Homilies From St. Patrick Catholic Community

Many Catholics understand the emphasis on dying and death. When it comes to understanding the role of healing, Catholics could do better. Today’s readings speak of the God’s vision of healing for his people.

This week we welcome Fr. Edward Beck to St. Patrick Catholic Community. Fr. Beck is a Roman Catholic priest of the Passionist Congregation. He is an author, playwright and on-air commentator for CNN on issues of faith, religion and ethics. Through his books, Fr. Beck shares experiences of his mission with God’s people across a wide spectrum of challenges: ministering to people who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks, walking with those struggling with addiction and counseling those navigating painful relationships. His books include God Underneath, Soul Provider, and Unlikely Ways Home. Here is his homily from this past weekend. Please join us Monday & Tuesday for our Advent Mission. Evening Presentations: Monday, December 9 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm Tuesday, December 10 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm (in the Church) * Please note... These presentations will NOT be recorded or podcasted.

The season of Advent is a call to have patience with God’s plan at the end of time. Impatience can be a challenge, even for Christians.

Christians, sometimes, miss the point when it comes to understanding the “end times” that scriptures present. Fr. Eric shares a good insight in how approaching the end times in a way that makes sense.

God is always at work in our lives... even when we cannot see it.

Jesus says he wants to stay at Zacchaeus’ house, a known chief tax collector and much hated. Staying at his house also means Jesus eats at table with him. No wonder people were upset. Are we upset when people come to communion when we judge them not living the right way? Fr. Eric breaks open this question in the homily.

Each reading this Sunday gives us an insight into humility and how we live it in our daily lives.

Our prayers, many times, call God the Almighty... Yet God is also a Vulnerable God. Can we identify with a Mighty God or a God who is willing to be vulnerable? Fr. Eric breaks open this mystery.

God is not held to human boundaries. God goes beyond such barriers... Disciples are called to do the same.

Sin can blind us to God working in the midst of one’s illness. Forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick happens.

Gates are common in our world and we how they operate... The Gate in today’s Gospel parable operates differently in the Kingdom of God.

The cost of discipleship in Luke’s Gospel is an invitation to understanding true freedom, not slavery.

Jesus accepts the invitation for a meal from those who are difficult. They watch Jesus closely to see if he makes a mistake. It is interesting that Jesus would say, "yes" to eat with difficult people... What does he teach us from doing this?

Some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last... Jesus' words can sting if we think we are first in line because we think we are doing all things correctly to gain entrance. Fr. Eric gives insights for a deeper understanding of these words.

Fr. Eric shares his homily and invites Kevin McGloin, our Director of Formation, to join him as they talk about formation as a life long process.

The real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist comes to us in our brokenness. Why do we deny ourselves of healing, believing we are not worthy to receive?

Liturgy is meant to bring in all areas of our lives, not run away from it... Our country mourns more gun violence deaths. Fr. Eric threw away his prepared homily to talk about the recent shootings. Please listen with an open heart.

Fr. Ray's homily from the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 7, 2019.

Learning how to pray takes patience... It can be compared to fishing. In this week's homily, Fr. Eric shares some insights on how fishing and praying go together.

Luke’s story of the sisters Martha and Mary can be seen as, "Mary was right and Martha was not"... But... There is much more going on in this Gospel! Fr. Eric takes us behind the scenes to learn what Jesus does in this story.

All three scripture readings give insights into how God wants responsible observance of the law. An interior framework based on love, not mere outward observance of rules.

Fr. Ray's homily from the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) June 31, 2019.

Fr. Mark's homily from the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) June 31, 2019.

Fr. Ray's homily on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (June 23, 2019).

Fr. Mark Harrington's Homily on the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (June 23, 2019).