How can St. Joseph help us gain holiness? Father Chuck points out that St. Joseph is the only member of the Holy Family to be born with sin, as we are, so his life is a good example for us. St. Joseph shows us the importance of recognizing the voice of God, following God's guidance, and dedicating our lives to God and to helping others. Let us pray to St. Joseph to help us become who God created us to be.

Catholic Mass readings for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, December 28, 2025

First Reading: Sirach 3: 2-6, 12-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 128: 1-2, 3, 4-5
Second Reading: Colossians 3: 12-21 or Colossians 3: 12-17
Alleluia: Colossians 3: 15a, 16a
Gospel: Matthew 2: 13-15, 19-23

Merry Christmas, Podcast Listeners!

If you love surprise gifts for Christmas, you'll love Fr. Chuck's Christmas homily with its surprising titles for Jesus to supplement those in our First Reading from Isaiah! If you didn't join us at any of the Christmas Masses at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, you'll just have to listen to this recording of the Christmas Day Mass to figure out what Fr. Chuck's surprising homily title is about! If you were in any of the Christmas Mass congregations, you'll benefit from hearing this version of the homily at the Christmas Day Mass because it differs from what anyone heard. You see, Fr. Chuck has revised the recording for what he admits is a tighter focus.

Catholic Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)—Mass during the Night [St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church used these reading at all Masses, December 24 & 25, 2025]

First Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-6; Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13
Second Reading: Titus 2: 11-14; Gospel: Luke 2: 1-14

Did you know that God has an Advent present for you? As Paul describes in todays second reading, the obedience of faith is waiting for us. We just need to ask for God's help. And just as the Lord instructs Ahaz in the first reading, God wants us to "ask big". Let us trust in big things from God starting this Advent.

Catholic Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 21, 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 7: 10-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 24: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Second Reading: Romans 1: 1-7
Alleluia: Matthew 1: 23
Gospel: Matthew 1: 18-24

What gifts can we find in the desert? God asks us to be patient and not to fear hardship nor to complain about others. Let us carve out some time for solitude this Advent so we can bloom in God's saving grace.

Catholic Mass readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, December 14, 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 35: 1-6a, 10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 146: 6-7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Second Reading: James 5: 7-10
Alleluia: Isaiah 61: 1
Gospel: Matthew 11: 2-11

How can we bring God's endurance and encouragement to others this Advent? Jesus brings hope from the tree of Jesse that was foretold by Isaiah and has persisted through centuries. Our own parish apple tree is an example of regrowth and resilience for us. Let us pray daily to be a source of blessing for someone else, to be an agent of God's love.

Catholic Mass readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, December 7, 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 11: 1-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 72: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Second Reading: Romans 15: 4-9
Alleluia: Luke 3: 4, 6
Gospel: Matthew 3: 1-12

What are you giving up this Advent? In today's homily, Father Chuck reminds us of the importance of enriching our Advent to prepare for Christ's Mass, and tells us two stories to illustrate Jesus's role as the "Good Thief". Let us make way for Jesus to show us His love by taking away our sins, and leaving us the gift of His grace.

Catholic Mass readings for the First Sunday of Advent, November 30, 2025

First Reading: Isaiah 2: 1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 122: 1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Romans 13: 11-14
Alleluia: Psalms 85: 8
Gospel: Matthew 24: 37-44

Listen now to consider how to give thanks to God in difficult times, as well as in delightful circumstances. Plus, hear about a delightful "God-incidence" from Fr. Chuck. He tells how the disappointment of a canceled European pilgrimage led to an uncanny East Coast encounter—at a Mass at a small mission church in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley—between him and the son and daughter-in-law of St. Elizabeth of Hungary parishioners, one of whom was the Lector at this Thanksgiving Day Mass!

Catholic Mass readings for Thanksgiving Day Mass in the United States

First Reading: Sirach 50: 22-24
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113: various verses
Second Reading: First Corinthians 1: 3-9
Alleluia: 1 Thessalonians 5: 18 ["In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."]
Gospel: Luke 17: 11-19

Have you experienced Jesus connecting the dots in your life? Father Chuck connects today's readings in his homily about God's kingly power and concern for us. Let us trust in God's caring for us in every age and every little detail.

Catholic Mass readings for Christ the King Solemnity, Sunday, November 23, 2025

First Reading: Second Samuel 5: 1-3
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 122: 1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
Second Reading: Colossians 1: 12-20
Alleluia: Mark 11: 9, 10
Gospel: Luke 23: 35-43