What Did You Expect?

Homily for 25thSun OT, Year A St. Peter Catholic Church, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/What-Did-You-Expect.wav"][/audio]   Expectation is a double-edged sword. It can really enhance a great moment when we look forward to something with eager anticipation and our expectations are met or even exceeded. Think about the last time you looked forward to a movie that was coming out and, when you went, it blew you away and you walked away saying, that was as good or better than you expected. That gives us some joy, some satisfaction. But, expectation can also be the greatest obstacle to happiness. Imagine going to...Read More

St. Padre Pio

Collect taken from the memorial of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, priest. Collect: Almighty ever-living God, who, by a singular grace, gave the Priest Saint Pius a share in the Cross of your Son and, by means of his ministry, renewed the wonders of your mercy, grant that through his intercession we may be united constantly to the sufferings of Christ, and so brought happily to the glory of the resurrection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... "Almighty ever-living God, who, by a singular grace, gave the Priest Saint Pius a share in the Cross of your Son" - We call to mind the...Read More

Twenty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time

Collect taken from Twenty-Fourth Week of Ordinary Time. Collect: Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things, and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you with all our heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things," - It is an act of faith and confidence to so simply ask for the almighty creator to look upon us in our smallness. Billions of starts and billions of years, but we feel comfortable seeking God's particular attention. "and, that we may feel...Read More

Deal Or No Deal?

Homily for 24thSun OT, Year A Fr. Albert St. Peter Catholic Church, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Deal-Or-No-Deal.wav"][/audio]   I’m sorry, but there is no way out. No clever interpretation, no creative explanation can get you off the hook here. There’s really nothing hidden or confusing about what Jesus is saying. If you do not forgive your fellow man, you will not go to heaven. Period. It doesn’t matter how serious their crime, how often they do it, or what kind of pain they’ve caused. Forgive them or you will not be forgiven. Just last week we heard Jesus explain how we should...Read More

Our Lady of Sorrows

Collect taken from the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Collect: O God, who willed that, when your Son was lifted high on the Cross, his Mother should stand close by and share his suffering, grant that your Church, participating with the Virgin Mary in the Passion of Christ, may merit a share in his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns... "O God, who willed that, when your Son was lifted high on the Cross, his Mother should stand close by and share his suffering," - We are all familiar with Mary's presence at the foot of the Cross. This was no accident,...Read More

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Collect taken from the feast of Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Collect: O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race, grant, we pray, that we, who have known his mystery on earth, may merit the grace of his redemption in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "O God, who willed that your Only Begotten Son should undergo the Cross to save the human race," - We acknowledge the mysterious means of our salvation, the Cross, and recognize that it was an act of obedience and love that led Jesus to...Read More

Gold Needs Fire

Homily for 23rd Wed, St. John Chrysostom Fr. Albert Notre Dame Seminary [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Gold-Needs-Fire.wav"][/audio]   Golden Mouthed John is a saint I love to pretend to love. In the Collect, the Church calls him “illustrious” for his “wonderful eloquence.” To be frank, I’ve always kind of wanted to be known for my eloquence too, secretly wishing that someone would compare me to this talented Antiochene from so many centuries ago. And why not? He was clearly passionate about the Truth. He was given to discipline and seriousness. He was known for being… direct when he spoke. John Chrysostom is also...Read More

The Most Holy Name of Mary

Collect taken from the memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Collect: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, for all who celebrate the glorious Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she may obtain your merciful favor. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son ... "Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, for all who celebrate the glorious Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary," - As with God's name, the name of Jesus, and the name of anyone we love dearly, the name of Mary is something precious to us. It is also an acknowledgment of her...Read More

Twenty-Third Week of Ordinary Time

Collect taken from Twenty-Third Week of Ordinary Time. Collect: O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption, look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters, that those who believe in Christ may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "O God, by whom we are redeemed and receive adoption, look graciously upon your beloved sons and daughters," - We recall our adoption and invoke our status as sons and daughters of God before making our request. "that those who believe in Christ may receive true freedom and an everlasting inheritance." - That adoption...Read More

Judging Out Of Love

Homily for 23rdSun OT, Year A Fr. Albert   St. Peter Catholic Church, New Iberia [audio wav="http://box5246.temp.domains/~alberuc3/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Judging-Out-Of-Love.wav"][/audio]   This past week marked the one-year anniversary of Mother Teresa being canonized, when she was declared to be St. Teresa of Caclutta. One of her celebrated quotes about the faith comes to mind now. She once said, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” It’s clear, to the point, and challenging. It is also true. So, what do we make of Ezekiel? Ezekiel is told that, if he does not correct or speak against a “wicked” person, then he will...Read More