St. Wenceslaus Church – Scappoose, OR: Homilies

Father Dave's Homily.

This week, we rise to the external world from last week's homily, "Subatomic Particles, the Eucharist, and You." That is to say, last week we explored how Jesus can transform us by saturating us at the ultimate depths and center of ourselves (the subatomic level, figuratively speaking). Now, in his final homily as pastor St. Wenceslaus Church in Scappoose, OR, Fr. Chuck suggests the symbol of God the Father throwing a cloak—or mantle—over us, like Elijah does to Elisha in the first reading (1 Kings 19). God's "cloak" is Jesus Christ, his Son; will you let Christ cover you and surround you?

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 26, 2022; Fr. Charles "Chuck" Wood; readings: 1Kings 19:6b, 19-21; Ps 16 various verses; Gal 5:1, 13-18; Lk 9:51-62

In this fanciful (and imprecise!) particle physics "lecture," Fr. Chuck ponders the entanglements among bread and wine, unity and peace, the Body and Blood of Christ, and you and the Church and the whole world. Fasten your seatbelts and put on your thinking caps! 

Fact Check: The subatomic particle names Fr. Chuck cites are imprecise (hence, the parenthetical remark above). "Quark" is the name of subatomic particles in one family of such particles; "up," "down," and "charm" are specific types of quarks. And Fr. Chuck mistakenly cites "strangeness" as the name of another particle. "Strangeness" is actually a characteristic of some subatomic particles. But Fr. Chuck wasn't too far off: "Strange" is the name of quarks with a unique kind of strangeness. Still got your thinking caps on?!

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), June 19, 2022; Fr. Charles "Chuck" Wood; readings: Gen 14:18-20; Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Lk 9:11b-17

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: The perfect Communion of Love that is the Holy Trinity. Hear a story with a touch of humor that suggests how God is actively, lovingly with us.

Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, June 12, 2022; Fr. Charles "Chuck" Wood; readings: Prov 8:22-31; Ps 8: 4-9; Rom 5:1-5;
Jn 16:12-15

Hear how the Holy Spirit's fire can glow brightly from within you, drawing others to God and to a Christ-centered life. Fr. Chuck dares you to pray for God to make you a "burning bush of the Holy Spirit's power." Plus, learn a lesson—not from the fig tree (see Matthew 24:32) but from a lightning-struck tree and a delusional woodpecker.

Pentecost Sunday, June 5, 2022; Fr. Charles "Chuck" Wood; readings: Acts 2:1-11; Ps 104,various verses; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23

The Ascension of the Lord, May 29, 2022; Fr. Charles "Chuck" Wood; readings: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Heb 9:24-28; 10: 19-23; Lk 24:46-53

Learn about the true peace and freedom that Jesus offers through his Holy Spirit. This powerful peace delivers you from burdens of worldly views of perfection. It also sets you free to accomplish what God wants to do in the world through you and to be who God created and calls you to be.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 22, 2022—Mass honoring graduating seniors; Fr. Charles "Chuck" Wood; readings: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Ps 67, various verses; Rev 21:10-14, 22-23; Jn 14:23-29

Our pastor, Fr. Chuck, is in the last few days of an overseas pilgrimage. So even though this is the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Fr. Chuck has chosen to resurrect the homily he preached on Easter Sunday itself—in 2015—when he was Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of the Lake Parish, Lake Oswego. Enjoy and be blessed by his message, "Easter's Empty Promises!"

Our pastor, Fr. Chuck, is on a 12-day pilgrimage overseas. So he's arranged for you to hear a homily for this Fourth Sunday of Easter from six years ago—when the readings were the same—from Deacon Kevin Welch of Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Lake Oswego, OR. At that time, Fr. Chuck served there as Parochial Vicar. Deacon Kevin's message was in an Easter Season series about the Corporal Works of Mercy. He taught on "To bury the dead."

Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Ps 100, various verses; Rev 7:9, 14b-17; Jn 10:27-30

What's "Sanctified Impulsiveness?" Learn what it is, if you've got it, and how to ask God for it—and why you should. Listen now. Plus hear the announcement of an ambitious (but "low-pizzazz") new parish initiative.

Third Sunday of Easter, May 1, 2022; Fr. Charles "Chuck" Wood; readings: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41; Ps 30, various; Rev 5:11-14; Jn 21:1-14