The Emmaus Pastorate’s Podcast

Homily on 8-10-25

The Catholic Church has undergone multiple stages over the centuries.  Today, we've returned to an apostolic age in which people don't participate in worship and parish activities out of habit as they have for the last several decades.  The majority of people who participate today do so because they have been personally invited.  This applies especially to the men and women entering the priesthood and religious life.  Those who have discerned God's calling to enter vows or be ordained do so because someone asked them to consider it.  Today, we are happy to welcome home our very own seminarian, Steven Kessler, who is continuing his priesthood formation this fall.  We continue to pray for him, his classmates, and all those currently in formation for the priesthood or religious life.

Homily on 8-3-25

Having stuff is OK, but there's ultimately no point to our stuff if we don't live a self-giving lifestyle.  Let's ask ourselves if what we have is worth having just to claim possession of it.  Or is there a larger use for my stuff?  Perhaps our focus needs to shift from ourselves to others.

Homily on 7-20-25

How can we get to know Jesus unless we listen?  When we come to Mass, do we really listen to what we're hearing?  The scriptures, prayers, and even music have so much to tell us, but it doesn't matter much if we don't listen.  True, sometimes we need to take action and do certain things, just like Martha was busy serving her guests.  But we also need to remember to listen and pay attention, just like Mary.

Homily on 7-13-25

This weekend, the Emmaus Pastorate welcomes its new pastor, Fr. Paul Baldwin!  In his first homily, he explains his background and roots.  Everyone is our neighbor and deserves our care, love and support.  As Fr. Paul begins his ministry here, he's counting on that from us.  The greatest thing a priest can do is care for others in both the good times and bad.  So, let us be there for him as he is there for us!  Welcome, Fr. Paul!

Homily on 7-6-25

Have you ever seen God as a mother?  God wants to nurture, nourish, and grow us!  But that requires us to be docile enough to accept such an intimate relationship.  And how does God nurture us?  Through other people!  We are called to be both the nurtured and the nurturer!  We are our brothers' keepers and our neighbors' caretakers.  We belong to each other and are here to serve each other.  Let us be the laborers but also the harvest.

This episode marks the end of Fr. John Haugen's time as pastor of the five parishes in the Emmaus Pastorate.  We are very grateful for his leadership over the last 10+ years.  We will miss his presence, preaching, and guidance.  And we wish him the very best in his retirement!

Homily on 6-29-25 - Beginning a Journey of Faith

With belief comes persecution, but all of us have a part to play.  This is especially true in the 21st century and as the Archdiocese of Dubuque embarks on a long-range initiative titled Journey in Faith that will help shape the future of our parishes in northeast Iowa.  Today's Mass also marks Fr. John's farewell at St. Joseph Parish in Elkader, IA.  He will certainly be missed, and we wish him well in retirement!

Homily for 7-27-2025

Dubuque's Mother Church

In this bonus episode of the Emmaus Pastorate's Podcast, we are very happy to share the content of another great Catholic podcast, Catholic History Trek.  Their hosts, Kevin Schmiesing and Scott Schulze, retell parts of Catholic history that relate to current practices and issues.  One thread of their show is to showcase the Cradle of Catholicism in each of the United States.

For the last several years, the Archdiocese of Dubuque has conducted a special collection titled ArchdioceseOne for four specific purposes: seminarian education, priest retirement, legal immigration services, and cathedral church and campus repairs.  Over the last year, the Cathedral has received new grading and drainage outside the church, repairs to the roof and foundation, restored Maplewood floorings, new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units, tuckpointing work, and repairs to the building’s façade.  New flooring was added to the Cathedral Center along with plaster repairs and new paint.   Paintings in the church were restored along with the stenciling and ornamentation on the walls.  Although the church was first used again at the Chrism Mass during Holy week, this Sunday, June 29 a grand unveiling with tours receptions will be held. 

If you have the opportunity to visit the cradle of Catholicism in Iowa, the Cathedral of St. Raphael, we highly suggest spending the time!  Seated just a few blocks from the Julien Dubuque bridge in downtown Dubuque, Iowa, the Cathedral is one reason the city is nicknamed the Masterpiece on the River!  The Emmaus Pastorate appreciates Kevin and Scott for sharing their research with us, and we celebrate the newly restored seat of our Archdiocese!

Homily on 6-22-25

"Pray.  Serve.  Belong."  That's the mission of St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center in Cedar Falls, IA.  As Chaplain Fr. Mark Murphy explains, St. Stephen serves the spiritual needs of college students from the University of Northern Iowa, Hawkeye Community College, Allen College, and Wartburg College, all of which are in the Waterloo and Waverly areas of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.  Because St. Stephen is a student center instead of a parish, it receives no formal or regular source of income.  If you are in a position to help serve the needs of these students, please make a donation!  Gifts can be brought to either Emmaus Pastorate office in Elkader or Edgewood, mailed to the address below, or made online at the following link.  Thank you for your generosity!  And thanks to Fr. Mark for spreading the word about St. Stephen!

Make checks payable and send to St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center, 1019 West 23rd Street Cedar Falls, IA 50613.

Make online donations at https://bit.ly/ststephenuni.

Trinity Sunday Homily 6-15-2025

The Trinity is a hard concept to understand.  But that's alright.  We mere mortals don't need to understand it.  But as followers of Jesus, we do need to live the Trinity!