Homily - Sunday within the Octave of Christmas - December 27, 2015

Gal. 4:1-7; Lk. 2:33-40

I mentioned in my sermon on Christmas Day that the readings in this season would show us how deeply our Lord entered into humanity, except for sin, which He nevertheless took upon Himself to redeem us.

The readings in the traditional Latin Mass missal are very doctrinal.  So what we see in the readings today is that our Lord entered into the Old Testament law.  He is presented in the temple now, for Mary and Joseph to make the required offering for His birth.  But already we see the portent of what is to come.  Simeon and Anna appear, moved by the Spirit.  The Old Testament law was in preparation for the Messiah, and now our Lord has come, and He fulfills the law.  He will send the Holy Ghost to remind the Church of everything He said, and to show us the way to live our faith.

Cardinal Burke at Shield of Roses 2016 Benefit Dinner

The Shield of Roses,  a pro-life charitable organization invites you to their fundraiser this year which features His Eminence Cardinal Burke.  It promises to be a memorable evening for everyone and a wonderful opportunity to hear His Eminence speak in person! 

The Love, Life & Family Benefit Dinner will be at the Renaissance Banquet Hall in Glendale on Friday, January 15th, 2016.  RSVP before January 4th.  For more details...

Mass, Confession & Benediction Schedule - January 2016

10 AM January 1st - Octave Day of Christmas
Low Mass

10 AM January 3rd - Holy Name of Jesus
Confessions 9 AM.  Benediction after Mass
Mass intention:  Barbara Blewett (L)

10 AM January 10th - The Holy Family
Confessions 9AM
Mass intention:  Monica Watson (L)

10 AM January 17th - 2nd Sunday after Epiphany
Confessions not available
Mass intention:  Catherine Maddux (D)

10 AM January 24th - Septuagesima Sunday
Confessions 9 AM
Mass intention:  Helen Milan (L)

10 AM January 31st - Sexagesima Sunday
Confessions 9 AM
Mass intention:  Andrew Shapiro (D)

Homily - Christmas - December 25, 2015

Heb. 1:1-12; Jn. 1:1-14

One would think that the Gospel today would be that of the nativity, with the beautiful and familiar scene of Mary, Joseph, and the Infant in the manger.  In fact, that was the Gospel for midnight Mass, and this morning at dawn, that of the shepherds.  This is the birth of our Lord of Mary.  It shows that He is truly human, born of a mother, at a specific place and time.

For unto us a Child is born

Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder:  and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 40:1  Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.  Speak ye comfort to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned.  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight, and the rough places plain.

Camarillo Community Center Dance

If your evening is open, please join Leo & Debbie Raab, celebrating the coming of the New Year with a dance for adults at the Camarillo Community Center.  Sponsored by the Senior Center, the Disc Jockey will be our own Latin Mass choir director, Andrew!  The event is on Tuesday, December 29th from 6 to 9 pm at 1605 Burnley Street, Camarillo.  Advance ticket sales at the Senior Center are $7 each or $10 at the door.  For more information, call 805-482-4881.

Homily - Fourth Sunday in Advent - December 20, 2015

1 Cor. 4:1-5; Lk. 3:1-6

The Gospels of the second, third, and fourth Sundays of Advent give us St. John the Baptist.  Today’s Gospel, from Luke, gives us the content of his message.  As you know, John the Baptist belongs to the Old Testament.  He is the last of the prophets.  He announces Christ, the beginning of His public ministry, and of the Church.  So, at this moment in history, the Gospel tells is, “The Word of the Lord came to John,” to let us know that all of this is the work of God.

Homily - Third Sunday in Advent - December 13, 2015

Phil. 4:4-7; Jn. 1:19-28

This Gospel immediately follows the great Prologue of St. John.  You know it well.  It is the second Gospel which we proclaim at the end of every traditional Latin Mass.  In it, it says that St. John the Baptist was not the light, but was sent to bear witness to the light.  And in today’s Gospel, that is what we see, St. John the Baptist bearing witness.  In last Sunday’s Gospel, our Lord referred to St. John the Baptist as His messenger, who prepares the way before Him.  The excellent quality of a messenger is that he says nothing of himself, but is completely dedicated to the one who sent Him.

Homily - Feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8, 2015

Prov. 8:22-35; Lk. 26-28

On this Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the missal gives us the gospel of the Annunciation, which we celebrate on March 25^th, in which, as you heard, the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be the mother of the Lord.

Homily - Second Sunday of Advent - December 6, 2015

Rom. 15:4-13; Mt. 11:2-10

As you know, our Lord calls St. John the Baptist the greatest prophet.  Those before him foretold Christ, but he was the one who was sent to prepare His way.  He is also the last of the prophets.  With him, the age of the prophets ends, and the time of salvation in Christ has appeared.