Podcasts about perpetual help

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time AJune 21, 2026  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time.Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to Matthew. Jesus said to the Twelve: "Fear no one. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father."The gospel of the Lord. Homily In the gospel, Jesus says to his disciples and to all of us: “Fear no one.” He says this as he sends them out on mission, knowing that they will run into serious opposition, just as he did. Jesus was sustained by his unshakable faith in God his Father, but we often have more difficulty. We learn fear from an early age. In high school especially we learn to fear the opinion of others. What do they think of the way I dress, or the way I talk. What might they say? Am I going to belong? It is amazing the contortions we are willing to go through in order to fit in. And if we are not careful, we can lose our sense of self. Fear paralyzes us and can even keep us from doing what we know is right. That is why the media uses fear so much to get us to do what they want, even if it is against our own best interests. So, Jesus explains: Do not fear those who can kill the body but can do no more. Fear the one who can put both body and soul in Gehenna. This requires faith in the God who made us and gives us new life in Jesus. In the first reading we hear the prayer of Jeremiah, who stood up for God against the powers of his day because he believed that God was actively on his side. Down through the centuries the martyrs have cheerfully gone to their deaths, not because they believed in a worthy project, but because they believed in the promise of eternal life that Jesus had given to those who are faithful. God does not fail in his loving concern for us, Jesus assures his disciples. “Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” So why does Jesus tell his disciple to fear the one who can put both body and soul in Gehenna? In the Bible, the Fear of God is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the Psalms tell us that the Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. That is because the Fear of God is something other than terror. We can stand terrified before the unknown or before some grave danger that threatens ourselves or a loved one. But God is no danger to us, God is the source of our life and the presence that brings joy and wholeness to our being.   Fear of God is not terror before the Almighty, it is reverence before the One who brought us into being and loves us more than we can possibly imagine. We want to avoid offending God, not because it will draw upon us the divine wrath in some sort of terrible punishment, but because we do not want to become like ungrateful children who do not recognize all the good that their Father or Mother does for them. The fear of God makes us want to become our best selves, and so honor the One who created and redeemed us. Because we want God's grace and loving presence in our lives, we avoid all that take us away from God. We take to heart Jesus' command to fear no one and nothing that would lead us away from God, and we seek to approach and imitate more closely Jesus Christ, because in him we have become children of God, to the honor of God the Father. May God bless you.   Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsR Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help Brooklyn, NY

Discover the comforting presence of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Join Mary Jane Fox and Angela Sealana as they reflect on her role as our spiritual mother and how she guides us through life's challenges. In this episode, you will learn: Where does the Blessed Virgin Mary's title "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" come from? How can Mary help us if she is not God? Discover hope and encouragement for your loved ones, especially in the challenges of daily life Continue Your Journey with Mary: Visit the official episode page. Jewel for the Journey: "Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence." - Saint Francis de Sales Do you like what you hear? Become a Missionary of Hope by sponsoring a week of Journeys of Hope. Click here to get started. Learn more at https://pilgrimcenterofhope.org/media-and-resources/all-media-series/journeys-of-hope.html Help us spread hope! https://pilgrimcenterofhope.org/support

For generations, the annual Redemptorist Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help has been a special moment in the Limerick calendar. This year, more than 5,000 people are expected through the doors of Mount St. Alphonsus each day. As the nine-day Novena gets underway from June 19th to June 27th.Fr. Brian Nolan, Rector of the Redemptorist in Limerick and Director of this year's Novena, joined Gillian to tell us more.Image via Redemptorist website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Limerick is preparing to celebrate its Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help from June 19th to 27th at Mount St Alphonsus on Henry Street in Limerick with the Redemptorist Fathers. On this weeks podcast we are joined by Fr Gerry Moloney who takes us through the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and through what is up coming at the novena this  year where the theme is "Called and Sent". The theme is based on the Irish Synodal Pathway and over each day of the Novena, there will be sharing and reflection on the principal focus areas from the synodal pathway. Drawing thousands of attendees from across the Mid-West, the multi-session daily event features scripture-based homilies, petition writing, and specialized sessions for families, the sick, and the elderly. The novena programme is available HERE. And you can get more information including livestreams from the Redemptorists website.Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

Limerick is preparing to celebrate its Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help from June 19th to 27th at Mount St Alphonsus on Henry Street in Limerick with the Redemptorist Fathers. On this weeks podcast we are joined by Fr Gerry Moloney who takes us through the Icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and through what is up coming at the novena this  year where the theme is "Called and Sent". The theme is based on the Irish Synodal Pathway and over each day of the Novena, there will be sharing and reflection on the principal focus areas from the synodal pathway. Drawing thousands of attendees from across the Mid-West, the multi-session daily event features scripture-based homilies, petition writing, and specialized sessions for families, the sick, and the elderly. The novena programme is available HERE. And you can get more information including livestreams from the Redemptorists website.In part one of the podcast we have our regular run through the upcoming liturgical odds and ends including saints of the week and some bits and bobs from around the Catholic world news.In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is a return to the gospel of Matthew as we will journey with Matthew for the most of the liturgical year from now until November. In this weeks gospel (Matthew 9:36 -10:8) we have the naming and sending of the twelve apostles. Text us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

As we move into Ordinary Time, this Sunday in Ireland we have the beautiful feast of Corpus Christi. So on this week's programme, we bring out a reflection from our old colleague Lorraine Buckley who shares with us some thoughts on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi originally in 2019. In part one, we have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends including the Pope's Prayer Intention for June 2026 and the saints for the week.In part two, Lorraine's reflection on Corpus Christi begins by taking us through a history of the feast which owes its existence to Blessed Juliana of Liege, who began devotion to the Blessed Sacrament in around 1230. Largely through her insistence, in 1264 Pope Urban IV commanded its observance by the universal church. While the Church celebrates the Institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday because it falls within the solemn and reflective time of the Easter Triduum, Juliana wanted to encourage a joyful celebration of this great gift of our Divine Master to the Church and to the world.  The Feast sums up three important confessions about our Faith. First is that God became physically present in the person of Christ, True God and True Man. Secondly, God continues to be present in His people as they form the Mystical Body of Christ in his church. And thirdly, the presence of God under the form of bread and wine is made available to us on the altar at Mass and preserved there for our nourishment and worship. Lorraine also reflects on why the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is so important to us through the Eucharistic hymns of the Tantum Ergo, Ave Verum Corpus, and Godhead Here in Hiding (Adoro Te Devote).In part three we have our weekly reflection on the Sunday Gospel which is from John's discourse on the Bread of Life (John 6:51-58).Local Notices Dates5th - 13th June - Kilmallock Parish Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help10th - 12th June - Triduum to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Robertstown Church in St Senan's Parish on N69.19th - 27th June - Limerick's Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the Redemptorist Church in Limerick city11th July - Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock24th - 29th October - Limerick Youth Pilgrimage to Assis and RomeText us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

Today's Homily Highlight is from Fr. John Boyle, pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Cottage Grove.Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.

Bishop Scott Bullock Homily from the Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of Josiah Hanson and Blane Schriock Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City May 30, 2026

In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve head to Westport, New York, for a behind-the-scenes look at the Depot Theatre, a professional theatre housed inside a restored 19th-century train station on the shores of Lake Champlain.Guests Erin Jodwin, Artistic Director at the Depot Theatre, and Gigi Mason, Director of the Depot Theatre Academy, share what makes this small, intimate venue such a memorable place to see live performance. From trains rumbling past during shows to actors performing just feet from the audience, the Depot offers a theatre experience that could only happen in the Adirondacks.What you'll hear in this episodeHow a historic Westport train station became a professional theatre.Why the Depot's small space creates such a powerful connection between actors and audiences.What it means to be an Equity theatre and why that matters for professional performers.How the Depot Theatre Academy gives Adirondack kids access to acting, stage management, lighting, sound, sets, costumes, and mentorship.What's on stage for the 2026 season, including Hadestown: Teen Edition, Tick, Tick… Boom!, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Ring of Fire.Why artists are drawn to spending a summer creating theatre in the Adirondacks.How community support, volunteers, and local partnerships help keep the Depot thriving.Favorite Adirondack spots from Erin and Gigi, including the Lake Placid Olympic Oval, a favorite swimming hole near Essex, Goodnow Mountain, and the Champlain Area Trails Quarry Trail.Resources:Depot Theatre Depot Theatre in Westport Champlain Area TrailsJames C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid Essex Quarry Nature PreserveSeagle Festival The Hyde Collection Actors' Equity Association Produced by NOVA

As the month of May dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary draws to a close, on this weeks programme we are joined by Karen Clancy from Totus Tuus magazine who shares with us about the Rosary and the forth coming All Ireland Rosay Rally in Knock on June 6th. She shares with us some of the history of the rosary and also reflections on the Mysteries of the Rosary - a prayer, a meditation, a sharing with God which has been promoted and encouraged by saints and Popes down through the centuries. Details of the All Ireland Rosary Rally including the schedule for the day available on the website - HERE.In part one of this weeks programme we have our regular run through the up coming liturgical odds and ends including the saints of the week and some local up coming events for listeners to be aware of. In part three we have our weekly sharing and reflection on the Sunday gospel which this week is John 3:16-18 with the great declaration of God's love - "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son........".Local dates for the calendar6th June - All Ireland Rosary Rally at Knock5th - 13th June - Killmallock Parish Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help10th - 12th June - Triduum to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Robertstown Church in St Senan's Parish on N69.19th - 27th June - Limerick's Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the Redemptorist Church in Limerick city11th July - Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock24th - 29th October - Limerick Youth Pilgrimage to Assis and RomeText us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

Pentecost is one of the great feasts of the liturgical year and brings to a close the season Easter where we celebrate the manifestation of the Holy Spirit into the church and the need for the church to go out into the world. In part one of this weeks podcast we go through the up coming liturgical odds and ends as well as flagging some up coming events on the calendar for local listeners in West Limerick. In part two, we share a reflection from Word On Fire Ministries where Bishop Robert Barron focus on the fifth chapter of St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians, where you find what Paul calls “the fruits of the Spirit,” which he contrasts with “the works of the flesh.” Maybe you're struggling and wondering, “What should I do? What path do I take?” Whatever is giving rise to the fruits of the Spirit in you is the path you want—and whatever is giving rise to the works of the flesh, stay away from. In part three as always we pause and reflect on the Sunday gospel which is from taken from the gospel of John (John 20:19-23) and is John's account of the appearance of Jesus to the disciples in the Upper Room after the Resurrection, the Giving of the Spirit and John's account of the Great Commission which we also heard about in last Sunday's gospel from Matthew. Local dates for the calendar:30th May - Fundraiser for the Dominican Community in Limerick with a concert at Greenhills hotel with music by Jimmy Buckley.6th June - All Ireland Rosary Rally at Knock10th - 12th June - Triduum to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Robertstown Church in St Senan's Parish on N69.19th - 27th June - Limerick's Solemn Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at the Redemptorist Church in Limerick city11th July - Limerick Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock24th - 29th October - Limerick Youth Pilgrimage to Assis and RomeText us at +353 874668950 or email at comeandseeinspirtaions@gmail.com

CLICK HERE FOR PDF to pray along from Dropbox OR.....CLICK HERE FOR PDF in Google Drive (both the same PDF)Today we invite you to join us in praying this devotion to Our Lady on Mother's Day weekend and the feast day of St. Louise de Marillac. It's about 12 minutes long and a powerful devotion of intercession from our devoted mother, Mary. 

Tuesday of the Third Week of EasterApril 21, 2026  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Tuesday of the Third Week of Easter. Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to John. The crowd said to Jesus: “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? What can you do? Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written: He gave them bread from heaven to eat.” So Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” So they said to Jesus, “Sir, give us this bread always.”      Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”The gospel of the Lord.Homily Today's readings ask us to examine where our lives of faith are grounded. Are they grounded in the words and actions of Jesus or are they simply a set of practices with which we have become comfortable? In the gospel the crowd asks Jesus for a sign to believe in him. Remember, Jesus had just fed the crowd with the five barley loaves and two fish the day before. But they wanted something like the manna which had accompanied their ancestors in the desert for forty years, which they called bread from heaven. Jesus tells them that the true bread from heaven is what God is prepared to give them now, which will not just sustain the body, but will give life to the world. Of course, the crowd responds asking him to give them this bread always. Jesus then says to them: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” When we hear these words, we immediately think of receiving the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion; but Jesus is not speaking just of the Eucharist. He is calling each of us to share in his way of being: to love as he loved, to forgive as he forgave, to relate to God as his beloved children and to see in others our brothers and sisters and bring them consolation and healing as he did. That is just as difficult for us today as it was for those listening to Jesus' words. The bishop St. Augustine liked to tell his people: “become him whom you eat.” One who did just that was Stephen, whom we hear about in today's first reading. St. Luke tells us that Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and fearlessly proclaimed Jesus as the Lord and Savior promised by God through the prophets. This did not sit well with the elders and the scribes of the Jewish people. They thought they were done with Jesus by crucifying him, but Stephen accuses them not only of being blind to the law of God, but also of being in the line of those who murdered the prophets. He then proclaims Jesus not only as risen, but seated at the right hand of God. This was all too much for them. They threw Stephen out of the city and began to stone him. In this moment of facing death, Stephen remained a faithful witness to Jesus. He shared Jesus' way of being by his attitude toward his murderers: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And he died as Jesus did: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” A young man named Saul witnessed the stoning and may even have incited it; but I am sure he was affected by the manner of Stephen's death, because when Jesus appeared to him on the way to Damascus, he was quickly converted. The question for us is whether our lives witness to the power of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus? In a world where our Pope and bishops are being attacked by figures in authority who feel threatened by their preaching the gospel, may our way of living and speaking in and of Christ Jesus be a witness that can transform the world. May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsRBasilica of our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

Today's Homily Highlight is from Fr. John Boyle, pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Cottage Grove.Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.

Bishop Scott Bullock Homily from the Funeral Mass for Fr. Michael Chukwudubem Oli Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City April 7, 2026

Bishop Scott Bullock Homily from Holy Thursday Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City April 2, 2026

Bishop Scott Bullock Homily from Good Friday Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City April 3, 2026

Bishop Scott Bullock Homily from the Easter Vigil Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City April 4, 2026

Bishop Scott Bullock Homily from the Chrism Mass Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City March 20, 2026

Bishop Scott Bullock Homily from Palm Sunday Mass Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City March 29, 2026

Evan, Michelle, & Courtney Cronin recap their grade school theatrical performances. Why does Aaron Judge struggle on a "stage" no matter how big it is? Evan is emphatic that the Browns and Myles Garrett need to split up. Anthony Becht joins the show to talk about the UFL season and the exciting rule changes they have. Draymond Green had some thoughts (shocker!) on Victor Wembanyama's MVP claim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Evan, Michelle, & Courtney Cronin recap their grade school theatrical performances. Why does Aaron Judge struggle on a "stage" no matter how big it is? Evan is emphatic that the Browns and Myles Garrett need to split up. Anthony Becht joins the show to talk about the UFL season and the exciting rule changes they have. Draymond Green had some thoughts (shocker!) on Victor Wembanyama's MVP claim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Evan, Michelle, & Courtney Cronin recap their grade school theatrical performances. Why does Aaron Judge struggle on a "stage" no matter how big it is? Evan is emphatic that the Browns and Myles Garrett need to split up. Anthony Becht joins the show to talk about the UFL season and the exciting rule changes they have. Draymond Green had some thoughts (shocker!) on Victor Wembanyama's MVP claim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Evan, Michelle, & Courtney Cronin recap their grade school theatrical performances. Why does Aaron Judge struggle on a "stage" no matter how big it is? Evan is emphatic that the Browns and Myles Garrett need to split up. Anthony Becht joins the show to talk about the UFL season and the exciting rule changes they have. Draymond Green had some thoughts (shocker!) on Victor Wembanyama's MVP claim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Evan, Michelle, & Courtney Cronin recap their grade school theatrical performances. Why does Aaron Judge struggle on a "stage" no matter how big it is? Evan is emphatic that the Browns and Myles Garrett need to split up. Anthony Becht joins the show to talk about the UFL season and the exciting rule changes they have. Draymond Green had some thoughts (shocker!) on Victor Wembanyama's MVP claim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Saturday of the Fourth Week of LentMarch 21, 2026  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent.Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to John. Some in the crowd who heard these words of Jesus said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Christ." But others said, "The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he? Does not Scripture say that the Christ will be of David's family and come from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?" So a division occurred in the crowd because of him. Some of them even wanted to arrest him, but no one laid hands on him. So the guards went to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, "Why did you not bring him?" The guards answered, "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." So the Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? But this crowd, which does not know the law, is accursed." Nicodemus, one of their members who had come to him earlier, said to them, "Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" They answered and said to him, "You are not from Galilee also, are you? Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." Then each went to his own house.The gospel of the Lord.Homily In today's gospel we do not hear Jesus speak, but he is the center of everyone's attention. They all have an opinion about him, but they cannot figure out who he really is. Some think he is the Messiah, and for that the Chief Priests and Pharisees sent their guards to arrest Jesus. Other question Jesus' Galilean origins: "The Christ will not come from Galilee, will he?” The Pharisees are adamant: “Look and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." Others say that the Messiah must come from Bethlehem. They did not know what we know from Matthew and Luke that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and is of the house of David. Jesus, however, makes little of his human origins, whether he is from Galilee or Bethlehem. In the verses that come before today's gospel reading, he declares that he comes from the one who sent him. He comes from above; it was God the Father who sent him. For saying that the Chief Priests and Pharisees were even more anxious to arrest Jesus, but the guards returned empty handed, saying: "Never before has anyone spoken like this man." So. They ridiculed the guards and the crowds who were beginning to believe in Jesus. Interestingly, a lone voice spoke up in Jesus' defense. It was Nicodemus, the Pharisee who some time before had gone to see Jesus by night. He asked: "Does our law condemn a man before it first hears him and finds out what he is doing?" The other Pharisees ridiculed him for his efforts; and then each went off to his own house. Listening to Jesus can bring ridicule and following him may even be dangerous. That was true in Jesus' day and is still true in our own. Even now, people are not in agreement over what Jesus represents. Jesus himself said that he had come not to judge the world, but to save it. His compassion for the outcast, the suffering and hungry drew an attentive following, but today compassion is considered weakness and attention to the needy a wasteful use of resources. Christians who adopt this attitude overlook Jesus' humanity on this earth and concentrates on his reigning in power at the right hand of God. This is a Jesus who will come in judgment for the earth, and will come at the head of a victorious army of angels. Thus, they can bless wars, whether in the Ukraine or in Iran. Of course, Pope Francis and now Pope Leo have questioned and sharply criticized this self-styled form of Christianity. Scripture teaches us that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us. When he comes in glory, he will gather to himself all who have imitated his life of love and reconciliation. As he said in the famous parable of judgment: “what you have done to the least of my brothers and sisters you have done to me.” We need more Nicodemuses today who are willing to stand up for the justice that flows from recognizing the dignity of every human being as created in the image and likeness of God and redeemed in the blood of Christ. We may not be able to do much on the world stage, but we can begin by recognizing the dignity of each person in our home, our school and our work. May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. EskerBasilica of Our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

Perpetual Adoration at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Rapid City

Saturday after Ash WednesdayFebruary 21, 2026 Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Saturday after Ash Wednesday.Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to Luke. Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And leaving everything behind, he got up and followed him. Then Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.”The gospel of the Lord.Homily In our gospel today we hear Jesus call Levi, a tax collector, to follow him. In the gospel according to Matthew, he will be called Matthew. The name is not so important as the fact that he was a tax collector, a class of people who was despised in Jesus' time because they because they were agents of the Roman occupiers. So, we might ask, along with the Pharisees, why would Jesus call such a person? Jesus obviously knew Matthew/Levi's heart better that he did, because that tax collector left his post immediately and followed Jesus. His joy at being chosen by Jesus was so great that he threw a great banquet and invited his friends, tax collectors and other outcasts, of course, to get to know Jesus. The Pharisees were not impressed. They tried to shame Jesus' disciples: “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” They implied that anyone who would associate with tax collectors had to be a sinner. Therefore, the disciples must shun such company. Jesus wasted no time in coming to the defense of his disciples: “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” To follow Jesus, one must humbly recognize that he or she is in need of God's saving grace and that Jesus is the source of that grace. In our polarized society, where we are expected to show our allegiance to our own group by despising and bad mouthing those of other opinions or cultures, the call of Matthew/Levi should serve as a wake-up call. Jesus invites the outcasts to follow him and restores their value as children of God. We, each one of us, has been called by Christ, not because of any merit we may think we have, but because of the inner value he sees in us, and wants to bring forth. The prophet Isaiah in today's first reading shows us the way. “If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.” The Pharisees erred not by calling those who associated with the tax collectors sinners, but by thinking that they themselves were not. Jesus corrects them, not by denying that those with whom he was associating were sinners, but by saying that those were the very ones he had come to find and to save. As we enter the season of Lent let us recognize our need for forgiveness for the many times we have not acted as children of God and thank Jesus for calling us into his light. Then we must invite others to share in this moment of grace, as did Matthew/Levi.May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsRBasilica of our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

Bishop Scott Bullock Homily from Ash Wednesday Mass Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City February 18, 2026

In this episode of Council of Dudes we sit down with Father Petrillo from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Pelham, NY. Father Petrillo shares thoughtful reflections on faith, presence, and the power of words to heal. We talk about why his homilies resonate so deeply with people not just spiritually, but emotionally and how they often feel as impactful and therapeutic as they are instructive. This conversation explores the role of reflection, stillness, and community in navigating everyday life, offering insight that extends well beyond the walls of the church. It's an honest, grounded discussion about finding meaning, processing life's challenges, and the quiet ways faith can support personal growth and well-being. A meaningful listen for anyone seeking perspective, clarity, and a moment to slow down. Define Your Circle.

Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time IIJanuary 21, 2026 – Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Wednesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time and the Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and Martyr. Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to Mark. Jesus entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a withered hand. They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, "Come up here before us." Then he said to the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" But they remained silent. Looking around at them with anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death.The gospel of the Lord. Homily At the center of today's gospel is Jesus' question to the Pharisees: "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" The question concerned the man with the withered hand. He was someone Jesus could help and to not help him, even on the sabbath, would be to do evil. The whole purpose of the sabbath was to take time to give glory and praise to God. The whole purpose of Jesus' life and ministry was to give glory and praise to God through his preaching and life-giving acts of healing, forgiveness and reconciliation. At his baptism by John, God had declared Jesus his beloved Son in whom he was well pleased. By healing the man with the withered hand, Jesus was being faithful to whom he was and gave glory to God. The Pharisees probably had not witnessed Jesus' baptism or heard the voice from heaven. They did not recognize Jesus as the beloved Son of God; they simply saw him as a miracle worker doing forbidden work on the sabbath. Their dedication to the law and their power of interpreting the law blinded them to the law of charity. In the end their sense of dedication and power made them unfaithful to the very law they were trying to protect. In today's first reading we hear the story of David's defeat of the Philistine giant Goliath. In facing Goliath, David remained true to himself as a shepherd and to his faith in the God of Israel. By the grace of God, his sling and stone became more powerful than Goliath's armor and sword. David's defeat of the braggart Goliath is thrilling, as is Jesus' put-down of the smug Pharisees, but victory on the side of God often comes with a price. David would run afoul of king Saul's jealousy and the Pharisees would take counsel with the Herodians to put Jesus to death. Nevertheless, Jesus remained faithful to God his Father all the way to the cross and resurrection. We see the same in the life of St. Agnes, whose memory we celebrate today. She was a Virgin in the early Church who had pledged her life to Jesus Christ and believed in his promise of the resurrection. She preferred to serve the poor and attend to the widows and orphans in the Church than to get married. When the governor's son proposed marriage to her, she replied that Jesus Christ was her only spouse. The young man denounced her to his father for being a Christian. She was true to herself and cheerfully accepted being beheaded rather than betray her spouse Jesus Christ. Her example is remembered and honored to this day. Hopefully, none of us will have to face death for our faith in Jesus Christ, but there come moments in our lives when we have to choose between being true to ourselves as children of God by attending the needs of others or to give in to social pressure by excluding them from consideration. We celebrate the fact that the victory belongs to God who is always at our side and we ask St. Agnes to intercede for us that in those moments we place our trust in the God of mercy. May God bless you.   Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsR Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help Brooklyn, NY

We look at the hidden emotional and spiritual challenges of infertility and how Springs in the Desert accompanies couples carrying this cross. The guests share the ministry's origins, the grief and identity struggles many couples face, the different ways men and women process infertility, and the need for compassionate pastoral care. They also explain how community, faith, and a focus on Christ—not just conception—help couples find hope, healing, and a sense of fruitfulness in their marriages. Ann M. Koshute, MTS, is co-founder and Executive Director of Springs in the Desert, a Catholic ministry offering spiritual and emotional support to women and couples carrying the cross of infertility and loss. A graduate of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute, she and her husband Keith are Byzantine Catholics living in Central Pennsylvania. Ann speaks at conferences and retreats, contributes regularly to Eastern Catholic Life, and has written for Ascension Press's Catechism in a Year Companion and daily Scripture reflections; in 2021 she was appointed to the USCCB's Advisory Council. Fr. Paul Varchola West, Spiritual Father for Springs in the Desert, was ordained a Byzantine Catholic priest in 2020 and serves as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Levittown, Pennsylvania. A columnist for Eastern Catholic Life, he was appointed Director of Deacons for the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic in 2025. He and his wife Alissa, married in 2009, enjoy music, the outdoors, and life with their two children—blessings that came after many years of prayers and infertility treatments. http://www.springsinthedesert.org Facebook: @Springs in the Desert Instagram: @springsinthedesert_ ​The Springs in the Desert Podcast: https://springsinthedesert.org/podcast/  00:00 Introduction to Springs in the Desert 05:24 The Journey of Infertility and Founding the Ministry 08:33 Understanding Byzantine Catholicism and Spiritual Leadership 11:22 The Role of Spiritual Support in Infertility 14:11 Navigating Medical and Spiritual Aspects of Infertility 17:16 The Emotional Landscape of Infertility 20:23 Programs and Resources Offered by Springs in the Desert 23:25 The Importance of Community and Shared Experiences 26:30 Addressing Grief and Loss in Infertility 29:19 The Unique Perspectives of Men and Women in Infertility 32:46 Navigating Emotional Responses in Marriage 38:56 The Role of the Church in Supporting Infertility 49:51 Addressing Pregnancy Loss and Grief 54:24 Understanding Identity Beyond Infertility 01:02:01 The Temptation of Objectification in Relationships 01:04:54 The Struggle with Self-Absorption and Spirituality 01:08:37 The Urgency of Infertility Ministry Today 01:11:53 Changing the Conversation Around Infertility 01:16:33 Normalizing Infertility in Young Education 01:21:58 The Importance of Connection and Community 01:25:18 Action Items for Supporting Couples Facing Infertility 01:35:23 Real Estate Commercial  Subscribe to our newsletter to get this amazing report: Refuting the Top 5 Gay Myths https://ruthinstitute.org/refute-the-top-five-myths/ Have a question or a comment? Leave it in the comments, and we'll get back to you! Watch the full episode, uncensored, on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Theruthinstitute Subscribe to our YouTube playlist:  @RuthInstitute   Follow us on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/theruthinstitute https://twitter.com/RuthInstitute https://www.facebook.com/TheRuthInstitute/ https://theruthinstitute.locals.com/newsfeed Press: NC Register: https://www.ncregister.com/author/jennifer-roback-morse Catholic Answers: https://www.catholic.com/profile/jennifer-roback-morse The Stream: https://stream.org/author/jennifer-roback-morse/ Crisis Magazine: https://crisismagazine.com/author/jennifer-roeback-morse Father Sullins' Reports on Clergy Sexual Abuse: https://ruthinstitute.org/resource-centers/father-sullins-research/ Buy Dr. Morse's Books: The Sexual State: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/the-sexual-state-2/ Love and Economics: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/love-and-economics-it-takes-a-family-to-raise-a-village/ Smart Sex: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/smart-sex-finding-life-long-love-in-a-hook-up-world/ 101 Tips for a Happier Marriage: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/101-tips-for-a-happier-marriage/ 101 Tips for Marrying the Right Person: https://ruthinstitute.org/product/101-tips-for-marrying-the-right-person/ Listen to our podcast:  Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ruth-institute-podcast/id309797947 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1t7mWLRHjrCqNjsbH7zXv1 Subscribe to our newsletter to get this amazing report: Refuting the Top 5 Gay Myths https://ruthinstitute.org/refute-the-top-five-myths/ Get the full interview by joining us for exclusive, uncensored content on Locals: https://theruthinstitute.locals.com/support

Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time INovember 21, 2025 – Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time and the Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our reading today is taken from the holy gospel according to Luke. Jesus entered the temple area and proceeded to drive out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” And every day he was teaching in the temple area. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people, meanwhile, were seeking to put him to death, but they could find no way to accomplish their purpose because all the people were hanging on his words.The gospel of the Lord. Homily The celebration of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary began in Jerusalem in the 6th century and then slowly spread through the Christian world. The story does not come from the Bible, but is based on a third century document that tries to fill in the blanks in the lives of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, that are not told in the Gospels. It is a devotional work and can be fanciful at times. The story of Joachim and Ana presenting Mary in the Temple in Jerusalem at three years old is based on the Old Testament account of Samuel's presentation in the Temple and expresses the truth of Mary's giving herself in service to God. This brings us to today's readings, where in the gospel, we hear of Jesus' cleansing of the Temple by driving out those who were selling things, saying to them, “It is written, My house shall be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.” Once he had restored the sacred space of the Temple, Jesus began to teach the people there. The first reading from the first book of Maccabees has a similar message. After Judas and his brothers had driven out the pagan invaders who had profaned the Temple, they purified and rededicated the Temple, so that sacrifices could once again be offered to God. This is the origin of the feast of Hanukkah, which the Jewish people celebrate to the present day. From this we see the necessity of a sacred space where the faithful can safely gather to worship and offer prayers to God. Of course, our heart is the first sacred space, where we offer ourselves to God in obedience to the commandments of love of God and love of neighbor. But it is difficult to love our neighbor if we do not first pray for and with our neighbor. And in the busyness and noise of our daily lives, we need churches and temples to help us create the space where our hearts feel the presence of God and find the peace to speak to God. The presentation of Mary teaches us that she learned at an early age to open her heart to God and participate in the sacred space that was the Temple. This forms the basis for her receptivity to the message of the angel in the annunciation and her response: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Just as Mary learned as a child to respond to God's calling, the children of our Christian community need to do the same. How do we bring up children to recognize God and revere the sacred spaces? One way is for parents to teach them their prayers and to pray with them. Another is for the children to accompany the family to church from the time they are little. Mary grew up in a devout and faith filled family. Today's children should have the same opportunity. May God bless you.Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsRBasilica of our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time IOctober 21, 2025  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time. Our reading today is from the holy gospel according to Luke Jesus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants."The gospel of the Lord. Homily In the gospel we hear Jesus tell his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” The master, of course, is Jesus himself who comes knocking at our hearts. We open our hearts, by welcoming him into our lives and trying to live in radical obedience to the Father as he did, repeating with him in today's Psalm: “To do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!” Jesus taught that the Law can be summed up as Love of God and Love of Neighbor. Or, as John the Evangelist interprets it, “Love one another as I have love you.” Jesus is the expression of God the Father's love and mercy toward every human being. Jesus' life was service to others. When his disciples argued among themselves over authority, he told them: “let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. ... I am among you as the one who serves.” He always had time to attend the sick, to cast out demons and make people whole. He accepted dinner invitations from the Pharisees, and he also visited the homes of outcasts, like tax collectors and people considered sinners. He brought the good news of salvation to all, not just in word, but also in deed; and he asks the same of us. As we hear in the parable of the last judgment: “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” When Jesus comes knocking at the door of our hearts, he does so through other people who call on us in their need. Because of our human limitations, there will be times we can do little, but we must respect the humanity of the one in front of us. In our present polarized society this can be difficult. We are constantly being bombarded by messages that dehumanize certain groups for political purposes, and we may find it frightening to stand up for the gospel message of love and mercy as disciples of Jesus Christ. St. Paul, in his letter to the Romans tells us not to fear, because Jesus has already won the battle. Comparing Adam and Jesus, he declares: “If by that one person's transgression the many died, how much more did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.” We may have to face our moments of failure, but we can rise above our sinfulness, because “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more, so that, ... grace might reign through justification for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” There is a joy that awaits those who are faithful in opening the doors of their hearts to the poor and marginalized. Jesus says that “he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.” This is an image of the heavenly banquet, but it all begins here. The love and welcome we share in this life carries over into eternal life. It sounds like one great party. May we all meet there. May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsR Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help Brooklyn, NY

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time CSeptember 21, 2025  Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our reading today is from the holy gospel according to Luke Jesus said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.' He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another the steward said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' The steward said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light. I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon."The gospel of the Lord.Homily The parable in today's gospel is not a homey metaphor we often expect from Jesus' parables. It is a brutal presentation of class exploitation and an example of the lengths to which an unscrupulous person will go for self-preservation. Still, Jesus is able to find a positive message in the actions of the unjust steward and bemoans the fact that those dedicated to the kingdom of God are not as single-minded. We need to understand that the size of the debts in the parable was very large and would be difficult to pay back. The steward had erred in allowing his master's clients to accumulate such large debts. And then, to ingratiate himself with those same clients, he reduces their debts, also by large amounts. We can imagine the shock and joy on the faces of the debtors as their debts were written down. More difficult is imagining the face of the master. He could have lost money, but overnight his reputation had gone from Mr. Scrooge to Santa Claus. The townspeople would be telling everyone what a good guy he was. And in Jesus' neighborhood, that kind of capital was worth more than the money. The point Jesus was trying to make is that even an unjust steward can be good to his neighbors, when his own life is on the line; and he questions why it is so difficult for his disciples to be good to one another, when eternal life is on the line? Jesus seems to be saying that the goods of this earth are to be used in building up and caring for one another, and if we cannot learn the proper use of the goods of the earth, how will we ever learn to use the spiritual goods of God's kingdom? Taking advantage of one another seems to be rooted in our human nature since the fall of Adam and Eve. In the first reading, the prophet Amos condemns those “who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land!” Even though they kept the Sabbath and the holy days, they were anxious for them to be over, so that they could get back to making a profit. And yet we admire people like Mother Theresa of Calcutta and Dorothy Day for their dedication to serving the poor. Jesus tells us that admiration is not enough; we need to imitate their virtue. In the second reading, Saint Paul gives us one of the roads to the goods of the kingdom: Prayer. “Beloved: I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity.” We must ask God for the graces of justice, kindness and mercy for our leaders as well as for ourselves. And he continues: “It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.” And then we must set about turning into reality the things that we have prayed for, serving not so much the world, as our fellow pilgrims in the world. For, as Jesus said: “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon." May God bless you. Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsR Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help Brooklyn, NY

Today's Homily Highlight is from Fr. John Boyle, Pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Cottage Grove.Subscribe to the Morning Blend on your favorite podcast platform.Find this show on the free Hail Mary Media App, along with a radio live-stream, prayers, news, and more.Look through past episodes or support this podcast.The Morning Blend is a production of Mater Dei Radio in Portland, Oregon.

Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time IAugust 21, 2025 – Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope Hello and welcome to the Word, bringing you the Good News of Jesus Christ every day from the Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province. I am Fr. Karl Esker from the Basilica of our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY. Today is Thursday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time and the Memorial of Pope Saint Pius X.A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew.           Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables saying, “The Kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast,but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet, my calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready; come to the feast.”' Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.           Then the king said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.' The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to meet the guests he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. He said to him, ‘My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.' Many are invited, but few are chosen.”The gospel of the Lord.Homily Our readings today begin with the joy of living in God's grace, but end with a sad commentary on fruits of human pride and weakness. In the first reading we begin with the warrior judge Jephthah and his successful campaign to free the tribes of Israel from their enemies; and in the gospel we just heard, Jesus compares the Kingdom of heaven to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. Wedding feast are usually joyful occasions; they certainly are in my family. And we enjoy getting together on other occasions to share food and each other's company. Jesus was no different. He often accepted invitations to dine with saints and sinners alike. And at the Last Supper, he left us a memorial of his loving presence, when he said: “Do this in memory of me.” So, we join together weekly, or even more often to hear the word of God and partake of this ritual meal through Holy Communion, in anticipation of the banquet that awaits us in the Kingdom of heaven. Saint Pope Pius X is remembered for encouraging frequent communion and for lowering the age of First Communion to seven or eight years old. However, Jesus' parable is not about peace and joy. The king is hurt when those invited ignore his invitation and then enraged when he sends a second invitation and some mistreat and even kill his servants. The parable, as told by Matthew, includes a reference to the destruction of Jerusalem for its rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. Joy returns when the king sends his servants out into the streets to invite all they can find, good and bad alike, and the hall is filled with guests, which signifies the Church's mission to all the world. But even then there is a discordant note. One guest refuses to accept the wedding garment, and is cast into the darkness outside. Not all who call themselves Christian accept to live love of God and neighbor as Jesus taught. And not all appreciate the Eucharist for the great gift that it is. Some ignore it, and others, more interested in their farm or business, make no attempt to fashion their life according to the one they receive. And poor Jephthah from the first reading? The joy of his victory was cut short, because of a foolish vow he had made. He had promised: “whoever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites shall belong to the LORD. I shall offer him up as a burnt offering.” To his dismay, his only daughter was the one who came out to greet him. Sadly, so as not to lose face, Jephtah did as he had vowed; but the sacred author later noted that those who truly know the Lord, know that God dos not accept human sacrifice. We claim not to believe in human sacrifice today, but how many families are still being sacrificed on the altar of greed, war and cruel government policies. Today's scriptures offer us a promise and a warning: God is always ready to offer his people life and grace, but we often let our misconceptions and prejudices get in the way. The kingdom of heaven is not just about heaven, but the joy of living the way of the Lord here on earth.May God bless you.Fr. Karl E. Esker CSsRBasilica of our Lady of Perpetual HelpBrooklyn, NY

Given at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Cottage Grove, Oregon.

On this inspiring episode of WOCTalk, we sit down with Dr. Charleen Singh, Founder and Program Director, and Annie Ocampo, Philippines Liaison, for the International Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Education Program (IWOCNEP) to explore the growing global reach of the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (WOC) nursing specialty through IWOCNEP. IWOCNEP is a WOCN Society Accredited WOC Nursing Education Program whose philosophy is to build a supportive and collaborative community that utilizes innovation to disseminate the unique body of wound, ostomy, continence nursing knowledge to improve quality of life across the globe. Tune in as they discuss the unique challenges, cultural insights, and life-changing outcomes of international WOC education—along with firsthand stories from the field, the importance of collaboration, and how WOC nurses everywhere can support this global initiative.Episode Resources:To learn more about the International Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing Education Program (IWOCNEP), click here.Click here to email IWOCNEP for additional information, ask questions about how to get involved, or to find out if you qualify for a full or partial scholarship.Lectures for each specialty are offered throughout the year using video technology.Clinical residency is hosted in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam or Iloilo Philippines.Minimum requirements for the program include Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and 2 years of medical-surgical nursing.Interested in becoming a WOC Nurse? To find WOC Nursing Education Programs accredited by the WOCN Society, click here. About the Speakers:Charleen Singh, PhD, MBA, MSN/ed, FNP-BC, CWOCN, WOCNF, CNE, RNDr. Charleen Singh is the founder and program director of the International WOCNEP a non-profit bringing wound ostomy continence education to nurses in South Asia partnering with the University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh and the Central Philippines University. She is the co-founder, co-director of the San Jose State Wound Ostomy program.She offers more than 25 years of nursing experience which spans across countries, ages, health issues and practice.Currently she is the program director of the DNP-FNP program at the University of California Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing. Education of nurses, future nurses, improving patient outcomes and applying evidence-based practice are a few of her passions.Annielyn Ocampo, MSN, RN, CWOCNAnnielyn Ocampo, MSN, RN, CWOCN has been a member of the WOCN Society for 20 years. She works as the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse Specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her educational background includes: University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Nebraska – Master of Science in Nursing, Leadership/ Administration Program, May 2017; Emory University, Georgia – Graduate of Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Program, September 2006; University of Perpetual Help of Rizal, Philippines – Bachelor of Science in Nursing, March 1992.Annie is the Philippines Liaison for the International WOCNEP and currently serves as a Director on the WOCN Society's National Board of Directors.Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.

In this episode of Fatima Today, hosts Barb Ernster and Katie Moran explore the rich Marian devotions of the Eastern Church. They discuss the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos and the deep veneration of the Mother of God under the title of “Protection.” The conversation highlights the miraculous Icon of Our Lady of Mariapovch, which began shedding tears in 1670 and now resides in the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Vienna, with copies in Hungary and at a shrine in Cleveland, Ohio. Katie also shares the story of the apparitions of Our Lady of Hrushiv in Ukraine on May 12, 1914, where the Blessed Mother warned of Russia becoming godless and pleaded for the rosary—drawing a powerful connection to the message of Fatima. The episode concludes with a reflection on four beloved icons traditionally attributed to St. Luke: Our Lady of Vladimir in Russia, Our Lady of Czestochowa in Poland, Salus Populi Romani in Rome's Basilica of St. Mary Major, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the Church of St. Alphonsus Liguori. These sacred images testify to the enduring love and protection of the Blessed Mother across East and West.  

St. Francis of Assisi was fond of saying that, “I have been all things unholy. If God can work through me, He can work through anyone.” How true. There was a Redemptorist missionary stationed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Boston who used to wear a gold watch on a key chain. He would hold the watch up to the crowds in church and say, “If anyone has a sin that I have not heard before, I will give you this gold watch.” You can imagine how long the lines were outside his confessional, but the point he made was clear. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. These thoughts come to mind in light of first reading from the Acts of the Apostles. By all measurements, Saul of Tarsus was an evil man. As he was was traveling to Damascus to continue persecuting those following the Way of Jesus, he was “breathing murderous threats.” Even Ananias, who received a vision from the Lord and eventually laid healing hands on Saul, said that Saul had done “evil things” to the holy ones in Jerusalem. Misguided as he was, Saul was on fire. Now, empowered with the Holy Spirit, he would preach before “Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel,” and, in the process, learn how to suffer for the name of Christ. The question we need to ask is, how do we keep our conversion going? The answer is in today's Gospel reading: “Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.” We remain in Christ by receiving him in Holy Communion, knowing that the fullness of God's presence is available only when we leave our old selves behind and take up our new lives in Christ. St. Francis and Saul of Tarsus experienced this truth daily. The Holy Spirit sinks deeply into hearts that are receptive to change. “The past is history,” a beloved Redemptorist used to say to all of his penitents, “the future is mystery. Today is God's gift to us. That's way we call it the present.” 

Given at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Cottage Grove, Oregon