"100,000 Multnomah Falls-worth of Grace" — Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, 11/9/25
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Release Date: 11/11/2025
"Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption" — 4th Sun. in Ordinary Time, 1/2/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Did you know that God has a plan that only you can accomplish? While we strive to line ourselves up with God and keep working to become holy; Jesus our Big Brother rescues us from what distances us from God. Let us lift our hearts up to the Lord and pray for God's grace to find out what God is calling us to do. Catholic Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 1, 2026 First Reading: Zephaniah 2: 3; Zephaniah 3: 12-13 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10 Second Reading: First Corinthians 1: 26-31 Alleluia: Matthew 5: 12a Gospel: Matthew 5:...
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"Christian Unity? Still Praying after All These Years" — 3rd Sun. in Ordinary Time, 1/25/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Do you think that St. Paul's message to the Corinithians also applies to you? Striving for unity among Christians is just as important today as it was in the first century. That's why every Mass includes prayers for unity, and why there is a special Christian Unity week every year. Let us gather together in courageous and hopeful trust in God for His peace and unity to be restored. Catholic Mass readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 25, 2026 First Reading: Isaiah 8: 23 – 9: 3 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 27: 1, 4, 13-14 Second Reading: First Corinthians 1:...
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"Got God's Energy for Holy Positivity?" — 2nd Sun. in Ordinary Time, 1/18/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Do you feel God's energy calling you to be holy? In today's homily, Father Chuck recommends one way that we can please God. To decrease the "pollution of negativity" in the world, let's bring our personal hurts and irritations to God instead of spreading them to others. And let's also find ways to talk positively with others about our faith, letting the name of Jesus "bubble up" as St. Paul does in today's Second Reading. Catholic Mass readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 18, 2026 First Reading: Isaiah 49: 3, 5-6 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 40: 2, 4, 7-8,...
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"Fulfill All Righteousness by Christ in You" — Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, 01/11/26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Do you hear Jesus also speaking to you when he speaks to John The Baptist in today's Gospel? Jesus is asking all of us to cooperate with Him in continuing His mission to do good. Let us seek out the "bruised reeds and smoldering wicks" to whom Jesus wants us to bring God's healing. Catholic Mass readings for The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Feast, Sunday, January 11, 2026 First Reading: Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 29: 1-2, 3-4, 9-10 Second Reading: Acts 10: 34-38 Alleluia: Mark 9: 7 Gospel: Matthew 3: 13-17
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"Three Wise Men & One Wise Drycleaner" — Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, 01-04-26
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
What treasures do you have that represent who you are, and how does God want you to use them? In today's homily. Father Chuck shares a story from a member who recognized God's voice, as we all are able to do. Let us ask the Holy Spirit for opportunities this year to be "co-partners in the promise" and give what we treasure to the Lord. Catholic Mass readings for the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, January 4, 2026 First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 Second Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6 Alleluia: Matthew 2: 2 Gospel:...
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"The Holy Family's Least Supernatural Member" — Feast of the Holy Family, 12/28/2025
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
How can St. Joseph help us gain holiness? Father Chuck points out that St. Joseph is the only member of the Holy Family to be born with sin, as we are, so his life is a good example for us. St. Joseph shows us the importance of recognizing the voice of God, following God's guidance, and dedicating our lives to God and to helping others. Let us pray to St. Joseph to help us become who God created us to be. Catholic Mass readings for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, December 28, 2025 First Reading: Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5...
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"Remember Our Woodworking Cheater & Ambush Predator Was Born on Christmas Day" — Nativity of the Lord, 12/25/25
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Merry Christmas, Podcast Listeners! If you love surprise gifts for Christmas, you'll love Fr. Chuck's Christmas homily with its surprising titles for Jesus to supplement those in our First Reading from Isaiah! If you didn't join us at any of the Christmas Masses at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, you'll just have to listen to this recording of the Christmas Day Mass to figure out what Fr. Chuck's surprising homily title is about! If you were in any of the Christmas Mass congregations, you'll benefit from hearing this version of the homily at the Christmas Day Mass because it differs...
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"The Obedience of Faith" — 4th Sun. of Advent, 12/21/25
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
Did you know that God has an Advent present for you? As Paul describes in todays second reading, the obedience of faith is waiting for us. We just need to ask for God's help. And just as the Lord instructs Ahaz in the first reading, God wants us to "ask big". Let us trust in big things from God starting this Advent. Catholic Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025 First Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-14 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6 Second Reading: Romans 1: 1-7 Alleluia: Matthew 1: 23 Gospel: Matthew 1: 18-24
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"Patience and Unpremeditated Mercy" — 3rd Sun. of Advent, 12/14/25
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
What gifts can we find in the desert? God asks us to be patient and not to fear hardship nor to complain about others. Let us carve out some time for solitude this Advent so we can bloom in God's saving grace. Catholic Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 14, 2025 First Reading: Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10 Second Reading: James 5: 7-10 Alleluia: Isaiah 61: 1 Gospel: Matthew 11: 2-11
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"How to be Advent Agents of Encouragement" — 2nd Sun. of Advent, 12/7/25
St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies
How can we bring God's endurance and encouragement to others this Advent? Jesus brings hope from the tree of Jesse that was foretold by Isaiah and has persisted through centuries. Our own parish apple tree is an example of regrowth and resilience for us. Let us pray daily to be a source of blessing for someone else, to be an agent of God's love. Catholic Mass readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, 2025 First Reading: Isaiah 11: 1-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Second Reading: Romans 15: 4-9 Alleluia: Luke 3: 4, 6 Gospel: Matthew...
info_outlineDo you think of yourself as having a small drip or a flowing stream of God's grace? In today's second reading we hear that we are each God's temple filled with the Holy Spirit, so God's grace flows from us. Listen to Father Chuck's homily to learn more and get your spiritual homework for the week.
Catholic Mass readings for the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome, November 9, 2025
First Reading: Ezekiel 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Second Reading: First Corinthians 3: 9c-11, 16-17
Alleluia: Second Chronicles 7: 16
Gospel: John 2: 13-22