Feeding the Flock

Today we reflect on the life of St. Stephen and how the martyrs call us to witness to our faith, even if it sacrifices our lives.   (No Greater Love- Fr. Michael Joncas )The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

The recent Conclave and the formation of the Early Church used the process : Listen, Discern, Decide. It is a great process for us to use as well when making an important decision. (Speak, Lord -  Schoenbachler   sung by Veronica Morrissey) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Rebroadcast 2022The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

As we welcome our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, we cannot have a better image to reflect upon as that of the Good Shepherd. (The Pontifical Anthem and March - the Papal Anthem) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

The Risen Lord transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.  Look at the Sacraments.  Look at our lives.  Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us.  (Bread of Heaven - Manibusan/Hart sung by David Komel)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Rebraodcast from 2022 of 2nd Sunday of Easter Year C The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

The heart of our Christian faith, the reason for our Easter faith is Christ's reurrection. Seeking the risen Christ in our lives.   (Out of Darkness - Christopher Walker - University of Notre Dame Folk Choir) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

The Passion reminds us that while humanity has done its worst to God, our worst is no match for God's best.  (Sing Hosanna- Josh Blakesley) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Jesus chose to pick up the sinner, rather than pick up a stone. What does he call us to do?   (Endless is Your Love - Kendzia - sung by Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Contemporary Choir, Ridgewood, NJ) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Jesus has given us this familiar parable to tell us that it is the Father who is "Prodigal": Extravagant with His Love and Mercy for us. (Father, I Have Sinned -Eugene O'Reilly -sung by Choir of St. Francis de Sales PArish in Ajax, Ontario, Canada. The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

John Newton was a slave trader who, over time converted to the Christian faith and wrote the lyrics to one of the most well known Christian hymns.  (Amazing Grace - Judy Collins) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

This is a rebraodcast of my 2022 homily. The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Our life can often veer off course by distracted driving, taking us off our mission.   (Into the Deasert - Curtis Stephan- Sarah Hart)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

When on a plane, we are instructed to place our oxygen masks on first and THEN help another.  Spiritually, we need to do the same.   (By Our Love - Tom Kendzia) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Forgive and love someone who has wronged us is impossible without knowing Christ's love for us.   (The Lord is Kind and Merciful - Jeanne Cotter)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Rebraodcast 2022  Music from Fr. Steve's Music Group in Rome 1981  The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

In all three readings, we hear of God calling others to serve Him and yet they feel unworthy. How might you think God is calling you?  (Put Out into the Deep - Richard Clark -  Boston Archdiocesan Choir )The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Simeon and Anna recognize Christ as their Light. Do we?    (Christ, Be Our Light - Farrell - sung by Notre Dame Folk Choir)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

In preparation for our parish Consecration to the Eucharist, let us reflect on the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist - Faith will tell is Christ is present when our human senses fail (St. Thomas Aquinas)  (The Vigil Project - Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All)   Dropping this homily earlier to help us prepare for the Consec ration on Monday The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Rebroadcast of 2022.  (Our God is Greater- Chris Tomlin)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

On the day of Jesus' baptism, HIs idenity was revealed and rising from the waters, He began HIs Mission to the cross.  (Gather at the Water - Sarah Hart)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

What is the Gold, Frankinsence and Myrrh we can bring to Christ this year?  (We Three Kings - The Hound and the Fox featuring Tim Foust) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Today's feast places before us the Holy Family as a model for family life.  BUt no family is perfect, and yet, every family can be holy.   (What Child is This? Josh Groban) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Christmas is a time to remember that God has remembered us! (I Heard the Bells - Rachel Hughes from the movie I Heard the Bells The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

What or who might seem insignificant by worldly standards is precious in God's eyes.  (Entrance Antiphon 4th Sunday of Advent - Steve Angrisano, Srah Hart, Curtis Stephan OCP) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Gaudate Sunday: Our Day to Rejoice at the coming of Christ in History, Mystery and Magesty  (O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Richard McVeigh - Beauty in Sound)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

The prophet Baruch's message to the Israelites is timely for us today: God will come to our Aid.  (Let the Valley Be Raised - Schute.) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

The season of Advent is a time to wait for Christ's coming, in history, mystery and magesty! (Maranatha - Tim Schoenbackler) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

The prophet Daniel has a dream that the Son of Man will reign.  Is He the King of our lives?  (I Have A Dream Speech - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1963 and Lift Every Voice and Sing - Metropolitan Baptist Church)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

This weekend, my reflection will touch on the priesthood of Msgr. John A Perry, former pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Falmouth who died on October 22, 2024.  (There is No Greater Love - Michael Joncas) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

This weekend preists of the Fall River Diocese are asked to share their Vocation story as we encourage young men to consider a vocation to the priesthood.  (Put Out Into The Deep, Clark - from the Installation Mass of Archbishop Richard Henning, Archbishop of Boston)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Today's Gospel is the Cliff note edition of the Commandments and sum them up with one word: Love.  (No Greater Love - Michael Joncas) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

This is a rebroadcast of a homily I offered in 2021.  (Amazing Grace) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

To be the GOAT (Greatest of All TIme) we need to follow the example of Jesus in self-giving love.   (By Our Love - Tom Kendzia/ Peter Scholtes) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

In our spiritual journey to and with CHrist, what might He be asking you to let go of?   (Take Lord, Receive - St. Louis Jesuits)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Like all sacraments, Marriage is a union not only between a man and woman, but a union with Christ.  How does the Church view this sacrament?   ( The Wedding Song - There Is Love: Peter, Paul and Mary)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

While we are blessed to beleive that God is present to us in Word and Sacrament, He can reveal himself to us outside the doors of our church.  (Endless is YOur Love - Tom Kendzia) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Is it really worth it to follow Jesus? (Stand By Me - Tom Kendzia)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Spiritual deafness is a real ailment in today's world. But it never needs to be permanent. Allow Jesus to touch and heal you.   (Redeemed - Speak Lord, I'm Listening) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

It is actions in sync with our heart where true religion lies (You Gotta Have Heart - Eddie Fisher) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Joshua's question to the Israelites is posed today to us? Who will you Serve?  (Center of My Life -Paul Inwood) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

This weekend, thousands will gather  in Falmouth, MA and load up on carbs  for the annual Road Race.  Jesus, the Bread of Life, will energize us for the Race to Eternal Life.   (John Williams -Olympic Fanfare) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

As Elijah struggled with a difficult life, so also at times do we. Life is hard, but Jesus brings us the living bread from heaven, Himself, to feed us for life's journey.   (excerpt from Tom Brady Induction ceremony, and Miracle of Grace, Curtis Stephan)  The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Christ has given to us bread for the journey (Bread of Heaven - Jesse Manibusan)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

The disciples hand Jesus the basket of bread and fish - and a miracle happens.  We too need to hand Jesus some time each day in prayer to multipy our good works. (My Prayer Comes Before You LIke Incense - Bro Tobias - The Monks of St. Meirad Abbey)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

As our NAtion celebrate the Eucharistic Congress this week, let us heed Jesus' call to come away to a deserted place and rest. (Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All featuring John Finch and the Vigil Project)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

MacGyver was a popular TV where the character would make, form or repair with whatever was at hand to fulfill his mission.  Well, that is exactly what Christ does with us . (MacGyver Theme Song 2016 reboot) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Christ has given us all a mission to go into all nations - our nation,  and preach and live the Gospel.  (God Bless the U.S.A. - Lee Greenwood, HOme Free and US soldiers) The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

Mark interweaves 2 miracle stories which tell us about 2 forms of prayer.  (Chris Muglia - Lord, I Need You (Chris Tomlin) )The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.

When the darkness of storms envelop us, the One who can conquer the sea, can also conquer the chaos in our lives.  (Stand by Me, Tom Kendzia)The homilies of Msgr. Stephen J. AvilaPastor, St. Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family Parish, Falmouth, MAThanks for listening! May God's Word find a home in you.