Feast of St Andrew, Apostle, 30 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Jesus calles Peter, Andrew, James, and John to leave their nets and boats and to follow Him becoming fishers of people for the Kingdom. How well do we preach the Gospel with our lives: in what we say or don't say, do or don't do?

Readings: Romans 10:9-18; Psalm 19; Matthew 4:18-22

Tuesday of the 1st Week of Advent, 29 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (7 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit. May we do the same, developing a childlike trust in God.

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72; Luke 10:21-24

Monday of the First Week of Advent, 28 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (9 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Today we hear the Centurion's act of faith when he says to Jesus, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." Jesus notes, "Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith." May our faith be as strong as this Centurion's when we come forward to receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. Come Lord Jesus.

Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Matthew 8:5-11

1st Sunday of Advent, Cycle B, 27 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (16 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Today's readings speak to us of Hope. In order to grow in Hope we need to grow in humility. Just like the clay, that remains a pile of dirt without the work and creativity of the potter, so are we with out a humble openness to God's Will for each of us. Happy Catholic New Year!

Readings: Isaiah 63:16b-17, 19b, 64:2-7; Psalm 80; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:33-37

Saturday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, 26 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (6 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Jesus cautions us, "Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and the day catch you like by surprise like a trap." A cure for a drowsy heart is Catholic New Year Resolutions. Do something different for Jesus this Advent. Happy Catholic New Year!

Readings: Daniel 7:15-27; Daniel 3; Luke 21:34-36

Friday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, 25 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) give by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Jesus warns us that all kinds of calamities will happen as the Kingdom of God is being manifest as surely as the Fig Tree's blossoms indicate that Summer is here. Watching the news we see that indeed the Kingdom of God is upon us both in the area of calamities and the real good that is being accomplished by Christians across the world motivated by their love of Jesus to care for those in need. We pray for religious freedom, and access to education especially for girls and women through the intercession of St Catherine of Alexandria.

Readings: Daniel 7:2-14; Daniel 3; Luke 21:29-35

Thanksgiving Day, 24 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (11 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg Alaska. Today across the United States of America we celebrate Thanksgiving. I love that the Greek word for Thanksgiving is Eucharist. So every time we gather for Mass we can have the same grateful heart that we have on Thanksgiving Day. "In all circumstances, give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." ~1 Thessalonians 5:18

Readings: Sirach 50:22-24; Psalm 138; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Luke 17:11-19

Wednesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, 23 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (11 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Today Jesus warns us that because we follow Him we will be persecuted, yet he promises to be with us and the Holy Spirit will gives us courage and the words to speak as we give witness to Love. Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, Pray for Us!

Readings: Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Daniel 3; Luke 21:12-19

Tuesday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, 22 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Jesus talks about the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in today's Gospel. Warning all of us that we will not know the day nor the hour of our death nor the Coming of the Lord. Let us daily sing our prayers and praises to God along with St Cecilia and all the saints that we might always be ready.

Readings: Daniel 2:31-45; Daniel 3; Luke 21:5-11

Monday of the 34th Week in Ordinary Time, 21 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Today we celebrate the presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Temple at the age of three. We pray that all parents will bring their children to the Church for instruction in their Catholic Faith.

Readings: Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20; Daniel 3; Luke 21:1-4

Lord Jesus Christ the King, 20 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (17 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Just as we can find and honor Jesus Christ our King in the Eucharist, we can find and honor Jesus Christ our King in one another, especially in those in need. Because Jesus chooses make his dwelling in each one of us.

Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17; Psalm 23; 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28; Matthew 25:31-46

Saturday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, 19 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (10 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. God is the God of the living, not the dead. In the resurrection of the dead the connections we have made in love to God and each other will remain. Those who are alive in God always "are." That is the beauty of the resurrection of the dead. For we are all alive in God.

Resurrection: 1 Maccabees 6:1-13; Psalm 9; Luke 20:27-40

Friday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, 18 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (11 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg Alaska. Jesus cleanses the Temple because the attitudes of calculation and competition that we need to conduct commerce are not the attitudes of a good hearer of the Word of God. We are invite to be vigilant in keeping our temples--our whole self--prepared for the presence of the Lord just as St Rose-Philippine Duchesnes did through praying always.

Readings: 1 Maccabees 4:36-37, 52-59; 1 Chronicles 29; Luke 19:45-48

Thursday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, 17 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (9 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because he knows they will choose the way of violence over the way of love.  St Elizabeth of Hungry pray for us.

Readings: Maccabees 2:15-29; Psalm 50; Luke 19:41-44

Wednesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, 16 Nov 2011

Click here to listen to this homily (8 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. We are called, especially today, to give heroic witness to the Truth of our faith. We must hold firm till the end, counting on the Lord's promise that the Holy Spirit will be with us to give us strength and wisdom.


Readings: 1 Maccabees 2:15-29; Psalm 50; Luke 19:41-44

Tuesday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, 15 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (10 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Today Jesus finds Zacchaeus who had humbled himself by climbing a tree hoping to see Jesus. St Albert the Great, Bishop and Doctor, helps rediscover the writings of Aristotle and through these inspires his student St Thomas Aquinas. "Lord God, you made Saint Albert great by his gift for reconciling human wisdom with divine faith. Help us so to follow his teaching that every advance in science may lead us to a deeper knowledge and love of you. Amen."

Readings: 2 Maccabees 6:18-31; Psalm 3; Luke 19:1-10

Monday of the 33rd Week in Ordinary Time, 14 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (5 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Jesus heals the blind man who calls out to him. We join in and call out "Jesus let me see again."

Readings: Maccabees 1:10-15, 41-43, 54-57, 62-63; Psalm 119; Luke 18:35-43

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 13 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (22 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Jesus tells us the Parable of the Talents. We can learn at least for things from this parable. Act I: Don't burry the talents God has given you. Act II: Develop you natural God-given talents for true excellence. Act III: Do not let fear of failure make the decision not to act. Act IV: Even tragic experiences redeemed by God's love can be a gift through which we can help others. Let us all work at using our unique gifts to give glory God!


Readings: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Psalm 128; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6; Matthew 25:14-30


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Thursday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, 3 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (9 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. We begin Luke 15: Parable(s) of the Found Sheep and the Found Coin. There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nine who have no need of repentance. Let heaven rejoice through our acts of daily repentance.

Readings: Romans 14:7-12; Psalm 27; Luke 15:1-10

All Souls Day, 2 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (14 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish n Wrangell, Alaska. Today we join together and pray for all the faithful departed who wait in purgatory for their entrance into heaven. Purgatory is like a tight knot hole which the rope of our life must pass through scraping all the accumulated ungodly stuff off as God draws us to himself.  Purgatory is like the mud room where we take off our soiled shoes and garments before we join God in the living room.  Purgatory is the place where we take care of the unfinished business of growing in holiness.

We pray for all the souls in purgatory. May they enter into heaven soon! Amen.

All Saints Day, 1 Nov 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (14 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Today we celebrate all the Saints who have gone before us into heaven. All Saints Day is especially for all those "un canonized" saints who lived lives of holiness and now enjoy eternal life with God in Heaven. The Saints all received there strength of holiness from Jesus, especially at Mass in the Eucharist. Let us follow their example.

Oh when the Saints, go marching in! Oh when the Saints go marching in! Oh how I long to be in that number! Oh when the Saints go marching in!

Readings: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a