St. Ann DC Podcast

Monsignor Watkins reflects on the hoarding of physical possessions but also how people around us and our obsessions can possess us as well. He urges us to give one possession, tangible or intangible to God.

Why should we pray if God already knows our desires and needs? Discover the profound purpose and transformative power of prayer as explained by Fr. Maximo Stock in this thoughtful and enlightening episode of our podcast. Tune in now to explore this essential aspect of faith.Book suggestion: In the Shadow of His Wings

Msgr. Watkins invites guest Priest Fr. Dave O'Connor to speak on his decade of work as a missionary in the southeastern Peru and to describe the joys and hardships in that place.

In today's reading, Jesus gently corrects Martha who is doing chores while Jesus is teaching. While Mary chose "the better part," what Martha is doing is still good. Both are serving Christ. However, Mary listened to Jesus first, before taking action, while He was speaking and teaching in her home; this is key.

What is the difference between love and charity? Hint: You do not need to like someone to show them love — that's charity.

Fr. Ivan explains just four easy steps to evangelize on our mission as missionary disciples: look around, pray, approach and invite. The three attitudes to take this a step further are: be poor, approach people without second intentions, and approach people with joy.

Fr. Ivan explains the key roles of Saints Peter and Paul in their apostleship, and applies their examples to the present day: "We need prudence and boldness; we need tradition and renewal; we need structure and creativity."

What does it mean to consume the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ?

Listen to the mystery of the Holy Trinity explained, through the way we love one another!

Msgr Watkins discusses the complexity and the mystery of the trinity and how our faith is special. The connections between the 3 persons of the Trinity are elaborate but make more sense through the love of the father.

In today's Pentecost Sunday Mass, Cardinal Wuerl preaches on the difference between the signs of love and love itself, and how we may be more mindful and aware of Christ's love in this blessed season.

Msgr Watkins connects his personal experience of his father leaving often for the Navy, with Jesus discussing his ascension and his disciples having to understand and come to peace with Jesus returning to heaven. Jesus asked his disciples to let him go as a testament of their love for each other.

This week, 48 missionaries with the St. John Society travel to Belize on a mission trip. Listen to learn more and support them with your prayers.

Hear what our pastor had to share with our teens: Here's what the Sacrament of Confirmation is all about!

Why does Jesus call us his sheep? Find out this week in Father Ivan's homily.

Msgr. Watkins addresses St. Ann's 2025 First Communion Class on Mother's Day and discusses Christ's inheritance of his human nature from his mother the Blessed Virgin Mary and the meaning of the Eucharist.

Have you ever wondered how the conclave works? Peter's redemption, from denying Jesus to being asked to lead his sheep, his Church on earth, connects to the papal election and the responsibility the Pope bears, no longer acting as an individual but as a representative of God.

We wish you a blessed Divine Mercy Sunday. Here is the background of this most special devotion.

Fr. Maximo Stock explains the forgiveness at the center of Jesus' Passion and death. Although many of the figures at the center of the story understand who Jesus is, they do not understand what He has come to do.

We are judged with the justice and mercy of God. Indulgences help take away the punishments associated with our sin.

Msgr. Watkins reflects on Christ's successful defense of an adulterous woman from a crowd wishing to stone her and shares a meditation from St. Mother Theresa on Jesus' patience in waiting for us to invite him into our lives.

Do you identify with more with the younger brother or with the older brother? Do you fall more into legalism or worldliness?

Repent! And remember. This is a call to all of us, not just some, this Lent.

At the 7:00pm Mass Sundays, we continue our series on hope this Jubilee Year concentrating on the virtue of hope that is essential to Christians, a community of hope.

Msgr. Watkins urges us to focus on the purpose of Lent, rather than the shortcomings and trivial complaints. He reminds us that the substance and true purpose of our 40 day 40 night preparation is an act of love for Jesus and his sacrifice.

Fr. Maximo Stock Homily - Ash Wednesday - Live at St. Ann DC

Here is how to make fully trained disciples.

Here's how to deal with conflict.

Would you rather be poor with Christ than rich without Him?

During communion, the celebrant says, "Pray my brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to the Lord our God." Sacrifice is essential to our participation in celebrating the life and death of Christ. One way to fulfill our part of the sacrifice is to contribute to the annual appeal, which helps Catholic charities across DC.

This is why we can trust God when our life leads us "into the deep end."

Fr. Ivan emphasizes the significance of the Word of God and how we can better incorporate His Word into our lives and hear God's voice.

Meditate with us on Jesus' first miracle.

Msgr. Watkins reflects on the Church's role over 2,000 years in helping the faithful to understand what the Apostles witnessed in the time of Christ.

In this week's homily, meditate with us on God's words to His beloved Son Jesus: "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

What does the Baptism of the Lord mean to us?

Sometimes we imagine the Holy Family to have never suffered anxiety or problems - but that's simply impossible. They faced trials most of us will never face: Here's how they dealt with it.

What does Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer have to do with Jesus?

This Sunday, Monsignor Watkins reminds us to remember that Christmas is the celebration of Christ's birthday. We should celebrate the HOLY-day the way Christ would want; and give Him the gifts He would like to receive: for us to know Him, love Him, and Serve him.

This Sunday, Monsignor reflects on how blessed we are that our God humbles himself to become man so man may share in the divinity of God.

Fr. Ivan Pertine speaks about the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the hearts of the holy, the Catholic Church, and the greater world on the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Fr. Maximo Stock describes how Jesus's teachings about the end of the world should bring with them a greater amount of seriousness in our lives.

This Sunday, Monsignor James Watkins reflects on beginnings and ends. He discusses the end of the liturgical year and the tendency of people to focus heavily on endings and beginnings. He remembers the departed souls and commemorates their life and new life in heaven.

In this week's homily, Fr. Maximo challenges us: No one is so poor that they have nothing to give. God will be generous with you.

This Sunday, Monsignor James Watkins invites us to reflect and be grateful towards those who have and continue to be incredibly generous towards us with their time, talent, and treasure; and invites us to find ways to bestow onto others the generosity we have received from Christ.

Fr. Ivan Pertine discusses what it takes to love the Lord with your whole heart, intellectual capacity, and personal will—wow!

Today Fr. Ivan Pertine speaks with us about learning from the saints and responding to Christ's call to holiness.

Miracles can happen! Hear a powerful testimony from longtime parishioner John Piunno on his healing journey from lymphatic cancer.

The month of October is dedicated to evangelizing in the Catholic Church. We are called to continue this vital mission of the Holy Spirit. Sooner or later, we are confronted with one obstacle: Is Christianity actually Good News, especially those who are doing well in this life, or for the young rich man in last weekend's Gospel? Yes, and here's why.

Why evangelize the young, rich man? Let's find out in this week's homily with Fr. Maximo Stock.

Fr. Ivàn Pertiné explores the good news about Jesus's teaching on matrimony and how to be open about it in the modern world.