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Por Padre Michael John Sezzi, administrador parroquial "Necesitamos recordar a toda la comunidad. No es que nosotros no hacemos cosas bien. Pero también necesitamos recordar la medida en que estamos haciendo esas cosas — en el nombre de nuestro Señor", nos dice Padre Mike para nuestro trigésimo noveno episodio de nuestro podcast de homilias dominicales. "Y necesitamos recordar que todas las cosas que hacemos es para ayudar a la comunidad."

By Father Michael John Sezzi, parish administrator "The Lord wants us to look at how we help one another; not to look at how we magnify ourselves, but really to use the gifts that God gives to us for the betterment of others," Father Mike tells us for the 39th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "And I think St. Paul helps us understand it's through God's gifts and through God's grace, that we're able to do what we do. And we always give praise and glory to him for all the works that we accomplish, because it is in his name that we do what we do."

Por Padre Michael John Sezzi, administrador parroquial "Necesitamos responder al Señor. Él quiere que todos quienes reciben comida — que escuchen, que entiendan — piensen que estas palabras, esta comida, son verdaderas. Es algo que necesitamos para cambiar nuestra vida", nos dice Padre Mike para nuestro trigésimo octavo episodio de nuestro podcast de homilias dominicales. "Nosotros estamos aquí porque sabemos la palabra de Dios. Sabemos que todas las cosas que él nos da a nosotros son verdaderas. Y por eso estamos aquí — porque estamos invitando a nuestro Señor a nuestra vida. Estamos cambiando, mirando nuestra vida y pensando en nuestra mentalidad, ¿cómo podemos caminar más cerca a nuestro Señor?"

By Father Michael John Sezzi, parish administrator "Ever since God created and shared his revelation with us, he's always wanted us to be saved," Father Mike tells us for the 38th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "And throughout all the prophets — Abraham, Noah, Isaiah, and all the others — they all had the same message because it all came from the one God. Jesus is trying to remind us how important it is for us to keep our relationship with him, how to grow in that relationship. God wants us to have a deep, healthy relationship with him. Jesus is trying to encourage us to prepare our life to do everything we can to build that relationship with him."

By Father Michael John Sezzi, parish administrator "Mary knows that the Lord is with her. Mary knows and has pondered that in her own heart," Father Mike tells us for our celebration of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "Today as we come together to celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we know that is with us. We know that God resides not only within this community and individuals, but with each and every person."

By Father Michael John Sezzi, parish administrator "It's because of her deep reflection, her pondering, her looking at her own heart and relationship to God, that she was able to say yes to the angel Gabriel," Father Mike tells us for our celebration of the vigil of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. "Today, we celebrate her assumption into heaven. Today, as we gather, we look to Mary as a great model for us. To ponder, to respond to God — these are the key qualities, I think, of Mary's life."

Por Padre Michael John Sezzi, administrador parroquial "La palabra que escuchamos es la palabra de Dios. Él quiere presentarnos a nosotros, él quiere decir algo a nosotros", nos pregunta Padre Mike para nuestro trigésimo séptimo episodio de nuestro podcast de homilias dominicales. "Y cuando estamos escuchando bien, podemos descubrir y podemos poner el tema en práctica en nuestra vida."

By Father Michael John Sezzi, parish administrator "Today as we listen to this week's Gospel, that's what Jesus is stressing. How are we engaging in that faith that God shares with us?" Father Mike asks us for the 37th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "It's a gift that God gives! But like any gift that we receive, we have to do something more. How are we actively participating in that faith that God shares?"

Por Padre Michael John Sezzi, administrador parroquial "¿Qué es más importante — las posesiones que usamos, o las posesiones que tenemos cerca de mi? Y Jesus está diciendo, si, tienes cosas que son importantes; pero ¿qué es la cosa más importante?" nos pregunta Padre Mike para nuestro trigésimo sexto episodio de nuestro podcast de homilias dominicales. "Nuestra relación con Dios. Y necesitamos tener la voluntad para ofrecer todo lo que Dios tenga; y para decir que este es el regalo de Dios. Y nosotros tenemos posesiones, tenemos cosas. Pero nosotros sabemos que lo tenemos porque Dios nos lo prestó a nosotros. Por eso, le damos gracias a Dios por todas las cosas que tenemos y ofrecemos a él".

By Bishop Albert M. Bahhuth "Are you aware of this great gift that Jesus did for us, that God himself chose to die on the cross — the most painful and humiliating death? That you and I, despite our sinfulness, our weaknesses, one day can inherit eternal life?" Bishop Albert asks us for the 36th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "That's why it matter to us 2,000 years later. This is why it should matter: Because you and I can have eternal life if we follow the way of Jesus. And it's not the way of suffering death; but it's the way of love, of self-giving. Jesus really gave us his life so we can have eternal life."

Por Padre Michael John Sezzi, administrador parroquial "Las oraciones son importantes, ¿no? Porque sabemos que Dios escucha nuestras oraciones. Escucha tus oraciones", nos dice Padre Mike para nuestro trigésimo quinto episodio de nuestro podcast de homilias dominicales. "No solamente las oraciones que yo digo, sino de todos. Abraham está rezando por la comunidad; Jesus está enseñando a los discípulos, recen por los bienes de la comunidad. Reca por los bienes de tu propia vida, y estarás abierto a recibir la gracia del Señor."

By Father Michael John Sezzi, parish administrator "God gives us all that we need because he is good and gracious. And we need to consistent in our prayer, too," Father Mike tells us for the 35th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "You know what your kids need. You now what's good for them. God knows what's good for us. And he helps us in our lives. And that's what Jesus is trying to do with the disciplines today. He's trying to show them: This is how you pray. This is how you keep that relationship with God going, and you open your hearts to what he wants to give to you. Today, Abraham is opening his heart."

By Father Michael John Sezzi, parish administrator "It's not that Martha was doing something inappropriate, but she forgot the other part of that action — to recognise the presence of God in her life," Father Mike tells us for the 34th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "Abraham recognised God, and ... was blessed with a child. Martha recognised Jesus; she know who he is. She recognises that he is the resurrection, that life will come through him, but she's caught in the particularities of life."

Por Padre Michael John Sezzi, administrador parroquial "Preparar es importante. Pero igualmente, escuchar la palabra de Dios", nos dice Padre Mike para nuestro trigésimo cuarto episodio de nuestro podcast de homilias dominicales. "Si hacemos cosas, pero no recuerden que Dios es nuestro ejemplo, la manera que estamos haciendo cosas es porque Dios nos enseñó. Estamos volviendo a una cosa muy importante. Nosotros estamos haciendo este trabajo porque estamos trabajando con nuestro Señor, con Cristo. Cristo está en todas las cosas que estamos haciendo".

Por Padre Michael J. Sezzi, administrador parroquial "La Ley no es una cosa afuera de nosotros, pero es una cosa dentro de nosotros. Y con la Ley, vamos a vivir en Dios y vamos hacer las cosas mejor", nos dice Padre Mike para nuestro trigésimo tercer episodio de nuestro podcast de homilias dominicales. "Dios está poniendo la Ley dentro de nosotros, que nosotros podamos tener una vida pura, una vida que estamos caminando con Dios. Al final de nuestra vida, ¿dónde queremos vivir, donde quieres ir"?

By Father Michael J. Sezzi, parish administrator "The Law is not something distant and outside of us, but something that's within that guides us in our life journey, and the decisions we make, and the attitudes that we have, and how we live out our each day of our life," Father Mike tells us for the 33rd episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "It is critically important, not because God wants to limit us, but because God wants us to have a beautiful life."

Por Padre Michael Sezzi, administrador parroquial "¡Alegrense! Porque? Porque sabemos que Dios está con nosotros. Y los profetas quieren decir a las personas que él estuvo hablando y a nosotros — alégrense porque Dios está con nosotros", nos dice Padre Mike para nuestro trigésimo segundo episodio de nuestro podcast de homilias dominicales. "No estamos tristes, pero tenemos amor y felicidad para enseñar nuestra fe. La cosa que tenemos más que nada es el amor de Dios. Y juntos vamos a hacer muchas cosas. Vamos a trabajar juntos para enseñar a otros en esta parroquia, en esta comunidad, en esta ciudad, que Dios vive, que Dios está con nosotros".

By Michael Sezzi, parish administrator "There are so many issues that we have to deal with. In our world today, there are tons of things to be concerned about. And in our own parish, we might look and say, there are so many limitations that we have," Father Mike tells us for the 32nd episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "But God is speaking to us, and he's saying don't worry about the limitations. Don't worry about what might be insurmountable. He is with us. And there is no question about that. Isaiah reminds the people — he reminds us — how God is a essential part of our lives. And when we have God present in our minds, in our actions, in our ministry, there is nothing that will stop us."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "Jesus was asking for all. As we read it, I think it's important to kind oftranslate it so that we don't take it all literally, but at the same time, get the meaning," Father Perry tells us for our celebration of Monday of the 13th Week in Ordinary Time. This marks Father Perry's last Mass as pastor of St. Bernard. "And when we decide in our life to go from seeker, to disciple, and then to apostle, we get it now. We're taking the word in. And now we're going out with that word. Going out with that Gospel. To share that Gospel with everyone."

By Father Michael Sezzi, parish administrator "Like Jesus says in he Gospel today, it is faith that allows to do great works," Father Mike tells us for our celebration of the optional Memorial of St. Junipero Serra, priest. "Today we remember Junipero Serra as that great visionary who did great work because of his faith."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "No es suficiente que la voz esté tratando de salvarnos. Tenemos que escuchar, tenemos que oír y creer", nos dice Padre Perry para nuestro trigésimo primer episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "Tenemos que celebrar que nosotros somos San Pedro y San Pablo. En este día, estamos celebrando a San Pedro y San Pablo con gratitud."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "If we have tremendous wonder and awe in his presence, that's not being afraid, that's not fear of the Lord. That's appreciating the power and greatness of God. But we also got to listen to God if we're going to be rescued by God," Father Perry tells us for the 31st episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "The truth is, you and I are supposed to become Peter and Paul. All of us. Men and women alike. We're supposed to pass, at some point, the 'seeker stage,' to where we really want to learn and know every single thing that we can about Jesus Christ."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "He was saying, I want to be your food. I want to reach down into your spirit and into your soul and feed you like you've never been fed," Father Perry tells us for the 30th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "Give you more than you can even take. And there will be leftovers. I will give to your spirit my life, my Spirit so that anything you have to face in life, you will be well-fed, well-taken care of, and you can face it. I think that's extraordinary language, and I think it's an extraordinary experience."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "Esta oración que estamos haciendo es una gran oración a Dios en gratitud por Cristo su Hijo", nos dice Padre Perry para nuestro trigésimo episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "Por nuestra salvación. Por la gracia y amor de la cruz. Es una gratitud. Quebrando pan, él dijo, 'coman, es mi cuerpo. Beban, es mi sangre.' Yo creo que es profundo y sencillo al mismo momento. Él está diciendo 'yo quiero ser la comida y bebida que van a conectar en su cuerpo, en su alma.' Y en el modo más profundo, 'yo voy a dar nutrición espiritual que puede transformar y dar vida.' Pero hay otro paso que tenemos que hacer."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "Tenemos que saborear a Dios como Padre, creador; Hijo, redentor; y Espíritu Santo, santificador. Es entender cómo Dios está tocando nuestras vidas", nos dice Padre Perry para nuestro vigésimo noveno episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "Somos pecadores, pero somos, en los ojos del Espíritu Santo, preciosos. Yo creo que cada día debemos estar pensando qué precioso somos en los ojos de Dios."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "This revelation of the Holy Trinity is meant to convince us that we are God's people, and he loves us — and even people who don't identify with Christianity," Father Perry tells us for the 29th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "God doesn't stop loving them. So today we are being asked to do two things. One is to walk and chew gum at the same time; we're supposed to hold into balance that God is one, but three persons in this oneness."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "No estamos repitiendo Pentecostés; estamos recordando porque tiene mucho significado", nos dice Padre Perry para nuestro vigésimo octavo episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "El Espíritu Santo no es como una piscina — apagar, prender, apagar, prender. No. Está siempre para amarnos. Y la cosa que apaga es cuando no estamos creyendo, cuando no estamos abriendo a esto. Yo creo, en este Pentecostés, debemos rezar, y vivir en Dios por todo lo que necesitamos, y abrir nuestros corazones al poder del Espíritu Santo en nuestras vidas."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "The Spirit of God was given to us to make a difference — a real difference — to change the world for the better, for the best!" Father Perry tells us for the 28th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "This Spirit of God ignited, lighted a fire of faith, of love, and we're asked to surrender to it."

By Father Bill Messenger "The love that is the Holy Spirit is the change-agent in our lives. In fact, that love, the Holy Spirit, is also the change-agent in God. Now, some people think that God never changes. But that is not entirely correct. God existed before creation. But the love that is the Holy Spirit could not be contained within God," Father Bill tells us for our celebration of Father Perry's retirement. "God had to change. God had to create. He had to share that love. And so he began a process of evolution that has resulted in the magnificent and vast expanse of the universe around us. He breathed his Spirit into the primordial waters, and the ancient oceans began to teem with life. Wherever there is loving change, we find the Holy Spirit."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "Nunca estamos aparte de Jesus; entonces, cuando estamos leyendo la palabra de san Juan, es poco difícil conectar con eso", nos dice Padre Perry para nuestro vigésimo séptimo episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "La razón que debemos de conectar con esta idea que Jesus salió y estamos sin él, es porque, en Pentecostés, cuando estamos recibiendo el Espíritu Santo de Dios, estamos transformados en Cristo. Y con su Espíritu, como él dijo, vamos a estar llenos de alegría y esperanza."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "Is this what we would expect, to see Jesus floating away into the clouds? How weird is this? But I think it's very hard to know, especially when we're given two different stories of the Ascension. Who's right? John, or Luke? How do you decide that? But what if the Ascension was much more mysterious, and the only way to get at it is give it a very physical experience and power," Father Perry tells us for the 27th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "What John gives to us as a gift in his presentation of the Ascension — with all the questions, and the doubts, and the fears, and the grief — is part of what I think we're supposed to experience. Maybe to get the whole pictures, we have to feel an absence of Christ, but also feel that it is totally natural and normal."

By Cardinal Roger M. Mahony "It was never the plan of God for the Son of God to remain here. The continuation of the Gospel, the sacraments, baptism, the Eucharist, the body and blood of the Lord, and telling people the good news about Jesus, we are the ones that continue, each one of us, through our baptism; and especially now through our confirmation today, are then the ones who carry on the mission of the Lord Jesus," Cardinal Mahony tells us for our adult confirmation Mass. "So that's where we are all through salvation history until today. And the Holy Spirit has been given age after age after age, especially in the sacrament of confirmation which you are going to receive today. And so, what does the Holy Spirit expect of us? He expects us to love Jesus, to know Jesus, to walk with Jesus everyday, and to live in compassion and mercy toward others just as Jesus did."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "The point of it all is love is the thing that counts; that's what he's asking here. If you love me, you would keep my commandments, and let my love live in you and let the Father's love live in you. I want to remain in you. Remain in me. If you love liked I've loved you, you will get it. Hate is powerful, but love is more powerful. Hate can bring people to death. Love can bring us out of a dead spirit. Life can bring us back to life."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "La cosa por mi más bonita es, dos mil años siguiendo estamos aprendiendo más que los apóstoles estaban aprendiendo en el Evangelio," nos dice Padre Perry para nuestro vigésimo sexto episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "Tenemos experiencia en la palabra — su experiencia — y dos mil años creyendo en Cristo. Y creemos mucho. Y ustedes creen."

Por Padre Kevin Manion "Para nosotros, no hay maldiciones si estamos viviendo el amor de Dios y viviendo la vida recta y los mandamientos," nos dice Padre Kevin Manion para nuestro vigésimo quinto episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "Esa es la razón por lo cual Jesucristo instituyó el sacramento de la confesión, para los que necesitan reconciliarse otra vez."

By Father Andrew Thomas Kang, O.P. "The love of Christ is real. The lives of the saints are real, and the sacraments are really God touching our souls with his love. Something has to change. We ought to be different. People should be able to look at us and see something new, something they don't see anywhere else," Father Andrew tells us for the 25th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "More than anything else, the distinguishing mark of the Christian community is supposed to be our mutual love. This was a big part of that early reputation of Christianity."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "Yo creo que, por cualquier vocación — sacerdocio, religiosa, matrimonio, o una persona soltera — si pueden entrar en una conversación con Cristo. ¿Él no quiere motivarnos a ir en una dirección de vida que pueda llenarnos con alegría y paz? Jesus, buen pastor, ¿que quieres por mi?"

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "I think all these vocations are so important," Father Perry tells us for the 24th episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "So today on this Good Shepherd Sunday, we are being asked to pray for vocations. I think the scriptures today, especially the introduction, it talks about, talk to Jesus, and most of all, listening. But not with this ear; this ear, the ear of the heart. And why not ask his opinion? What would make me most happy? Should I be a priest, get married, should I stay single? What do you think, Jesus? What would make me most happy? What would make me most fulfilled? I think when we pray like that, when we dare to open that conversation, amazing things can happen."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "Todos son ovejas de Jesucristo — los buenos y los malos. Y dijo en otra parte de la Biblia, Dios y Jesus, el Espíritu, ellos dan gracia a los buenos y malos. Amor por los buenos y malos," nos dice Padre Perry para nuestro vigésimo tercer episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "Y después diciendo, en efecto todo eso, le dijo a san Pedro — sígueme. Yo creo que esto es pascua."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "Jesus invites us — do you love me? And we are able to say — yes, Lord, you know I love you. But Jesus said that ain't enough — it's not just about loving me, it's about loving me in action. Words are words, and they're important, but actions are much more important," Father Perry tells us for the 23rd episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "And when we love Jesus and our neighbor, and even people that we don't particularly like because they are not very nice to us, we don't have to hate; we can still love in spite of the way that people treat us. And if we get that message, I assure you every time we receive the Christ in Eucharist, we will truly, truly be fed."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "That's what the waters always represent. They are lifegiving, clean, pure, fruitful waters. And the trees and the plants, reach out to get into the roots into that place where the waters are so that they can bear fruits for us," Father Perry tells us for the 16th episode of our Lenten podcast. "Forever and ever; and that's what we hear in this first reading. And of course, like Catholic-Christians, we cannot help but connect it to those waters of baptism. It's not drinking water; it's water for the spirit, and it's symbolic of what lifegiving grace that God always wants to give to us, especially through our faith in Jesus Christ."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "I think the bishops got it right when they said, the gift of the Spirit isn't fear; it's reverence and awe for God's greatness," Father Perry tells us for our celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday. "I hear in these scriptures a real call to believe what Jesus says. How blessed you are, all of us, because we believe without even having seen. I hear on this feast of Divine Mercy, that God is pouring his mercy out everlastingly. That love of God touches us so deeply that we become more and more like God ourselves."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "La historia está explicando algo más importante. ¿Cómo podemos creer en cosas que no podemos explicar? O provar. Tenemos que probar todas las cosas?" nos pregunta Padre Perry para nuestro vigésimo primer episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "Posiblemente podemos decir con toda fe, si yo recibo a Cristo en la Eucharistia, ese pan de vida, yo recibo su amor, su misericordia, su paz, su Espíritu. Y él va a caminar siempre conmigo."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "Baptism and confirmation are only received once; you can't receive them twice. But communion you can receive it every day — even more than once in a day," Father Perry tells us for the 22nd episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "And so this moment is a very lifegiving moment. We talk about God's love is everlasting? Here it is. We experience in Eucharist as he feeds us, loves us, and on this feast day, gives us mercy. That is, forever. We can follow the example of Thomas. We can question, we can doubt, and we can be led to greater faith."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "So he dies, and we believe that he has been raised up. And we will hear story after story, in the weeks ahead up until Pentecost, of many stories of his appearances," Father Perry tells us for the 21st episode of our Sunday Homilies podcast. "We can't say we've been there. But we believe. This is the center of our faith."

Por Padre Perry D. Leiker, párroco "Nosotros somos levadura espiritual por el mundo. Por lo más que podemos conocer Cristo, amar Cristo, oír su palabra en nuestros corazones y vidas, somos levadura que podemos cambiar el mundo," nos dice Padre Perry para nuestro vigésimo primer episodio de nuestro podcast de homilías dominicales. "Cuando estamos haciendo cosas sin sabiduría, podemos hablar como locos. La gente busca. Pero cuando hablamos con sabiduría, la gente escucha. La sabiduría penetra y da significado a la vida. Cada día, cada uno de nosotros debemos de pedir por esa sabiduría. Lo más que podemos vivir como eso, lo más divino; es como una levadura que puede transformarnos."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "On the first day after Easter, and all of this erupts in our face. We are going to now unwrap for 50 days the powerful presence of the Spirit, and the powerful presence of Christ Jesus rising from the dead, and all that it would mean to his people," Father Perry tells us for our celebration of Monday in the Octave of Easter. "We should be ready to relish to in the glorious scriptures."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "Tonight, that's why this is the mother of all celebrations — we tell the great stories," Father Perry tells us for our celebration of Holy Saturday Easter Vigil. "We celebrate baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist. We reaffirm our deepest, deepest belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and our future resurrection into eternal life. It just doesn't get any better. That's why we're here tonight."

By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor "At this last supper, this meal that Jesus will say, commemorate this always in my name, that he would tie to it service," Father Perry tells us for Holy Thursday. "We are called to be followers of Jesus Christ. And we're really called to be foot washers. Foot washing is our call, that we would love one another and service one another in the style of Jesus. All of this stuff is supposed to spiritually activate us, spiritually touch us in a way that makes us long for Jesus, and long to be like Jesus, and long to follow Jesus."

By Father Ramon Reyes "Gathering together at the feast day, the Passover, he humbles himself in humility, knowing that one of this friends is going to do something against him. Such is the great love he has for us that he teaches us, even in moments when we think we have our own choice," Father Ramon tells us for the 24 the last episode of our 2025 Lenten podcast. "He loves us so much, and he cares for us so much, that humility and humbleness go hand in hand. And he shows us that when you are ridiculed for his sake, he will glorify you as children of God. Are we prepared, not just to accept God, but to accept the good and the bad that God has for us?"