Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent, 29 Feb 2012

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 Jesus warns us that the only sign that will be given to our generation is the sign of Jonah,  Jesus is greater and he calls for us to Repentance.

Readings: Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 51; Luke 11:29-32

Tuesday of the 1st Week of Lent, 28 Feb 2012

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 teaches us how to pray: thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth AS it is in heaven; forgive us AS we forgive others. Paying attention to the two AS in the Lord's prayer brings new insights. Give us this day the courage to accept your will for us to forgive.

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 34; Matthew 6:7-15

Monday of the 1st Week of Lent, 27 Feb 2012

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. In the 25th Chapter of Matthew's Gospel we here Jesus equate deeds done to care for the poor and needy with deeds done to care for Him. May we see you Lord Jesus in all those in need, and doing so be motivated by our love for you to care for them.

Readings: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19; Matthew 25:31-46

First Sunday of Lent, Cycle B, 26 Feb 2012

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. Jesus is lead by the spirit into the desert for a forty day fast. He returns proclaiming the gospel of God, "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Readings: Genesis 9:8-15; Psalm 25; 1 Peter 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

Saturday after Ash Wednesday, 25 Feb 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (7 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Jesus calles Levi the tax collector to follow him showing God's scandalous love for sinners.

Readings: Isaiah 58:9b-14; Psalm 86; Luke 5:27-32

Friday after Ash Wednesday, 24 Feb 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (7 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Isaiah calls for an authentic fast that does justice for the poor and marginalized. We have so much while the poor have so little. Let us use this Lent to set people free with forgiveness and working for justice while we go through our closets and storage unites and give our stuff away as well.

Readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a; Psalm 51; Matthew 9:14-15

Thursday after Ash Wednesday, 23 Feb 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (5 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Moses put the question to those about to enter the promise land, will they choose life by following God's commandments, or will they choose death by worshiping the false gods of the land they are about to enter. This Lent we can examine if we place our faith, trust, hope, in the false gods of Power/Control, Safely/Security, Affection/Esteem/Pleasure, and National/Group Identity? Choose Life!

Readings: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1; Luke 9:22-25

Ash Wednesday, 22 Feb 2012

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. "As we solemnly offer the annual sacrifice for the beginning of Lent, we entreat you, O Lord, that, through works of penance and charity, we may turn away from harmful pleasures and, cleansed from our sins, may become, worthy to celebrate devoutly the Passion of your Son. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever." ~Prayer over the Offerings

Readings: Joel 2:12-18; Psalm 51; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 19 Feb 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (17 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in downtown Juneau, Alaska. Jesus heals the paralytic who had been lowered through a hole in the roof by forgiving his sins. How often do we ask for this forgiveness? Then seeing the faith of his friends who had carried him to Jesus he restores his health. Let us make every effort to bring our friends to Jesus and seek to forgive all who have harmed us.

Readings: Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25; Psalm 41; 1 Corinthians 1:18-22; Mark 2:1-12

Saturday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time, 18 Feb 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (7 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in downtown Juneau, Alaska. Today James warns us that our greatest work will be to tame our tongue. Jesus transfigure us!

Readings: James 3:1-10; Psalm 12; Mark 9:2-13

Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, 15 Feb 2012

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 heals the blind man in stages. This is often how we slowly, step by step, come to faith and understand our vocation in life. So if things look a little blurry right know, pray the Jesus clear up your spiritual vision.

Readings: James 1:19-27; Psalm 15; Mark 8:22-26

Tuesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, 14 Feb 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (14 minuets) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. James writes: "No one experiencing temptation should say, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself temps no one. Rather, each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death." Saints Cyril and Methodius Pray for Us!

Readings: James 1:12-18; Psalm 94; Mark 8:14-21

Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time, 13 Feb 2012

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. St James calls us to offer our very best selves to God, nothing less will do. Jesus laments that he is not accepted on his terms, instead we want a different Jesus. We remember Sr Dorothy Stang, Martyr of the Amazon (1931-2005).

Readings: James 1:1-11; Psalm 119; Mark 8:11-13

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 12 Feb 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (21 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Jesus heals the one with leprosy, not only setting him free of the disease, but restoring him to the community. Let us be imitators of Christ and reach out to those on the outside and welcome them into our communities.

Readings: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46; Psalm 32; 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1; Mark 1:4-45

Friday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, 10 Feb 2012

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 celebrate with St Scholastica (twin sister of St Benedict) the founding of Western Monasticism. Jesus heals the man who was deft and unable to speak. Let us ask the Lord to heal us as well of our deftness to the Word of God and our inability to speak the Good News to others.

Readings: 1 Kings 11:29-32, 12:19; Psalm 81; Mark 7:31-37

Thursday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, 9 Feb 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (11 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. After building the Temple in Jerusalem King Solomon built temples for all the other "gods" of the area and offered sacrifice to them, often human (Psalm 106).  Jesus heals at the request of a Syrophoenician mother. Let's count on our Blessed Mother Mary's Intercession to end abortion. Modern day humans sacrificed to the daemon of convenience and independence. Our Lady of Guadalupe Pray for Us!

Readings: 1 Kings 11:4-13; Psalm 106; Mark 7:24-30

Wednesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, 8 Feb 2012

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 Jesus proclaims all food clean by pointing out that the food we eat just passes through, while true uncleanness is caused by holding sinful intentions in our heart that then show themselves by our sinful actions.

Readings: 1 Kings 10:1-10; Psalm 37; Mark 7:14-23

Tuesday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, 7 Feb 2012

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. Jesus is calling us to the new law of love of God and neighbor over the love of rules and human traditions. We must always be careful to not disregard God's commandment to love above all less in favor of clinging to human traditions.

Readings: 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30; Psalm 84; Mark 7:1-13

Monday of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time, 6 Feb 2012

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. All who touched even the tassel on the cloak that Jesus wore, were healed. We remember Fr Paul Miki and his companion Japan martyrs.

Readings: 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13; Psalm 132; Mark 6:53-56

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 5 Feb 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (19 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Catherine of Siena parish in Petersburg, Alaska. Jesus retreats to a deserted place to pray. Fr Thomas' favorites: Mass, Centering Prayer, Rosary, Adoration, Scripture Reading, Psalms, Gratefulness List, Examine. Where and when is your favorite time and place to pray?

Readings: Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39

Saturday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, 4 Feb 2012

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. Jesus takes his disciples on a little retreat, yet the crowds join them and Jesus' "heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things." Jesus will always be with us to guide us, especially when we go on retreat or take a short prayer break.

Readings: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Psalm 119; Mark 6:30-34

Friday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, 3 Feb 2012

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 we hear the story of how John the Baptist is martyred. Those in power often use violence to say in power. Jesus comes to show us that love and non-violence is the only way to build the God's Kingdom. Let us learn to love as Jesus loves us.

Readings: Sirach 47:2-11; Psalm 18; Mark 6:14-29

"Through the intercession of St Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and every other illness." ~ Blessing for the Feast of St. Blaise

Presentation of the Lord, 2 Feb 2012

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. Forty days after Christmas Jesus is presented in the Temple in obedience to the Law of the Lord. Under the power of the Holy Spirit He is recognized in his infancy as the savior of Jew and Gentile alike by Simeon and Anna. That same Holy Spirit is present and active in our lives today prompting us to see Jesus in the most unlikely people and places. How well are we searching for Jesus the Light of the World?

Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time, 1 Feb 2012

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 preaches in his hometown synagogue and is rejected by those who think they know who he is. Do we fall into the same situation not really hearing Jesus anew each day because we already know all about him?

Readings: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17; Psalm 32; Mark 6:1-6