St. Joseph Church Homily Archive

For a few weeks, we've been reflecting on what it means to be redeemed; it's a word we hear a lot in our faith, especially around Easter. The redemption offered in our faith is something very different from the act of redeeming a coupon or gift card for something we want. No, for us, redemption...

We get to start with some great news. Our bishop has appointed Deacon Peter Bissonette as Associate Pastor after his ordination to the priesthood later this month. Br. Joseph will continue to serve our community till at least the end of June, but we'll shortly be joined by the newest priest in our Diocese. By...

For a couple weeks now, we've ben reflecting on the Jubilee Year we're celebrating. Despite our best efforts, it's easy for things to drift away from God's plan over time; a Jubilee year is a moment to set things back in the right direction, towards God and the life he promises. We started by considering...

When thinking about Lent and where it originated, today's Gospel is often what comes to mind. We connect this season to the forty days Jesus journeyed through the wilderness; or maybe some think of the forty years God's people wandered through the wilderness as they prepared to enter the promised land. Neither of those journeys...

In today's second reading, St. Paul encourages Christians to put on imperishability and immortality[i] and Lent is a season about doing just that; when powers try to hold our attention here, we devote a season to remembering that we have all been made for something truly great: eternity with our maker. It's a reminder of hope,...

We all make plans for life, often great plans, but then the unexpected easily knocks those plans down. It's a challenge everyone experiences far too often, an experience we've been reflecting on for the last few weeks. Next week, we'll get to hear from Brother Joseph. Sometimes the unexpected is a delightful surprise with blessings...

For the last few weeks, we've been reflecting on how to survive the unexpected. By the way, from our website, you can always catch up or review past homilies; just click or tap on, ‘Homilies', to find recordings and often the full text of reflections offered in our church. Anyway, we all make plans for...

We all make plans, big and small, but then the unexpected happens; there's no avoiding it. The unexpected constantly threatens to knock down even the greatest and best of plans and leave us frustrated, angry or even, at times, overwhelmed. We just heard, in the Gospel, about how the unexpected impacted a wedding. The wine...

Many undoubtedly started the New Year with all kinds of great plans. Maybe some made plans for a vacation or two. I'm sure many have plans to deepen a relationship or overcome a habit. Some may plan to develop a hobby, diet or exercise or strengthen their prayer: all great plans. The problems with plans...

I hope your twenty-twenty-five is going well so far, that you've managed to make it to the gym, say the prayers, start the book or diet, begin the project, remain patient with your kids or keep whatever resolutions you've made. A New Year is an opportunity to set new goals, and those goals are usually...

On Christmas we reflected on the joy that is promised for everyone through the coming of Christ into the world. One week later, we reflect on the starting point of how that joy is to be brought about: through Mary. One requirement for true joy is peace. Peace is not simply the absence of war...

I don't believe it's an accident that our Church has placed the feast of the Holy Family right after Christmas. The Shepherds, who we reflected on at Christmas, found not just the baby Jesus in the stable, but a family and it's through that family that God was recognized and given glory. Many of our...

Even if you're one of those people who finishes all your Christmas gift shopping before December, I know this still remains one of the most hectic times of the year. The Christmas parties, the family dinners on top of all the usual things that need to get done: there's so many pressures, so much to,...

Last week, we listened to the words of John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus, who encouraged his listeners to prepare for the coming Saviour. At the time, when a royal official planned to visit a city, the roads along the route would first be improved. A visit from a royal official was a blessing,...

Christmas is coming. I know some are ready. You've finished all the shopping and decorating, to-do lists and wrapping. But there's many who aren't so ready, those to whom Christmas still seems a long way off so there's no need to think a lot about it just yet. Regardless of which group you fall into,...

Our countdown to Christmas begins today. For the next four weeks, the culture around us won't let us forget about it. Even our prayer and worship here will be directed towards the upcoming Christmas celebration. Maybe you count yourself among those who can't get enough of this season: you've had your tree up for a...

An older brother, fed up with his annoying younger brother, chased the younger down a hall and into a closet. After the closet was closed, the older of the two braced his foot against the door so his brother could not get out. He then realized a problem: while he didn't want his younger brother...

In the creed we'll all profess shortly, we'll proclaim our belief in the second coming of our Lord; we know Jesus is coming again, we just don't know when. I know some wonder if we're living in the end times. We hear of wars, divides, hunger and struggles and wonder if this is, “…the time...

Among all the kings of Israel, one of the worst was Ahab. While he built temples and altars to idols, his wife, Jezebel, hunted and killed God's priests and prophets. Before going into hiding to save his life, the prophet Elijah promised there would be no rain until his return. The severe famine during the...

We've been reflecting on surrendering control and all the challenges that come along with that. We all like having control, it brings feelings of safety, security and strength. Feeling ‘in control' is a relief, but when life feels, ‘out of control', it's easy for fret and worry to fill the mind. So, surrendering control is...

Today's Gospel introduces Bartimaeus, a blind beggar who is praiseworthy because he didn't let the opinions of others dissuade him from calling out to Jesus. Many from the large crowd tried to silence him. The shouting from the beggar may have annoyed those who didn't especially care about him. So, they told him to be...

Surrendering control: it's something we all struggle with because each of us have things we like to remain in control of. In the days when a home had just one television, control of the remote was a real struggle. As it gets cool out, I know, in some homes, struggles for control over the thermostat...

I have to admit, one thing I struggle with at times is giving up control. I might not go so far as to say I micro-manage, but I like things to be my way on my time; it's sometimes a challenge to delegate even if it might help. I know I'm not the only one...

Alright, before the break of last weekend, we were reflecting on a question most everyone is haunted by, “am I enough?” Despite best efforts, it often seems impossible to be enough for all the demands and pressures of life, for family, school and work, finances and health, faith and friends. Yet we try our best...

Am I enough? It's a question we all ask, a question we've been examining for a couple weeks now. It's a question that often haunts because it seems like, despite all best efforts, it's impossible to be enough for family, school and work, finances and health, faith and friends. Yet we try our best to...

Success in life and finding happiness often demands so much time and energy divided across so many different areas that it appears there's never enough. Family, school and work, finances and health, faith and friends: giving enough to all these areas seems near impossible and yet everyone knows happiness and success will only be found...

Ever wonder if you're enough? I know the question comes up for me all the time. Do I pray enough? Am I enough as a friend? Do I serve enough? At the end of the day, I don't stop work because I don't have enough things to do, but because I feel I don't have...

For anyone on a journey, food is a big deal. No road trip is complete without the right food. A camping trip can fall to pieces if enough food isn't packed. I suspect the purses of many mothers here have at least a little food in them, just in case. Once, while on a walking...

We've been reflecting on our Baptism, especially on the moment when consecrated oil is placed on the head of the newly Baptized in the sign of the cross while they're told they're now united to Jesus as priest, prophet and king. This is not just a ritual but the continuation of an ancient practice reaching...

In the Old Testament, through a ritual of anointing, certain individuals were set apart as priests, prophets and kings to lead God's people. The anointing wasn't just a blessing, but a sign of dedication, indicating how the anointed one was chosen for the special task of sharing in God's work of gathering the people. Today,...

In the second reading for this weekend, Saint Paul points out a unique features of disciples; he observes, “…we walk by faith, not by sight.”[i] Of course, Christians witness the same things as everyone else. Our senses are no different; we hear and see the same news and encounter the same joys and challenges as anyone....