Author: Father Albert

Consumed by Zeal or Stolen by Greed?

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Homily for 3rd Sun of Lent, Year B                        March 4, 2018 Fr. Albert                                St. Peter’s, New Iberia “Zeal for your house will consume me.” A mother protecting her children, an activist fighting for justice, an Olympic athlete with their sport of choice – these are all examples of zeal. But Jesus is zealous for what matters most: the love of God. His “Father’s house” is important not because it was a pretty awesome building, but because it was the necessary physical manifestation of the worship of God. But...Read More

Monday of the Second Week of Lent

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Today's Collect says: "O God, who have taught us to chasten our bodies for the healing of our souls, enable us, we pray, to abstain from all sins, and strengthen our hearts to carry out your loving commands. 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: Lent is especially the time to "chasten" our bodies, which means to subdue, restrain, or even punish them. But, we don't do it because we hate our bodies or ourselves. Our prayer even tells us that we do...Read More

Time to Adore!

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This week, I have no homily to offer. The reason why is that we have started a drive to restore Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration to the city of New Iberia. So, we had a guest priest, Fr. Michael Champagne preach the value of adoration. Perpetual Adoration will start Divine Mercy Sunday and continue, every day for... well, forever. If you're in or near New Iberia and want to sign up for one or more hours a week, call St. Peter's and let us know. We're looking for commitments of 1 year at a time. The adoration website will be up and running soon,...Read More

This Means War!

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Homily for 1st Sun of Lent, Year B Fr. Albert St. Peter’s, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/This-Means-War.wav"][/audio]   Baptism means battle. When someone is baptized, they join the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of God is at war. St. Peter hints at this when he explains that Baptism is “an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.” Notice that last part – the angels, authorities, and powers – that’s a reference to Jesus’ victory...Read More

Be Mine!

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Homily for Ash Wednesday Fr. Albert St. Peter’s, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Be-Mine.wav"][/audio]   Be Mine. Normally, candy hearts and cards with that message or others like is are exchanged on this day, February 14th, Valentine’s Day. Every 70 years or so, however, we find ourselves with a bit of a conflict as Ash Wednesday happens to land on the day typically marked by chocolates, fine dining, and a celebration of romantic love. For Catholics, this creates a rather stark contrast as we gather for a different kind of marking. And yet, it’s message is not so foreign to us. Be...Read More

An Inconvenient Love

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Homily for 6th Sun OT, Year B Fr. Albert St. Peter’s, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/An-Inconvenient-Love.wav"][/audio] How inconvenient is your charity? How much time or money are you willing to lose for the sake of another person? Just look at what happens to Jesus after he heals this man; It was impossible for him to enter a town openly. He knew that healing this man would only cause more trouble. For Jesus, this act of charity was a massive inconvenience. And so it can be with us. It’s annoying to be accosted by someone in need, especially by someone we don’t...Read More

To be Good or to be Holy?

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Homily for 5th Sun OT, Year B Fr. Albert St. Peter’s, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/To-be-Good-or-to-be-Holy.wav"][/audio]   [N.B. Homily is shortened due to in-parish Bishop's Services Appeal this weekend.] Holiness is not an option. Everything in heaven must be holy. In order to go to Heaven, you have to accept the Gospel. In order to fully accept the Gospel, you have to share that Gospel with others. And in order to share the Gospel well, you will need the authority that comes from being holy. Holiness is not an option. And holiness is not just being nice. It is not just...Read More

Destroying the Demons

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Homily for 4th Sun OT, Year B Fr. Albert St. Peter’s, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Destroying-the-Demons.wav"][/audio]   Demons are real. They have existed since the beginning of time. They are present in the Old Testament, they are present in the New Testament, and they are still with us. They are more intelligent than us, stronger than us, and whole-heartedly dedicated to destroying us. And yet, they are ultimately powerless and doomed to fail in their overall mission. This doesn’t mean we should take them lightly, however. Movies and books have portrayed a variety of exorcisms and used them to scare and entertain...Read More

Gone Fishing

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Homily for 3rd Sun OT, Year B Fr. Albert St. Peter’s, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Gone-Fishing.wav"][/audio]   Forty days more and New Iberia shall be destroyed! Like Nineveh, we are full of sin. Drugs, violence, theft, drunkenness, and lust all have a home in our dear city. So, maybe it’s high time someone walked through the city proclaiming its imminent destruction. Then maybe, just maybe, we would take our lead from Nineveh, proclaim a fast, and put on sackcloth. After all, look at what Jesus is doing. In Mark, this is the first time Jesus speaks and what does he do?...Read More

The Joy of Discovery

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Homily for 2nd Sun OT, Year B Fr. Albert St. Peter’s, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/The-Joy-of-Discovery.wav"][/audio]   “We have found the Messiah.” What do those words make you think? What do you feel? Think of a football scout running up to the coach saying, “we found him, the perfect quarterback” or left tackle or whatever position your team most needs. Imagine if you were out of work for a while and starting to miss some bills, but your brother calls you up suddenly saying “hey, I got a job for you: $70,000 a year, full benefits, great retirement.” What would you...Read More