Saturday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, 14 Jan 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 Samuel anoints Saul as King of Israel. Jesus calls Levi the tax collector to follow Him. When challenged by the religious leaders about eating with sinners Jesus responds, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." May we always have the courage and humility to hang out with the people Jesus loves.

Readings: 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19, 10:1; Psalm 21; Mark 2:13-17

Friday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, 13 Jan 2012

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. St Hilary of Poitiers (315-368) Bishop, Doctor of the Church strongly defends the divinity of Jesus against the Arians. Today Jesus forgives the sins of the paralytic seeing the faith of his friends. May we often carry our friends to Jesus who is both God and Man.

Readings: 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a; Psalm 89; Mark 2:1-12

Thursday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, 12 Jan 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. Jesus reaches out and touches the one who had Leprosy and heals him, restoring him to his family and community. St Marguerite Bourgeoys (1620-1700) is Foundress of the Congregation of Notre Dame Sisters of Montreal.

Readings: 1 Samuel 4:1-11, Psalm 44, Mark 1:4-45

Wednesday of the 1st Week of Ordinary Time, 11 Jan 2012

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 God calling young Samuel. We note the important role that Eli plays as mentor teaching Samuel about the Lord. Who will you mentor this week? When Jesus heals us or sets us free it is so we can serve others.

Readings: 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20; Psalm 40; Mark 1:29-39

Tuesday of the 1st Week in Ordinary Time, 10 Jan 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 in Mark's Gospel Jesus calls the fishermen to follow after him. In the synagog at Capernaum Jesus teaches with the authority of God. Even the daemons know who he is.

Readings: 1 Samuel 1:1-20; 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd; Mark 1:14-28

Baptism of the Lord, 9 Jan 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. Today is the Baptism of the Lord Jesus. He goes down into the Jordan River refreshing all the waters of the Earth. The creator entering his creation. He enters into our sinfulness and our need for repentance and therefor sets us free. Let us remember that we are God's beloved sons and daughters and that the Holy Spirit has come down on us. Renewing our own baptismal promises to reject Satan and all sin and believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, let us act in love as God's beloved children.


Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29; Mark 1:7-11

Epiphany of the Lord Jesus, 8 Jan 2012

Click here to download and listen to this homily (19 minutes) given by Fr Thomas Weise at St Rose of Lima parish in Wrangell, Alaska. Today is the Epiphany of the Lord. That all peoples will be saved through Jesus Christ. The Magi offer gifts of Gold (for a king), Frankincense (for a God), Myrrh (for anointing Jesus after his death). St Fustina was asked by Jesus to give him something that he had not already given here. She could not think of anything that she had or was or would ever become that was not given to her by God, even her free will was God's gift. So Jesus said, "Give me your misery, your brokenness, your sins." For these are the only things that are truly of our own making. She did in the Sacrament of Penance. What will be our gift to Jesus this year? Jesus I give you my misery: transform it with your infinite love in the furnace of the Sacred Heart and set me free. Jesus I Trust in You!