The Solemnity of Christ the King - 2009

To Jesus Christ our Sovereign King we give glory and honor and obedience. But where is his reign? His reign is in the Church who instructs and guides the faithful. On this feast, we must look at the active relationship of Obedience we have with Christ and His Church.

33rd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Will the world end in the year 2012? There are so many theories floating around about the apocolypse. Where does the Church stand? Nobody has the answers, but we do have a way of approaching the question of Christ's return in the fullness of time.

32nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Today the old widow has returned to put her pennies in the treasury. And so yet another stewardship message is upon us. Maybe stewardship is not always about giving "more". Sometimes it involves giving "less" so we give "from our poverty". This message ties into our RCIA Accceptance and Welcome Weekend

Solemnity of All Saints - 2009

Like a GPS system, the saints help us to know where we are and where we are going. Today we draw out this analogy and see how the saints help us along "the way". They continue to live and be active in the world today for our salvation and so everyone needs at least 5 saints in their lives.

30th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Priesthood Sunday [USA]. The Scriptures reveal to us the essence of the priesthood of Jesus Christ, which is linked to the ancient sacrifice of the altar. Fulton Sheen once said, "The countries that have priests are the countries that want priests." What did he mean by that? What is a priest?

29th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

A new saint and a new hero has been declared: St. Damien de Veuster. As we read the Gospel and reflect on heroes, it is time to see how LifeTeen is doing with this years theme of heroic virtue. When will your local church be part of a papal homily? Is their heroic virtue and humble service in your midst and in your life?

28th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

The rich young man walked away sad, for he had many possessions. So what is the rest of the story? What if we were to encounter this man at a ten-year reunion? How has life been different since that day? Will he eventually find eternal life? This homily was also given on Respect Life Sunday.

27th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

In order to get somewhere, you need a vehicle. In the spiritual life, there are many vehicles. Ultimately, your Vocation is your Vehicle for Salvation. Today we look at one such vocation: Christian Marriage. The Lord takes it seriously, and so should we.

26th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

If your hand causes you to sin; cut it off. How do we make sense of Scripture passages like this? The answer can be found through our Catholic methods of interpreting the Scriptures. These methods do NOT detract from the seriousness of what Jesus was trying to tell us. The story of Aron Ralston can help us here.

25th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

The first LifeTeen mass of the year at SFA. As the year begins, we must look at passions. The Letter of James implies that passions can either start wars, or lead us to joy and love. What do we believe about passions? Does God want us to have passions? One of the remedies for bad passions is virtue; which is the theme for our LifeTeen year.

24th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

The disciples go on a journey with Jesus, and he asks them to define who he is. There is a right and a wrong answer to his question. Some answers are somewhat close, while others are balderdash - nonsense. Peter seems to be on to something here. How does Christ define your life?

23rd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Today Jesus gets close and personal with a deaf man. He touches his ears and his tongue. Would you let God that close to you? Why do we often treat Jesus like a stranger? This homily is about right boundaries and healthy intimacy with God and others.

22nd Sunday Ordinary Time - 2008

Hypocrites! Jesus rants against the hypocrites. How do I know that I am not a hypocrite? Maybe I am? Some people claim that the churches are full of hypocrites and that they cannot stand it anymore. What should I say to them?

21st Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

As we finish the "Bread of Life" discourse, we must develop the attitude of a fisherman. Fishermen say, "Go Big, or Go Home!" This is the way Catholics ought to approach the Eucharist: If it is anything less than Christ's true presence, then we shouldn't bother even coming to mass. We need to "Go Big", "Think Big", and "Believe Big" as Catholics.

20th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Lately we have been talking about the Eucharist as a food. Now it is time to zoom-out and focus on the whole meal experience - not just the food. The Liturgy is the whole meal. This is not "fast food", it is a whole-meal-experience that dips back into history for thousands of years. This is also our seminarian collection weekend at SFA.

19th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

As we encounter Elijah's story, the Bread of Life discourse, the Liturgy, and our own stories, we must ask ourselves an essential question. Today I offer you that one question that will help with all of life's discernments and even Scripture Interpretation as well. It is a very biblical question. It is a question that could save us from trouble as we journey through life.

18th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

All foods will eventually spoil. The "Bread of Life" discourse continues this week as Jesus appeals to our senses. The Lord tells us to work for imperishable food that brings everlasting life. What does it mean to "work" for this food? This reflection on the Eucharist also comes on a day when we welcome a new candidate into the Church at SFA.

15th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Prophet training part II! The work of the prophet continues this week as we look deeper into the prophetic way. Today Amos and the Apostles show us what we should be doing as prophets. Prophets never shut-up, they speak emphatically, and they refuse to run in the face of adversity. Instead they focus on the WORD of God and God's grace.

14th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

What is it like to be a prophet-preacher? We learn a lot about the prophetic mission today from a few different prophets. A prophet must ride the line between being "well-liked", and never compromising the Truth. In other words, the mission of a prophet is not simply to be "well-liked". How tough it is to be a prophet!

13th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Why does Jesus say that this 12-year-old girl is not dead, but that she is only asleep? Maybe sleep is important and death should be looked at as more of a "sleep". Who doesn't want more sleep? This homily is part-two of a series on why death should not be so awefully feared in light of what Christ has done for us.

12th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

We are talking about rain storms, thunder, and lightning today. It is also Father's Day Weekend. How does God bring us to the storm and bring us through the storm? Afterall, it was Jesus' idea to put the disciples in a dangerous situation on the Sea of Galilee in a boat. How do we cross to the "other side"?

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Feast of Corpus Christi. St. Ignatius of Antioch called the Eucharist the "Medicine of Immortality". It saves us from death and brings us to life everlasting. Even if you struggle with belief, it still works on your soul. So today we worship a presence that surpasses modern drugs and pills.

Most Holy Trinity - 2009

Is the Trinity simple or complex? Rather than talk about God - Father, Son, and Spirit - as a mere doctrine, today we experience the Trinity in the Liturgy. The Trinity is the inner-life of God. We too have an inner life, and this reality helps us encounter the Trinity, especially in worship and Eucharist.

Pentecost - 2009

All of our encounters with God come through the Holy Spirit. In our God-language, we need to call upon and rely on the Holy Spirit. Drawing from Scripture, St. Ambrose called the Spirit a Great River. This is a good image for us today on Pentecost.

Ascension Sunday - 2009

The Ascension is not the most popular feast in the Church. Perhaps that is because this is not a feast where we "get" something, this is a feast where we have to let something go. What happens when we let go of Jesus' physical body? Is there life without his physical presence? This feast says there is the fullness of life!

6th Sunday of Easter - 2009

In Jesus' farewell discourse found in John's Gospel, Jesus tried to tell us what to do after he was gone. Most of our prayer life however is spent telling Jesus what to do. Maybe it is time we change our prayer! Perhaps we have it all backwards and we need to approach the Risen Christ with a different attitude this Easter Season.

5th Sunday of Easter - 2009

Easter feasting and organic foods. Jesus calls us to have an "organic" relationship with God through this image of the vine and branches. This Gospel challenges us to be pruned, and fruitful, in a natural ways. Artificial fruit in our spiritual life is no good. Go natural.

4th Sunday of Easter - 2009

Sheep, wolves, and the Good Shepherd. What is this all about? We can learn from St. Francis how to deal with wolves this easter season. He is just one example of how we are called to imitate the Good Shepherd and lay down our lives. Day of prayer for Vocations.

Palm Sunday - 2009

Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion. Jesus is the master director of a saving plan. He constantly gives commands even as he faces death. He says to us through the Church, "The Master has need of you." Our Passion becomes His Passion and we are saved.

5th Sunday of Lent - 2009

March Madness! There has been plenty of madness this month. What does God have to say about all of it? There is no March Magic to fix our March Madness, but there is plenty of Mercy. How do we encounter the Mercy of God?

4th Sunday of Lent - 2009

Laetare Sunday! As humans we are fascinated by shows like "Law and Order". Likewise, Nicodemus was fascinated by the Law and Order of Jewish life. Today Jesus gives him and us the verdict. Tune in and find out!

2nd Sunday of Lent - 2009

Abraham and Isaac: A story that gets your heart racing. This story inspires us to want to be a Hero of Faith, but most of us do not have what it takes. That's okay. We need to learn to rely on Christ's sacrifice and not to do things for our own reward. That's the "Abraham mentality" that Lent puts forth.

1st Sunday of Lent - 2009

From the flood to the desert. What is Lent all about? A season of conflicting images challenge us to get on board with the Church, follow Christ through the desert, and renew our Baptism. Also the RCIA Rite of Sending today.

7th Sunday Ordinary Time

"Jesus saw their faith." As Lent approaches, what will we do so Jesus might "see" our faith? Is there a difference between Good Works and an Act of Faith? What about these Lenten practices that Catholics do? May this Homily inspire you to perform small and large Acts of Faith for God.

6th Sunday Ordinary Time

Jesus heals a leper. Why do we still refer to him as a leper even afterwards? If we are ever to heal, we must move past people's diseases as well as our own. Another homily on healing; there is no limit to the amount of healing that can take place.

5th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Job is having a bad day... or a bad life. Modern medicine could heal all of his ailments. But would that really get to the heart of the problem? Jesus is the personal God who heals, and we are to continue to be healed and heal others.

4th Sunday Ordinary Time - 2009

Chemistry experiments, life lessons, and authority. Today we look at how Jesus' teachings are still being taught today. Our belief in the Holy Spirit and our doctrine of Scripture AND Tradition do just that. May we then be astonished by Jesus' teachings as they were in Mark's Gospel.

Conversion of St. Paul - 2009

In this year of St. Paul, it is essential for us to know the real details of his life and his faith. From his journey to Damascus to his death, what was his motivation? What can we learn and borrow from this great saint? Catholic Schools Week begins. Life Teen Mass.

Baptism of the Lord - 2009

Today we celebrate an event of Cosmic significance. We also go on a Cosmic journey. What did the Church Fathers mean by this term "cosmic" and how does it apply to the Scriptures and our lives on this feast of the Baptism of the Lord?

Epiphany - 2009

Follow the fascinations of these Three Magi. Where do your fascinations lead you? All fascinations should lead to adoration. What is adoration on this Epiphany Sunday?

Advent Week 4 - 2008

At the Annunciation, Mary's "yes" untied the knot of Eve's disobedience. Your "yes" to God can also untie the knots in our world and in our souls. Not everything in the world is trash; it is all redeemable. Just say "yes" to God.

Advent Week 3 - 2008

Gaudete Sunday! What do Gatorade and Jesus Christ have in common? They quench your thirst. And today St. Paul says, "Do not quench the Spirit." What's all this "quenching" about?

Advent Week 2 - 2008

It is a wild world full of economic turmoil and real life pirates. In the midst of this wild-ness, a voice cries out. Today we look at what kind of preparations we are called to make during this advent season.

Advent Week 1 - 2008

Wakin' up is hard to do! Advent acts as a Spiritual Alarm Clock for us. This Advent 2008 we "watch" "wait" and "wake".

Solemnity of Christ the King

What is God's job description? Is this even a good question to ask? This is the final weekend of Ordinary Time. Today we proclaim Christ as our King, and we also welcome our Catechumens and Candidates through a special Rite. SFA Waldo.

St. John Lateran Basilica

Why does a church building have the ability to connect us with God even more than a walk in the woods? As we celebrate a Basilica in Rome today, there must be something that this feast tells us about our salvation. This is a life altering feast!

Commemoration of All Souls

The soul is like a wireless connection to God and others. Even after death, we are related to our relatives and they need prayers. As we all journey into God's life and love, we need to keep praying until we are all saints.

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Serra International has proclaimed the 30th Sunday as Priesthood Sunday. As we hear the Lord's challenge to love today, I ask: "What kind of love is a priest called to have?" How does this apply to everyone? Heart and Soul are required!

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

The "Hand of the Lord" is a common Scriptural theme. See what your hand and God's "hand" has in common. The Lord's hand invites us to the wedding banquet. In response, our hands can either give life or choose sin.

27th Sunday of Ordinary Time

This parable should get your heart pumping. Jesus offered us this parable just days before his own death in MT 21. So what is so "life or death" important about a vineyard? Respect Life Weekend.

26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Jesus has strange ways of motivating change in others. Yet, He calls us to be no less than saints! What do we do? The Scriptures and the life of Saint Francis can help us today. Francis Fest 2008 Homily.

25th Sunday of Ordinary Time

The Lord says, "My friend, I am not cheating you." So why don't we put our trust in God? An old Zen tale gives us some help today. SFA Manitowoc.

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Learn how to be saved from a serpent bite and how to be saved from Sin & Death; the process is similar. Today we behold the real wood of the Cross and find ourselves on that cross!

Labor Day Monday

I did not preach this past weekend, but I did preach on Labor Day. Here is a snapshot of Catholic teachings on Work/Labor from the story of someone from Manitowoc who lived them out.

21st Sunday of Ordinary Time

What tools do you have in your spiritual satchel? Jesus seems to be getting Peter equipped for a new mission. The Lord did the same for Eliakim. God did the same for the Church. We have the tools from God for our salvation. *Medium Audio Quality*

20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

What can we learn from the interchange between Jesus and this Canaanite woman? We can learn about Jesus, about us, and about prayer. These readings help our spiritual muscles grow!

19th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Ever experience a "connection failure" on your cell phone? We've been having connection issues since the beginning of time! Today's Scriptures and offer us models to work on our connection with God.

18th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Can you peform a multiplication miracle? Jesus syas "Yes" and he tells you how! And a miracle happens at every mass. It's amazing. Given at SFA Waldo.

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time

A three-for-one deal on parables today! What value do these parables have in our lives? Why were the disciples caught up on the weeds and wheat? Given at the Grand site of SFA.

14th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Soccer shoes, oxen, yokes, and burdens. What do these have to do with the will of God? Given at the Grand Avenue site of SFA.

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

How did these two characters end up on the same feast day? How should we celebrate such a feast? Given at SFA-Waldo site.

12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

There are all kinds of whispers in today's Scripture. What are you whispering about? What is God whispering to you? Given at St. John the Baptist in Howard (Green Bay), WI.

10th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Today Jesus eats with sinners and tax collectors. What did they have for lunch? All meals included in Scripture give us a substantial teaching. Follow me! Sermon given at St. Agnes in Green Bay, WI.

5th Sunday of Easter 2008

The Holy Spirit offers us practical solutions to our problems. Jesus says that He is the answer to our problems. Come here to see how the Holy Spirit has guided the Church and continues to guid us.

3rd Sunday of Easter 2008

Can you tell the Easter story without opening the Bible? How does God show up in our own easter stories and especially the liturgy? This homily was recorded in an empty church for better sound quality; but you will not hear the people respond as normal.

Easter Sunday 2008

Alleluia! The cross is empty! Alleluia! The tomb is bare! This homily used 2 visual signs... one reading "God is NOWHERE" and the other "God is NOW HERE". Given at SFA.

Fifth Sunday of Lent 2008

Discovery Channel's show "Dirty Jobs" starring Mike Rowe shows us somethings about the importance of dirty jobs and dirty people. So does Jesus in the "Raising of Lazarus". Given at SFA in Manitowoc, WI.

Fourth Sunday of Lent 2008

"Gee-Whiz" Jesus is a nice guy. Is amazing grace always a nice thing? Sometimes Jesus shatters our sins in a not-so-nice way. Given at SFA in Manitowoc.

First Sunday of Lent 2008

Kicked from the garden to the desert. How did we get there? Who's the party pooper? Here's a look at our temptations, Satan, and Christ's response. Given at SFA Manitowoc.

4th Sunday Ordinary Time

Why do we teach the beatitudes in the context of Morality? They key to the beatitudes lies in one word: "Blessed". This short homily was prepared but not used at a parish.

3rd Sunday Ordinary Time 2008

Today we go to school with the Scriptures and encounter many different subjects. *Note: Poor Audio Quality* This homily was given at St. Francis of Assisi in Manitowoc and coincides with Catholic Schools Week.

Baptism of the Lord

In today's account of the Baptism of Jesus, you can find a whole summary of the Christian Life. These are tasty readings! This feast is a feast of hope and salvation. Boo-Ya! Given for St. Francis LifeTeen in Manitowoc.

4th Sunday of Advent 2007

Christmas is coming. What is a "true gift"? What makes a better gift: an i-pod or underwear? This homily was the first ever given at St. Raphael's Parish in Oshkosh, WI.

3rd Sunday of Advent 2007

"Are you my Savior?" This is the question St. John the Baptist asks as he faces the end of his life. This homily was re-recorded after it was delivered at a LifeTeen mass in Gurnee, IL.

1st Sunday of Advent

Are you ready for the flood? Today's readings offer us a plan for those times that we experience a flood. This homily was given at St. Paul's in Gurnee, IL, for a Life Teen mass.

Feast of Christ The King

Jesus Christ is our King. Let's have a parade and celebrate! His power flows from the Cross and we learn from the Cross what kind of citizens we should be. Homily was given in Manitowoc.

33rd Sunday Ordinary Time

It's the "end of the world" and things are getting turned upside-down. How do Christians hang-on when things go upside-down? We need some glue. This homily was given in a new church building at St. John the Baptist in Howard, WI.

32nd Sunday Ordinary Time

The resurection in Des Moines, Iowa! Today we hear about a Catholic eating practice that is worth dying for. But death is not the end of life. This homily was given at St. Catherine's/Drake University where Dcn. Dan went to college.

31st Sunday Ordinary Time

Let's go rummaging through the parish lost and found box! Jesus came to seek and save the lost. This homily is in high quality audio and was given at a Life Teen mass in Gurnee, IL.

Youth Jam! 30th Sunday Ordinary Time

When does competition turn into rivalry? What's at stake? The audio quality for this homily is not the best. The audience was a Middle School age and the setting was an auditorium.

28th Sunday Ordinary Time

Ten lepers were "healed", but only one was "saved". What made this one ex-leper different? Why was Deacon Dan swinging his tennis raquet during mass? This homily was given in Manitowoc, WI.

27th Sunday Ordinary Time

Jesus tells us that faith requires an imagination. Given at St. Paul the Apostle Life Teen, in Gurnee, IL. What does faith the size of a mustard seed look like? We hear about faith, humility, and imagination.

22nd Sunday Ordinary Time

Today is all about humility. This homily was given at St. Agnes in Green Bay, WI. Every time you look at a grain of sand you will recall humility.

20th Sunday Ordinary Time

Jeremiah gets stuck in the mud. Jesus sets the world on fire. Is there a connection? This is Deacon Dan's first homily ever.