WLR Homilies

This homily marks the beginning of a three-part series, Called by Name: Relationship, Identity, and Mission, preached on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. In this first reflection, Fr. Will Rooney focuses on the foundational truth that our Christian mission flows from relationship with God, not mere activity. Drawing on the life of St. Louis IX and the Gospel account of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan, the homily explores how identity is revealed through relationship. Before Jesus begins His public ministry, the Father reveals Him as His beloved Son. This relationship—lived in prayer, trust, and communion—is the source of everything Jesus does. Through baptism, we are invited to share in Christ's own relationship with the Father, becoming beloved sons and daughters in the Son. This reflection challenges listeners to examine whether their lives are rooted in that relationship and to rediscover prayer, the sacraments, and intimacy with God as the true foundation for any authentic Christian mission.

This Adult Faith Formation session focuses on how Christians can intentionally grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Fr. Will Rooney presents the heart of the Christian life as a response to God's love—received first as a gift and then lived out through charity, prayer, and daily faithfulness. Drawing on Scripture, the teaching of Pope Benedict XVI, and the wisdom of the Church, the talk emphasizes that growth in relationship with God is measured not by feelings but by growth in love. Participants are encouraged to deepen their relationship with Christ through daily prayer, fidelity to the commandments, frequent reception of the sacraments, and life within Christian community. The session also includes guided reflection on personal values and the creation of a practical rule of life. By setting concrete, realistic goals rooted in virtue, participants are invited to cooperate with God's grace and grow steadily in holiness, learning to love God, neighbor, and self more fully.

This homily is the final reflection in a three-part Christmas–Epiphany series on the family. Celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany and preached by Fr. Will Rooney, it focuses on the mission of the family as God's chosen instrument for making Christ known to the world. Reflecting on the visit of the Magi, this homily highlights how Jesus chose to manifest Himself not in power or prestige, but within the simplicity of the Holy Family. Their encounter with Christ changes them—and reveals a lasting truth: God continues to evangelize the world through families who welcome Him into their homes. Every family, despite its imperfections, is called to become an epiphany—a visible manifestation of Christ's light that draws others to Him. Fr. Will explores how families live this mission concretely by first being evangelized themselves, by forming communities of prayer and sacrificial love, and by allowing the grace of Christ to shape daily life. Through small, faithful practices—praying together, blessing the home, building relationships with neighbors—families become domestic churches where Christ's light shines outward to the world. This final homily completes the series by uniting the roles of fatherhood and motherhood with their shared purpose: to educate, empower, and evangelize, so that every nation may come to adore the Lord.

This homily is the second reflection in a three-part Christmas–Epiphany series on the family. Given by Dcn. Chris Haberberger on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, it focuses on the vocation of motherhood as God's chosen way of giving His Son to the world. The reflection highlights how God's self-revelation comes not in abstraction, but within the simplicity of a family. Mary's motherhood reveals the heart of Christian motherhood in every age: to give Jesus to the world by receiving Him, pondering Him in prayer, and responding with faithful love. Through the often hidden, daily sacrifices of mothers, homes become places where children first learn what it means to be loved, to belong, and to cry out to God as Father. Recognizing that many families carry wounds or unmet hopes, this homily emphasizes that Mary is not only a model but also a refuge. Christ gives her to us as our Mother, and through her tenderness God continues to bring peace, mercy, and healing into real families as they are. This reflection builds upon the previous homily on fatherhood and prepares for the final installment of the series on the mission of the family at Epiphany.

This homily marks the beginning of a three-part Christmas–Epiphany series on the family, rooted in the mystery of the Incarnation. God chose to enter the world not simply as a man, but as a child born into a family—and in doing so, He reveals both the dignity of family life and its essential mission. In this first reflection, Fr. Will focuses on the role of the father as provider and protector, drawing from Scripture, St. Paul's teaching, and the example of St. Joseph. Christian fatherhood is presented as a vocation of authority ordered to charity—an authority that images Christ's self-giving love for the Church and places the entire family in loving submission to Him. Recognizing that many families carry wounds or fall short of the ideal, this homily emphasizes that the Church holds up the Holy Family not as an unattainable standard, but as a call to ongoing conversion and healing. This reflection sets the foundation for the rest of the series, which will continue with reflections on motherhood and the mission of the family in the world. Series Outline (Optional to Include on Website or Podcast Page) Part 1: The Role of the Father – Provider and Protector Part 2: Motherhood (January 1) Part 3: The Mission of the Family (Feast of the Epiphany)

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Act of Faith O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.

Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Mt 25:34)

St. John Paul II said "Man cannot live without love. He remains a being that is incomprehensible for himself, his life is senseless, if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. This, as has already been said, is why Christ the Redeemer "fully reveals man to himself"." Read more St. John Paul II's Redemptor Hominis here (https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_04031979_redemptor-hominis.html)

Help us go on mission to youth (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mr8LFKfSRVhbnwt8l_KHzPSCdNphwxZU/view?usp=sharing) We live in a society where many people are hungry for love *and *hurting for the lack of relationship with God. This is true of people of all ages. In a particular way, though, it's true of our young people. Especially the ones we do not see here in Mass. Many young people suffer from a lack of hope. They do not know the Good News of Jesus Christ. As I mentioned last week, having consulted, and heard from many of you about this as I have gotten to know you, I believe God is leading us to have a particular emphasis on developing a mission to youth in our community and within our parish. The dream for this Mission is to provide an inviting home for youth to be disciples of Jesus Christ through the Church. People are hungry for Jesus. As a 20th century evangelist said, “Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.” As good watchmen, we are called to point the way to the food, the only food which will truly satisfy every human heart. Learn more and how you can help here. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mr8LFKfSRVhbnwt8l_KHzPSCdNphwxZU/view?usp=sharing)

Readings https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040623.cfm

Readings https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022623.cfm