St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church Homilies & Talks

In this homily, Fr. Travis Stephens reflects on the extraordinary life of St. Francis of Assisi, who answered God's call to rebuild His Church. Through radical acts of charity, sacrifice and complete trust in God, St. Francis began with small, local acts of faithfulness that continue to impact the Church 800 years after the death and entrance into heaven of this great saint.

Fr. Travis reminds us that we, too, are called to plant seeds of faith through our everyday choices, acts of love and service to others. We may never see the fruits of our labor, but that doesn't make our efforts any less meaningful.

Our calling is not to measure our success by the results we see, but to remain faithful to God and trust Him with the harvest.

Following the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen which Deacon Tim Perry was able to attend, he shares two remarkable stories from his life. These include a powerful encounter with people suffering from Hansen's disease that changed the way Sheen treated others and the extraordinary miracle attributed to his intercession involving a newborn baby who survived against all medical expectations.

Even someone recognized for heroic virtue had moments of fear and weakness. But Fulton Sheen's example reminds us that holiness isn't about never making mistakes. It's about recognizing when we fall short, turning back to God and choosing to put others before ourselves.

Drawing on the Sunday readings, Deacon Tim reminds us that repentance is always possible, a change of heart is always possible and every one of us is called to become a saint.

We may never be officially canonized by the Church, but we all have opportunities to practice heroic virtue through everyday acts of humility, sacrifice and love.

Forgiveness may be one of the hardest things Jesus asks of us. But what does it really mean to forgive someone who has hurt us?

In this homily, Fr. Travis Stephens, PhD, explains that forgiveness is not the same as forgetting, excusing someone's behavior or even reconciling with the person who hurt us. We can forgive while still establishing healthy boundaries that protect us from being hurt again.

Holding on to resentment and past wounds can prevent our own healing. Forgiveness is a choice to let go of that hurt, not for the benefit of the person who harmed us, but for our own spiritual healing and freedom.

Jesus teaches that our willingness to forgive others is directly connected to our ability to receive God's forgiveness. Although forgiveness can seem impossible, God gives us the supernatural grace to participate in His divine act of mercy.

Is it loving to tell someone they're wrong? In a world that emphasizes personal autonomy and avoiding offense, offering correction to others can feel uncomfortable. But as Scripture reminds us, sometimes true love requires us to speak the truth.

In this homily, Fr. Travis Stephens, PhD, explores the Catholic teaching on fraternal correction and why helping others recognize their mistakes can be an act of genuine love.

Drawing from the readings of Ezekiel, Romans and the Gospel, Fr. Travis explains that kindness is not the same as niceness. True kindness means wanting what is good for another person, even when that means having a difficult conversation.

But how we offer correction matters just as much as our willingness to offer it. Through the fruits of the Holy Spirit, particularly kindness and gentleness, we can learn to speak the truth in love rather than through judgment or shame.

Fr. Travis also shares a few humorous examples of his own frustrations at Mass to illustrate the difference between correcting someone harshly and guiding them with charity.

Ultimately, we're called not only to offer correction with love but also to receive it with humility.

Self-emptying is part of what it means to be a Christian. Following Christ means learning to put God and others before ourselves, and that kind of self-sacrifice does not happen all at once. We grow into it through the small sacrifices and daily opportunities to die to ourselves that God places before us.

In this homily, Fr. Travis Stephens reflects on Christian love as willing the good of another. Rather than focusing on ourselves, our own comfort or what we want, Christ calls us to choose what is good for God and for the people around us, even when that choice costs us something.

The prophet Jeremiah knew this kind of self-denial. His fidelity to God's call brought suffering, rejection and discouragement. Peter, too, had to learn that Jesus was not the kind of Messiah the world expected. Christ would save us not through worldly power, but through suffering, self-emptying love and ultimately the Cross.

Fr. Travis also reflects on the remarkable example of a border guard who continued directing people to safety as a devastating flash flood approached. When the flood came, he was swept away while still carrying out his duty. His final act of sacrifice points to an important lesson: the ability to give ourselves for others is formed long before the moment of crisis.

Why did Jesus give Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven? And what does that tell us about the role of the pope today?

In this homily, Deacon Tim Perry explores the biblical foundation of the papacy, beginning with the striking parallel between Eliakim in the Old Testament, who receives the key to the House of David, and St. Peter in the Gospel, to whom Jesus entrusts the keys to the Kingdom.

Peter is established as the rock upon which Christ will build His Church. And just as the apostles understood that an office should be filled when its holder died, as we see with Matthias replacing Judas in the Acts of the Apostles, the Church continues through apostolic succession.

Reflecting on Pope Leo XIV's first words as pope, "Peace be with you," Deacon Tim connects this structure of the Church to a deeper understanding of peace: the tranquility of order. Christ did not leave His Church without guidance. He established an enduring order through which He continues to lead His people.

In this presentation given at a prayer service, honoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr. Jacob Miller explains the history and meaning behind the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In this homily, Fr. Travis Stephens, PhD, shares the remarkable story of St. Andreas Wouters, a 16th-century priest whose life was marked by serious sin and moral weakness, yet who ultimately gave his life rather than deny the Catholic faith.

His story points to a powerful truth at the heart of the Gospel: no one is beyond the reach of God’s mercy.

Reflecting on Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman and St. Paul’s reminder that all have fallen into disobedience, Fr. Travis explains that Christ did not come to save only a select few. He came to save the world. No matter our past, our sins or how far we may feel from God, the possibility of forgiveness, conversion and even sainthood remains open to us.

We should never despair of God’s mercy, either for ourselves or for someone else. The same grace that transformed sinners into saints throughout the history of the Church is still at work today.

“No matter how sinful, no matter how distant they may be in culture or in practice, Christ has come to save all.”

Life can feel like a boat caught in rough seas. Our worries, responsibilities and struggles can quickly become overwhelming. So where do we find peace in the midst of it all?

Drawing on his recent experience sailing on Lake Michigan, Fr. Travis Stephens reflects on Peter stepping out of the boat toward Jesus, Elijah encountering God in the stillness and St. John Bosco's famous dream of the Church navigating stormy seas between the pillars of Mary and the Eucharist.

God is not found only in the noise, power and chaos of the world. He meets us in stillness. Fr. Travis encourages us to seek that stillness especially in Eucharistic Adoration, where we can simply remain in the presence of Jesus and receive the peace and consolation He desires for us.

When the waters of life become rough, we don't have to face them alone. Christ is present, and He invites us to keep our eyes fixed on Him.

Sign up for some peace by being a regular visitor to eucharist adoration at St. Alphonsus at: https://www.zionsvillecatholic.weadorehim.com.