Reflections from St. Ann DC

Are you at your wit's end trying to muster your own resources, time and talent to accomplish something? Listen to this.

Fr. Ivan Pertine answers in this week's homily: "Who are the pharisees today?"

Have you ever lost something? Someone? Are you searching for reasons? Msgr. James Watkins tackles this difficult question of suffering love and "loss" in this week's homily.

Do you know what the Pietà in our church is made of? Can you tell which saints are depicted in our stained glass windows? Hear all the highlights of this past Saturday's stained glass, history and architecture tours during Art All Night!

Fr. Ivan Pertine explains this difficult Gospel that tells us to "hate" our family by hitting on three key points in his homily: 1) Put God first. Above everything. Everything. 2) Deny yourself. Take up your cross. Sacrifice. 3) Give Jesus everything. Turn it over to Him. If you can't, ask Him for the grace to eventually.

Jesus tells us in Luke 14: “...anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” How do we digest this? How can we apply its meaning? Msgr. James Watkins dissects this 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel message.

Luke 14 tells us in the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time's Gospel: "For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." Is this realistic in Washington?

We hear from Jesus in today's Gospel in Luke 13 that some people will hear "I do not know you; depart from me..." when attempting to enter heaven. How can we be sure that Jesus will "know" us when we want to enter His Kingdom at the end of our lives? How can we develop a personal relationship with Christ here and now? Msgr. James Watkins explains in today's homily on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Ti...

This Gospel message sounds weird to our ears. Msgr. James Watkins explains in this homily on the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time what Jesus is trying to tell us in the Luke 12 Gospel, verses 49-53: Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accompl...

There are only two infallible dogma in the history of the Catholic Church proclaimed by the Catholic Church. The first is the Immaculate Conception, proclaimed on December 8, 1854 by Pius IX. The second infallible dogma is the Assumption. On November 1, 1950, Pius XII declared the dogma of the Virgin being assumed, Body and Soul, into heavenly glory. Both infallible dogma are about Mary. This is f...

Msgr. James Watkins explains what it means to "be ready" and the precious gift of time. Gospel of Luke 12: Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy...

Beginning with a prayer for the victims of the mass shootings this weekend in El Pasos, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, Msgr. James Watkins explains today's readings - "Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!" (Ecclesiastes 1) - in light of our own struggles with busyness, exhaustion, and making people, places and things "deities," when they possess us more than...

After visiting us and serving with us for three weeks, Fr. Deo has returned to Uganda. He gave these touching remarks at all Masses last weekend, thanking St. Ann’s parishioners for their generosity, prayers and kindness. #StAnn150

In this episode, meet St. Ann, the grandmother of Jesus. Hear about the history of art depicting this great saint, prayers and devotions to invoke her intercession, and popular pilgrimage sites that honor her. We even tell the story of a mini miracle that happened here at St. Ann's: Parish patroness, pray for us! Speakers (in order of appearance): Natalie J. Plumb, Director of Communications and Y...

Msgr. James Watkins tells a story of his childhood: Forty years ago, he asked a girl to his senior prom. He needed money in order to go. Watkins had to be persistent with his father in asking for help, much like we should do with our Father in heaven. This would be his only prom. This Sunday's Gospel from Luke 11 reads: "And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and t...

Learn more about the life of the patroness of our church, St. Ann, and her husband St. Joachim, in this homily Msgr. James Watkins gave on her Feast!

On the occasion of his 30th priesthood anniversary, Msgr. James Watkins, pastor of St. Ann Catholic Church in Washington, DC, counts his many blessings during his #30yearsapriest. Watkins also reflects on the priesthood, the Eucharist and the mystery of our salvation.

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, year B. Hear a selection of our special Gregorian-Chant Mass along with Msgr. James Watkins's teachings of the oldest Christian order, the order of Melchizedek. Ponder on the priesthood that Jesus instituted for our salvation. Christ has set himself as the chief intermediary with God the Father, through his Holy sacrifice at the Mass in the Eucharist.

Listen to the latest Homily from St Ann's pastor Monsignor Watkins

Listen to Fr Watkins's homily at St Ann's, Washington DC. God Bless!

Listen to Fr Watkins's Homily at St Ann's Washington DC