Preaching
Praying and Preaching the ‘Gap’
Msgr. Michael Heintz Comments Off on Praying and Preaching the ‘Gap’
I am currently enjoying Marilynne Robinson’s “Reading Genesis” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, $29), which has served as a prompt for this column. While one need not agree with every interpretive suggestion Robinson makes, her beautiful prose and trenchant insights bring to the fore the loyalty of God to his creatures, despite their moral ambiguity and Read More
Preaching and Leadership
Father Thomas F. Dailey Comments Off on Preaching and Leadership
More than a rallying cry uttered as a farewell, Jesus’ final words — “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19) — give preaching its impetus and its terminus. With the courage of faith inspired by the Resurrection, and with a strength of character emboldened at Pentecost, the remaining apostles did what the Read More
A Few Reminders about Preaching
Father Herb Weber Comments Off on A Few Reminders about Preaching
Every so often, someone will ask how long it takes me to write my Sunday homily. I am unable to answer because, by the time the weekend comes around, I have lived with that particular homily for most of the week, sharing thoughts with others and writing notes to myself as the homily matures. I Read More
Dear Father …
Dr. Donald P. Richmond Comments Off on Dear Father …
Dear Father in Christ: I am a weary pilgrim, and it has taken me many years to move from Canterbury (where I served as a priest for many years) to Rome. It has been an arduous journey, punctuated by intense and sustained “wrestling” with God over many Roman Catholic priorities, principles and practices. But now Read More
The Privilege, Joy and Burden of Preaching
Msgr. Michael Heintz Comments Off on The Privilege, Joy and Burden of Preaching
Preaching is a task and responsibility that confronts each priest, literally, on a daily basis. It is one of the more important charges given him at his ordination when he is instructed by his bishop to preach the Word “worthily and wisely.” While preaching is a great privilege and often a source of considerable joy Read More
7 Suggestions for a Better Homily
Father Andrew Costello Comments Off on 7 Suggestions for a Better Homily
If you take the time to read this article, you’ll get seven suggestions for a better homily. First: Pause Before You Preach You’re in the pulpit. You have just read the Gospel. First suggestion: pause before you preach. Next time you preach — try pausing — sometimes during the homily, but especially in the beginning. Read More
Successful Preachers Strive to See as God Sees
Father Edward Linton Comments Off on Successful Preachers Strive to See as God Sees
Everyone agrees that our society is polarized. Most say it is more polarized today than ever before. Perhaps. Certainly, polarization that grips society affects preachers. Indeed, as the director of the Institute of Continuing Theological Education (ICTE), a sabbatical program for priests in Rome, I meet priests from all over the United States and beyond. Read More
Removing the Scales
Bishop David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Removing the Scales
When I was a parish priest, I was pretty “religious” about my day off. For example, when my parents were alive, I would do an overnight each week. I always came back to the parish refreshed, renewed and reinvigorated. Mom and Dad have been deceased for 20 years. Thanks to my sisters, I still have Read More