pray always. If you have yet to sign up for an hour of adoration, please consider doing so soon.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Ninth Sunday


May we be good stewards of all the spiritual gifts given at our baptism and confirmation...


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St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, pray for us.

Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Eighth Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute

My Dear People,

Lourdes - Healing Our Leperous Soul

Healing is a constant activity of Jesus in the Gospels. In Luke's Gospel this Sunday, Jesus heals the ten lepers follow the prescription of the Law of Moses. Jesus tells them that FAITH had been the key source of their miraculous healing. God gives us many opportunities for physical and spiritual healing.

The Shrine at Lourdes in France has been a center of healing Our Lady established through St. Bernadette since 1858. Mary came to the grotto at Lourdes asking for a Church to be built in her honor. It was to be a center for the sick and broken hearted. Like Jesus, Mary calls for us to have a strong FAITH. Washed through the holly waters of Baptism, our leperous soul is made whole by Jesus Christ. Give thanks to Christ for all of the healing that comes through the sacramental life of the Church beginning with our Baptism. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 28th Sunday

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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Seventh Sunday

The Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute

My Dear People,

The Miracles Of The Rosary

October is traditionally the month of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. In October we normally remember the great prayer for intercession our Lady embraced at the Battle of Lepante. Without her help, the Muslims would have overtaken much of western Europe at that time. Years later, the Jesuit Missionaries in Japan were praying the Rosary at "ground zero" during World War ll, when the atom bomb detonated. Neither were they killed, nor had they suffered any effects of radiation sickness. They were living the messages of Fatima.

Many miracles have been worked through the recitation of the Rosary. It is one of the MOST POWERFUL prayer tools we have in our spiritual arsenal. And yet, how many excuses do we find NOT of PRAYING it daily. I will be remembering all of your intentions this weekend at the Shrine of Lourdes, France on pilgrimage. In my masses and rosaries, I will be praying for your intentions. Please pray in unison with me this week, as we journey through the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminus mysteries as we intercede for your family and friends. Draw close to the IMMACULATE HEART, and know our HEAVENLY Mother's LOVE!

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 27th Sunday


May we be good stewards of all the spiritual gifts given at our baptism and confirmation...

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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Fifth Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 25th Sunday

My Dear People,

Be Generous To Others,
As I Am Generous To YOU!

Accountability for all of our gifts is the theme of our Gospel today. God's Mercy is infinite. God's justice is real. Together they cause us to grow in spiritual life. As we come to the finish line of the liturgical year, we read many parables dealing with accountability.

We are called to be "trustworthy stewards", caretakers of God's gifts. All that we are, and all that has been given, comes from the providential hand of the Lord. Just as God showers His goodness upon all of us, so too must we shower His Love upon others. This is all He asks of us. Be generous to others, as I am generous to YOU! Random acts of kindness are the easiest habit we can foster in the sharing of God's divine Mercy and Love. Be generous this week. Shower others in God's divine love.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 25th Sunday

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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Fourth Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 24th Sunday

My Dear People,

Your Call To Repentance

Living a good Christian life is no accident. We are called to repentance each and everyday of our lives. God rejoices more over on repentant sinner, more than 99 righteous men who don't desire God's Mercy. In another place in the Gospel, Jesus tells us that we cannot serve TWO masters. Either we will hate one, and love the other; or despise one, and cherish the other.

Focus on Jesus means focus on our eternal life. We are called to live in both worlds, earth and heaven. Our sin makes us focus on our need for Jesus. Our sights must always be set on heaven. Our joy must be Christ's joy. The passion of our life must also be that of Christ Jesus, otherwise we will lose our way back home. Prayer and fasting are the quickest ways to remain focused on our need for repentance. Ask for the grace to truly repent of your sins. The more you ask for MERCY, the more you shall receive. God will reward you with this special grace, and more.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Fourth Sunday

Living as Christian Stewards, May we overcome excessive materialism and find more joy in sharing than in having and acquiring.


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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Sept 9th

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute


My Dear People,

Take Up Your Cross

To take up our "cross" daily, is the command of Jesus in the Gospel today. Jesus never identifies what the "cross" is for each of us. The answer lies in the Genesis account of Adam and Eve. While in a perfect state of harmony with God, our first parents chose to follow their own personal choices, as opposed to remaining within God's "divine will". This departure from Almighty God is called original sin. Everyone, with the exception of Our Lady, suffers from the effects of original sin. We are given grace and discernment to understand how we are personally connected to the original sin.

Most of us look outside of ourselves to identify our cross. The cross truly comes from within us. Our cross is not our sorry spouse, our terrible job, our disrespectful children, our miserable neighbors; rather our cross is our "disconnection" from Almighty God. We inherit most of our crosses. Sometimes they are physical. Sometimes they are spiritual. And sometimes they are a combination of all the above. To point fingers outside of ourselves blaming others for our crosses, cheats us out of conversion time and grace. You know whatever "homework" God's gives us here on Earth to do is left "undone", their remains spiritual summer school time awaiting us in purgatory. Pay now or pay dearly later. SO, stop blaming others for your "crosses". Look within, and God will show you where they exist inside of you and I. Then, He will give you the grace to endure them all.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark - Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute


May we learn to give generously, expecting nothing in return.


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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Sept 1st

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute

My Dear People,

Praying For Humility

We all know someone, who loves to be the center of attention all the time. Whether real or imagined, they are the ones who suffer more than anyone else, have terrible illnesses all the time, can't wait to tell you about what is going on in their lives. Simply put, they are exhausting. If the spotlight moves onto someone else for a moment, they struggle to get back in the "limelight". You can never give them enough of your time.

Jesus addresses these folks in the Gospel today. He says that those who always need to be first, and the center of everyone's attention, need to pray for "humility". The grace of humility comes when we are at peace with ourselves, and truly know how much God loves us for who we are...not what we want others to believe about us. When Jesus is real for us, we do not need anyone else only HIM. Jesus goes on to tell us, that remaining humble and unassuming may not draw God's attention. In the end, Jesus says, all of the quiet good works, all the little sufferings offered up silently, will be repaid in the Resurrection of the "righteous". Be silent. Be still. Be in God's HOLY presence.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark,Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

May we learn to give generously, expecting nothing in return.

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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Aug 26th

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

My Dear People,

The Coming Of The Lord, Jesus

We hear rhetoric in the media about the "New World Order" created by man coming into being, even as we speak. It is everywhere. Our first reading from Isaiah points a very different picture from our current "world view". Isaiah tells us, "Thus says the LORD GOD... I come to gather the nations. I will set a sign among them. ...They shall proclaim my glory to the nations. ...They shall being ALL as an offering to the LORD, upon HIS holy mountain." God makes it very, very clear. HE ALONE WILL USHER IN HIS WORLD ORDER.

Jesus tells us that we know not the day nor the hour. All is reserved to Our Heavenly Father. Don't be fooled by all the BABEL, as did our ancestors in Genesis. Go and reread the Book of Genesis, especially Genesis 11. "The whole world spoke the same language. (computerized today). If now, while they are one people (New World Order), ...nothing will stop them from doing whatever they presume to do (abortion, euthanasia, cloning, sexual perversion...). Thus, the LORD scattered them from Babel, and stopped them from building their city." Same sin, different century. Watch God work His mighty deeds today, even as He did in the time of Babel. Draw close to the Lord. Know His Laws and His Precepts. Don't be fooled by a lost generation steeped in darkness and sin. Pray your Rosary daily for conversion of "poor sinners". Know that the Lord is God and, He is Lord ALONE!

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark

May we learn to value all people for the unique gifts and qualities that God has bestowed upon them; Rather than for their material possessions and accomplishments.

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Your Catholic Sunday Homily - Aug 19th

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

My Dear People,

The Era of Peace

God has not come to spread peace, but division. It doesn't seem possible for Jesus to be a source of separation, but He is by His very nature. There are no "fences" in Heaven to sit upon. Everyone in Heaven is "for the Lord". Now the situation is different in Hell, however. Hell is constant torment and division. So when Jesus came to set the Earth on fire, it was with the fire of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings peace, justice, goodness and patience.

Jesus came to establish the "era of peace" that we have yet to see on Earth (as it is in Heaven now). We long for an "era of Peace" St. John describes in the Book of Revelation. On the seventh day God rested. We have yet to enter into the "seventh day". On that day the Lamb and the lion will lay down together in PEACE. Until that time, we shall hunger for the Lord, and for His Peace! Pray daily for that peace on your rosaries, so that all mankind may know God's Mercy and Love.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

May we as families, recognize the importance of giving and strive to find more ways that we can share our blessings with others.

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Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Aug 12th

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily

My Dear People,

The Virgin Mary, The Fastest Road To Jesus

The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on August 15th came about as the result of many centuries of belief about Mary being taken, body and soul, into Heaven "before" any corruption could take place in her body. During the 1950's, this belief became a teaching of the universal Church. From the moment of conception until her entry into Paradise, Mary Our Mother in Heaven, was free from any sin or corruption. How awesome it is to know that OUR MOM was given such a great grace from God the Father.

How much love the Father has for His "little chosen one". Mary, conceived without corruption, became the perfect vessel to surround Jesus with perfect LOVE. This is why Our Lady can teach us so completely how to love Her Son, Jesus Christ. She is the fastest avenue to Jesus. What great grace we receive every time we honor Mary. She can help to love us into eternity. If you know of anyone who has wandered for away from Jesus, entrust them to Mary. She will clean them up, and embrace them with her maternal heart. Place all of your "lost ones" in Mary's Holy Mantle and watch them melt away into her most merciful and motherly heart.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute

May we invest more time and talent in building up a treasure in Heaven.

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Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Aug 5th

From the Desk of Father Mark,

My Dear People,

Jesus Established The Catholic Church

"Ex Cathedra" (translates - from the chair) is the term used to describe the official teaching authority of the Holy Father, or the local ordinary (bishop). When Pope Benedict speaks on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, he is careful to pronounce the Teachings of Jesus Christ and of Sacred Scripture. Recently, the Pope clarified the Teachings of Jesus and the Holy Apostles when he accurately described the temporal connection of the present Roman Catholic Church to the present 21st century Church.

No other Christian denomination can truthfully and historically trace their temporal connection back 2000 years plus, without a deviation or break away. Simply put, the Roman Catholic Church has remained the same in its connection to Christ from the time of the Holy Apostles. The media loves to twist and turn the truth to suit its need to "sell hype". Truth is not the main purpose, nor ever was the purpose for the mass media. Therefore, the recent criticism of the Holy Father's comment about the true nature of the Roman Catholic Church by the media, is simply to "sell the news", truth or no truth. We must be discerning Catholics, especially when it comes to the media. We cannot be mindless when it comes to the Truth of Jesus Christ and His Church. Know Jesus and know Truth. No Jesus and no truth!

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark , Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

May we remember that the many possessions we strive to acquire are worthless in the eyes of the Lord.

Don't Miss Out Get The Rest Of The Catholic Sunday Homily!

Your Catholic Sunday Homily

The following is Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute:
From the Desk of Father Mark,

July 22, 2007

My Dear People,

Martha, Martha, Martha . . .

How come I can't seem to pray? This is a question I have often been asked as a priest. If God loves us so much, and desires for us to be with Him in paradise, why does it seem He is so far away? The short answer is "original sin". Adam and Eve lost their perfect relationship with the Father, as a result of their own choice to abandon Him for Lucifer. We inherit that spiritual defect as children of Eve. The New Eve, Mary the Mother of God, restores that relationship for us most perfectly through Jesus Her Son.

When Jesus corrects Martha, and tells Martha that her sister Mary is seeking after "more important things" than housework, He does not belittle Martha, but raises her up. Mary's heart longed for what we long for in our own heart...union with Jesus. We may not fully recognize that need, but it is deeply rooted in all of God's children. Mary longed to learn from Jesus how to satisfy this desire in union with Him. Jesus continues to instruct both Mary and Martha on how to seek the "greater gifts". Many times we become so distracted by the everyday details of living our lives, that we often miss the opportunity to hunger for Our Lord. When you long for peace of mind and heart, seek Jesus first, as did Mary in our Gospel today. You will not be deprived of it!

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark with your Catholic Sunday Homily