Got Seasonal Affective Disorder from our country's current political climate? Listen now to this second of two bonus episodes—courtesy of Mater Dei Radio's "Voice of the Shepherd" podcast. You'll benefit from learning ways to resist the worldly divisions which too easily infiltrate our individual faith and corrupt our community of faith, the Catholic Church. Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample frankly discusses the hurtful harm that the political climate of our time causes in the Body of Christ. Yet—to keep this "political weather report" from deflating our sails—the archbishop explores humble, hope-filled, lovingly Christ-like ways to navigate this political season with podcast host, Dina Marie. Mater Dei Radio originally posted this interview as one episode on August 6, 2024. Our "Part 2" intentionally starts with a minute-or-so overlap with the end of "Part 1." For more "Voice of the Shepherd" episodes, go to (or copy-and-paste into your web browser) https://materdeiradio.com/category/the-voice-of-the-shepherd/.

Content © 2024 Mater Dei Radio; re-posted with permission

Got Seasonal Affective Disorder from our country's current political climate? Listen now to the next two bonus episodes—courtesy of Mater Dei Radio's "Voice of the Shepherd" podcast. In it, Portland Archbishop Alexander Sample suggests ways to resist the worldly divisions which can infiltrate our faith and corrupt our community, the Church. Archbishop Sample discusses the great harm our current political climate has upon the Body of Christ and with host, Dina Marie, explores humble, hope-filled, Christ-like loving ways to navigate this political season. Mater Dei Radio originally posted this interview as one episode on August 6, 2024. To hear more episodes, go to (or copy-and-paste into your web browser) https://materdeiradio.com/category/the-voice-of-the-shepherd/.

Content © 2024 Mater Dei Radio; re-posted with permission

Did you know you can benefit from Catholic guidance for our civic responsibility to vote? The Holy Spirit will help us make wise judgements just as Jesus helps the blind man see in today's Gospel.

You can find the documents that Fr. Chuck recommends in his homily at this link, under "Learn More": https://www.usccb.org/sjp/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship. Plus, do you feel like the current political climate give you Seasonal Affective Disorder? Be sure you hear the two bonus episodes which our podcast posted on October 30, "Politcal Division — Archbishop Sample Calls for Unity."

Catholic Mass readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 27, 2024

First Reading: Jeremiah 31: 7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 126: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6
Second Reading: Hebrews 5: 1-6
Alleluia: Second Timothy 1: 10
Gospel: Mark 10: 46-52

When you listened to today's Second Reading from the book of Hebrews, did you think about those times when you approach the throne of grace? We are actually closer to eternity during the magnificence of every Mass. Let us remember during Mass that we're in a conversation with God, encountering the same powerful grace that created the world and overcame death.

Catholic Mass Readings for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 20, 2024

First Reading: Isaiah 53: 10-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 33: 4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 14-16
Alleluia: Mark 10: 45
Gospel: Mark 10: 35-45 or Mark 10: 42-45

Listen now to hear about the most important and life-changing mutual friend that the late Doug White and Fr. Chuck shared: Our Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Doug, (1934–2024), was a longtime, very active member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church along with his wife (now widow), Denise. The funeral occurred Saturday, October 19, at St. Elizabeth's. A celebration of Doug's life is scheduled for Saturday, November 2, 2–4pm at Willamette Hall, Mirabella Senior Living Community, 3550 S. Bond Ave, Portland, OR.

Have you ever been surprised by the answer God gave to your prayers? Today's readings and homily help us understand the importance of praying for wisdom and joyfully accepting God's guidance.

Catholic Mass Readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 13, 2024

First Reading: Wisdom 7: 7-11
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 90: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Second Reading: Hebrews 4: 12-13
Alleluia: Matthew 5: 3
Gospel: Mark 10: 17-30

Greetings from Fr. Chuck! It's a blessing for me to share with you the homily I gave on Saturday, October 5, for the wedding Mass of Nchekube (AKA "Nche") Onyima and Oscar Brown. Nche (prounced "IN-chay") knew me in her preteen and teen years when I was Parochial Vicar from 2004 to 2010 at the parish in the greater Portland, OR, metro area where her family was—and still is—active. I have kept the recording of the voicemail she left for me a little over two years ago honoring me with the request/invitation to preside and preach at her wedding. She and Oscar needed that full two years of advance planning partly because they're both children of African immigrants and as such, have family all over Africa and in the African Diaspora worldwide—from Australia to China, for instance—who wished to participate in this joyous and sacred event!

Right now, download this episode or simply listen to learn why I tell them it's a good thing for Christian married couples to "Put Your Marriage before God." --Your brother in Christ, Fr. Chuck

Did you notice in today's readings and music that, "The heart keeps coming up?" In today's homily, Father Chuck tells of a recent experience which exemplifies the refrain of the Responsorial Psalm, "The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart." God shows us through His guidance that He knows what He's doing.

Catholic Mass readings for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 29, 2024

First Reading: Numbers 11: 25-29
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 19: 8, 10, 12-13, 14
Second Reading: James 5: 1-6
Alleluia: John 17: 17b, 17a
Gospel: Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48