As almost everyone knows, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI passed away on the morning of December 31, 2022. His funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Pope Francis.

I was – am – a very big admirer of Pope Benedict. He was one of the greatest theologians of the last century, and his writings are invaluable. Furthermore, he was the reigning pontiff when I first arrived in Rome as a student, and so there will be always be some closeness between us.

All that being said, when he passed, parishes throughout the world were encouraged to hold memorial Masses for him. So naturally, we did. Our was on January 4th, because it wasn’t the easiest to get something on the calendar that day. I didn’t realize our media team had put the video on YouTube, else I would have shared it with you sooner, nut nevertheless, here it is. Enjoy.

Might there be even more bonus content this week? You’ll just have to wait and see…

Before I even got into the homily, I sort of went off on a tangent, and without even realizing it, kind of found my way back into what the homily was supposed to be about anyway. Or at least, I hope. So enjoy.

Also! Some bonus content coming tomorrow.

In the spirit of giving, I share with you both our midnight and 9 AM Masses. The homily is essentially the same – I’ve given up writing multiple homilies for Christmas. It’s just too much. But since they are (largely) unscripted, they are some variations.

Also, the midnight Mass includes the choir in the run-up to Mass, which I hope you enjoy listening to.

Not that I had a great plan for this particular homily, but circumstances required that I needed to drop it and kind of come up with something on the fly.

Also, next weekend, I don’t have a livestreamed Mass, but I’ll see if I can’t get something up here for you. This is a very crazy week. (Aren’t they all, though?)

I often quote CS Lewis homilies, and today was one of those days. I returned to an old standby – The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. I’m almost 100% positive I’ve used this specific scene before, but I can’t recall where or when… and even so, I’m sure I used it differently.

I can’t believe I’m getting this posted as early as I am. I’m as shocked as you are.

First, Happy Thanksgiving to you, dear reader. Dear viewer? Dear…consumer of media?

Whatever you are, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

This is late again this week, and I apologize. Working on it.

Yes, this is very late. It’s been that kind of week. Nevertheless, here it is.