Browsing Fr. Matt's Homilies
July 1, 2018
Posted by Michelle Fox on 7/03/18
In the midst of our Gospel this weekend, Jesus gives us a profoundly good soundbite that is so simple, it's something we all should be able to remember. Do not be afraid. Just have faith. It is said that in the whole of Sacred Scripture God says some ... Read More »
June 17, 2018
Posted by Michelle Fox on 7/03/18
Our Scriptures this weekend remind us that God can do great and wonderful things with the smallest of things from us. In this world we can feel so much pressure and expectation to be the best – the best student, the best worker, the best parent, the smartest ... Read More »
June 24, 2018
Posted by Michelle Fox on 6/26/18
There seems to be something embedded deep within the human person that makes us want to solve problems. In all the plethora of conundra that we are confronted with in our lives we spend quite a bit, if not the majority of our time trying to find solutions ... Read More »
June 10, 2018
Posted by Michelle Fox on 6/26/18
As the summer starts to get rolling along now, we have something rather serious to consider in the Gospel this weekend. It’s one of those curious parts of Jesus’ teachings, and He just kinda slips it in there 2/3 of the way through the Gospel – the unforgivable sin.
You and I, we tend to be very good at looking at other people’s sins and judging them to be unforgivable. Be honest – when we hear of someone doing something, see it on the news or read it in the paper, or hear it at work on Monday morning, we are so very very good at judging. Most especially when we determine someone’s sin to be so heinous, so wretched and awful, that we say things like – they should be fed to the wolves, or cut up into little pieces, or burned alive before they spend eternity in hell – you know, all the things Jesus tells us exactly not to do….yeah, we’re good at that. Remember the caution, don’t judge someone just because they sin differently than we do. Good advice, for all of ... Read More »
June 3, 2018
Posted by Michelle Fox on 6/26/18
Sometime in the next few months I want us to do a new adult education series on the Mass. Bishop Barron, an auxiliary Bishop from Los Angeles is coming out with a new series on the Mass that really looks interesting and I think it would ... Read More »
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 »