Fr. Brian Soliven Sermons

We are truly blessed to witness so many beautiful weddings take place here in our parish, not only for our own parishioners but also for couples from neighboring communities. Our church, with its stunning fountain courtyard, the grand aisle, and the Spanish-style sanctuary, provides a breathtaking backdrop for these sacred moments. It is a place where love, joy, and new beginnings come to life. An...

Brothers and sisters, heed the wisdom of Pope St. John Paul II, who boldly proclaimed, “The future of humanity passes through the family.” In his profound “Letter to Families,” he emphasized that the family is not merely an institution; it is the very foundation upon which our society is built. The family stands as the first and most crucial sanctuary of love, where each individual can find their...

If you’re searching for peace of mind, consider stepping away from the constant barrage of news. It seems that every time we open an article, watch a broadcast, or glance at a headline, we are faced with a new crisis to fear. Whether it’s the turmoil of politics, the uncertainty of the economy, or the pain of global conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza, the weight can feel unbearable. And on top of all...

If you’re searching for peace of mind, consider stepping away from the constant barrage of news. It seems that every time we open an article, watch a broadcast, or glance at a headline, we are faced with a new crisis to fear. Whether it’s the turmoil of politics, the uncertainty of the economy, or the pain of global conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza, the weight can feel unbearable. And on top of all...

Let me ask you this: what would your life look like without God? Would you feel fulfilled, valued, and at peace? Imagine, for a moment, a life without the presence of the Divine. Without God to guide you, your worth would come from fleeting things—external markers of success that never seem to be enough. The constant comparison game begins: Who has the better job? The bigger house? The flashier ca...

Throughout history, when two distinct civilizations have collided, the outcome has often been devastating—marked by bloodshed, destruction, and war. When Europeans first arrived in the Americas during the 15th and 16th centuries, the same tragic pattern seemed inevitable. The clash of cultures and the turmoil that followed were all too familiar. But then, something extraordinary happened—something...

When we build our lives on Christ, we're building on solid foundations. Everything in the world is but sand. Christ words will never fade away.  --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope o...

Jesus gives us strength in our weakness.  --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

Is prayer a waste of time?  At times, it can certainly feel that way, especially when we pray fervently for a particular outcome, only to face silence in return. We cry out in our deepest need, yet hear nothing but the echoes of our own voices. In those moments, many of us have wondered, in desperation, “God, are you even listening?” It's only human to feel disheartened, even the most devoted...

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." -1 Chronicles 16:34 --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliv...

There are few things more terrifying than the thought of the end of the world. The great day of reckoning has many names—the Apocalypse, the Rapture, Armageddon, the Day of Judgement, and for us Catholics, the most solemn of all, the Second Coming of Christ. No matter the name, it speaks to one undeniable reality: this world, in all its fleeting glory, will come to an end. And make no mistake, bel...

When you go to Mass, you'll notice the scripture passages will take on a seemingly ominous new emphasis  -- the end of the world.  --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—o...

Ah, let me ask you a question—a great question, one that we too often overlook in the rush of our busy lives. What do you think God wants? At this very moment, in the stillness of the universe, what is it that God desires? It may seem like a strange question, doesn't it? A question that shakes us from our daily distractions, our routines, and our self-focused thinking. After all, when we think of...

On the evening of September 30, 1897, a group of Carmelite nuns gathered in the convent infirmary to witness the final moments of one of their own. “For more than two hours, a terrible rattle tore her chest,” wrote one sister present that night. “Her face was blue, her hands were purplish, her feet were cold, and she trembled throughout her body. Perspiration formed large droplets on her forehead...

The saints serve as a poignant reminder of our shared familial bond. Death cannot sever the ties that bind us in Christ; rather, it enriches our existence, affirming that we are made even more alive in the embrace of Heaven. --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volu...

St. Mary's is a popular place for weddings. As part of the preparations for the big day, I ask each couple why they are marrying the other person. I'd like to share with you a response from a recent bride. Notice, the heart of her search is the gnawing desire of love we all seek:  I am marrying Jacob because I love him. He is a holy man of God and I know that he will bring us to heaven a...

What do you love the most? To get at the heart of this answer, we can ask ourselves what we spend the most time and money on. These are usually connected. If I love something, I spend most of my attention on it. If something is near and dear to me, I will give it the utmost care and attention. Whatever commands my time and resources, is usually on the highest pedestal of my love. Take for example...

Jesus touches on one of his most controversial teachings in today's Sunday Gospel -- divorce and remarriage. He tells the Pharisees when they ask, "Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?" He responds, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."  (Cf. Mark 10:11-12). Ask any pr...

There is nothing on earth more precious than a child. No amount of wealth, money, gold bars, fast cars, or mansions, or lands can ever equal the value of a human soul. Always go back to the foundational scripture verse that undergirds our view of human rights in Western Civilization:  “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (C...

Jesus became poor for our sake. In response, we must love the poor among us. They are Christ in disguise.  --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Her...

Every Christian has a gift. The only question is what do we do with it?  --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like you. If his words have blessed you, consider supporting this volunteer effort. Every gift helps us continue recording and sharing the hope of Jesus—one homily at a time. Give Here: https://frbriansoliven.org/give

We fear many things, don’t we? We worry about our families, our health, politics, the list is endless. Each day can seem to bring us new challenges, to the point it is difficult to breathe. To all with heavy hearts, listen to the prediction he makes about his future:  “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”...

The most scientifically studied religious artifact in history sits in a locked vault in the cathedral of Turin, Italy since 1578. Before that, it had been in Chambery, France since the 1350s. Known as the Shroud of Turin, it purportedly shows a mysterious image of a crucified individual, bearing all the hallmarks of a man that was brutally tortured which match the description of Jesus' own crucifi...

As priests, there's always a real temptation to soften Church teaching, especially when it opposes the ethos of the age. Think of the traditional teaching on marriage, abortion, and human sexuality. If you want to get into an argument, defend Jesus Christ against these modern dogmas.  --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners like...

One of Jesus' hardest teachings is found in today's Gospel. "Love your enemies," he commands us. It's not a suggestion. Can anything be more counterintuitive? Hardly. Yet our Lord demands this of his followers. Creator of the photo: Arturo Mari  |  Credit: CNS/Arturo Mari --- Help Spread the Good News --- Father Brian’s homilies are shared freely thanks to generous listeners li...