Homilies

2024

• “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”
  • Priesthood Ordination,  June 1, 2024
• “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you"
  • Diaconate Ordination,  May 31, 2024
• “Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”
  • 125th Anniversary – St. Mary’s Cathedral May 30, 2024
• “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”
  • Shanley Baccalaureate/ Mass of the Holy Spirit/ 7th Wednesday May 22, 2024
• “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit"
  • Fifth Easter/ Feast of St. Gianna – St. Stanislaus, Warsaw April 28, 2024
• “His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you.'"
  • Synod – Mary Mother of the Church,  April 13, 2024
• “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.”
  • Synod – Mass of the Holy Spirit,  April 12, 2024
• “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
  • Diocesan Synod – Opening Mass,  April 11, 2024
• “The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel"
  • Blessing of St. Benedict’s/ Annunciation, April 8
• “You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here.”
  • Easter Sunday,  March 31, 2024
• “Who would believe what we have heard?...through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.”
  • Good Friday,  March 29, 2024
• “He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end.”
  • Holy Thursday March 28, 2024
• “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me.”
  • Chrism Mass – Ss. Anne & Joachim,  March 26 2024
• “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
  • Palm Sunday,  March 24, 2024
• “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand."
  • Rite of Election - Cathedral,  Feb. 18, 2024
• “Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
  • Ash Wednesday Feb. 14, 2024
•  “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
  • JPII All Schools Mass, Feb. 1, 2024
• Dear friends, it’s good that we are here.
  • March for Life,  Jan. 19, 2024

2023

• “And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
  • Christmas Day, December 25
• “How does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12
• “Truly the Lord is in this place…How awesome is this shrine!"
  • Dedication of St. Paul Newman Center Chapel, Oct. 26
• “Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.”
  • Respect Life Sunday, Oct. 1
• “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing."
  • 26th Sunday, Catholic Lawyers Retreat, September 30
• “The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”
  • Assumption - Cathedral, August 15
• “The earth is full of your riches, O Lord.”
  • Rural Life Celebration, Crary,  July 2
• “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul"
  • Sr. M. Agnes 25th Anniversary,  June 27
• “The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.”
  • Corpus Christi – Cathedral,  June 11
• "Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight"
  • Diaconate Ordination, June 3
• “When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, ‘It is finished"
  • Memorial Day/Mary, Mother of the Church, May 29
• “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life.”
  • Pentecost – Cathedral, May 28
• "Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me..."
  • 7th Wednesday of Easter, May 24
• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me...”
  • Chrism Mass, May 9
• “You are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said."
  • Easter Vigil,  April 8
• “It was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured"
  • Good Friday, April 7
• "Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come"
  • Holy Thursday, Apr. 6
• “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
  • Palm Sunday, April 2
• “How much did the grace of God and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ overflow for the many.” 
  • Rite of Election, Feb. 26
• "Even now, says the Lord, return to me with your whole heart..."
  • Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22
• “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
  • Legislative Mass, Feb. 9
• "Come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest awhile."
  • Women's Retreat, Hankinson, Feb. 4
• The Presentation of the Lord
  • JPII All Schools Mass, Feb. 2
• "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened..."
  • Memorial Mass for Benedict XVI, Jan. 6

2022

• “I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
  • Christmas, Cathedral of St. Mary, Dec. 25
• “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”
  • Immaculate Conception, Cathedral of St. Mary, Dec. 8
• All Saints Day
  • All Saints Day, Cathedral of St. Mary, Nov. 1
• “The doors of heaven he opened. He rained manna upon them for food; and gave them heavenly bread.” 
  • Redeemed Eucharistic Conference, Delta Hotel, Fargo, Sept. 24
• “There is an appointed time for everything..."
  • Mass of Thanksgiving for Life, Sts. Anne and Joachim, Fargo, Sept. 23
• “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”
  • Carmelites Field Mass, Wahpeton, Aug. 14
• “Prosper the work of our hands!”
  • 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Rugby, July 31
• “As the Father has sent me, so I send you…Receive the Holy Spirit.”
  • Pentecost Sunday, Cathedral of St. Mary, June 5
• “As the Father has sent me, so I send you…Receive the Holy Spirit.”
  • Ordination, Cathedral of St. Mary, June 4
• “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, he has been raised.”
  • Easter Sunday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Apr. 17
• He surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked”
  • Good Friday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Apr. 15
• “Tonight we begin the Sacred Triduum”
  • Holy Thursday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Apr. 14
• “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me...”
  • Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Apr. 12
• “If you confess... that Jesus is Lord... you will be saved.”
  • Rite of Election, Cathedral of St. Mary, Mar. 6
• “Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”
  • Redeemed Women's Conference, Fargo, Mar. 5
• “It’s good that we are here!”
  • SEEK Conference, University of Mary, Bismarck, Feb. 4

2021

• “Today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”
  • Christmas, Cathedral of St. Mary, Dec. 25
• “Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: rejoice!”
  • 3rd Sunday of Advent, Grafton, Dec. 12
• "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you."
  • Immaculate Conception, Cathedral of St. Mary, Dec. 8
• "Christ is our King, and we are members of his Kingdom."
  • Musicians Workshop, Sts. Anne and Joachim, Fargo, Nov. 20
• "Let us offer everything we have to our Lord."
  • St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, Grand Forks, Nov. 6-7
• “I have come to set the world on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”
  • Catholic Schools Teachers Day, Votive of St. Joseph, Oct. 21
• “Let the children come to me… for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
  • Walk with Christ for Life, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo, Oct. 3
• “God fashioned all things that they might have being; and the creatures of the world are wholesome.”
  • Rural Life Celebration, Russ and Mary Mauch farm, June 27
• "He was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins...by his wounds we are healed."
  • Good Friday, St. Mary's Cathedral, April 2
• "We have a seat at the table in that upper room."
  • Holy Thursday Mass, St. Mary's Cathedral, April 1
• "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has annointed me."
  • Chrism Mass, St. Mary's Cathedral, March 30
• "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
  • Palm Sunday Mass, St. Mary's Cathedral, March 28​​​​
• "When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him."
  • Consecration to St. Joseph, St. Joseph's Church, Devils Lake, March 19

2020

• “Do not be afraid… a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”
  • Christmas at midnight, St. Mary's Cathedral, Dec. 25
• “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be done to me according to your word.”
  • Immaculate Conception, St. Mary's Cathedral, Dec. 8
• “A great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue”
  • All Saints Day, St. Mary's Cathedral, Nov. 1
• "I have come not to be served but to serve."
  • Ordination of Permanent Deacons, St. Mary's Cathedral, Oct. 31
• “This chapel will be the heart of your school, because here you will always find Christ”
  • Dedication of Chapel and Altar, St. John’s Academy, Jamestown
• “Renew our commitment to reverence and protection of every human life.”
  • Walk with Christ for Life, St. Mary's Cathedral, Oct. 4
• “Jesus continues to send us, commission us to live our faith and share the faith”
  • St. Michael Church, Pingree, closing Mass, Sept. 26
• Keep before your eyes Christ the Good Shepherd and High Priest
  • Ordination, St. Mary's Cathedral, August 8
• "Come Holy Spirit, come! Fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love."
  • Pentecost, St. Mary's Cathedral, May 31
• "He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father."
  • Ascension, St. Mary's Cathedral, May 24
• "He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.”
  • Easter Sunday, Live-streamed from St. Mary's Cathedral, April 12
• “By his wounds we have been healed”
  • Good Friday, Live-Streamed from St. Mary’s Cathedral, April 10
• “Jesus manifests the love of God”
  • Holy Thursday, Live-Streamed from St. Mary’s Cathedral, April 9
• “The victory of Jesus, our king”
  • Palm Sunday, Live-Streamed from St. Mary’s Cathedral, April 5
• “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”
  • Fifth Sunday Lent, Live-Streamed from St. Mary’s Cathedral, March 29
• “Blindness”
  • Fourth Sunday Lent, Live-Streamed from St. Mary’s Cathedral, March 22
• “Our journey of forty days”
  • Rite of Election, St. Mary's Cathedral, March 1
• “Return to me with your whole heart”
  • Ash Wednesday, St. Mary's Cathedral, Fargo, February 26
• “It is not the will of your heavenly Father that even one of these little ones be lost.”
  • Mass for March for Life, Washington, January 24
• “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”
  • Prayer Service for Healing, Pro-Life, January 22

2019

• “I proclaim to you good news of great joy: today a Savior is born for us, Christ the Lord.”
  • Christmas, St. Mary's Cathedral, Fargo - Dec. 25
• “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you.”
  • Immaculate Conception - Dec. 9
• Faith in the resurrection of Jesus has seen us through many trials
  • 32nd Sunday, USCCB - Nov. 10
• “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.”
  • White Mass, St. Thomas Aquinas Newman Center, Grand Forks - Oct. 25
• Mary leads us once again to Jesus, her Son
  • Rosary Congress, Fargo - Oct. 13
• Wait for the fulfillment of our Lord's plan; it will surely come, it will not disappoint.
  • Walk with Christ for Life, Fargo - Oct. 6
• “He will give his angels charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you.”
  • Blue Mass, Votive of the Angels, Fargo - Sept. 25
• Celebrating 40 years of the diaconate
  • 40th Anniversary of Permanent Diaconate, Fargo - Sept. 14
• “Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”
  • Pilgrimage Mass, Carmelite Monastery, Wahpeton - Aug. 11
• “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
  • Rural Life Celebration, Osowski Farm, Grafton - June 23
• “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.”
  • St. John's Academy groundbreaking, Jamestown - May 8
• The Lord is Risen, he is risen indeed! Alleluia!
  • Easter Sunday, Fargo - April 21
• “We wait, and we hope.”
  • Good Friday, Fargo - April 19
• This Mass of the Lord’s Supper
  • Holy Thursday, Fargo - April 18
• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me”
  • Chrism Mass, Fargo - April 16
• “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” (PDF)
  • Palm Sunday, Fargo - April 14
• “Do not forget the works of the Lord!” (PDF)
  • March for Life, Washington D.C. - Jan. 18
• “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
  • Legislative Mass, Bismarck - Jan. 15

2018

• “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…” (PDF) - Dec. 25
  • Christmas Midnight Mass, Fargo
• You are to be raised to the Order of the Diaconate (PDF) - Dec. 15
  • Diaconate Ordination of Eric Seitz, St. Mary's Cathedral, Fargo
• “I will be with you always, even until the end of the age.” (PDF) - Dec. 1
  • Convocation of Parish Leaders, Fargo
• Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (PDF) - Oct. 7
  • Walk with Christ for Life, Fargo
• Thus says the Lord: Here is your God... he comes to save you. (PDF) - Sept. 9
  • 200th Anniversary of Assumption Church, Pembina
• Rural parishes are especially important in the life of the Church (PDF) - June 24
  • Birth of John the Baptist, Ron and Janine Schmitz farm
• “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name” (PDF) - April 7
  • 2nd Sunday Easter (Vigil Mass), Scheels Arena, Fargo
• “...he was not indifferent, he does not turn away from our need (PDF) - March 30
  • Good Friday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “He loved his own in the world, and he loved them to the end” (PDF) - March 29
  • Holy Thursday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me” (PDF) - March 27
  • Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Palm (Passion) Sunday (PDF) - March 25
  • Palm Sunday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “The Lord called me from birth” (PDF) - Jan. 19
  • March for Life, Washington D.C.
• “We have found the Messiah!” (PDF) - Jan. 4
  • FOCUS, SLS Conference, Chicago, Ill.

2017

• “Lord, it is good that we ware here” (PDF) - Nov. 5
  • Ecumenical Prayer Service, Cathedral of St. Mary / First Lutheran, Fargo
• The day the sun danced (PDF) - Oct. 12
  • Fatima Holy Hour, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “A good priest is always a miracle of grace.” (PDF) - Oct. 2
  • Guardian Angels - Priests Jubilees, Basilica of St. James, Jamestown
• “Humbly regard others as more important than yourselves.” (PDF) - Oct. 1
  • Respect Life Sunday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.” (PDF) - Aug. 13
  • Carmelites Field Mass, Wahpeton
• We need a new Pentecost in the world (PDF) - June 4
  • Pentecost, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Jesus has called you to share in his own priesthood (PDF) - June 3
  • Priesthood Ordination, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Dare to believe in Jesus and to live it (PDF) - May 24
  • Shanley Baccalaureate, Shanley High School
• Mary is always our trustworthy guide to her Son (PDF) - May 13
  • 100th Anniversary of Fatima, Shanley High School
• Indeed, he is truly Risen! Alleluia! (PDF) - April 15
  • Easter Vigil, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “By your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” (PDF) - April 14
  • Good Friday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “Take and drink, this is the new covenant in my blood.” (PDF) - April 13
  • Holy Thursday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me.” (PDF) - April 11
  • Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” (PDF) - April 9
  • Palm Sunday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Joy, beauty and compassion are signs of God's glory (PDF) - March 11
  • Women's Conference, Holiday Inn, Fargo

2016

• Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests (PDF) - December 25
  • Christmas, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Made for greatness (PDF) - October 8
  • Redeemed Men's Conference, Fargodome, Fargo
• You are called to a mission of mercy (PDF) - June 4
  • Ordination of Priests, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Those who proclaim Jesus are called to serve, and those who serve proclaim Jesus (PDF) - June 3
  • Ordination of Deacons, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb (PDF) - May 31
  • Visitation and Shrine blessing, St. Gianna Home, Warsaw
• Dare to serve, dare to love (PDF) - May 25
  • Shanley Baccalaureate, Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo
• To be a Christian is the believe in the Resurrection of Christ (PDF) - March 27
  • Easter Sunday, Cathedral of Mary, Fargo
• By your holy cross you have redeemed the world (PDF) - March 25
  • Good Friday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Jesus gave us the Eucharist so that we could truly be his disciples (PDF) - March 24
  • Holy Thursday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• We are anointed and sent forth in the Spirit (PDF) - March 22
  • Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• When we look upon Jesus on the cross, we see only the victory of God's love (PDF) - March 20
  • Palm Sunday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• We are not prisoners of our past (PDF) - March 15
  • 5th Tuesday of Lent, Cass County Jail, Fargo
• The gifts to live our your faith in the world as witnesses of Christ (PDF) - February 14
  • Rite of Election, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Enter the desert with Jesus (PDF) - February 10
  • Ash Wednesday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

2015

• “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light...” (PDF) - December 25
  • Christmas, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” (PDF) - December 13
  • Third Sunday of Advent / Opening of the Holy Door, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth.” (PDF) - August 16
  • Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of the Prairies, Carmelites Field, Wahpeton
• “The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (PDF) - August 15
  • Assumption/Acolyte Installation, St. Mary's Cathedral, Fargo
• “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (PDF) - August 14
  • Candidacy/Assumption, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Grafton
• “You are to be raised to the Order of the Priesthood.” (PDF) -June 27
  • Ordination of Priests, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “Dare to be saints” (PDF) - May 20
  • Shanely Baccalaureate Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo 
• Day of all days: He lives, we are set free (PDF) - April 5
  • Easter Sunday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Way of the cross unavoidable, opens hearts to the healing, redeeming love of Christ (PDF) - April 3
  • Good Friday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “Continue what I have begun. Share this great gift.” (PDF) - April 2
  • Holy Thursday, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me...” (PDF) - March 31
  • Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Say 'yes' to Gods' call to conversion, to communion with the Catholic Church (PDF) - February 22
  • Rite of Election Celebration, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• You are called to be agents of service and justice and vessels of light for others (PDF) - January 29
  • Legislative Mass with Bishop David Kagan, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck
• Do not hide 'the light of faith,' rather share for all to see (PDF) - January 29
  • All Schools Mass, Catholic Schools Week, Shanley High School, Fargo

2014

• Anniversaries lead us forward, where we are and where the Lord wants us to be (PDF) - November 23
  • 100th Anniversary Mass, Basilica of St. James, Jamestown
• “There is no sadness in the presence of Jesus.” (PDF) - November 22
  • Senior High Youth Celebration, St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, Harvey
• Anniversary: an invitation to greater holiness, deeper relationship with Christ
  • Mass Celebrating Diocesan 125th Anniversary, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Share in the healing mission of the Church (PDF) - October 16
  • White Mass, Diocesan Pastoral Center Chapel, Fargo
• Reflect on what has been accomplished, what more remains (PDF) - October 12
  • Mass celebrating 100th Anniversary of St. Benedict parish, St. Benedict's Catholic Church, Wild Rice
• “It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” (PDF) - October 8
  • Catholic Charities North Dakota Annual Luncheon, Holiday Inn, Fargo
• “For all that has been, thanks. For all that will be, yes.” (PDF) - September 29
  • Presbyteral Days Jubilarian Mass, Basilica of St. James, Jamestown
• Ministry of lectors, acolytes not mere functions, but acts of faith (PDF) - August 9
  • Rite of Installation of Lectors and Acolytes, St. Cecilia Church, Harvey
• Candidacy: A new path toward priesthood and re-evangelization (PDF) - August 8
  • Rite of Admissions of Candidacy, St. Cecilia Church, Harvey
• “He'll remain with you, if you remain with him” (PDF) - May 21
  • Shanley High School Baccalaureate Mass, Holy Spirit Church, Fargo
• Walking with Christ, building with Christ and proclaiming Christ (PDF) - April 24
  • Trinity School/Holy Cross Groundbreaking, 2820 Bluestem Drive, West Fargo
• Easter is not only a story to be told but a signpost on the way of life (PDF) - April 20
  • Easter Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• 'The Night of all Nights.” Christ's resurrection is the keystone of our faith (PDF) - April 19
  • Easter Vigil Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• 'Behold the man.' Don't become indifferent to sin (PDF) - April 18
  • Good Friday service, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• The gift of the Eucharist sends us forth in service and charity (PDF) - April 17
  • Holy Thursday Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Be 'servants of servants of God,' share the anointing with others (PDF) - April 15
  • Chrism Mass, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo

2013

• Pray for, support and invite people to consider the Lord's call (PDF) - July 7
  • 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• Be watchful of challenges, but not daunted by them (PDF) - June 30
  • 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Fargo
• Commissioned to be champions of Christ in the world (PDF) - June 29
  • Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo
• The challenge and sacrifice are great, but the promise is far greater (PDF) - June 23
  • 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo