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

Do you sometimes worry that you're falling short in your faith practice? Today's homily helps us understand that the answer is not to try to live up to ideal standards, but to enter into the grace of friendship wth Jesus. Then we will experience true perfection.   Catholic Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 28, 2024 First Reading: Deuteronomy 18: 15-20 Responsorial Psalm...

As St. Elizabeth's again missed weekend Mass due to the weather, we have another bonus episode: Fr. Chuck's homily for the parallel Sunday in the Liturgical Calendar in 2021 from St. Wenceslaus Church, Scappoose, Oregon. Have you been praying the powerful Surrender Novena Prayer, "Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything!"? Jesus takes care of everything by teaching us His ways an...

St. Elizabeth's did not have Mass this weekend because of the weather. Here is Father Chuck's homily from the same weekend in the liturgical cycle in 2015 when he was parochial vicar at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Lake Oswego, Oregon. His message may be even more important for us in 2024. Have you ever heard God calling you to be a prophet, just as he called Samuel? We are called to speak to th...

Did you ever think it might be possible for you to make Jesus's heart throb? Today's first reading foretells the visit from the magi and their wonderful gifts of worship and treasure. We can follow in their path when we empty ourselves out and bring our treasured selves to Jesus. Let us pray for God's grace so every day can be an epiphany when God reveals Himself to us. Catholic Mass Readings for...

** Please note that the recording of today's homily started late, so if it sounds like the beginning catches Fr. Chuck in the middle of an idea, that's because it does! Did you know that God has picked you to collaborate with Him? Let's say "yes" to the Word of God like the shepherds did, and help share Jesus's amazing story. And's let's ask Mary to continue to pray for us, joining with thousands...

We know that God is trustworthy, but what if our prayers are answered years in the future like Abraham's were, maybe in 3823? In today's homily, we hear that holiness is being in and growing into a right relationship with God. Let us ask God to help us live out our faith and let us pray for our family members who are away from the church to come to their faith. We can simply pray for them to becom...

How do we go on from having a Merry Christmas to having a Merry Life? We can live as Jesus did, temperately, justly, and devoutly, to continue Jesus's presence in the world. We can look to the manger, heeding Pope Francis's Christmas homily of 2022. The manger is "the way God is born in history, so that history itself can be reborn.... God is with us."   Catholic Mass Readings for The Nativity of...

Have you been pondering this Advent how Isaiah's request made centuries ago, for God to rend open the heavens, affects us here today? Each Mass fulfills Isaiah's request for God to be with us. We can think of our receiving the Eucharist as a pilgrimage to receive grace and goodness from the King of the Universe. Our cupped hands become a throne and also a manger to be able to share Christ's goodne...

Fr. Chuck was away on retreat this past weekend. So, this bonus episode gives you a chance to hear his message for the Third Sunday of Advent in 2020, at his prior assignment, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Scappoose, OR. The book that Fr. Chuck mentions and reads from is Breath of God , by Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR.  Catholic Mass readings for the Third Sunday of Advent, December 17, 2023: Isaiah...

Are you starving (and capacious*) for the Lord? You can prepare the way of the Lord every day and especially at Mass. Every Mass is a little Advent, when we pray in silence for an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist. We leave Mass each time a little closer to God. *If you don't know what "capacious" means, to find out, you'll just have to listen to Fr. Chuck's homily now.  Catholic Mass Readings...

Did you know that Advent doesn't just happen once a year? While Advent is a time of preparation each year for Jesus's coming as a child, every Eucharist is an answer to Isaiah's call for God to rend the heavens as Jesus becomes present in the bread and wine. Let's use our free will to ask God to make us turn to Him this Advent, and to watch for Jesus to make Himself known through us and to reveal...

Did you know you are blessed with an extremely important role - Ambassador to the King of the Universe? As members of the Church, we are all ambassadors for Christ the King, to share His perfect love, wisdom, and care for all. This means not just filling people's material needs but also their spiritual needs. Let us ask God for strength and courage to bring his message to others.   Catholic Mass R...

Do you use wisely the talents that God has given you, like St. Elizabeth of Hungary did? As members of the Church, which is the bride of Christ, we can fulfill today's reading from the Book of Proverbs and dedicate ourselves to the Lord. We are all called to collaborate with God and be worth "beyond pearls" in Christ's mission. Catholic Mass Readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, November...

Are we being wise in how we use our five senses, and are we "plugged in" to the Holy Spirit? Listen to today's homily to learn why it's especially important to choose wisely in what we say to, and about, others.  Catholic Mass Readings for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, November 12, 2023 First Reading: Wisdom 6: 12-16 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 63: 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Second Reading: First Thessal...

How can we weave the daily work we do into our humbly sharing the good news of Christ? St. Paul worked as a tentmaker so as not to be a burden to the Christian community. In his ministry, he strove to imitiate Christ, not to be pompous but to make Christ known to others. It is actually Christ speaking through our lectors who read the Word of God at Mass. Let us imitate St. Paul as he imitates Chri...

To avoid starting this description with "Spoiler Alert," we're not giving any explanation of that crazy title. You'll just have to hear this homily for yourself! Well, here's some explanation—particularly for participants in Sunday's 9am and 11am Masses: This version from the 4pm Saturday Vigil Mass, is a bit different than the 9am version and a lot different than the 11am version. Fr. Chuck stand...

Have you ever traveled 5800 miles to find something from home? In today's homily, we learn how Father Chuck led a pilgrimage to Medjugorje and found something from Oregon. We are invited this World Mission Sunday to join Christ's mission in 1100 missionary archdioceses and dioceses around the world. Let us unite in our mission to spread God's kingdom with Christ as our light. Catholic Mass Reading...

Did you know that every Mass is actually a wedding feast, and we are the invited guests? God the Father lovingly provides us with a garment of shining grace for the feast. Let's put away our old self and put on the garment to reflect God's love and become more and more like Christ. Catholic Mass Readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 15, 2023 First Reading: Isaiah 25: 6-10a Respons...

Is our mind set on love and the other qualities that Paul lists in today's Second Reading? Or is it set on criticism and always needing to be right? Learning the root of the Greek word for "lovely" helps us understand how to put Paul's message into practice. Our vineyard will bear good fruit when we bring forth a love of God in ourselves and others. Catholic Mass Readings for the 27th Sunday in Or...

What will we do with the freedom God has given us?  If we've mistakenly said no to God, God is patiently waiting for us change our heart, mind, and actions. Today's Gospel shows us that while God wants us to say "yes" and stick to it, we will be welcomed back if we are repentant. Catholic Mass Readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - October 1, 2023 First Reading: Ezekiel 18: 25-28 Responso...

Do you want to go far in fulfilling God's mission for you? While Isaiah lets us know that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, God wants us to raise our thoughts and become Christ-like. Jesus demonstrates the importance of community and relationships throughout the Gospel. Let's transform our ways to His ways by forming community and strengthening relationships. We don't want to be in a rush and g...

How do you live for the Lord, as we learned about in today's Second Reading? God is enabling us to be trailblazers in living for the Lord here in the Archdiocese of Oregon.  Something exciting is happening with the Amazing Parish movement, Acts 29, and the John Paul II Healing Center's "Healing the Whole Person" conference coming to Portland this fall. God is asking us to "Get on this train bound...

Did you ever stop to think that loving someone requires us to learn a new language? And we often need to be aware of our unconscious biases when showing love. Today's second reading asks us to "Love your neighbor as yourself."  Jesus sets an example for us by asking, "What do you want me to do for you?" He knows that not everyone wants to be loved the same way,  Catholic Mass Readings for the 23rd...

Do you remember that old-time "Fill in the Blank" game? We play it during today's homily to learn what worship really means. Worship is not just when we do "churchy" things, it's  everything we do.  It's spiritual worship led by the Spirit of God, not worldly worship based on human thinking. Once we fill in the blanks, our bodies become a living sacrifice that is good and pleasing to God. Catholic...

Do you ever "feel bad about feeling bad"?  In clarification of Father Chuck's "Part 1" homily two weeks ago, we shouldn't have any unnecessary shame or guilt about our feelings. We are among the works of God's hands, and God's love for us is eternal. God knows we're going to experience times of distress and asks us to call on Him. We can take a step back, acknowledge what we're feeling, and call o...