SJBExcelsior Podcast

What happens when Jesus ascends to heaven? We hear in the Nicene Creed that he is - “seated at the right hand of the Father.” What does it mean for a king to sit down on his throne? It means he’s been victorious.

Fr. Carlson speaks about the great gift of Confirmation. We are never alone. We always have the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, with us.

"The Church is the sheepfold whose one and indispensable door is Christ." - Lumen Gentium

Fr. Josh Brown dives into the significance of Baptism on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord this past Sunday.

During the Advent season, we hear a recurring theme of light. Light helps us to see clearly, through darkness. Advent is a time to rekindle the flame inside us - the living flame of our relationship with Christ. When we do this, we put on the armor of Christ and it transforms us.

Souls in purgatory cannot pray for themselves. That duty falls to us. Deacon Michael gives us four simple things we can do to assist the souls in purgatory: During the 7 days following All Souls' Day there is a plenary indulgence applicable to the souls in purgatory when you visit a cemetery and fulfill the necessary requirements for a plenary indulgence: https://seton-parish.org/plenary-indulgences-for-all-souls-week-and-the-month-of-november#:~:text=Visiting%20a%20Cemetery%3A%20Visiting%20a,only%20mentally%2C%20for%20the%20departed. Pray the Rosary for them. Have Masses said for those who have passed away. Pray St. Gertrude's prayer: https://prayforsouls.org/ways/prayers/st-gertrude

Fr. Carlson shares how God is at work here at St. John's.

Don’t grow weary in prayer, especially in challenging times. Go to the Lord, he’s going to help. Psalm 121 - I will raise my eyes to the mountains, from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. We’re not battling by ourselves. The Lord is with us.

Fr. Carlson concludes his homily series on gratitude.

Fr. Carlson begins a two-part homily series on gratitude.

There is an obvious call from Jesus in this past Sunday's parable of Lazarus and the rich man, but there is a deeper spiritual understanding as well. Jesus addresses this parable to the Pharisees, and is calling them, and us, to conversion. He is the Lazarus in the story, the one the rich man does not want to see. He has come to save them, but they have closed their eyes to him and want none of it. The invitation for us to to consider today as the time of conversion. Don't wait until tomorrow. Jesus longs for us to be in relationship with Him today.

Fr. Carlson dives into the often misunderstood Parable of the Dishonest Steward. Does Jesus commend the dishonesty of the steward? No, rather, he is pointing out something deeper.

Fr. Carlson speaks about the reason we exalt the Cross of Christ.

In challenging times, can I still say yes to the Lord?

Fr. Carlson shares how to go to the Lord when our hearts are heavy, and speaks to the tragic events of last Wednesday.

We have to spend time with God in order to grow. Are we stuck in the same place as when we were 10 years old, 20 years old? How do we grow spiritually?

Sometimes it gets hard, but never give up hope. Deacon Michael Nevin, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 17, 2025

Fr. Carlson's homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 8.10.2025

Jealousy is saying - “God, I like the gift that you gave to this other person better than the gifts that you gave to me.” Fr. Michael Van Sloun unpacks how easily we can fall into the various forms of greed, and how to remedy it.

The disciples come to Jesus asking Him to teach them how to pray. We, as disciples, also ask this question. We all know the importance of prayer but how do we actually pray? Here at St. John's we will be holding a 6-week School of Prayer to explore this very question. Find more details here: https://stjohns-excelsior.org/school-of-prayer/

How do we enter into prayer? How do we enter into Mass? Fr. Carlson gives practical tips to be less distracted and more present.

Deacon Michael unpacks the parable of the Good Samaritan, explaining who each of the people in the story represent. He also invites us to reflect on the times we’ve chosen the other side of the street, rather than helping someone in need. We are called to serve no matter the cost, knowing that God will give us the grace.

Do we cry to God with joy, as the psalmist says in Psalm 66? This week, Fr. Carlson invites us to praise God for His goodness, in small moments and in big.

Jesus didn't call Peter and Paul because they were perfect.

Fr. Carlson connects the Old and New Testament to reflect on the great Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ).

What does Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory have to do with the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity? Watch Fr. Carlson's homily to find out.

In his homily for Pentecost Sunday, Fr. Carlson reflects on one of his favorite prayers - “Come, Holy Spirit, Come”.

Deacon Michael describes how the feast of the Ascension is a great feast of hope. “...he ascended, not to distance himself from our lowly state but that we, his members, might be confident of following where he, our Head and Founder, has gone before.” – Preface I for the Ascension of the Lord

Sixth Sunday of Easter - 5.25.2025

It’s a simple line to say "love one another" - it’s harder to practice it.

Our lives are so full of noise. A key part of our journey is the need to cultivate silence. Fr. Carlson gives practical tips on how to hear the voice of God.

Fr. Carlson shares a homily on Divine Mercy Sunday from the late Pope Francis.

The Resurrection changes everything.

We can ignore Jesus, mock him, scourge him, yet he still gives himself to us. This is how great His love is for us.

"Jesus came not to destroy those he found, but to seek those who were lost." —St. Augustine

When you go to Confession, do you feel like you’re going to the principal’s office because you’re in trouble? Or you feel like you’re going to a feast? In Confession we go to the arms of the Merciful Father, who celebrates with great joy that we are there, and who throws a feast in our honor.

The key to prayer is to actually do it. Fr. Carlson shares two practical tips on prayer.

Our true citizenship is in heaven. Are we willing to choose the Lord over the world?

Fr. Carlson uses the image of a garden to reflect on Jesus' work in our hearts.

We shouldn't ignore God's commands, even if they're difficult. Deacon Michael shares from his own experience how to let God in to these areas that are difficult for us.

What truly satisfies us? We can try all we want to make the world our happiness, but it will never fulfill us. Only God can.

Enter into deep relationship with Jesus. Homily - 2.9.2025 - Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus is the light in the midst of darkness. He is always with us. In a Catholic Church, you will always see a red sanctuary candle lit by the tabernacle (except on Good Friday and Holy Saturday), which indicates that Jesus is present in the tabernacle.

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time January 26, 2025

When God asks us to do something, he gives us the grace to do it. Fr. Timothy Combs O.P. Second Sunday in Ordinary Time January 19, 2025

Fr. Andy McAlpin O.P. invites us to look again at the Sacrament of Baptism.

Have you ever encountered God? Or maybe encountered him in a new way? The magi departed by another way when they left Bethlehem - they were changed by their encounter with the Lord.

What do we do when we have loved ones who have fallen away from the faith? Fr. Carlson reflects on this reality in his homily from the Feast of the Holy Family.

The Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord December 25, 2024

Fr. Carlson uses the image of a garbage truck to illustrate what we are supposed to do with our anxieties.