Since I'm on quarantine, I'm not doing homilies, but I thought this essay would be a great chance to reflect a little during these days of shelter-in-place. Dr. Cuddeback presents a perspective that has a lot of insight for how to make the most of these times.

You can read the essay in full here:

https://www.firstthings.com/article/2018/11/reclaiming-the-household

Would you like more of Dr. Cuddeback's thoughts on how to flourish as a family? Listen to his address to the 2018 Prairie Troubador Symposium in Fort Scott, Kansas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEnuLluoFEA

After the homily, I've included a reading of Francis Thompson's poem, "The Hound of Heaven," which I reference in the homily. I hope you enjoy the reading in full. Thanks to Mike and Katie Cotter for the beautiful leatherbound copy of the poem, from which I read.

P.S. The Spanish word I was hunting for was sabueso. 

Happy Easter to all!

Delivered at Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 April 2020

Father Connor Danstrom (of Three Dogs North fame) mentioned he puts out the audio only of his Masses on his podcast. I found the idea appealing--a chance for the faithful to use their imaginations a bit. Amazon won't be delivering my high quality mics for another month or two, so the quality isn't great. It's just not up to me any more.

After a brief comment on the intercession of Saint Joseph in our community, we pause and try to swallow the improbable reality that God was tempted, and what that can mean for our own mortifications and determination to remain obedient to God even when tempted.

One of the most powerful sermons I have ever read by St. John Henry Newman speaks of the need to risk something for a future reward--by which is meant life after death. We risk it on the faith of Christ's word, not for any worldly benefit or improvement of our present life, but for hope of resurrection. Read the sermon of St. Newman in its entirety here.

This homily for Catholic Schools Week is an invitation for all our parishioners to dig deep into the question: why do we have a Catholic School? Is it worth the time and money?

Our parishes have been participating in the Seven Sundays of Saint Joseph Devotion, culminating with his Solemn Feast Day the 19th of March. I spoke about Saint Joseph some time ago and I thought it would be good to return to this homily as a reminder of why this devotion is important. I particularly recommend this essay summarizing the role of Saint Joseph in the Christian life.

The silence we keep is the condition of growth in prayer, and can even become prayer itself.

The book quoted, referencing the effect that the widespread adoption of confession according to the Irish monks had on western civilization, is entitled Heroism and Genius: How Catholic Priests Helped Build—and Can Help Rebuild—Western Civilization, by William Slattery.