A Son of Saint Philip: Recent Episodes
None
The Isrealites asked that the serpents with the mortal bite be gone. God instead gave them a remedy. What does this have to do with us. Watch the Mass and hear a homily on this by clicking on the image … Continue reading →
Is Jesus about justice or mercy? How can He be both for justice and mercy? Click on the image for a Mass and homily.
Raising Lazarus from the dead is a sign of things to come. Find out how by clicking on the image for the Mass with a homily at Sts Joachim & Ann, Aldergorve. aldergrovecatholic.com Readings: Ezekiel 37.12-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8.8-11; … Continue reading →
What prevents the chief priests and the Pharisees from recognizing Jesus as either a prophet or the Messiah? They had all the learning and should have been the first to see Jesus for who he was. Listen to the homily … Continue reading →
Does God get angry? Can God change his mind? Click in the image below to listen to Mass and hear a homily on Exodus 32.7-14. Also check out our parish website aldergrovecatholic.com.
Click on the image below to watch the Mass of the Annunciation of the Lord offered on March 25, 2020 in Sts Joachim and Ann, Aldergrove. Check out also our parish website: ALDERGROVECATHOLIC.COM to keep up-to-date and how you can … Continue reading →
In today’s Gospel, Jesus heals on the Sabbath a man who is lame. Click on the image below to watch the Mass offered on March 24, 2020 in Sts Joachim and Ann, Aldergrove. Check out also our parish website: ALDERGROVECATHOLIC.COM … Continue reading →
Click on this link for recording of daily Mass at St Joachim & Ann: MONDAY 4TH WEEK OF LENT. In the Gospel, the royal official takes Jesus at his word about the healing of his son. Jesus speaks to … Continue reading →
Although there are no Masses in the Archdiocese with a public congregation, we priests still say Mass privately. I recorded my Mass for this 4th Sunday of Lent and you can watch it at this link: MASS AT STS JOACHIM … Continue reading →
Archbishop Miller, on Friday afternoon has sent out this directive: “After further prayerful consideration; and after no small amount of sadness; and after hearing from senior pastors and others about the need for a single directive for the entire Archdiocese; … Continue reading →
Here is my harmonization of the English version the Gloria Dominator Deus from Mass XV. Click on the image to listen to or download the audio file.
I have written an arrangement of Alleluia O Filii for three voices, either equal or Soprano Alto Bass (or Tenor). It can be used for the Gospel Acclamation at Sunday Masses in the Easter Season. I have also included verses. … Continue reading →
Click on the image to hear a homily on the call of the first disciples and what it has to do with us today. Here is the Gospel pericope for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, Mark 1.14-20. After … Continue reading →
Here below is a summary of my homily for the Epiphany of the Lord, 2018. Today we celebrate the day when the wise men of the East seek the Child. Today they are an example for us when we come … Continue reading →
To listen to a homily on the Pharisees and the Herodians testing Jesus about paying taxes, (Matthew 22.15-21), click on the image.
In addition to being a memorial of Jesus sacrifice on the Cross, and He being truly present among, the Mass is also a communal meal, wherein we share in the sealing of the new and everlasting covenant made in the Blood … Continue reading →
Jesus promised not to leave us orphans, but to be with us until the end of the world. Yet forty days after Jesus rose from the dead, he ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of the … Continue reading →
This is the first in a series called Mass in Slow Motion, homilies explaining the various parts of the Mass. This podcast explains one of the three main aspects of the Mass that we keep in mind in order to … Continue reading →
Why did Jesus not intervene in the brothers’ dispute? Click on the image for a homily and find out why. How can we avoid falling into their trap?
To listen to a homily on the drama going on between Jesus, Martha and Mary, hit the image at the left.
To listen to an old interpretation on the parable of the Good Samaritan, click on the link below.
When Saint Paul writes to the Galatians about the Yoke of Slavery, what does he mean? What does it have to o with me? Click on the image to find out.
Why does Jesus tell his disciples not to tell the crowds who he actually is? To hear a homily about this, and what we ought to say about Jesus when people ask why we follow Him, click on the image at … Continue reading →
Writing to the Galatians, St Paul says: “We know that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be … Continue reading →
For a homily on how Jesus giving up his life is a ransom can save us, click on the image.
To listen to a homily on the Gospel passage, Mark 10.17-30, about the rich young man, click on the image. Here is the Gospel pericope: As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, … Continue reading →
To listen to a homily on why the Father sent the Son to suffer and die and rise again instead to going himself, click on the image.
For a homily on episode where many of Jesus’ disciples chose not to follow him any more, and what it means for us, click on the image.
Why did Jesus say that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood in order to have eternal life? Why the body AND the blood? For a homily on how Jesus gives us his flesh to eat and his … Continue reading →
St Paul writes to the Ephesians about the grieving of the Holy Spirit. To hear a homily on Ephesians 4.30 – 5.2 , click on the image.
For a homily on the Bread of Life discourse of Jesus in the Gospel of John, click on the image below.
For a homily on Luke’s account of the Apostles’ encounter with Christ on he evening of Easter, click the image.
To listen to a homily on St Paul’s teaching about being justified by faith, click on the image.
To listen to a homily on how to enter into the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ, click on the image.
For a homily oJesus asks two potential disciples what they are looking for. They give a strange answer. To find out what this has to do with you, click on the image for a homily.
What is God up to when Jesus gets baptised? Click on the image to hear a homily explaining what’s really behind the baptism of Jesus.
How do we prepare the way of the Lord, and what does it mean to make paths straight? To find out, click on the image and find out.
Christ gives us a image of the Last Judgement in which there will be separation of the sheep and the goats. By what criteria will he decide where to put you? Click on the image to listen to a homily … Continue reading →
By what standards will we be judged when come before God? To listen to a homily on the Parable of the Talents, click on the image.
Click on the image to hear what is the Christian practise of praying for the dead and whether there is any reference to this in the Holy Scriptures.
To listen to a homily on why Jesus would use the five loaves and two fish to produce his miracle, click on the the image.
To hear a homily on Peter’s Confession and how he came to know the truth about Jesus Christ, click on the image.
For an explanation on how the mystery of the three persons in one God reveals the inner life of God and why we should care, click on the image.
To listen to a homily on the Gospel passage about the disciples on the road to Emmaus, click on the image below.
A blessed and happy Easter to all my readers! I know we are now in the joy of Easter, yet I would like to share some thoughts about Holy Saturday before the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night. “He descended … Continue reading →
To listen to a homily on the raising of Lazarus and the Christ’s pledge of future glory, click on the image.
For a homily on the Christ revealing his divine nature and what this has to do with our friendship with Jesus and his invitation to us to join him in the Holy Mass, click on the image.
For a homily on the devil, how he can affect us, and Christ, our champion against the devil’s attacks, click on the image.
For a homily on what Jesus meant when he said, “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5.20), click on the image.
For a homily on the meaning of Christ’s baptism in the Jordan, and how it relates to you, click on the image.
For a homily on the why the Son of God would be named Jesus and Emmanuel, click on the image.
Is repentance really part of the essential Christian message? For a homily on the message of John the Baptist and what was his issue with the Pharisees and the Sadducees, click upon the image of John the Baptist below.
In the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed we profess belief in the resurrection of the body. What do we mean? Click on the image below for a homily on what we mean when we say the resurrection of the … Continue reading →
To listen to a homily on how the Holy Mass is a celebration and living out of the Message, the Kerygma, whereby the faithful drink more deeply of the Gospel of Christ, so that they are equipped to go forth … Continue reading →
To listen to a talk on evangelization and the family and how parents are the first evangelizers of their children, click on the image below. The presenter is Mr Michael Perry, husband, father of six, and Principal of St Jude … Continue reading →
Click on the image below to listen to a talk about how Christian marriage played a crucial role in the evangelization of the ancient Roman Empire, and how it can play the same crucial role today in the New Evangelization … Continue reading →
To help those who hear the Message, it is a good thing to show the power of the Good News of Christ can transform lives. How each one of us has embraced the Message and how it has changed our … Continue reading →
To hear a homily on accepting God’s invitation to entrust yourself to the Lord Jesus, click on the image. This homily is from Day 5 of the Saint Jude’s Novena Mission entitled Evangelization Begins at Home.
Ever wonder what it means to call Jesus Lord and Saviour? Click on the image for a homily on these two most important titles of Jesus Christ.
Click on the image for a homily in the series, Evangelization Begins at Home. This podcast deals with basic message of Christianity, that is, the Gospel message, which begins with considering what is God’s love really like.
Click the image for the next installment of the St Jude’s Novena Mission, Evangelization Begins at Home. This talk is about the New Evangelization and is of special interest to Catholics. Mr Kyle Neilson, the Director of the Office of … Continue reading →
Click on the image to hear a talk on evangelisation. This talk makes clear what we mean when we use the term and inspires us to ponder our own role in this mission of the Church. It is in Saint … Continue reading →
Just recently the Liturgical Commission of the Archdiocese of Vancouver published liturgical guidelines for school Masses. The document’s most glaring difficulty is the instruction that: “…during Lent limit the use of elaborated instrumentation such as drums or tambourines.” This statement … Continue reading →
To hear a homily on the One Necessary Thing for a follower of Jesus, click on the image.
Click on the image at the left for a podcast homily on the two levels of meaning to our Lord’s parable on the Good Samaritan.
To hear a homily on the mystery of the Ascension, and why the disciples were joyful at the departure of Jesus, click on the image below.
To listen to a homily on Christ’s commandment to love one another, click on the image above
The Meaning of Life I was chowing down on a burger on Corporation Street in Birmingham when the waiter, Ali, saw that I was reading a religious book. He asked the question what can you say to an atheist about … Continue reading →
For a homily for Ash Wednesday, click on the image above. Why give to the poor, pray, and fast at the start of this holy season of Lent?
That They May All Be One Click on the link above for a recording of a homily on 1 Corinthians 12.12-30 from Sunday III Per annum, Year C.
Spent my first night in the Birmingham Oratory. Here is a photo of the refectory. My spot is below the crucifix to the right. I enjoyed my first formal dinner. Sounds fancy, but it is very humble. We stand before … Continue reading →
For a homily on the Christian vision of the Eschaton, the Last Things, click on the image above.
On that day, the Widow’s gift was more valuable to the Lord than all the other contributions to the Temple. What is the meaning of her two copper coins. Click on the image for a homily on the Widow’s Mite
For a homily on the Gospel from the 28th Sunday Per annum, Year B, Mark 10.17-30, click on the picture.
In the Roman canon at Mass, the sacrifices of three Old Testament figures are brought to mind. Why these three? Click on the link below for a homily of how their sacrifices guide us in our participation at Holy Mass. … Continue reading →
At the Mass, after the Words of Institution and the Proclamation of the Mystery of Faith, turning to God the Father, the priest recalls the Paschal Mystery and we are invited to share in these saving deeds of Our Lord … Continue reading →
In the Faith, a mystery is not something that we cannot know about, but rather something that, in order for us to know about it, God has to reveal it to us. There are many mysteries that God has revealed. … Continue reading →
In this homily, I address the what, how and why of Our Lord’s command to his Apostles: Do this in memory of me. Click on the link. A Memorial Where Past and Present Meet
Imagine the Apostles at the Last Supper hearing the words of Jesus for the first time whereby He changed the bread and wine into his body and blood. By what actions and words did Jesus show his Apostles that the … Continue reading →
Our Catholic school system is currently developing liturgical guidelines for school Masses. Here is what I would suggest as guidelines for the use of music at these Masses. Musical Guidelines for School Masses
At Holy Mass, we need to realize that the Lord himself instructs us especially during the Liturgy of the Word. We see that after his Resurrection, Our Lord opens the scriptures to his disciples so that they may come to … Continue reading →
There has never been the Liturgy of the Eucharist without the proclamation from the Holy Scriptures preceding it. This arrangement goes back to the very earliest days of the Church. It is good to ask why this is so. What … Continue reading →
A blessed and happy Easter to all my readers! I know we are now in the joy of Easter, yet I would like to share some thoughts about Holy Saturday before the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night. After the … Continue reading →
For me, the new English translations of the presidential prayers from the Latin Mass have breathed new life into my celebrating of the Mass. Finally English-speaking Catholics can experience something of the beauty of the original Latin prayers. This homily … Continue reading →
When man comes into contact with God, mere speech is not enough. (Pope Benedict XVI, The Spirit of the Liturgy, p.136) The new English translation of the third edition of the Roman Missal is like manna from heaven for we … Continue reading →
To feed the flock of Christ with Jesus, the Bread of Life, is one of the greatest privileges a parish priest can have. And there are few things in this world more sweet than to be a part of that … Continue reading →
Our diocesan liturgy commission is developing liturgical guidelines for school Masses. Music has such power to move us in spirit that the Church has very clear teaching on what is proper for use during the sacred liturgy. Well performed music … Continue reading →
At Holy Mass, following the Confiteor (I confess), we sing Kyrie eleison (Lord have mercy). When we make this sweet cry for mercy, we usually are begging forgiveness of our sins. Yet in the Scriptures people cried for mercy to … Continue reading →
Here I present an explanation of the Confiteor, i.e. I confess, that we use are Mass. This is part of my on-going explanation of the parts of the Mass. Is is great to see the biblical background to this practise. … Continue reading →
Once your eyes are opened to the beauty of the sacred liturgy celebrated with its due dignity, solemnity, and reverence, it becomes difficult to participate in Masses where the rubrics are “blown off” as, at best, inconvenient, or at worst, … Continue reading →
I have always wanted to do a series of homilies on the Mass, since it is the source and the summit of our Christian life. The upcoming introduction of the new English translation of the Latin Mass gives us a … Continue reading →
Our parish church is also a shrine of Saint Jude the Apostle. We welcome all those who seek a place of peace and prayer in our church, as well as those who come seeking the intercession of the Holy Apostle, … Continue reading →
I was recently at a liturgical planning meeting for a Catholic conference. The issue came up whether drums should be used at the Masses celebrated at the conference. I argued that the use of a drum set and bongos is … Continue reading →
As Catholics, we sign ourselves with the sign of the cross most often whenever we begin to pray. Sometimes we do it without much attention. Maybe we either never knew, or have forgotten, the biblical and deep meaning of this … Continue reading →
It has been far to long since I have added to my blog. Here is an edited recording of a homily for the 28th Sunday Per annum. In preparation for introducing the new English translation of the Latin Mass, I … Continue reading →
Carissimi Lector, I recently attended a conference at a Catholic institution known for its fidelity to the Church’s teaching and Magisterium. You could see very well that the leadership fostered a real sense of zeal for evangelization and for prayer. … Continue reading →
Carissime Lector, Although we are now in the Easter Day, I would like to post the audio of the Holy Saturday Tenebrae Service at St Jude’s. What a blessing and pleasure to be able to share in the commemoration of … Continue reading →
On Saturday morning at 9AM, the men’s schola will sing at the Tenebrae Service for Holy Saturday. What is a Tenebrae service? Tenebræ is the name given to the service of Matins and Lauds belonging to the last three days … Continue reading →
Dear Lectores, It has been far to long since I last posted here. I about six months ago, I was given a new responsibility which has taken up a lot of my time. I would like to share with you … Continue reading →
Dear Lectores, I must apologize for the lack of posting on this my blog. I will spare you the details of what has been occupying my time (beyond my parochial pastoral duties) and making it difficult to find the time … Continue reading →
In 2003, Pope John Paul II commemorated first centenary of the promulgation of Pope Saint Pius X’s motu proprio on sacred music, Tra le Sollecitudini. Below you will find excerpts on Gregorian chant from the major Vatican documents on sacred … Continue reading →
Many years ago, there was a holy nun that went to the great Saint Teresa and was telling her how she wished that she had been alive at the same time that Jesus was walking around on the earth. She … Continue reading →
I have found it difficult to comment on the news about the sexual abuse perpetrated by some of my brothers in the priesthood. The hurt and damage done to the youthful victims is horrible in itself. As a priest, I … Continue reading →
Here is a recording of the homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, year C, at the 9 AM Mass on March 22, 2010. Homily for Sunday V of Lent Here is a written summary of this homily: Since the … Continue reading →
The American College of Pediatricians has recently issued a statement saying that teens need to be taught to refrain from having sex until they are married. It recommends that schools should no longer teach what has been called “comprehensive sex … Continue reading →
A news story from Boulder, Colorado involving Archbishop Chaput, a Catholic school, and a lesbian couple highlights the main reason for Catholic schools. The archbishop explains why the child of a lesbian couple would not be enrolled in the Catholic … Continue reading →
This is an excellent video on the priesthood put out by the Congregation for the Clergy from the Vatican. There is lots of talk about the Cure of Ars. The Pope also speaks on this video. I am sure you … Continue reading →
In Luke 9.28-36 Jesus was transfigured in the presence of three disciples, Peter and John and James. Was it a mere show of power? What was it about and what did it mean? Our Lord had already told his disciples … Continue reading →
This is a summary of a homily given at the funeral of a long-time parishioner of mine. I have included the readings, 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18 and and John 11.17-27, upon which the homily was based. Click on the underlined text … Continue reading →
This is a letter I wrote to my parishioners. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I have written and spoken to you about Gregorian chant before and the reason why we sing it in our parish. Here are some excerpts … Continue reading →
One of the beautiful things about Holy Scripture is that you can so often find some phrase or passage that can characterize a particular situation or moment. It’s no wonder that so many personal and institutional mottoes are taken from … Continue reading →
The abortion issue is once again in the news. Some people in our country Canada are trying to argue that providing free access to abortion is essential to improving maternal and infant health worldwide. Aside from the fact that they … Continue reading →
A Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, I am the parish priest of Saint Jude’s Parish & Shrine, Vancouver. My interests include: scripture study catechesis music Gregorian chant sacred art and liturgy Latin language Saint Philip Neri and … Continue reading →