Homilies by Msgr. John Cihak

As a culture, we have become dangerously accustomed to writing people off as no better than their sin. Jesus exemplifies and offers- indeed, requires- another way.

The Gospels are abundantly clear that there are ultimately only two ways: one of truth and one of lies; one of life and one of death, with no middle ground. Our world has come to a point where this choice must be made now. So which is it?

The Lord calls St. Peter in a dramatic and even miraculous way. But make no mistake- each of us, against our own fears and uncertainties, must hear the Lord calling us too, and respond with courage.

Underneath the surface of the culture around us are ideological currents that can seem alluring enough, but ultimately cannot stand the fullness of the Gospel message. It is intentional and rigorous Catholic education that provides a bulwark against these currents for our children.

Testimony after testimony of abortion survivors reveals that, despite the promise of "choice," the culture of abortion is built on the lie that, in our time of need, we have no choice but abortion. When Jesus of Nazareth appeared in that synagogue 2000 years ago, he proclaimed freedom to us all, founded in the truth of our inherent and unalienable human dignity.

In his trademark down-to-earth, warm and witty manner, Bishop Peter Smith draws out the meaning behind our Lord's words and actions in His first public sign in the Gospel of John, and reminds us that His glory can shine forth to today's world just as brightly by our own lives of faith.

St. Maximus of Turin writes that "Christ is baptized not to be made holy by the water, but to make the water holy." Listen to how this great gift of sacramental grace made one of the American church's greatest heroes, and is available to us even today.

"...Stays Together." With his pithy catchphrase, Ven. Patrick Payton, CSC brought thousands upon thousands of families together in God through praying the Holy Rosary- and the same prayer brings our families together today.

“She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” Let your heart hear this one line, this sacred verse from God Himself.

We pray with the Visitation, Mary's journey to Elizabeth, twice a week in the Holy Rosary. So often we hear the mystery that we can miss its great significance for us: what this "journey" represents, where it promises to lead us, and how we walk it with Mary, and therefore, with Jesus.