The Emmaus Pastorate’s Podcast

Ash Wednesday Homily 2024

Have you ever tried erasing something, only for the eraser to leave a smudge on the paper?  That's exactly what Lent does for us, only the smudge is a promise.  As we begin this Lenten season, let us remember to reconnect to God through prayer, to ourselves through fasting, and others through charity and almsgiving.!

If you'd like to learn more about and/or contribute to our Lenten mission, Sister Water Project, please visit our website at https://www.vibrantcatholic.com/sisterwaterproject.  Also, each Emmaus Pastorate parish has a blue bucket similar to those used by the thirsty to carry water in Tanzania and Honduras.  Drop your donation in a bucket when visiting our churches.

Homily on 2-11-24

Trust.  Surrender.  Faith.  When we have a God who is everywhere and all-knowing, it can be very difficult to believe that he actually hears us!  And yet, when we really trust, truly surrender, and wholeheartedly place faith in him, we are never disappointed.  Sometimes our prayers are not answered in the way we wanted, but we can be sure they are always answered - if we trust, surrender, and have faith!

 

Thank you to Fr. Dustin Vu for presiding and preaching today in Fr. John's absence!

Homily on 2-4-24

Being a Christian is not a spectator sport.  We're part of a team.  True, sometimes we're injured in one way or another.  Job and Simon's mother-in-law certainly were.  But after receiving the graces they needed, neither stayed on the sidelines and watched.  They both got right to work and resumed being a contributing member of God's family.  Can you also say that you've used your gifts and talents to their fullest after receiving God's strength to use them?

 

Thanks to Fr. Jim Bergin, SVD, for presiding in Fr. John's absence!  Fr. John is away recovering from shoulder surgery and is expected to return in time for the First Sunday of Lent.  Please pray for his speedy recovery and give thanks for the priests serving us in the meantime!

Homily from 1-28-24

What gets you down?  What worries you?  Is it the news?  Is it politics?  Is it the church?  Maybe your job or family?  Whatever it is, we can find solace, peace, understanding, and grounding in Christ!  St. Francis de Sales and his confrere, St. Janes Francis de Chantal, have wonderful advice for us, as does St. Paul!

Homily from 1-21-24

God wants to be in all parts of our life.  If there's a part of your life that you're uncomfortable having God in, there's a problem, and it's not with God.  So God wants to be part of your sex life, your financial life, your social life, your life at work, your inner thoughts.  God wants to be part everything, and if you're not comfortable with some parts of that, then that's one of the nets that drags you down.  That's one of the nets that holds you back. 

If you really love someone, the only thing you want back is love!  The extent to which we let God in our lives and allow him to change us is the extent to which we feel God's presence in our lives.

What Are You Looking For? Homily from 1-14-24

"What are you looking for?" Jesus asked.  Andrew and Simon didn't say much, but they followed him.  Likewise, Samuel didn't know exactly what he wanted - better yet, what God wanted for him.  But nonetheless when he heard God calling him again in the night, he arose and answered, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."  As we go throughout our normal day here in Ordinary Time, are we listening for God's voice in our lives?  When we sit back and look at our lives as a whole, what is the thing we're looking for?  Hopefully it's Jesus!  And hopefully we have the courage to answer like Samuel did!

Epiphany Homily 2024

It's easy to find the darkness in today's world.  It's easy to find the violence, despair, sadness, and anxiety almost everywhere.  But we Christians are not called to darkness.  We are called to the light!  We are destined for Jesus Christ, the light of the world!  And we are also called to spread that light into those dark crevices that are so easy to find!  As 2024 begins, let us resolve to be lights in this world!

Homily on the Feast of the Holy Family

When it comes to family, plain and simple: all are welcome.  Just as Abram's descendants were as numerous as the stars in the sky, so too is the family of God.  Whether we're at home, around town, or in church, all are called to be children of God, to be brothers and sisters to each other.  Happy New Year from the staff of the Emmaus Pastorate!

Christmas Music Selections 2023

We hope you enjoy these Christmas musical selections from The Emmaus Pastorate as you celebrate Christmastide this year!  The first ensemble is the St. Joseph Choir from St. Joseph Parish in Elkader, and the second ensemble is from St. Mary Parish in Strawberry Point.  Merry Christmas from all the staff of The Emmaus Pastorate!

 

Reprinted and streamed with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-626030.

Christmas Day Homily 2023

Jesus came into our imperfect world to make us perfect.  He didn't need that.  The Holy Trinity existed just fine before Jesus came.  But nonetheless God wanted us to feel his holiness and perfection.  In the midst of our Christmas celebrations, when not exactly everything goes according to plan, let's remember that Jesus lives in the imperfect!  Merry Christmas from the staff of The Emmaus Pastorate!