St. Patrick Catholic Parish Podcast

In this homily given on Sunday June 18, 2023, Fr. Mathias begins his homily with how to understand the celebration of "Pride Month" from a Christian perspective. Each Christian is invited to see the world through the lens of compassion that flows from Jesus' heart. This means we are called to look upon people who have fallen victim to gender ideology with compassion, not as enemies. Contrary to what many think, for the Christian two things can be true at the same time: 1) We can sincerely love those who struggle with same-sex attraction and gender dysphoria, and 2) We can strongly resist the anti-Christian ideology and activism that promotes sinful behavior and victimizes the vulnerable, including those who struggle with their sexuality. After speaking about how to love family members who at times can make unreasonable demands of us, Father ends his homily with a call to men on Father's day to courageously call out the evil gender ideology for what it is and fight against, while leading the charge in protecting the vulnerable such as resisting the sexualization of children in our schools.

In this homily given at St Pat's on June 11, 2023, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Fr. Miguel breaks open the great love contained within the Eucharist, and then offers two ways we can receive in greater measure the love of our Eucharistic Lord in our lives. Fr. Miguel then finishes with some practical reminders of how to receive the Lord in Communion.

In this homily given on Trinity Sunday at St Pat's on Sunday June 4, 2023, Fr. Mathias preaches on three reasons why we hesitate or struggle to believe that God is for us, not against us.  

1) Sin distorts our view of God. 
2) Unprocessed suffering
3) Not thanking God enough

Fr. Mathias walks through the inner dynamic of the heart on each of these points and shows us that when we approach God as one who is merciful, if we process our suffering with him to get his divine perspective and live in gratitude for everything he's given us, it'll be much easier to believe and accept that he's for us, not against us.

In this homily given at St Pat's on Pentecost Sunday, May 28, 2023, Fr. Miguel preaches on three barriers to greater receptivity to the Holy Spirit. 

On Ascension Sunday (May 21st, 2023), Dcn. Joshua Fons preached on the importance of trusting in the Lord in the challenging moments in Life and praying for the grace of the Holy Spirit to take that next step in following Christ.

In this homily given at St Pat's on Sunday May 14, 2023, Fr Mathias expounds on what it means to praise the Lord with joy. Since praising the Lord with joy is not an optional command of Scripture, the lack of joyful praise of the Lord in the Church is concerning. Because of who God is and what he's done for us in Jesus, our joyful praise of God should exceed that of Israel. In offering two reasons why we find it difficult to joyfully praise the Lord, Father also gives some tips on how to grow in our praise of God.

In this homily given at St Pat's on Sunday May 7, 2023, Fr Mathias addresses one of the most liberating and controversial claims of Jesus: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Jn 14:6). Is it arrogant or insensitive to claim to those who don't believe in Jesus that he is the only way to God? If Jesus is the only way to God, is it possible for non-Christians to be saved? Fr Mathias outlines Catholic teaching on whether or not non-Christians can be saved and explains why it's not insensitive or arrogant to believe and share with others that Jesus is the only way to God the Father. He ends his homily with an exhortation to gratitude for the gift of faith and to beg Jesus for the grace to love those who do not yet believe in Jesus.

Deacon Dave preached on how we must be prepared for the moment when Jesus meets us along the way.  Deacon Dave also shared his own personal experience of having to learn the hard way how humility is not something automatic but more of an openness to the opportunity.  Life is filled with opportunities and virtue is often found in the space between experience and response.

In this homily given at St Pat's on April 16, 2023, Fr Miguel preaches on the ocean of graces made available to us on Divine Mercy Sunday. By living in and out of God's mercy through trust, receiving his love, seeking his forgiveness, and the works of mercy; we can experience the fullness of Christ's peace as well as the unfathomable riches of God's mercy in our lives.

In this homily given on Easter Sunday morning, April 10th, guest preacher, Fr Gregg Pedersen from the Archdiocese of Denver, reminds us of the joy and power of the Resurrection! He shares his testimony of encountering the Risen Lord and his journey to the Catholic faith.  He reminds us that Jesus came to “release captives and to set the prisoners free”!