Author: Father Albert

Flesh and Blood Must Die

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Homily for Corpus Christi                                                                              June 3, 2018 Fr. Albert                                                                                            St. Peter’s, New Iberia  Flesh and Blood must die to pay for sin. When a mere mortal creature deliberately chooses to sin, to cut themselves off from the infinite, all-loving God, the consequence can only be death. It’s one reason sacrifice is so important right from the start of Genesis. Abel offers a sacrifice of flesh and blood, but Cain does not… and it is not acceptable. All the great covenants are sealed with a sacrifice of animals… a reminder that the price of...Read More

Pride, Prejudice… and Eunuchs?

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So June is a big month for Catholics As you may know, it is the month of the Sacred Heart.  Some of the biggest and best liturgical feasts (excepting Easter) usually happen during this month.  The Trinity, Corpus Christi, The Sacred Heart (hence the month's dedication), the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Solemnity of Sts. Peter & Paul (June 29), not to mention a whole host of other great early Church saints.  It is also the month during which most priests (like me!) are ordained, at least in the U.S.  On top of that, it is typically the most...Read More

Daily Collection: The Visitation of Mary

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The Collect for the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: "Almighty ever-living God, who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb, inspired her to visit Elizabeth, grant us, we pray, that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit, we may magnify your greatness with the Virgin Mary at all times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." Reflection It is noteworthy that Mary's first action after discovering her pregnancy with Jesus was not focused  on...Read More

Daily Collection: Eighth Week of Ordinary Time

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The Collect for the Eighth Week of Ordinary Time: [During Ordinary Time, the masses during the week use the same collect as the previous Sunday] "Grant us, O Lord, we pray, that the course of our world may be directed by your peaceful rule and that your Church may rejoice, untroubled in her devotion. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." Reflection Our prayer this week is a straightforward request for peace and tranquility. It's interesting that we ask the course...Read More

Graduate, and Make Disciples of All Nations

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Homily for Trinity Sunday                 Homeschool Graduation                     May 27, 2018 Fr. Albert                                                                                            Sacred Heard, Broussard  “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” Typically, at a graduation, someone is chosen to encourage the graduates to use what they have learned, to go into the world and make a difference. Then, someone has to stand up and proclaim that they have the authority to grant diplomas before sending those graduates out into the world. So, here we are, on the day of your graduation, which...Read More

Believe, Relate, Love

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Homily for Trinity Sunday                                                                             May 27, 2018 Fr. Albert                                                                                            St. Peter’s, New Iberia  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. The Trinity. This doctrine matters. It should change you. This doctrine should be a radical and defining part of your life. Maybe that seems a bit counter-intuitive to you. The Trinity seems kind of obscure and hard to grasp, right? It is the teaching that there is one God who is Three Persons. It’s a mystery, we are told. It’s said to be a profound...Read More

Daily Collection: Trinity Sunday

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The Collect for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity: "God our Father, who by sending into the world the Word of truth and the Spirit of sanctification made known to the human race your wondrous mystery, grant us, we pray, that in profession the true faith, we may acknowledge the Trinity of eternal glory and adore your Unity, powerful in majesty. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." Reflection Our prayer begins by recalling the truth that the Trinity is...Read More

Daily Collection: St. Philip Neri

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The Collect for the Memorial of St. Philip Neri, Priest: "O God, who never cease to bestow the glory of holiness on the faithful servants you raise up for yourself, graciously grant that the Holy Spirit may kindle in us that fire with which he wonderfully filled the heart of Saint Philip Neri. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reign with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." Reflection St. Philip Neri lived from 1515 to 1595 in Florence and Rome. He was a priest, a powerful preacher, a...Read More

God Made You That Way? Pope Francis on Being Gay

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What happened? According to multiple news reports, Pope Francis told a gay Chilean man that God "Juan Carlos, I don’t care about you being gay. God made you that way and loves you as you are and I don’t mind. The pope loves you as you are..." To no one's surprise, this has gotten a lot of attention. Some people are cheering it, some are worried sick, and a good many are probably a just confused. What's the problem? The Catholic Church has always taught that homosexual acts (and, by extension, same-sex unions) are always sinful. But, if God "made...Read More

Daily Collection: St. Rita of Cascia

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The Collect for the Memorial of St. Rita, Virgin: "Bestow on us, we pray, O Lord, the wisdom and strength of the Cross, with which you were pleased to endow Saint Rita, so that, suffering in every tribulation with Christ, we may participate ever more deeply in his Paschal Mystery. Who lives and reign with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever." Reflection The wisdom and strength of the Cross seem like foolishness and weakness to the world. Often enough, they seem like foolishness to us, so our prayer looks to the example...Read More