Homilies and Stuff

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

In an open letter to Priests, Parishes, and the community in the Diocese of Hamilton, Bishop Crosby addresses new directives regarding coronavirus COVID-19. Click HERE to read the letter.

In addition, I, as Pastor of Regina Mundi Parish, and in accord with the norms of the Code of Canon Law, have dispensed the parishioners of Regina Mundi Parish from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass for the next three weekends (March 15, 22, and 29). Click HERE to read the decree.

Letter from Bishop Crosby on Coronavirus and the Liturgy

A letter has been sent to Priests and Parishes providing advice to assure a unified response in our Diocese for the celebration of Mass. The letter addresses handwashing, the Sign of Peace, the reception of Holy Communion, and Communion from the Chalice. The letter can be found on the Diocesan website or HERE. Further communication may become necessary in the event of a major viral outbreak in Canada.

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Homily for the First Sunday in Lent

Renounce these lies:

  • Did God really say?

  • You will not die.

  • God is the competitor of your freedom and happiness.

  • I can decide what is right and what is wrong.

And obey God and follow His commands.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

For current information on, and updates of, the status of Coronavirus in Canada, click HERE to go to the Government of Canada public health website.

Click HERE for a very interesting real-time status on Coronavirus put together by the engineers over at Johns Hopkins University.

Homily for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Everything a baptized person does each day should be directly or indirectly related to the corporal and spiritual works of mercy” — Dorothy Day.

HERE is the website from the Archdiocese of Toronto on ideas about how to do the works of mercy.

Corporal works of mercy

To feed the hungry.
To give water to the thirsty.
To clothe the naked.
To shelter the homeless (and welcome the stranger).
To visit the sick.
To visit the imprisoned, or ransom the captive.
To bury the dead.

Spiritual works of mercy

To instruct the ignorant.
To counsel the doubtful.
To admonish the sinners.
To bear patiently those who wrong us.
To forgive offenses.
To comfort the afflicted.
To pray for the living and the dead.

Interesting Article on Homily (Sermon) Length in Different Christian Churches

I have often wondered what the ideal length of a homily should be. Some priests say 8 minutes. Some say no more than 10 minutes. It is no surprise that my homilies tend to average around 15 minutes. I am often self-conscious about the length of my homilies. However, as I don’t get too many complaints about the length, I have stuck with that timing.

I just came across THIS article on a study done by Pew Research which compares the lengths of homilies and sermons from different Christian denominations. It turns out that Catholic homilies are on average far shorter than all others, averaging around 14 minutes. Sermons in Protestant churches average between 25 and 54 minutes (depending on the denomination). HERE is a link from the Pew Research article on the study.