Author: Father Albert

The Social Question II

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[Note: This is not the weekly homily.] This is an article from the bulletin of November 14, 2021      We left off last week with Pope Pius XI reiterating Leo XIII’s teaching on private property, namely, that it is a natural right but not an absolute right. Men ought to be able to own property in providing for themselves, but this right does not justify hoarding or wastefulness and the obligation to be support those in need must always be considered. Today, we pick up with a teaching on labor and capital. “Capital,” in this context generally refers to property....Read More

Homily for the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time: Fighting to the End

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33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, B                                                                  November 14, 2021Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/EJS5nbER25o The end of the world. In one sense, we should fear it. In another, we should look forward to it. Fear it because it means destruction and suffering and death. Jesus himself calls it “tribulation” and Daniel the prophet is told “it shall be a time unsurpassed in distress.” Yet, we should look forward to it because it also means the end to our long battle… final victory. The angels will gather God’s “elect” and the “wise shall shine brightly.” That’s us… if...Read More

Homily for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time: The Offering That Counts

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32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, B                                                                 November 7, 2021Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/l4a-ELiF_rE “What can I possibly offer? I don’t have much money, influence, or talent, what difference will it make?” Have you ever asked yourself that question? Maybe when you read some bad news or perhaps when challenged to serve our community or God’s Church? I know I have. I think most people face some version of that doubt. Well, then I have good news. Jesus doesn’t care how successful your efforts are, he only cares that you give what you do have. “This poor...Read More

Homily for All Saints Day 2021: To Ascend the Mountain

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All Saints Day                                                                                                 November 1, 2021Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/Y-Gh-k4lSQk “Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place?” So our psalm asks… it’s a version of the question “who goes to heaven?” Fitting on All Saints Day, the day we celebrate all those who have gone to heaven, whether we know their name or not. This is a day of joy, of celebration, of victory, of thanksgiving… the very meaning of the word Eucharist. Yet, it is also a day of wondering, “what will it take for...Read More

Pastor Column: The Social Question I

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[Note: This is not the weekly homily.] This is an article from the bulletin of November 7, 2021      Now we turn to the next important document from Pope Pius XI, called Quadragesimo anno, which is Latin for “on the fortieth year.” He we published it on May 15, 1931, which was the 40th anniversary of Pope Leo XIII’s letter Rerum Novarum. That letter, translated “on new things,” addressed the social questions that were arising from the industrial revolution concerning labor, human rights, and society in general. It is not that the Church never talked about social issues before -...Read More

Pastor Column: Casti Connubii VI

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From the bulletin of October 31, 2021      Having addressed threats to the 2 aspects of children and fidelity, Pope Pius XI now looks at the challenges against the sacramentality of marriage. He immediately identifies movements in society that claim marriage “belongs entirely to the profane and purely civil sphere.” This in turn is used to justify once again the claim that divorce should be easily obtained.      As he taught earlier in the letter, the pope repeats the teaching that even the purely natural union of man and woman has a sacred character and is prior to the formation...Read More

Homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time: Inside Out

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31st Sunday of Ordinary Time, B                                                                  October 31, 2021Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette [No recording this week.] This is a rare moment in the Gospel. Why? Most of the time, when someone asks Jesus a question, he responds with another question or parable or warning. He rarely just answers the question plain and simple. There are many reasons for this – the question was a trap, the answer is not a piece of information but a change of heart, or the answer is beyond words and Jesus is trying to invite wonder and mystery. Yet, the full...Read More

Pastor Column: Casti Connubii V

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From the bulletin of October 24, 2021      Now we return to the document from Pope Pius XI on marriage. Last we left off, the Pope reiterated the standard teaching of the Church against abortion and artificial contraception. From this point, the pope moves onto the related topic of eugenics. Eugenics is supposed to be the science of healthy breeding, but in practice it turns out as a crime against human nature. Some doctors and scientists wanted to help the human race become healthier, so they tried to regulate who could have children with whom and some even went so...Read More

Homily for the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Seeing The Way For What It Is

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30th Sunday of Ordinary Time, B                                                                  October 24, 2021Fr. Albert                                                                                St. John the Evangelist, Jeanerette https://youtu.be/T3KOCEk2Qws “What do you want me to do for you?” Like you don’t know, Jesus? The man is a blind beggar, why make him ask for what we all know he wants? Because that’s how prayer works. That’s how faith works. Prayer is not conveying information to God, it is expressing desire. It is fostering desire. It stirs up faith and prepares the heart to receive. A desire honestly expressed changes us, not God. The answer is not always what we expect. There is...Read More