Holy Family, Cycle A, 26 Dec 2010

Click here to download and listen to this homily (16 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena Parish in Petersburg, Alaska.  The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph does not show us perfection and everything going smoothly, instead even in exile in Egypt they show us how to love and be loved. In the 3rd chapter of letter to the Colossians we are given the how to live as a (w)Holy Family. "Put on, as God's Chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.  And over all these put on Love, that is, the bond of perfection.  And let the peace of Christ control you hearts, the peace into which you were called in one body.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."

Readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23.

Christmas Day Mass, 25 Dec 2010

Click here to download and listen to this homily (12 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena Parish in Petersburg, Alaska. The revelation of the Incarnation that began last night in darkness is now seen in the bright light of God's glory. "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth." Merry Christmas!

Readings: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-6; John 1:1-18

Christmas Midnight Mass, 25 Dec 2010

Click here to download and listen to this homily (12 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Christmas, the annual celebration of the birth of Jesus, calls us to look deeper into the mystery of our faith.

Readings: Isaiah 9:1-6; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

4th Sunday of Advent, Cycle A, 19 Dec 2010

Click here to download and listen to this homily (17 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska.  In the mystery of the Incarnation, God gives the world the most excellent sign of God's love for every one of us and for all of creation.  Gratefully Mary and Joseph said YES to attempting the impossible, because of the promise that the Holy Spirit would be with them.  That same Holy Spirit is each and everyone of with us. If we ever doubt the "God With Us" let us look to Jesus the "Light of the World" offered to us as food in the Most Holy Eucharist. The Birth of Jesus Christ comes about today because we say YES to God's presence and action in our lives.

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24

3rd Sunday of Advent, Cycle A, 12 Dec 2010

Click here to download and listen to this homily (12 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima Parish in Wrangell, Alaska.  In the middle of all our Christmas preparations we are called to pause and Rejoice that the Lord is Coming, to be Patient with ourselves and those around us, fasting from all Complaining, and to be messengers of Hope to those lost in darkness.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Pray for Us!

Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11.

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 8 Dec 2010

Click here to download and listen to this homily (10 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg AK.  Mary's Immaculate Conception is a sign of God's radical overflowing gift of Grace to the human family.  Through God's gift of Grace Mary was prepared to be the Mother of God.  Each of us receives all the gifts, talents, and Grace we need to accomplish what God desires of us, no exceptions, no excuses.  Let us learn to say Yes to God's will just as Mary did throughout her life.

Mary the Immaculate Conception, Pray For Us.

Readings: Genesis 3:9-15, 20; Psalm 98; Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12; Luke 1:26-38

2nd Sunday of Advent, Cycle A, 5 Dec 2010

Click here to download and listen to the homily (15 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg AK.  John the Baptist calls each of us to repentance. We need to ensure that our inner life matches our outer life.  That is when our spiritual life really comes alive.  Let us use this season of Advent to get our inner and outer lives together--both working for the building up of the Kingdom of God.

Homework: Read the whole of the Gospel of Matthew.

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12