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

It may sometimes seem that God is silent when people are suffering. Today's homily reminds us that God is always walking with us, but are we letting the Lord help us? Jesus's answer is to enter into our earthly suffering with us, and to redeem not rescue us.  Thank you Deacon Kevin Welch for visiting St. Elizabeth, and for reminding us that now is the time to partake in the Sacrament of Reconcilia...

Fr. Chuck's homily focuses on verse 10 of today's second reading and how to learn what is well-pleasing to the Lord. Christ's light of "interventional radiology" shines below the surface to show us the treasure within us and the inner dignity of others, as well as what needs to be healed. You will also hear how St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish is connected to the field of interventional radiology....

So many new insights, so little time! How could Fr. Chuck keep any one homily from being too long but also share with us the wealth of fresh ideas and inspiration he'd learned about St. John's account of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well? Well, he experimented with splitting the message over the weekend. People at the Saturday 4pm Vigil Mass heard (what turned into) Part 1; Sunday Mass goe...

So many new insights, so little time! How could Fr. Chuck keep any one homily from being too long but also share with us the wealth of fresh ideas and inspiration he'd learned about St. John's account of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well? Well, he experimented with splitting the message over the weekend. This episode, is what people at the Saturday 4pm Vigil Mass heard (and what turned int...

Listen now to get hearty food for thought—pun intended—on the Collect (pronounced, CAH-lect; popularly known as the Opening Prayer) for this Second Sunday in Lent. In part, this prayer asks God to "nourish us inwardly by  your word." Fr. Chuck prods you to consider what you might be leaving out of your life (and your Lent) which keeps God from nourishing you with his word—that is, with Scripture ...

In today's reading, we hear how the angels ministered to Jesus after his battle with the devil. The Second Eucharistic Prayer declares that God deems  us worthy to minister to him! Let us not "weary God" (see Isaiah 7:13) but instead "do God's heart good" by joining the angels in ministering to him. Catholic Mass readings for the First Sunday of Lent, February 26, 2023: Gen 2: 7-9; 3: 1-7 Ps 51: 3...

With more inspiration from a wonderful set of meditations on Matthew's Gospel, Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word  (cited in Season 2, Episode 9, "Let Christ Catch and Release You" [https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/25707525]), Fr. Chuck suggests that as one of your Lenten disciplines, you consider asking our Lord to help you become more "mercy-minded." Listen now to learn what that mean...

Our prayer for this week is, "Lord, help me love others more like You love them."  Jesus gives us the grace to love our enemies and be the perfect child of God we were created to be. Catholic Mass readings for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 19, 2023: Lev 19: 1-2, 17-18; Ps 103: 1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13; 1Cor 3: 16-23; Matt 5: 38-48

Listen now to hear why Fr. Chuck told the students of St. Rose School in northeast Portland that they can live out the virtue of prayerfulness—which was their "Virtue of the Week" Feb. 13-17 —by being like "snails boarding the Ark." Oh, and, as Fr. Chuck explains, this message is for folks of all ages , that we don't rush to judgement and rush to complain to other people when we feel anger, disapp...

The Wisdom of the Cross is revealed through the Holy Spirit, not to those with intellectual knowledge about God, but to those who love God.  Let us pray over and over, "God, Help me love You and help me love You more." Catholic Mass readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 12, 2023: Sir 15: 15-20; Ps 119: 1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34; 1Cor 2: 6-10; Matt 5: 17-37

The reference to the "just man" in today's scripture is an inspired prophecy of Jesus. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to increase our capacity for Christ so we will have a steadfast heart and shine Christ's light through us. Catholic Mass readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 5, 2023: Is 58: 7-10; Ps 112: 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1Cor 2: 1-5; Matt 5: 13-16

We learn from today's readings and homily that God is always near and can always be found.  We are asked to seek the Lord to be able to see and experience God in our lives. Catholic Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 29, 2023: Zep 2:3, 3:12-13; Ps 146: 6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10; 1Cor 1: 26-31; Matt 5: 1-12a

Listen now to find out if you're as inspired and intrigued as Fr. Chuck was by a fresh catch of insights on this weekend's Gospel passage of the calling of the first Apostles—Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Hear how your struggles and sins connect you with the new meaning Jesus Christ gave to symbolism in the Psalms depicting God as rescuing people from rough seas. Unlike a fisherman snatching and...

May each of us have a personal encounter with Jesus to redeem us from the things that keep us captive, including unconscious prejudices preventing us from being who God wants us to be. Catholic Mass readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 15, 2023: Is 49:3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; Cor 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

Let us reflect on which of the three gifts God wants to share with us as we make our resolutions for 2023, to bring us closer to Jesus and to help us be more Christ-like. Catholic Mass readings for The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, January 8, 2023: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72; Eph: 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mat 2:1-12

Mary's title of "Mother of God" affirms Christ's divinity. As Jesus's first disciple, she instructs us to "Do whatever he tells you", just as she told the servers at the wedding feast at Cana. Thus, we strive to be holy and grow into our own title of "Christian", branded by the love of the Holy Spirit. Catholic Mass readings for The Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, January 1, 2023: Num 6:22-27; P...

Through Jesus's birth, He invites us to join His campaign of Holy Havoc and Saintly Sabotage.  We are invited, just as the shepherds were, to experience and tell others the "Good News of Great Joy".  If we haven't yet experienced God breaking through into our lives, we may need to pray using "P.U.S.H" prayer, to "Pray Until Something Happens". Catholic Mass readings for December 25, 2022, Christma...

Are you ready to wreak "Holy Havoc"? We are called to respond to God's astounding good news with the obedience of faith; with gratitude, surrender, and courage to join Jesus in the fight to do good. Catch up with or review this Advent series by accessing Part 1 - "Created," Part 2 - "Captured," and Part 3 -"Rescued" via the podcast homepage . Catholic Mass readings for December 18, 2022, Fourth Su...

Ever think of D-Day when you saw a Nativity scene? Or, mousetraps and fishing hooks when picturing Jesus on the Cross or in the manger of Bethlehem? When you've heard or seen the comforting Bible verse, "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps 46:10), ever thought of it as God trash-talking his foes? Listen now to hear how these unexpected ideas help answer the question, "What's so good about the 'Go...

This is the second in our Advent series on the Gospel basics.  God is all good, and, in creating us, took a risk in giving us the freedom of choice.  One of God's creatures, Satan, chose to rebel and to divide us from God. The grace of sober realism helps us see how dire our situation is: that we have literally been captured and need someone to rescue us. Catholic Mass Readings for December 4, 202...

Our guest presider and preacher at Masses this past weekend was Bishop Peter Smith, Auxiliary Bishop of the Portland Archdiocese. His message is the first of a 4-part Advent series on Gospel Basics (in Greek, "the Kerygma"). This series will enrich our grasp and appreciation of Christmas' significance as the initial chapter of the Good News that is ours in Christ Jesus. Listen now. Mass Readings f...

Listen now to learn a little about our church's patron saint, Elizabeth of Hungary. Among other things, hear about the miracle that makes her a patron saint of bakers. Plus, learn how this 13th-century royal woman—who owned more than one castle!—can teach us lessons relevant to recognizing when God visits us in those who struggle with poverty, illness, and other hardships today. St. Elizabeth of H...

Listen now to learn how prayerfully reading the instructions for the Holy Mass—yes, such a document exists—freed Fr. Chuck from being "accidentally irreverent." Deepen your awe and appreciation for Jesus Christ as King of the Universe. And learn (or re-learn) a simple gesture with profound significance that can build a habit of greater everyday reverence toward Jesus Christ as King of our lives. ...

You may be asking yourself, "What's that crazy title all about? And why would I want to be in the 'Blazing Oven' of God?" Listen now to find out! Catholic Mass readings for November 13, 2022, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time:  Mal 3: 19-20a; Ps 98: 5-6, 7-8, 9; 2 Thess 3: 7-12; Lk 21: 5-19

Fr. Chuck was on a retreat November 5-6. So we had a visiting priest, but we didn't record his homily. Instead, you can hear this bonus episode with Fr. Chuck's homily for All Saints Day. Hear how you can grow into "the saintly magnificence" that God created in you! Tuesday, November 1, 2022, Solemnity of All Saints.