Father Tom’s Take : Homilies from a humble servant

Fr. Tom's take on Pentecost from St. Teresa of Avila's in Carson City.Music by Goretti Girls

Ascension Gospel and Homily with Fr. Tom from St. Teresa's in Carson City, NV. 

Fr. Tom discusses much in the way of the dignity of the human person, and how we all have that dignity from conception to death. Father also asks us to reflect on the ever-important question: are we obstacles to people getting to God?

As we continue with the Global Pandemic, Fr. Tom asks us all to reflect on what we have lost...and given...for Christ in our lives. God's death infused Grace into us that can't be lost, unless we choose to give it up for something else. What do you choose?

Fr. Tom gives a stirring homily on how we don't always hear the whole truth from the world, but with God there is only truth. The Gospel talks of God having a place for us in his house, and Father asks us to consider if we are really preparing to go there...

Father reminds his flock this week of the importance of the Sacraments, specifically the Eucharist and Confession. It is so important to draw closer to Christ through the beautiful means God left for us in the Church.

In this special episode, you can hear two homilies from Father about the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist and why he is such an important person in the history of the world. After the second homily, you can hear a goodbye to the parishioners of St. Michael's parish in Reno, NV. Father Tom has led his flock there for 9 years, but the Bishop has called him to a new mission in Carson City, NV at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Community. After the message from Fr. Tom, you'll hear another goodbye from one of his flock expressing briefly some of what Father Tom's leadership has meant to the members of St. Michael's.

This week is all about one of the deepest mysteries and profound realities of being a Christian. God is one, but with three persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Father Tom reminds us of how important it is to not forget the Holy Spirit as we pray and invoke God's intercession in our lives.

Sweet Sacrament, we thee adore! This Sunday, the Church celebrates the cornerstone of our Faith, the Eucharist. The power of this divine act of love and perpetual humbling by God for us is overwhelming and should never be taken for granted. Father discusses the history of this liturgical celebration and the practical benefit the body of Christ has in our lives and world.

Happy birthday to our beautiful Church! Father reminds us that Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season and the beginning of the Catholic Church. We should remember that without the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Unity, we can not be TRUE Christians.

Father Tom discusses the Ascension of our Lord this week. He reminds us that Jesus' arrival into Heaven on the 40th day after Easter Sunday was a culmination of his ministry, not a conclusion. We are also reminded of how Christ denies no one and how important it is that we follow His example and deny ourselves to no one.

In this sixth Sunday of Easter, Fr. reminds us of the importance of Love in all things. To be a Christian is to be Love and where Love is, God is.

This week, Father reminds us how the fruits of the Holy Spirit should be emanating from the faithful Christian just as a good vine bears good grapes. When Jesus says He is the vine and we are the branches, He does mean that some may have to be cut off from Him if they do not produce good fruit.

Fr. Tom talks to us, his flock, about Good Shepherd Sunday and how Christ is truly our Good Shepherd. He is there to lead us through all we get ourselves into, ready to rescue us from whatever trouble we find. Father also talks briefly about his leaving for a new parish. Shepherd me, oh God!

On this third Sunday of Easter, Father talks about the importance of truly giving God all of your trust. So often, we feel unhappy despite the many joys of our lives and we often forget that what is missing is not material, but immaterial--not natural, but supernatural. In God, we find true peace.

This week, Father talks about the most beautiful and life-saving mercy of God. We are called to be merciful and then mercy will be shown to us by our Lord. For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world! Amen!

Father reminds us that we ARE Easter People and Alleluia is our song! While we prepare for Christmas with 24 days, we take 40 to prepare for the holiest day of the year, the day Christ rose from the dead and conquered death for all , forever.

Join Father as he explains the rituals of Holy Thursday and why we should care. From washing feet to the institution of the Holy Eucharist, we remember that Jesus Christ actually lived 20 centuries ago and did these things just before he died for us all.

Father Tom gives us great things to consider as we enter into Holy Week. Even though we sing "Hosanna" for Jesus, we remember how quickly that turned into "Crucify Him!" Let us stay close to God this week and always.

Father Tom discusses how important it is for us to become the grain of wheat and die with Christ in this week's homily. Like St. Max Kolbe, we too must be ready to lay down our lives for others, and walk with God to salvation.

Fr. Tom reminds us about the Church's beautiful Laetare week and how there is rejoicing to be had in this penitential season of Lent, and that rejoicing comes from Christ on the cross. He truly does raise us up, and Catholics everywhere should be a testament to the world of the Hope within us from our Savior.

Fr. Tom talks to us about hearing God more and the world less as we continue on our Lenten journey with Christ. Father's catechesis on the significance of the old temple and why Jesus was so righteously angry with the money changers offers great insight into our modern lives.

This is the first Sunday of Lent, and Fr. Tom reminds us of our duty to unite our will with that of Jesus. Jesus went into the desert to be tempted and to pray for 40 days, and we should go with Him by being more prayerful and selfless than ever in our lives. Let us cast away sin by fasting and deny temptations by staying close to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Happy Ash Wednesday meets Valentine's Day! Fr. Tom discusses the reality of us being of dust to return to dust, and how to approach this Holy Season of Lent as disciples of Christ.

We have reached the last Sunday before the Lenten Season begins. Fr. Tom discusses this weeks readings about all the unclean aspects of our humanity that Christ can cleanse us of.

As we get closer to Lent, the readings at Mass may get harder and harder to hear. This week, Fr. Tom reflects on how hard it is to hear the story of Job, yet how meaningful it should be in our lives. Being a person of Faith is never easy, but God calls us to be courageous like Job, St. Paul and our Lord, Jesus Christ. Remember, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called!

Fr. Tom discusses this Sunday's readings, focusing on Jesus rebuking the demons out of our lives.

Fr. discusses this Sunday's readings, focusing on repentance and the necessity on ongoing conversion in the life of every Christian.

Fr. Tom discusses our need to respond to God calling us--however that may present itself in our lives. Like Samuel and the disciples, we need to be ready to say YES, HERE I AM! when the Lord calls.

Epiphany Sunday - Enjoy this first episode. We are working to make the audio of Fr. Tom more clear as we go forward documenting his edifying, spiritually uplifting homilies.