HOMILY WEEK 04 03 – Year I Cavalry in Slow Motion: (Heb 12:4-15; Ps 103; Mk 6:1-6) *************************************** Archbishop Emeritus Adam Exner OMI speaks about martyrdom for us as “Calvary in slow motion.” We probably won’t be physically martyred, but are still called to die to ourselves day by day. The readings today invite us […]

HOMILY WEEK 04 02 – YEAR I Faith and Holistic Healing: Memorial of St. John Bosco (Heb 12:1-4; Ps 22; Mk 5:21-43 ******************************************************* Fr. Mike Dechant OMI did a lot of youth ministry in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He recounts the story of a young boy who shared with him the morning after a penitential rite in […]

HOMILY WEEK 04 01 – Year I Faith and Healing (Heb 11:32-40; Ps 31; Mk 5:1-20) *************************************** Linda’s son consistently got his clothes dirty every time he went out to play, no matter how often she admonished him. One time, he came back with green grass stains on the knees of his jeans, and gave […]

HOMILY SUNDAY 4 – YEAR A Prophetic Humble Gratitude (Zephaniah 2:3, 12-13; Ps 146; 1 Cor 1:26-31; Mt 5:1-12) ******************************************************** Noted speaker and spiritual writer Richard Rohr OFM began a retreat to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in Saskatoon years ago with the words, “You are who you are who you are – what are […]

HOMILY WEEK 03 06 – Year I With Jesus in Our Boats: Memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas (Heb 11:1-19; Lk 1; Mk 4:35-41) ********************************** The readings today challenge us with the question of how strong is our faith? We are subsequently invited to pray for a faith like that of Abraham, famously known as our […]

HOMILY WEEK 03 05 – Year I Planting Small Seeds of Faith: Optional Memorial of St. Angela Merici (Heb 10:32-39; Ps 37; Mk 4:26-34) *************************************** The late Brother Anton Zisper OMI had a unique sense of humour. His comment about a set of identical twins was, “They really look alike, one more so than the […]

HOMILY WEEK 03 04 – Year I The Reign of God, Radical Discipleship and Redemptive Suffering: Memorial – Saints Timothy and Titus (2 Tim 1:1-8; Ps 96; Lk 10:1-9) ********************************************************* Two sentences connect the readings today on this memorial of Timothy and Titus. Paul, in the first reading to Timothy, invites him to join in […]

FEAST of the CONVERSION of ST PAUL the APOSTLE (Acts 22:3-16; Psalm 117; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 16:15-18) ********************************************************** Pope Benedict XVI declared June 2008 to June 2009 the Year of St. Paul. In doing so he stated this special year presented us with an opportunity to learn more about the man, Paul of Tarsus, […]

HOMILY WEEK 03 02 – Year I Fearless Faith: Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales (2 Tim 1:1-8; Ps 96; Lk 10:1-9) *************************************** From seventy disciples to two, the readings today focus on the importance of the gift of faith and the difference it makes in our lives. Ultimately, we are invited to re-kindle our […]

HOMILY WEEK 03 01 – Year I Holy Spirit – Agent of Forgiveness (Heb 9:15-28; Ps 98; Mk 3:22-30) ******************************************** There is a saying, “The stronger the sun; the sharper our shadow,” that fits the readings today, readings that contrast the sun of faith and belief, with the dark shadows of unbelief. The author of […]