Browsing Fr. Matt's Homilies
May 27, 2018
Posted by Michelle Fox on 5/30/18
A month or two into the religious ed year, one of our first graders came up to me very proudly and said ‘Father, I know how to make the sign of the cross.’ And with great sincerity, care, reverence and pride he showed me that indeed he did know ... Read More »
Second Sunday of Advent 2016
Posted by Fr. Matthew Strickenberger on 12/06/16
One week down. How are you doin?
Our Second Reading sets up what we need to talk about this weekend – it says how we are to be encouraged by the Scriptures – that they may provide us hope.
First of all – who doesn’t need more hope ... Read More »
First Sunday of Advent 2016
Posted by Fr. Matthew Strickenberger on 12/06/16
Today we stand at the beginning of one of the most precious but least used seasons of the year. Advent. The season of our preparation. We are even more blessed in a particular way this year, because Advent this year is a full 4 weeks. Four full weeks to ... Read More »
Homily July 26, 2015 - Pastoral Plan Mass of the Holy Spirit
Posted by Fr. Matthew Strickenberger on 8/01/15
We are well into this process of Pastoral Planning for the Diocese of Erie. For the past year, we have been meeting with the Diocese and the Consultants to let them know who we are as St. Bartholomew's. I am truly grateful to the Members of the Parish, ... Read More »
Homily July 12, 2015
Posted by Fr. Matthew Strickenberger on 8/01/15
There is a picture of Pope Benedict on retreat with his brother priests - they're listening to the retreat master preaching on God knows what. The picture shows the Holy Father checking his watch - and the caption reads, "see, no one likes long sermons"
They say that ... Read More »
Homily July 5, 2015
Posted by Fr. Matthew Strickenberger on 8/01/15
What is going on in our nation anymore. We live in an odd time - It's a crazy time - lots of crazy thoughts and opinions anymore. We have lost our minds - and worse, we are losing our humanity and a sense of who God created us to ... Read More »
Homily March 1st, 2015.
Posted by Fr. Matthew Strickenberger on 3/01/15
There are many absurd things we have to deal with in this life - real absurd things, and stupid absurd things - like, what color is this dress. We can often times look to the story of Abraham as an absurdity. God asks Abraham to sacrifice his son ... Read More »
Homily February 22, 2015 - Repentance
Posted by Fr. Matthew Strickenberger on 2/23/15
Repent and believe in the Gospel. We don't really have much of a sense of repentance any more. In the time of Jesus, and especially in the Old Testament they knew what it was to repent - to turn their lives around, to stop doing what went against ... Read More »
CSA Homily Feb. 15, 2015
Posted by Fr. Matthew Strickenberger on 2/15/15
The Powerball on Wednesday was 500 and some Million Dollars. I was truly hoping that as a result of that I wouldn't have to give this talk today - but unless anyone here bought their ticket in Puerto Rico, so much for that.
The time has come once ... Read More »
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Being Thankful
Posted by Fr. Matthew Strickenberger on 2/01/15
It's now been a little over two months since Thanksgiving.
And it's probably a good time for us to call it to mind once again.
We have so much in our lives to be Thankful for - but are we?
The further we get from that designated day ... Read More »