Listen to Fr. Carlson's weekly homilies here.
Jealousy is saying - “God, I like the gift that you gave to this other person better than the gifts that you gave to me.” Fr. Michael Van Sloun unpacks how easily we can fall into the various forms of greed, and how to remedy it.
The disciples come to Jesus asking Him to teach them how to pray. We, as disciples, also ask this question. We all know the importance of prayer but how do we actually pray? Here at St. John's we will be holding a 6-week School of Prayer to explore this very question. Find more details here: https://stjohns-excelsior.org/school-of-prayer/
How do we enter into prayer? How do we enter into Mass? Fr. Carlson gives practical tips to be less distracted and more present.
Deacon Michael unpacks the parable of the Good Samaritan, explaining who each of the people in the story represent. He also invites us to reflect on the times we've chosen the other side of the street, rather than helping someone in need. We are called to serve no matter the cost, knowing that God will give us the grace.
Do we cry to God with joy, as the psalmist says in Psalm 66? This week, Fr. Carlson invites us to praise God for His goodness, in small moments and in big.
Jesus didn't call Peter and Paul because they were perfect.
Fr. Carlson connects the Old and New Testament to reflect on the great Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ).
What does Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory have to do with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity? Watch Fr. Carlson's homily to find out.
In his homily for Pentecost Sunday, Fr. Carlson reflects on one of his favorite prayers - “Come, Holy Spirit, Come”.
Deacon Michael describes how the feast of the Ascension is a great feast of hope. “...he ascended, not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before.” – Preface I for the Ascension of the Lord
It's a simple line to say "love one another" - it's harder to practice it.
Our lives are so full of noise. A key part of our journey is the need to cultivate silence. Fr. Carlson gives practical tips on how to hear the voice of God.
Fr. Carlson shares a homily on Divine Mercy Sunday from the late Pope Francis.
We can ignore Jesus, mock him, scourge him, yet he still gives himself to us. This is how great His love is for us.
"Jesus came not to destroy those he found, but to seek those who were lost." —St. Augustine
When you go to Confession, do you feel like you're going to the principal's office because you're in trouble? Or you feel like you're going to a feast? In Confession we go to the arms of the Merciful Father, who celebrates with great joy that we are there, and who throws a feast in our honor.
The key to prayer is to actually do it. Fr. Carlson shares two practical tips on prayer.
Our true citizenship is in heaven. Are we willing to choose the Lord over the world?
Fr. Carlson uses the image of a garden to reflect on Jesus' work in our hearts.
We shouldn't ignore God's commands, even if they're difficult. Deacon Michael shares from his own experience how to let God in to these areas that are difficult for us.
What truly satisfies us? We can try all we want to make the world our happiness, but it will never fulfill us. Only God can.
Enter into deep relationship with Jesus. Homily - 2.9.2025 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus is the light in the midst of darkness. He is always with us. In a Catholic Church, you will always see a red sanctuary candle lit by the tabernacle (except on Good Friday and Holy Saturday), which indicates that Jesus is present in the tabernacle.
When God asks us to do something, he gives us the grace to do it. Fr. Timothy Combs O.P. Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 19, 2025
Fr. Andy McAlpin O.P. invites us to look again at the Sacrament of Baptism.
Have you ever encountered God? Or maybe encountered him in a new way? The magi departed by another way when they left Bethlehem - they were changed by their encounter with the Lord.
What do we do when we have loved ones who have fallen away from the faith? Fr. Carlson reflects on this reality in his homily from the Feast of the Holy Family.
The Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord December 25, 2024
Fr. Carlson uses the image of a garbage truck to illustrate what we are supposed to do with our anxieties.
What does it look like for us to really prepare a place for the Lord? The Lord wants to dwell inside of us, in our hearts. Advent is the perfect time to take an inventory of our life, of our soul - where am I blocking the Lord? Where have I put up a wall, not letting the Lord completely in? A great way to make room in your heart for God, and remove any blocks, is to go to the Sacrament of Confession.
This Sunday's Gospel reminds us what we are living for. Advent is all about preparation. If we were told we had to swim a mile a month from now, we would take time to prepare for it. Just so, we need to prepare for our ultimate goal - being with God.
November 24, 2024 Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Jesus is the personification of love. In light of this, Fr. Van Sloun unpacks the two very important instructions Jesus gives to his disciples in the Gospel this past Sunday.
How are we supposed to love God with all of our mind? What does that mean? Spending time in prayer. The key to prayer is that we actually have to do it. When we do, we're able to enter into this quest, this journey with the Lord.
Sometimes we can question - does Jesus really know me? Am I worth it? When Jesus was on the cross, he answered these questions definitively. He knew all of your past sins, all of your present sins, and all of your future sins, and he still died for you. Why? Because he loves us. Because he loves you. And he came to serve. Jesus longs to be our servant. Will we let him serve us? Will we acknowledge that we can't do this on our own? Let go of the lie that you have to earn his love.
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time October 13th, 2024
This past weekend Fr. Greg Schaffer visited St. John's and spoke about the needs of the Archdiocesan mission parish in Venezuela called Jesucristo Resucitado. To donate to the mission, you can go to Faith Direct on our website linked here: https://membership.faithdirect.net/givenow/MN855
St. Augustine was asked, “how does one become a saint?” He answered, "The first part, humility, the second part, humility, the third part, humility." In his homily this weekend, Fr. Carlson shared the story of St. Jeanne Jugan, a woman who lived a life of great humility.
There are moments in our lives that are turning point - “I'm going to go deeper in my faith”, “I'm going to get married", etc.. All of a sudden fear and anxiety can set in. It's important to remind ourselves when this happens - who doesn't want us to turn towards God? The evil one. He's going to try to put up as many obstacles as possible. In these moments we can say, “get behind me, Satan”. Then, “Lord, help me.” It's so important to bring these things to the Lord, he is there to help, and he never tires of helping us.
How important it is to spend time in prayer. We have to protect our time with the Lord. The world is full of noise, so it can be hard to hear God. Two practical ways to hear God in prayer: Leave the phone behind Silence
The commandments lead us into union with God. Fr. Carlson talks about the differences between traditions and commandments. Do your traditions undercut God's commandments?
So often we can come to Mass with our hearts heavy. Fr. Carlson asks us: where else are we going to go? “To whom should we go?”, as we hear in this week's Gospel. I hope that's what you do when you come to Mass - pour out your heart. Let him be the one to answer all of your needs.
The Eucharist - the mystery that is above all words and songs.
God never tires of helping us. When we are at our lowest point, he is there. He wants to give us Himself to strengthen us.
Msgr. Peter Vaccari explains the work of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and Pontifical Mission. Three things you can do to help: Pray for the regions they serve and the work they do Learn the work that the Catholic Church is doing on the ground Donate to the mission: www.cnewa.org
Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. When we receive the Eucharist, we receive God Himself. When we go to eucharistic adoration, we are face to face with God Himself.
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