St Sylvester, 31 Dec 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. Today we hear the prolog of John's Gospel. There never was a time when Jesus was not, he was there in the beginning! Let us all strive to accept that this little infant in the manger is the Christ of God, the Word made flesh, come to save us from our sins. Pope St Sylvester Pray for Us!

Readings: 1 John 2:18-21; Psalm 96; John 1:1-18

Michael Wittstock, Memorial Service, 30 Dec 2011

Click here to download and listen to this message (10 minutes) given by Pastor Gary Putnam at Petersburg Lutheran Church. Pastor Gary witnessed Michael and Bridget's wedding here in this church some twenty years ago.

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, 30 Dec 2011

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. This Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph teaches us that family life is our first and primary school in learning how to love and be loved and therefor growing in holiness. Today we can add family silence (inactivity), family meals, and family prayer (rosary) in order to push back on a culture that is causing the disintegration of the family.

Readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128; Luke 2:22-40

St Thomas Becket, 29 Dec 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. St Thomas Becket, Archbishop and Martyr (1118-1170) has a conversion when going from Chancellor to Archbishop. As bishop he continues to protect the Church from his close friend King Henry II. After returning from six years in exile he is martyred by four of the king's knights. King Henry fasted in penance for forty days. Thomas was immediately acclaimed a saint by the common people and due to his martyrdom and the many miracles associated with his intercession he was canonized a saint in just two years. His tomb became one of the most frequented pilgrimage sites in Europe.

Readings: 1 John 2:3-11; Psalm 96; Luke 2:22-35

Holy Innocents, 28 Dec 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. Today's Mass remembers all the little baby boys of Bethlehem murdered by Herod out of fear that Jesus would take his throne. We remember all little children and the poor around the world who suffer and die out of our modern need for convenience or a "lifestyle" choice. Never let fear make a decision for you. Always choose life.

Readings: 1 John 1:5-2:2; Psalm 124; Matthew 2:13-18

St John, Feast, 27 Dec 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. St John the Evangelist wrote about what he heard Jesus say and what Jesus did. He was the close friend of Jesus. May we give witness to what Jesus says and does in our life.

Readings: 1 John 1:1-4; Psalm 97; John 20:1a 2-8

St Stephen, Feast, 26 Dec 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. Just the day after Christmas, we celebrate the feast of St Stephen, Deacon and first Martyr of the Church. My we have the same zeal, to care for those in need and in doing so give witness to Jesus our new born king.

Readings: Acts 6:8-10, 7:54-59; Psalm 31; Matthew 10:17-22

Christmas Mass at Dawn, 25 Dec 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (14 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Let us strive to be like the shepherds who make haste to see the new born king wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. We too have made a visit to that Nativity Scene let go out and spread the word that: "Today Jesus our savior is born for us who Christ and Lord."

Readings: Isaiah 62:11-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:15-20

Christmas Mass at Midnight, 25 Dec 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (13 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Jesus, born this night in Bethlehem, is our Almighty God made a small and fragile child in need of care. May we learn to nurture our relationship with God as we hold the infant Jesus.

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

Christmas Vigil Mass, 24 Dec 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. Tonight we gather together to unwrap the gift of Jesus coming to us as a little child. He is born in the City of David: Bethlehem, meaning House of Bread. He is laid in a manger, showing that he wants to be our food. He is present here tonight, in fact every day, in the Eucharist. Let us work to unwrap this gift.

Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5; Psalm 89; Acts 13:16-17, 22-25; Luke 2:1-14

Saturday of the Fourth Week of Advent, 24 Dec 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. John the Baptist's dad, Zachariah, breaks into song at the naming of his son. Yes these two cousins, John and Jesus, will change the world. We have much to sing about.

Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89; Luke 1:67-79

Friday of the Fourth Week of Advent, 23 Dec 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. Today we hear the God is doing some thing new. Elizabeth's son will not be named Zachariah after his father. "John is is name." John the Baptist will cleanse the people preparing the way for Jesus.

Repose of Soul: Michael Wittstock

Readings: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24; Psalm 25; Luke 1:57-66

Thursday of the Fourth Week of Advent, 22 Dec 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. In response to Elizabeth's greeting Mary proclaims her "Magnificat" She sings the praises of God. May we do the same. For the Lord has truly done great things for each of us.

Repose of Soul for Michael Wittstock

Readings: 1 Samuel 1:24-28; 1 Samuel 2:1-8; Luke 1:46-56

Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent, 21 Dec 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. Mary having received Jesus, makes hast to visit Elizabeth. May our reception of Jesus in holy communion: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity; urge us on to care for those in need.  May our charity begin at home.

Repose of Soul: Michael Wittstock

Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18a, Psalm 33; Luke 1:39-45

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent, 20 Dec 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. Today the Angel Gabriel comes to Mary to ask if she will give birth to God's son Jesus. We are daily asked the same question. Let us pray that we can answer with Mary, "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word."

Readings: Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24; Luke 1:26-38

Monday of the 4th Week of Advent, 19 Dec 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 about the Angel Gabriel coming to Zechariah. Letting him know that God has heard Elizabeth and his prayer for a child. Their son will be John the Baptist, who will go ahead of Jesus, preparing the way in people's hearts through repentance.

Readings: Judges 13:2-7, 24-25a; Psalm 7; Luke 1:5-25

4th Sunday of Advent, 18 Dec 2011

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. We hear again, for the third time in December, that the Angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. After some reasonable hesitation Mary says YES. "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." May we give our yes to God's indwelling in the same way.

Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

Saturday of the 3rd Week of Advent, 17 Dec 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (10 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Today we read from the beginning of the holy Gospel according to Matthew: The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Jesus has human DNA. He even has a few black sheep in his family tree. Praise be Jesus come to save us as one of us!

Readings: Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Psalm 72; Matthew 1:1-17

3rd Week of Advent, Our Lady of Guadalupe, 12 Dec 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 learn of the tremendous love of God for us in sending Our Lady of Guadalupe to the peoples of the Americas way back in 1531.

Readings: Zechariah 2:14-17; Judith 13:18-19; Luke 1:26-28

3rd Sunday Advent, 11 Dec 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (19 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg. John the Baptist teaches us humility.

Readings: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8 19-28.

Saturday of the Second Week of Advent, 10 Dec 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (8 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Neither John the Baptist nor Jesus were recognized at the time for who they really were because the people were expecting them to be and act different then they were or did. I wonder how often I miss God breaking into my life through people He sends, and through the experiences He allows; and I miss His messages of Love and Peace because in my little limited way God's blessings are just too good to be true.


Readings: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11; Psalm 80; Matthew 17:9a 10-13

Friday of the Second Week of Advent, 9 Dec 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. John the Baptist was ignored as a radical in the desert and Jesus was ignored because he ate and drank with sinners. How am I, How are we ignoring the prophets God sends to us today (too radical)? How am I, How are we ignoring Jesus' message of love (too good to be true)? Saint Juan Diego, Pray for Us.

Readings: Isaiah 48:17-19; Psalm 1; Matthew 11:16-19

Immaculate Conception, 8 Dec 2011

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. Mary, conceived in the womb of Jesus' grandmother St Ann, was preserved from all stain of original sin, so that endowed with the rich fullness of God's grace, she was prepared as the worthy Mother of the Son of God, and would be the beginning of the Church, an advocate of Grace and a model of holiness.

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

Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent, 7 Dec 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. How about "Do Nothing the Lord Jesus is Coming." In today's Gospel Jesus says to us, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Plan some down time with Jesus this Advent. 


We celebrate St Ambrose (339-397), Bishop of Milan, and Doctor of the Church.


Readings: Isaiah 40:25-31; Psalm 103; Matthew 11:28-30

Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent, 6 Dec 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. We celebrate images of God as the Good Shepherd in today's readings and see them lived out beautifully in the life of St Nicholas the Wonder Worker.

Readings: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 96; Matthew 18:12-14

Monday of the Second Week of Advent, 5 Dec 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. Seeing the faith and determination of his friends Jesus forgives the sins of the one who was lowered through the roof lying paralyzed on a mat. To prove that he is God Incarnate he tells the man to pick up his mat and go home, and he does so Glorifying God. I want to be that friend who will stop at nothing to carry my friends to Jesus; and to have friends who will carry me to Jesus in my need.

Readings: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 85; Luke 5:17-26

Second Sunday of Advent, Cycle B, 4 Dec 2011

Click here to download and listen to this homily (15 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Today we hear the beginning of Mark's Gospel. John the Baptist is out in the desert baptizing those who acknowledged their sins. Isaiah calls for us to make straight a Highway for our God. The building of the Alaska HWY in 1942 was just the beginning. The highway is under constant maintenance and improvement, so much so it is now 320 miles shorted than when it was first completed. Our relationship with God is damaged or destroyed through our sin, so our relationship with God needs constant maintenance and improvement.

Readings: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 85; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8

Saturday of the 1st Week of Advent, 3 Dec 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. Today we celebrate with St Francis Xavier, S.J. the Joy of working in the missions for the Lord. Jesus sends us out, just as he sent those first Apostles out, to share the Good News that the Kingdom of God is at Hand! Let us do so with the same care and zeal as St Francis Xavier.

Readings: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26; Psalm 147; Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8

Friday of the First Week of Advent, 2 Dec 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 heals the two persons who were blind because they believed that Jesus could do it. Jesus heal me of my blindness to your presence and action in my life. Yes, Lord I do believe you can do it.

Readings: Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 27; Matthew 9:27-31

Thursday of the 1st Week of Advent, 1 Dec 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. I firm spiritual foundation is built on the dual process of hearing God's word and putting it into action. One without the other and our faith will collapse when buffeted by life's storms.

Readings: Isaiah 26:1-6; Psalm 118; Matthew 7:21, 24-27