Homilies from Fr Andrew Doohan, Catholic Priest

My homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, as preached on Sunday, 8 January 2023. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12. Today's psalm is Psalm 66: "Lord, every nation earth will adore you." NB: There were some minor technical difficulties with the sound system; apologies for the inconvenience.

My homily for the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, as preached on Sunday, 1 January 2023. The readings proclaimed were Numbers 6:22-27; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21. Today's psalm is Psalm 66: "May God bless us in his mercy."

My homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, as preached on Sunday, 25 December 2022.

My homily for the 4th Sunday of Advent, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 18 December 2022. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 7:10-14; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-24. Today's psalm is Psalm 23: "Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory."

My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year A, as preached on Sunday, 11 December 2022. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11. Today's psalm is Psalm 145: "Lord, come and save us."

My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C, as preached on Sunday, 4 December 2022. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12. Today's psalm is Psalm 71: "Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever."

My homily for the 1st Sunday of Advent, Year C, as preached on Sunday 27 November 2022. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:37-44. Today's psalm is Psalm 121: "Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord."

My homily for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 13 November 2022. The readings proclaimed were Malachi 3:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12; Luke 21:5-19. Today's psalm is Psalm 97: "The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice."

My homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 6 November 2022. The readings proclaimed were 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16 - 3:5; Luke 20:27-28. Today's psalm is Psalm 16: "Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full."

My homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 30 October 2022. The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 11:22 - 12:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2; Luke 19:1-10. Today's psalm is Psalm 144: "I will praise your name forever, my king and my God." "Zacchaeus was moved to conversion of heart not because of some externally imposed rules or law, but because Jesus stopped and addressed him personally and by name. The invitation into relationship - for Zacchaeus and for us - is the spur to conversion, to become more and more like what Jesus calls us to be."

My homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 23 October 2022. The readings proclaimed were Sirach 35:12-14; 16-19; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14. Today's psalm is Psalm 33: "The Lord hears the cry of the poor." "To be truly humble means to recognise that we cannot live the life God calls us to except with the help of God's grace and mercy. If we think we can do it through only our own efforts - and when we judge others the same way - then we are not 'at rights with God'. Unfortunately, that attitude is not limited to the Pharisee of today's Gospel but continues within 'Christianity' down to this very day."

My homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 16 October 2022. The readings proclaimed were Exodus 17:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:14 - 4:2; Luke 18:1-8. Today's psalm is Psalm 120: "Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." "If we only do the right thing because it leads to a 'quiet life', then we might find ourselves on the wrong side of a right relationship with God. As God is the God of Justice, so God's People are called to a People of Justice."

My homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 9 October 2022. The readings proclaimed were 2 Kings 5:14-17; 2 Timothy 2:8-14; Luke 17:11-19. Today's psalm is Psalm 97: "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power." "There is nothing we can do in response to God's generous lavishing of gifts upon us except to give thanks and worship. God, being God, loves us so much that he lavishes gifts on us, both individually and corporately, because God loves us, not in any expectation that we must 'balance the books' by undertaking some particular action. In any case, nothing we could do would change God in any way - God is God, and is generous as God chooses to be."

My homily for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 2 October 2022. The readings proclaimed were Habakkuk 1:2-3, 2:2-4; 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14; Luke 17:5-9. Today's psalm is Psalm 94: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." "'Increase our faith', the disciples ask Jesus. Yet, Jesus reminds us that our faith is enough, enough to be fanned into a flame that will set the world on fire for the glory of God. Every gift we have been given, including the gift of faith itself, is given to us so that God might be glorified through us."

My homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached on Sunday 25 September 2022. The readings proclaimed were Amos 6:1, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31. Today's psalm is Psalm 145: "Praise the Lord, my soul!" "Unlike the rich man we hear about in our Gospel, we are called to use those things God has given us for the sake of those who are at the fringes of society. God's blessings to us are not solely for our comfort or our aggrandizement, but also for those we find at our gates who have a rightful call on our care, our compassion, and our hospitality."

My homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Mary's Church, Dungog. The readings proclaimed were Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Luke 16:1-13. Today's psalm is Psalm 112: "Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor." "Money, "that tainted thing", is a necessary thing in contemporary society. It allows us to feed and clothe ourselves, and to do those things that we might need to do to assist others. Money is also helpful when it comes to furthering the Kingdom of God. Yet when money becomes an end unto itself, we are truly in danger of drifting away from a life that has God at the centre."

My homily for the 23rdd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Mary's Church, Dungog. The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 9:13-18; Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33. Today's psalm is Psalm 89: "In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge." "Paul's letter to Philemon calls Philemon to a conversion of heart that then leads to a change of behaviour, i.e., a recognition that Onesimus is no longer a slave but a fellow believer in Christ, a brother in the Spirit. The challenge for us is to resist the pressing call to see 'the other' as anything less than being created in the image and likeness of God as we are. 'The other' is not to be disregarded but seen as one with us in God's grace."

My homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Mary's Church, Dungog. The readings proclaimed were Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14. Today's psalm is Psalm 67: "God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor." "Unlike the People of Israel who were taken out of Egypt and led into the wilderness, where they wandered for forty years as strangers in a strange land, those who embark on the Christian pilgrimage of life know their final destination. And when they reach the heavenly Jerusalem, they are welcomed not as strangers but as citizens, as first-born children, who were meant to be there. Knowing the final place we are destined for makes walking the path of the Christian life a little easier."

My homily for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 8am Mass at St Patrick's Church, Clarence Town. The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53. Today's psalm is Psalm 39: "Lord, come to my aid!" "Hearing Jesus speak about fire, division and the like seems odd, particularly when his birth was announced wishing peace on those of good will. Yet for those who hear the words of Jesus, and the call to conversion that comes with it, we are aware that not everyone will like what they hear or answer the call to change of heart. They may prefer Christians to remain silent, but having heard the Good News of the Reign of God, we have no other choice than to live that word, and speak that word into the world."

My homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 8am Mass at St Patrick's Church, Clarence Town. The readings proclaimed were Wisdom 18:6-9; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48. Today's psalm is Psalm 32: "Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own." "Although we remain waiting for the Secon Coming of Jesus, we are still called to be vigilant and prepared for that coming. As Christians, we must not only be vigilant against temptations that might lead us from God's plan, but also to be about the work of the Kingdom."

My homily for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass at St Mary's Church, Dungog. The readings proclaimed were Genesis 18:20-32; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13. Today's psalm is Psalm 137: "Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me." "At the very heart of Christian prayer, of the priestly prayer of the priestly people of God, is a prayer not for what I want or think I need, but rather to align the hearts of the Christian community to the agenda of God for humanity and the world...and most importantly to not get in the way of the coming of God's kingdom."

My homily for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This occasion was an 8am Mass. The readings proclaimed were Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37. Today's psalm is Psalm 68: "Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live." "'Who is my neighbour?' An almost innocuous question asked of Jesus by a teacher of the law, but one with profound consequences for the disciples of Jesus down to this very day. The parable of the Good Samaritan expands the range of those who have a rightful call on our love and care to include, well, everyone."

My homily for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Saturday evening Mass. The readings proclaimed were 1 Kings 19:16, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62. Today's psalm is Psalm 15: "You are my inheritance, O Lord." "Jesus resolutely sets his face for Jerusalem, there to fulfill the mission entrusted to him by God the Father. There is an urgency revealed in today's gospel. Nothing can stand in the way of Jesus moving towards Jerusalem, and nothing must stand in the way of us fulfilling the ongoing and urgent task of proclaiming the Good News of God's Reign."

My homily for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Sunday evening Mass. The readings proclaimed were Genesis 14:18-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17. Today's psalm is Psalm 109: "You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek." "Faithful to the Lord's command, the Church has gathered to celebrate Eucharist in memory of him. Each time Eucharist is celebrated we receive God's very self, and are transformed more and more into that which we receive, the Body of Christ, and nourished for the mission of proclaiming the Lord's Death and Resurrection."

My homily for the Solemnity of Pentecost, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 10am Mass. The readings proclaimed were Acts 2:1-11; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23. Today's psalm is Psalm 103: "Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth." "In fulfilment of Jesus' promise to his disciples, the Holy Spirit is to among them and they are able to speak in many different languages and so witness to the marvels of God to those who are in Jerusalem. The Spirit continues to be present in the Church, manifested in many different ways so that the Church - that is, us! - are able to continue to proclaim God's marvels to the whole world."

My homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Saturday evening Mass. The readings proclaimed were Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53. Today's psalm is Psalm 46: "God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord." "Before his Ascension, Jesus has left his disciples the task of becoming his witnesses throughout the whole of the earth. We cannot remain still gazing up into the sky to await his return as he promised; we must turn our attention to the mission of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus' Life, Death and Resurrection."

My homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Saturday evening Mass. The readings proclaimed were Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29. Today's psalm is Psalm 66: "O God, let all the nations praise you!" "As Jesus prepares to take leave of his disciples - both immediately prior to his Passion and Death, and after his Ascension - he promises that his presence will continue through the love that the disciples have for one another as the continuing manifestation of God's indwelling with God's people, through the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, who will remind the disciples of all that Jesus has taught them, and through the gift of peace, a peace that the world cannot give but is the sole gift of a loving God."

My homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 9am morning Mass. The readings proclaimed were Acts 14:21-27; Revelation 21:1-5; John 13:13-35. Today's psalm is Psalm 144: "I will praise your name forever, my king and my God." "Jesus tells his disciples to love one another and to do so as he has loved them. The love of Jesus for his disciples - and us - is made manifest in his Passion, Death and Resurrection, which he willingly embraced for our sake. It manifested God's glory to Jesus' disciples. Our love for one another - a love as complete and absolute as Jesus' love for us - allows God's glory to shine out into the world here and now, in this time and place."

My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 5pm Saturday evening Mass. The readings proclaimed were Acts 5:27-32, 40-41; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19. Today's psalm is Psalm 29: "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me." "The disciples had returned to their previous lives; they had returned to what they had been about before encountering Jesus in the same place as today's Gospel account. When Jesus appears to them, especially to Peter, the mantle of pastoral leadership of 'The Good Shepherd' is passed on to those who would now be responsible for continuing Jesus' mission in the world. As that mantle passes from Jesus to Peter, the task of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom becomes the responsibility of the disciples, and our responsibility in this time and this place."

My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Easter, Year C. This was preached during my sabbatical leave at a location outside my usual preaching locations. This particular occasion was a 10am Sunday morning Mass. The readings proclaimed were Acts 5:12-16; Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31. Today's psalm is Psalm 117: "Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting." "Contrary to what we might be told from time to time, doubt is not the enemy of faith. The true enemy of faith is apathy. Thomas was uncertain about believing the testimony of the other disciples, for any one of a number of true human reasons. And yet from that doubt, he was able to say "My Lord and my God!" when Jesus delivers a very personal experience to him, and to take the experience out into the world. It's okay to doubt, because it permits us to make a distinctive choice for belief, and the embrace the mission that comes naturally from believing."

My homily for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Luke 19:28-40; Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14 - 23:56. Today's psalm is Psalm 21: "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" "Luke goes to great lengths to focus not so much on the details of Christ's Passion but on the fundamental injustice of Christ's condemnation and death. The injustice flows from a misunderstanding - deliberate or otherwise - of what the Messiah was meant to be and a belief that Jesus did not fit the expectation of the religious authorities of the day. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to proclaim the Reign of God that Jesus inaugurated, not what we believe it should be."

My homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. During today's Mass, we celebrated the Third Scrutiny with Donald. The readings proclaimed were Ezekiel 37:12-14; Romans 8:8-11; John 11:1-45. The psalm today is Psalm 129: "With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption." "The raising of Lazarus from the dead confirms Martha's proclamation of faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, the one promised by God. Jesus' delay in responding to the original message sets up both the profession of faith and the confirmation of God's glory through the raising of Lazarus to 'new life', a promise held out to all those who can profess Jesus as the Christ."

My homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, hamilton. During today's Mass, we celebrated the Second Scrutiny with Donald. The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41. Today's psalm is Psalm 22: "The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want." "The healing by Jesus of the man born blind overturned the understanding of physical ailment as punishment for sin and drew the young man to encounter a truth he could not deny or avoid even when confronted by intense interrogation and pressure from the religious authorities. The young man eventually comes to a place where he is able to confess 'Lord, I believe'. God's action through Jesus Christ brings us from the darkness of unbelief into the light of undeniable truth - if we open ourselves to the action of God in our lives."

My homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. During today's Mass, we baptised Oliver and celebrated the First Scrutiny with Donald. The readings proclaimed were Exodus 17:3-7; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42. Today's psalm is Psalm 94: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." "The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman was initiated by Jesus, not the woman, and it was the conversation that brought the gift of faith alive in her heart and changed her life. Faith is not something we initiated; it starts with God reaching out to us, and we respond not just in one moment but across the course of our lives."

My homily for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17 - 4:1; Luke 9:28-36. Today's Psalm is Psalm 26: "The Lord is my light and my salvation". "The transfiguration of the Lord confirms what Jesus had been teaching his apostles in the days before, that Jesus, 'the Chosen One', had to go to Jerusalem, to suffer and to die, in order to fulfil God's plan of salvation for humanity. It is a reminder that God's ways are not our ways, and that we are called to play the part in God's plan rather than focus on what we think should happen."

My homily for the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Sirach 27:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45. Today's Psalm is Psalm 91: "Lord, it is good to give thanks to you". "Rather than judging others, or even attempting to draw them to a 'right way of life', our Gospel today has Jesus showing us that the first step is to 'get our own house in order', to ensure that our heart is aligned to God and what God asks of us, before passing judgment on others or calling our their behaviours. If our heart is not aligned to God, what comes from our mouth is also not aligned to God."

My homily for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Today we marked the 60th anniversary of the service of Sisters from Our Lady's Nurses of the Poor in the Newcastle area. The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 26: 2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38. Today's Psalm is Psalm 102: "The Lord is kind and merciful". "In the exaggerated style of the prophets, Jesus calls us to undertake tasks that society would consider foolish. It is a reminder that our ways are God's ways, not societies, even if society tells us we are foolish and dismisses us."

My homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26. Today's Psalm is Psalm 1: "Happy are those who hope in the Lord." "Luke's recounting of the Beatitudes highlights the difference between following the true prophets, those who call God's people back to right relationship with God even at the risk of death, and following the false prophets, who serve not God but the latest fashion, the latest fad, because it does not require conversion of heart. Our hope is the in the Lord, and we are called to listen to what God makes known to us, trusting solely in God's wisdom."

My homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Today is also marked as Word of God Sunday. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11. Today's Psalm is Psalm 137: "In the sight of the angels I will sing your praises, Lord." "Like Isaiah, Paul and Peter, we are called not only to hear the Word of God addressed to us but to listen. Listening requires being open to allowing the Word of God to penetrate our very being, to find a home in our very self, and accepting that by doing so we will be forever transformed because the Word of God will change us."

My homily for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13; Luke 4:21-30. Today's Psalm is Psalm 70: "I will sing of your salvation." "The mission of Jesus is not simply to those who are expecting the Messiah, the Promised One of the Lord, but also - and perhaps necessarily so - to those who have not encountered that promise. We, too, are not able to restrict our proclamation of the Good News of Jesus only to those who we wish to proclaim it; our task is to proclaim the Reign of God to the whole world."

My homily for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21. Today's Psalm is Psalm 18: "Your words, Lord, are spirit and life." "'This scripture is being fulfilled today even as you listen', says Jesus in the synagogue in Nazara. And yet we really need to ask if that is true in our day and age. Are we proclaiming good news to the poor? Liberty to captives? Proclaiming the year of the Lord's favour? Or are we so concerned with ensuring we don't transgress someone's interpretation of God's Law? In a world in desperate need of the Good News, let's be about the task that Jesus has given to us."

My homily for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11. Today's Psalm is Psalm 95: "Proclaim his marvellous deeds to all the nations". "In turning water into wine, Jesus reveals himself to be 'Bridegroom of Israel' as prophesied by Isaiah, as the fulfilment of God's promise to God's people. We are called to joyfully celebrate God's graciousness, and live that joy in the world so that all might have life in its fullness."

My homily for the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11; Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22. Today's Psalm is Psalm 103: "Oh, bless the Lord, my soul!" "God's glory is revealed on the banks of the Jordan, and God's gracious gift of self for the salvation of us, God's people, is once again portrayed for us who are the beneficiaries of God's generosity. As our Christmas season comes to a close, let's not forget what we have celebrated over these days: God's salvation is offered to us."

My homily for the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12. Today's Psalm is Psalm 72: "Lord, every nation on earth will adore you".

My homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Year C, as preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were 1 Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28; 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24; Luke 2:41-52.

My homily for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) as preached during the live-streamed Midnight Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Isaiah 9:1-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14.

My homily for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C, preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Micah 5:1-4; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-44.

My homily for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C, preached during the live-streamed 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. During the Mass, we celebrated Confirmation with Amelia and Giovanni, and immediately after Mass, we celebrated Baptism with two families. The readings proclaimed were Zephaniah 3:14-18; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18. "After their baptism for repentance for sins, John's disciples asked 'What must we do?' The answer is clear: live as if it means something, and don't go back to old habits, old ways of living. Live as if what you have experienced means something. We are called to do the same thing: having been baptised, we are called to live differently, to live as Jesus would have us live, always open to God's grace when we stumble."

My homily for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C, preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Baruch 5:1-9; Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11; Luke 3:1-6. "Advent is the season where we have the opportunity - in this time and in this place - to open ourselves to God's action in our lives so that those things that inhibit our ability to welcome the Second Coming of Jesus can be 'laid low, raised up, straightened, and made smooth'. It is not simply a spiritual exercise, but an exercise firmly situated in reality, in the here and now".

My homily for the First Sunday of Advent, Year C, as preached during the 9.30am Mass from Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Jeremiah 33:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12 - 4:2; Luke 21:25-28, 34-36. "Advent is an interesting time between what has already been fulfilled and what is yet to be fulfilled. We are called to be attentive and alert for the fulfilment of the Reign of God that will occur at the Second Coming as well as those signs of the Reign of God that already among us."

My homily for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, Year B, as preached during the 5.30pm Saturday evening Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. The readings proclaimed were Daniel 7:13-14; Apocalypse 1:5-8; John 18:33-37. "Pilate does not expect the answer to his loaded question that he gets from Jesus. Yet that answer reminds us of what the Kingdom that Jesus proclaims is about and what it is not about: it is about Peace, Justice, Truth and not about power and domination."