Feeding the Flock

The prophet Habbakuk cries out to the Lord in the midst of the chaos of the world. His cry is ours> (How Long, O Lord, How Long? Psalm 13: Soverign Grace Music)  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.

Poverty means lacking basic needs. BUt besides physical poverty, there is also social and spiritual poverty as well. (Pilgrims of Hope - Official Hymn of the Jubilee Year)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.

From a place of faith, how can we view the death of Charlie Kirk  (Azaming Grace - My Chains are Gone -  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.

Carrying our Crosses as He who Carried His (Glory in the Cross - Schutte)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.

After a week of prayer and reflection, Ishare my thoughts on this tragedy from the perspective of our faith in Christ Crucified.  (The Cloud's Veil - Liam Lawton - frequently used in 9/11 Memorials)   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 follow the road of humility, one must recognize their gifts, the gifts of others and the Giver of those Gifts.  (Gifts From God -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.

LIke a loving parent, God is there to discipline us as we travel on the road to heaven.  (Endless Is Your Love - Kendzia, sung by Stonehill Chapel Choir, Phil Pereira director.) 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 is the Falmouth Road Race. But each day we run a "race" where the finish line is heaven.  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 the faith of Abraham which allowed him to trust God, so too are we asked to develop a faith in Christ to trust Him and follow His call.  (Go Up to the Altar of God: Chepponis - Assumption and Pittsburg Diocesn 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.

What are the riches that matter most to God? (Set Your Hearts on the Higher Gifts:  Steve Warner and the 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.

Jesus teaches His disciples...and us how to pray - from the heart. (Here I Am - Tom Booth) 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.

"Martharistis" can be a real disease which afflicts those who serve the Lord.  (Sacred Silence - Tom Booth) 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.

Who IS Our Neighbor?  Everyone by the side of the road that is in need.  (You Welcomed Me - Tom Booth)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 mission of the early Church is now ours.  (Disciple of Christ)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 Sts. Peter and Paul were brothers in faith, their personalities, calls and missions were very different. And so are ours.  (Put Out Into the Deep - 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.

On this great feast of Corpus Christ, where we remember the Perfect Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, we also remember and honor those who have and are serving our community in the Fire and Rescue Department. (Amazing Grace - My Chains Are Gone - 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.

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.

We all must deal with life's headwinds, but God's Spirit blows within us to help us face them. (By the Waking of Our Hearts - Ricky Manalo ) 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 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.