Best St Michael Catholic Community Podcasts (2025)

On this Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, Fr. Michael reflects on the deepest mystery of our faith—not a distant doctrine, but a lived reality. God is not content to remain hidden; He opens His very heart to us through Christ and draws us into His own life through the Spirit. In this homily, Fr. Michael explains how we experience the Trinity in prayer…

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[Classic Replay] A Criminal Conversation: Affairs & Divorce in 1920s Ireland 40:52

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8d ago40:52

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A story from the 1920s that will reshape the way you view our great grandparents lives! Unfortunately, there’s no new show this week, but I wanted to re-share an episode I really enjoyed making two years ago. It'll well worth another spin. In 1920s Ireland, Alice Morton’s marriage breakdown sparked a sensational divorce trial. Accused of adultery, …

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The Wind Under My Wings 6:48

9d ago6:48

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025.By St. James Cathedral

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Pentecost Tributes to Father Ryan 32:01

9d ago32:01

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On Pentecost Sunday, parishioners and friends offered words of thanks to Father Ryan at the conclusion of each Mass, sharing the ways his ministry over these past thirty-seven years has impacted them. The tributes are from: Tom Campion, Rev. Steve Thomason, Rachel Bungay, Mary Lee, Sister Sharon Casey, Rabbi Daniel Weiner, the Macaraeg Cueto Family…

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Pentecost: Alive in the Spirit, Changing the Culture 13:35

11d ago13:35

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On this Pentecost Sunday—marking five years since the birth of Holy Family Parish—Fr. Michael reflects on the explosive growth of the community and the deeper spiritual revival unfolding in hearts. But the Holy Spirit doesn’t just comfort us—He commissions us. Drawing from his own upbringing and missionary witness, Fr. Michael urges each of us to r…

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The Irish Wake: A History 50:11

15d ago50:11

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The Irish funeral wake is a unique tradition where family and friends gather around the body of the deceased to share stories, remember their life, and celebrate their legacy. Often resembling a lively party with plenty of drink, this ritual is both a farewell and a celebration. Predating Christianity, the Irish wake stretches back thousands of yea…

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The Ascension of the Lord 7:25

18d ago7:25

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, June 1, 2025, the Ascension of the Lord.By St. James Cathedral

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The Ascension: Where Jesus Goes, We Follow 7:12

18d ago7:12

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In this homily for the Ascension of the Lord, Fr. Michael reflects on the profound mystery of Christ’s return to the Father—not as a departure, but as a completion. The Son who descended to take on our humanity now brings that same humanity into the heart of the Father. What does this mean for us? That we are made for heaven, destined for the Fathe…

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Midwives & Mothers: A History of Birth in Ireland 28:47

22d ago28:47

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In times past, childbirth was a profoundly communal and intimate experience, guided by the steady hands and wisdom of community midwives. Known as Bean Ghlúine—the Women of the Knee—these women were among the most important figures in rural Irish communities. In this episode, I’m joined by historian Emma Laffey to explore the world of birth and mid…

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Who doesn't long for a home? 7:44

25d ago7:44

7:44

Father Ryan preaches at the 8:00am Mass on Sunday, May 25, 2025, the 6th Sunday of Easter.By St. James Cathedral

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“The Indwelling Word & Peace of Christ” – Gospel Commentary – 6th Sunday of Easter 13:10

25d ago13:10

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In this special recording, Fr. Michael offers a deeper reflection on the Gospel for the 6th Sunday of Easter (John 14). He walks through the text verse by verse, uncovering its rich context—from the Last Supper to the sending of the Holy Spirit. Why does Jesus say, “We will come and make our home with him”? What is the peace He gives that the world…

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“God Dwells Within You” – Homily – 6th Sunday of Easter 10:56

25d ago10:56

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In this warm and accessible homily, Fr. Michael reflects on Jesus’ promise: “We will come to them and make our home with them.” Prayer is no longer just a human gesture of worship or awe — through Christ, it becomes a daily communion. Drawing from Scripture, the parish prayer survey, and everyday examples, Fr. Michael offers practical encouragement…

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Glenmalure & Memories of a Lost World - How Did Electrification Change Rural Ireland? 36:54

29d ago36:54

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Nestled deep in the Wicklow Mountains, Glenmalure was once a stronghold for rebels and a sanctuary from the outside world. But long after the echoes of rebellion faded, the valley remained a place apart, where the comforts of modern life arrived late. Glenmalure was only connected to the electricity grid and running water in the late 20th century, …

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Building Blocks of the Kingdom of God 9:04

1M ago9:04

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, May 18, 2025, the Fifth Sunday of Easter.By St. James Cathedral

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“Love as I Have Loved You” – Homily – 5th Sunday of Easter 12:14

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This Sunday, Fr. Michael preaches on the radical heart of the Gospel: Christ’s commandment to love as He has loved us. With the story of Michelle Duppong—a young woman now on the path to sainthood—he shows how ordinary people become holy by extraordinary love. This homily is a call to all the baptised to embrace the universal vocation to holiness, …

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Glendalough & The History Tourists Are Never Told 35:00

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Glendalough is one of Ireland’s most iconic and picturesque destinations. Its medieval monastery and stunning mountain landscape attract around one million tourists every year. However behind the postcard-perfect scenery lies a history that rarely makes it into the tourist brochures. In this episode, I veer off the well-trodden paths to uncover the…

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Geography Lessons 6:07

1M ago6:07

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, May 11, 2025, the Fourth Sunday of Easter.By St. James Cathedral

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“Becoming a Lamb in the Lamb” – Homily – Good Shepherd Sunday 13:13

1M ago13:13

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On Good Shepherd Sunday, Fr. Michael reflects deeply on the connection between being a lamb and becoming a shepherd. Sharing his personal vocation story and the powerful image of the Lamb who conquers in the Book of Revelation, he reminds us that every vocation begins by receiving the love of God first. Only by being held in God’s hands can we trul…

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A History of Ireland's Last Great Wilderness 30:10

1M ago30:10

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Vast, windswept, and seemingly untouched—the landscape around the Sally Gap in Wicklow is a place where history appears to vanish into the heather and mist. With no houses and few traces of human settlement, this moorland feels like a true wilderness. Yet, the story of this landscape is one forged by ancient forces, human ambition, and exploitation…

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A new pastor for St. James Cathedral 8:10

2M ago8:10

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on May 4, 2025, the 3rd Sunday of Easter.By St. James Cathedral

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“Letting Go Like Peter” – Homily – 3rd Sunday of Easter 11:37

2M ago11:37

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In this moving homily on one of his favourite Gospel passages, Fr. Michael reflects on Peter’s journey from control to surrender. Through the Risen Christ’s tender questions—“Do you love me?”—Peter is restored and made ready for the Cross he once feared. Fr. Michael draws us into Peter’s humanity and invites us to follow Christ not according to our…

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Breaking Ireland's Bandit Country: The Wicklow Military Road 42:21

2M ago42:21

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In 1800, in the wake of the 1798 Rebellion, the British military began construction of the Wicklow Military Road. Designed to bring control to the so-called “bandit country” of the Wicklow Mountains, this road now winds through some of the most remote and picturesque landscapes in Ireland. Its history is as dramatic as the scenery it traverses. Bui…

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What can we say but "thank you"? 6:28

2M ago6:28

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, April 27, 2025, Divine Mercy Sunday.By St. James Cathedral

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“Mercy: Justice Fulfilled in Love” – Homily – Divine Mercy Sunday 8:47

2M ago8:47

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On this Divine Mercy Sunday, Fr. Michael reflects on the true meaning of mercy: not a denial of justice, but its fulfillment through love. Drawing from the life of St. Faustina, the image of Divine Mercy, and a personal story of conversion, he explains how God’s mercy flows from Christ’s wounded heart and transforms even the darkest of our sins. Me…

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What happened to Ireland’s Protestant Community after the Revolution? 31:35

2M ago31:35

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Between 1911 and 1926, the Irish Protestant population fell by over 30%. This podcast explores why this happened, as well as how the majority who remained adapted to life in the Free State. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Let the Sound of Joy Resound 9:01

2M ago9:01

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass at St. James Cathedral on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. Happy Easter!By St. James Cathedral

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“The Turning Point of Love” – Homily – Easter Sunday 12:03

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In this powerful Easter homily, Fr. Michael proclaims the Resurrection of Jesus as the definitive turning point in history—and in our lives. He invites us to move beyond a life guided only by the law of the Old Testament into a new life transformed by grace. Drawing from Scripture, theology, and a touching personal story, he reveals how the fire of…

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The IRA's Great Escape: Mountjoy Jail, 1925 27:50

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In 1925, nineteen IRA prisoners orchestrated a daring escape from Mountjoy Jail in the heart of Dublin. Join me and historian Sam McGrath as we delve into the history of the IRA following the Civil War and uncover the remarkable story behind this audacious breakout. Sound: Kate Dunlea Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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“Lose Yourself to Follow Christ” – Homily – Palm Sunday 8:56

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In this Palm Sunday homily, Fr. Michael invites us into Holy Week by calling us to shift our gaze away from ourselves and fix it on Christ. He reflects on the figures in the Passion—Peter, Mary Magdalene, Judas, and especially Mary—and encourages us to let the liturgy guide us step by step to the Cross. By losing ourselves in love, we learn to foll…

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A week of contrasts 3:11

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Father Ryan preaches at the 8:00am Mass on Palm Sunday, April 13, 2025.By St. James Cathedral

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Stories We Don't Tell: Realities of Surviving the Great Hunger 37:00

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The history of the Great Hunger is often recounted through statistics and impersonal narratives. There are many reasons for this, but one significant factor is that many survivors were reluctant to share their stories of survival. In this episode, based on letters from the 1840s, I uncover a challenging chapter in our history. Among the stories rec…

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Lazarus, Come Out: Christ’s Life is More Real Than Death – Homily – 5th Sunday of Lent (Year C – Scrutiny) 10:23

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In this homily for the 5th Sunday of Lent, Fr. Michael reflects on the powerful moment when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. He asks us the essential question: What is real? Is our day-to-day life more real than the God who made it? Is death final? Or is the life of Christ more real—even than death itself? In this final scrutiny Gospel, we are l…

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Eye Openers 7:31

3M ago7:31

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, March 30, 2025, the Fourth Sunday of Lent.By St. James Cathedral

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The Father’s Heart: Beyond Duty and Escape – Homily – 4th Sunday of Lent (Year C) 11:58

3M ago11:58

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In this homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Year C), Fr. Michael reflects on the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son—or rather, the story of a father and two sons. He explores how the parable speaks powerfully to the real spiritual struggles many people face today: the temptation to escape responsibility, the danger of doing good without love, an…

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An oasis in the desert of Lent 7:50

3M ago7:50

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, March 23, 2025, the Third Sunday of Lent.By St. James Cathedral

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Typhoid Mary: Victim or Villain 1:16:00

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Typhoid Mary has inspired books, movies, and even a Marvel character, but the history of the Irish woman behind the name is less well known. Mary Mallon was born in County Tyrone in the late 19th century before emigrating to the US. While she initially enjoyed a successful career as a cook, she became the central figure in a major scandal when she …

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Justice, Mercy, and the Call to Bear Fruit – Homily – 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C) 11:46

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In this homily for the 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year C), we reflect on Jesus’ urgent call to repentance through the parable of the barren fig tree. Fr. Michael explores how different generations in the Church have approached justice and mercy—and how both extremes can miss the heart of the Gospel. Drawing from personal experience, Church history, and Sc…

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Coffin Ships: What Famine Emigrants Endured [Classic Replay] 45:54

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By 1855, over two million Irish people had fled Ireland to escape the devastation of the Great Hunger. The journeys of these emigrants were often harrowing, and the term "Coffin Ship" has become synonymous with their perilous crossings of the Atlantic. While the term evokes images of misery, what was the actual experience like? This episode, origin…

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“The Weight of Glory: Embracing Love and Responsibility” - Homily - 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year C 9:53

3M ago9:53

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In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the Transfiguration and the meaning of “glory” as Christ reveals it—a glory that comes through love and self-gift. He shares how glory is not worldly success, but the radiance of a life given in love, like Christ on the Cross. Fr. Michael draws on personal experience to show how embracing responsibility, whet…

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A History of Beer in Ireland 30:10

3M ago30:10

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Being hard drinkers is one of the most common stereotypes of Irish people around the world. While Irish consumption of alcohol is nowhere near the highest in Europe, there is no question beer and pubs are deeply ingrained in our culture. In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Christina Wade, who recently published a book on the history of beer in Irel…

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“Into the Desert: Listening to God This Lent” - Homily - 1st Sunday of Lent, Year C 13:10

3M ago13:10

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In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on Jesus’ forty days in the desert and the invitation for each of us to follow Him into that place of encounter. Sharing his personal experience of time in hermitage and the story of St. Catherine of Siena, he explains how the “desert” is where we learn to listen to God and face our temptations. Lent is a time t…

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The Bloody Summer of 1170: An Epic of Siege, Invasion & Conquest in Medieval Ireland 1:01:30

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In May 1170, a small group of mercenaries landed in a remote corner of County Wexford, setting the stage for a dramatic chapter in Irish history. Just fourteen miles away, in the medieval city of Waterford, their arrival sparked intense debate and uncertainty. How would the city react to this looming threat? What unfolded was a real-life medieval e…

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“The Secret of Lent: Living in the Presence of God” - Homily - Ash Wednesday 9:53

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In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on the Gospel’s call to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—not as outward displays but as acts of deep interiority. Through personal stories, he explores how our Lenten practices must flow from an inner relationship with God, rather than seeking recognition. True transformation comes when we give our soul through p…

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“A Tree is Known by Its Fruits: Seeking the Heart of Christ” - Homily - 7th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C 10:17

4M ago10:17

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In this homily, Fr. Michael reflects on Jesus’ teaching that a tree is known by its fruits. He explores how we often misjudge ourselves, focusing on exterior success instead of the true interior fruits of peace, love, and forgiveness. Through powerful stories of family wounds, forgiveness, and accompanying the dying, he highlights how the spiritual…

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Words matter 6:25

4M ago6:25

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, March 2, 2025, the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time.By St. James Cathedral

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1798, Magdalene Laundries, and Exploring an Irish bandit Country - Keeping You in the Loop! 4:53

4M ago4:53

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Why is there no show this week? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Whoever said the Gospel was easy? 8:06

4M ago8:06

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Father Ryan preaches at the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, February 23, 2025, the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time.By St. James Cathedral

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Michael Collins: History Masked by Myths and Conspiracies 42:18

4M ago42:18

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Over a century after his death, Michael Collins remains one of Irish history's most iconic figures. Yet, his life and untimely death are still shrouded in myth and conspiracy. In this compelling episode, I am joined by historians Dr. Brian Hanley and John Dorney to peel back the layers of Collins' life to reveal the true history behind the myths. W…

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“The Beatitudes: Belonging to God Alone” - Homily - 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C 17:54

4M ago17:54

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In this homily, Fr. Michael unpacks the radical nature of the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Luke. True happiness, he explains, is not found in wealth, success, or external behaviors, but in placing everything in God’s hands. Through powerful personal stories, he illustrates how those who let go of worldly attachments and embrace God’s love discover t…