St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church — Portland, OR; Homilies

Why is Mary such an important example for us today? In living a life of humble service to God, she helped transform history. God can also do great things through us. Mary's Assumption is a sign of God's love and sharing with us the victory of life. Let us be God's servants on earth knowing that death does not have the last word.  Catholic Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 16, 2026 First Reading: Revelation 11: 19a; 12: 1-6a, 10ab Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 45: 10, 11, 12, 16 Second Reading: First Corinthians 15: 20-27 Gospel: Luke 1: 39-56

Do you ever get distracted during Mass or prayer, causing your good intentions to sink like Peter's? If that happens, we can call out to the Lord for help in getting back our focus. Let's pray, "Lord, Bless my brain and help my heart." And we can also capture a distraction and offer it up in prayer to God, to bring Jesus in.  Catholic Mass readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 9, 2026 First Reading: First Kings 19: 9a, 11-13a Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 85: 9, 10, 11-12, 13-14 Second Reading: Romans 9: 1-5 Alleluia: Psalms 130: 5 Gospel: Matthew 14: 22-33

Has something in your life only become apparent to you after you see it in past photos? In the same way, we may need the Holy Spirit's help to look back and realize that Jesus has always been there for us and will always be there. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to help us become more aware of God's relentless love, from which nothing can separate us. Catholic Mass readings for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 2, 2026 First Reading: Isaiah 55: 1-3 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 8-9, 15-16, 17-18 Second Reading: Romans 8: 35, 37-39 Alleluia: Matthew 4: 4b Gospel: Matthew 14: 13-21

Why do you think King Solomon went astray in his later years, after God granted him wisdom? God gives us freedom, but that also comes with risk that we might rebel against His guidance. So God knows that there will be "good" and "bad" fish until the end of days. Let us continue to pray for understanding and not get complacent, and also realize that God's church is stronger than any bad fish. Please note: For those who attended 9am or 11am Mass this weekend, the recorded homily is a briefer blend of both homilies. Catholic Mass readings for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 26, 2026. First Reading: First Kings 3: 5, 7-12 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 119: 57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130 Second Reading: Romans 8: 28-30 Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25 Gospel: Matthew 13: 44-52

Is there someone you're having trouble forgiving? Today's first reading tells us that to be just, we must be kind. Jesus knows that it takes strength to forgive.  Let us pray for God's strength to help us be good and to forgive, and let us pray for anyone who has hurt us. Catholic Mass readings for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 19. 2026 First Reading: Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 86: 5-6, 9-10, 15-16 Second Reading: Romans 8: 26-27 Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25 Gospel: Matthew 13: 24-43

How can God's Word take root and grow in us? God sends Jesus to us through the scriptures to fulfill His Word. Let us take some time to talk to God and welcome Jesus every day, giving ourselves to God's work. Catholic Mass readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 12, 2026 First Reading: Isaiah 55: 10-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 65: 10, 11, 12-13, 14 Second Reading: Romans 8: 18-23 Gospel: Matthew 13: 1-23

Did you ever wonder how Jesus knew right where to find the donkey that He rode into Jerusalem? Was it to show that not only was He meek and humble, but also a wise and knowing King as Zechariah prophesied? Father Chuck tells us of another "God-incidence" that happened this past week showing that Jesus is always there for us. Let us take Jesus's yoke and surrender our lives to Him, the Savior King. Catholic Mass readings for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 5, 2026  First Reading: Zechariah 9: 9-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14 Second Reading: Romans 8: 9, 11-13 Alleluia: Matthew 11: 25 Gospel: Matthew 11: 25-30

What things in our life need to "die" so we can gain life as a child of God? Today's Gospel reading contains challenging words from Jesus. While Baptism brought us new life, growing into our best relationship with Jesus is a lifelong process. Let us pray to learn which areas of our life are preventing us from growing closer to God so we can lose them. Catholic Mass readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 28, 2026 First Reading: Second Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16a Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 89: 2-3, 16-17, 18-19 Second Reading: Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11 Alleluia: First Peter 2: 9 Gospel: Matthew 10: 37-42

Since Father Chuck is on vacation this week, we have a "bonus" episode featuring Father Chuck's homily for this day from June 21, 2020 at his previous parish, St. Wenceslaus, in Scappoose, OR.  Did Jeremiah's prayer for vengeance leave you wondering why God intended for it to be in the scriptures, when the full revelation of God tells us to love our enemy? Maybe then Jeremiah wanted to take it back? God left it in the scriptures to show that He can deal with our un-Godly thoughts and acts. He doesn't miss even one sparrow's little hop with His guidance. Let us pray for love and courage in letting God order our days. Catholic Mass Readings for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 21, 2026 First Reading: Jeremiah 20: 10-13 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 69: 8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 Second Reading: Romans 5: 12-15 Alleluia: John 15: 26b, 27a Gospel: Matthew 10: 26-33

Do you think that you can't do what God calls you to do? God sends us forth from every Mass to grow in God's love and to confront the world's evils. We can't do it on our own. But we can recharge at Mass, and seek help from the Saints and the angels that God commanded to accompany us. We have their help as we enter the mission field. Catholic Mass readings for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 14, 2026 First Reading: Exodus 19: 2-6a Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 100: 1-2, 3, 5 Second Reading: Romans 5: 6-11 Alleluia: Mark 1: 15 Gospel: Matthew 9: 36 – 10: 8

Do you feel the power of God's love in the Eucharist? In today's homily, Father Chuck shares stories of how God touches us with His love and grace through the sacraments. Let us celebrate God's power and creative energy in our lives and in our sharing with others. And listen to the very end to hear the outcome! Catholic Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 7, 2026 First Reading: Deuteronomy 8: 2-3, 14b-16a Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 147: 12-13, 14-15, 19-20 Second Reading: First Corinthians 10: 16-17 Alleluia: John 6: 51 Gospel: John 6: 51-58

What does being created in the image of God mean in your daily life? As God is a community of love, let us bring kindness and concern for others to our everyday actions. Let us pray each day this week to the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the prayer card at church that Father Chuck mentions, or you can access the Prayer to the Sacred Heart by going to https://archdpdx.org/mission-renewal and clicking "Sacred Heart Novena Prayer Card."    Catholic Mass readings for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, May 31, 2026 First Reading: Exodus 34: 4b-6, 8-9 Responsorial Psalm: Daniel 3: 52, 53, 54, 55, 56 Second Reading: Second Corinthians 13: 11-13 Alleluia: Revelation 1: 8 Gospel: John 3: 16-18

How often do you pray to the Holy Spirit? We can never get enough of the Holy Spirit, both for ourselves and for the benefit of others. Let's pray the simple prayer of "Come O Holy Spirit" repeatedly throughout the day to unleash the power of God's love for us and for our concern for others.. Catholic Mass readings for Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026 First Reading: Acts 2: 1-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 Second Reading: First Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13 Gospel: John 20: 19-23

What is the "age to come" that St. Paul mentions in today's second reading? While we are still in the age that began with Adam and Eve, Jesus has planted the seed for the coming age. As we trust him and keep worshipping, the earth will be perfected, everything bad will be cleansed away, and He will bring us into the full flourishing of His love. Catholic Mass readings for the Ascension of the Lord, May 17, 2026 First Reading: Acts 1: 1-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9 Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23 Alleluia: Matthew 28: 19a, 20b Gospel: Matthew 28: 16-20

Do you sometimes wonder about the meaning of the Eucharistic Prayers said during Mass? In today's homily, Father Chuck helps us understand the power of the prayers of the Mass. Jesus promises in today's Gospel not to leave us, and our prayers welcome Jesus' holiness into our hearts and restore it to the hearts of those who are scattered. Catholic Mass readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 10, 2026 First Reading: Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 66: 1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20 Second Reading: First Peter 3: 15-18 Alleluia: John 14: 23 Gospel: John 14: 15-21

Do you sometimes find it easy to play the blame game when things go wrong? In today's first reading, the apostles avoid blaming others when a problem arises and instead come up with a Spirit-filled solution. When we experience a conflict or disagreement, let us take a deep breath of the Holy Spirit and be part of a solution inspired by God's grace. Catholic Mass readings for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 3, 2026 First Reading: Acts 6: 1-7 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 33: 1-2, 4-5, 18-19 Second Reading: First Peter 2: 4-9 Alleluia: John 14: 6 Gospel: John 14: 1-12

Listen now and learn why joyfully living and proclaiming the Good News and doing the works of Jesus—particularly among the marginalized—are the best ways to honor Paulist Fathers Jim Kolb and Steve Bossi as they mark milestone ordination anniversaries. Hear fellow Paulist Fr. Chuck Kullmann's enjoyable and insighful homily for the Mass honoring Fr. Jim's 50th ordination anniversary (May 15, 1976) and Fr. Steve's 40th (May 10, 1986). The Mass was on Saturday, May 2, here at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, where Fr. Jim served as pastor for almost 20 years.  Catholic Mass readings for Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter, May 2, 2026 (Memorial of St. Athanasius) First Reading: Acts 13: 44-52 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98: 1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4 Gospel: John 14: 7-14

Did you know that you are one of the "far off" people in today's first reading whom God is calling? Jesus is always at our side through our dark valleys, bringing us abundant life. Let us ask God's help to recognize Jesus's presence in our lives, and that He may work through us to accompany someone going through a dark valley. Helping someone else also lights our way through. Note: To respect health/medical privacy on the internet, we have edited this recording of the 11am Mass homily. Catholic Mass readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 26, 2026 First Reading: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 Second Reading: First Peter 2: 20b-25 Alleluia: John 10: 14 Gospel: John 10: 1-10