St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies

Did you ever wonder how Jesus knew right where to find the donkey that He rode into Jerusalem? Was it to show that not only was He meek and humble, but also a wise and knowing King as Zechariah prophesied? Father Chuck tells us of another "God-incidence" that happened this past week showing that Jesus is always there for us. Let us take Jesus's yoke and surrender our lives to Him, the savior King....

What things in our life need to "die" so we can gain life as a child of God? Today's Gospel reading contains challenging words from Jesus. While Baptism brought us new life, growing into our best relationship with Jesus is a lifelong process. Let us pray to learn which areas of our life are preventing us from growing closer to God so we can lose them. Catholic Mass readings for the 13th Sunday in...

Since Father Chuck is on vacation this week, we have a "bonus" episode featuring Father Chuck's homily for this day from June 21, 2020 at his previous parish, St. Wenceslaus, in Scappoose, OR.  Did Jeremiah's prayer for vengeance leave you wondering why God intended for it to be in the scriptures, when the full revelation of God tells us to love our enemy? Maybe then Jeremiah wanted to take it bac...

Do you think that you can't do what God calls you to do? God sends us forth from every Mass to grow in God's love and to confront the world's evils. We can't do it on our own. But we can recharge at Mass, and seek help from the Saints and the angels that God commanded to accompany us. We have their help as we enter the mission field. Catholic Mass readings for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jun...

Do you feel the power of God's love in the Eucharist? In today's homily, Father Chuck shares stories of how God touches us with His love and grace through the sacraments. Let us celebrate God's power and creative energy in our lives and in our sharing with others. And listen to the very end to hear the outcome! Catholic Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Jun...

What does being created in the image of God mean in your daily life? As God is a community of love, let us bring kindness and concern for others to our everyday actions. Let us pray each day this week to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the prayer card at church that Father Chuck mentions, or you can access the Prayer to the Sacred Heart by going to https://archdpdx.org/mission-renewal and clicking...

How often do you pray to the Holy Spirit? We can never get enough of the Holy Spirit, both for ourselves and for the benefit of others. Let's pray the simple prayer of "Come O Holy Spirit" repeatedly throughout the day to unleash the power of God's love for us and for our concern for others.. Catholic Mass readings for Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026 First Reading: Acts 2: 1-11 Responsorial Psalm: ...

What is the "age to come" that St. Paul mentions in today's second reading? While we are still in the age that began with Adam and Eve, Jesus has planted the seed for the coming age. As we trust him and keep worshipping, the earth will be perfected, everything bad will be cleansed away, and He will bring us into the full flourishing of His love. Catholic Mass readings for the Ascension of the Lord...

Do you sometimes wonder about the meaning of the Eucharistic Prayers said during Mass? In today's homily, Father Chuck helps us understand the power of the prayers of the Mass. Jesus promises in today's Gospel not to leave us, and our prayers welcome Jesus' holiness into our hearts and restore it to the hearts of those who are scattered. Catholic Mass readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 1...

Do you sometimes find it easy to play the blame game when things go wrong? In today's first reading, the apostles avoid blaming others when a problem arises and instead come up with a Spirit-filled solution. When we experience a conflict or disagreement, let us take a deep breath of the Holy Spirit and be part of a solution inspired by God's grace. Catholic Mass readings for the Fifth Sunday of Ea...

Listen now and learn why joyfully living and proclaiming the Good News and doing the works of Jesus—particularly among the marginalized—are the best ways to honor Paulist Fathers Jim Kolb and Steve Bossi as they mark milestone ordination anniversaries. Hear fellow Paulist Fr. Chuck Kullmann's enjoyable and insighful homily for the Mass honoring Fr. Jim's 50th ordination anniversary (May 15, 1976)...

Did you know that you are one of the "far off" people in today's first reading whom God is calling? Jesus is always at our side through our dark valleys, bringing us abundant life. Let us ask God's help to recognize Jesus's presence in our lives, and that He may work through us to accompany someone going through a dark valley. Helping someone else also lights our way through. Note: To respect heal...

How do you relate to the journey of the two disciples in today's gospel reading? Although we might not recognize Him, Jesus is with us too, sharing the gospel and breaking bread with us on our journey from uncertainty to faith. Let us set out immediately to share the good news with others, and also support our family of faith in the work of God in the Archdiocese of Portland . Catholic Mass readin...

Have you ever wondered why Thomas was not in the room with the rest of the disciplies? Was it because he wasn't as fearful? Jesus shows His mercy by giving Thomas the gift of faith. Let us ask Jesus to also meet us where we are, so that we can be daring in our faith. Catholic Mass readings for the Second Sunday of Easter and Divine Mercy Sunday, April 12, 2026 First Reading: Acts 2: 42-47 Responso...

What is our role in Jesus's victory over sin and death, which is still working itself out in people's lives around the world? We can use our free will to seek what is above, asking the Holy Spirit to renew God's gift of faith and hope in us. Let us be a channel of God's good news starting with this 50 days of the Easter season. Please pick up your copy of the Little White Book if you are in the ar...

What can you do for your Big Brother Jesus who has shared His resurrection with you? Let us use our free will to say "Yes" to Jesus's everlasting gift and in the words of Pope Leo, to "be his witnesses even where human history does not see light on the horizon". We will "revolutionize our lives with the power of Christian hope" this Easter season. Please also listen to Father Chuck's distinct East...

Listen now to learn what it means to be "covered in our Rabbi's dust" and how it's possible—and desirable—to be simultaneously "washed clean" and "dusty." Homily for Holy Thursday, beginning of the Sacred Triduum.  Catholic Mass readings for the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper, April 2, 2026 First Reading: Exodus 12: 1-8, 11-14 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 116: 12-13, 15-16bc, 17-18 Second Reading...

Do you sometimes feel that God is not near? After being glorified and then crucified, a full spectrum of experience; Jesus recites the first line of Psalm 22. His followers who were present may have continued with the Psalm's response to praise His name and give Him glory. Let us turn to scripture as Jesus does. God's help is always there. Catholic Mass readings for Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passi...

What would you like to have a chance to do over in your life? In today's Gospel reading, Jesus shows us what His friendship and our faith in Him can do. Instead of regret, let us invite Jesus more deeply into our lives. Whatever has happened, Jesus wants to be with us and walk with us. Catholic Mass readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 22, 2026 First Reading: Ezekiel 37: 12-14 Responsorial...

This is the second of two inspired homily podcasts from Father Chuck this week. Please take time to listen to each of them. This is Sunday's homily. What was it like for David to feel the rush of the Spirit upon him from that day on, as we hear in today's first reading? Imagine the constant rush of the Holy Spirit's living water upon us as if we were walking around beneath the rush of Multnomah Fa...

Our parish is doubly blessed with two inspired homily podcasts from Father Chuck this week. Please take time to listen to each of them. This is the Vigil homily from Saturday's Mass. Is there good in someone, or even in yourself, that you're not truly seeing in your life? At every Mass, ask the Holy Spirit to help us see something new about Jesus or about ourselves or someone else. Let us say at e...

Do you expect that having God in your life means having no hardships? Today's first reading gives us an example of testing God, while the second reading shows us that Jesus brings the gift of peace for us to trust. This Lent, let us memorize these words to help us grow in our trust of God, "and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy S...

Have you wondered why today's Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent is about the Transfiguration? In this reading, Jesus reveals who He truly is to give us hope and the "strength that comes from God" to persevere.  Whatever Lenten journey we have chosen, the hard work is worth doing to make more room for Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Catholic Mass readings for the Second Sunday of Lent, March 1, 2026...

Do you realize that the same three temptations that Eve succumbed to in Eden were again faced by Jesus in the desert? Only this time around, Jesus reverses it and invites us to share in His three victories. We are invited to concentrate on them during Lent, but also share in them the rest of the year and especially during Mass. Note: This recording is a version of the 11 AM homily which Fr. Chuck...

As you prepare for Lent, are you ready to ask God to show you how much He cherishes you? As the Holy Spirit scrutinizes everything out of love, our repentance will set us free from those things that we would be better off without. Let us be ready for the depths of God, which is God's pure and powerful love.   Catholic Mass readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 15, 2026 First Rea...