Homilies and Stuff

Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family

What makes a Catholic family holy?

Full disclosure: The good borrow, the best steal. Ideas stolen (once again) from Fr. Robert Barron. Go listen to his (better) homily here. You can also subscribe to his homilies by searching for them in your favourite podcast app. Here's the iTunes link.

Homily for the First Sunday in Advent

When was the last time you went to confession? If it's been a while, go (Pope Francis).

Here's how the Catechism describes the difference between mortal and venial sin.

Canon 988 - §1. A member of the Christian faithful is obliged to confess in kind and number all grave (i.e., mortal) sins committed after baptism and not yet remitted directly through the keys of the Church nor acknowledged in individual confession, of which the person has knowledge after diligent examination of conscience.  §2. It is recommended to the Christian faithful that they also confess venial sins.

Finally, if we've committed a mortal sin, we should not receive Holy Communion until we've been to confession. Otherwise, we should also confess receiving Communion in the state of mortal sin (CCC 1457).

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First Sunday of Advent - Confession Stuff

Act of Contrition (traditional)

O my God,
I am heartily sorry for having offended you,
and I detest all my sins,
because of Your just punishments,
but most of all because they offend You, my God,
who are all-good and deserving of all my love.
I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace,
to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin.
 

Act of Contrition (modern)

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.
In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

 

New Page Added - About My Canoe

Back in 2006/2007 I built a cedar strip canoe while at the seminary. It's a project I'm fairly proud of. Lot's of people ask, "How do you build a canoe?" It's not an easy process to describe, but a picture can say a thousand words, so if you're interested, head on over and check it out. You'll find the button up top.

Welcome to the New Website!

Welcome to the new and improved version of the website. I hope you like it. All the content from the old version has been migrated over.

Those who subscribed to receive emails on the old website when new content is posted will no longer receive such emails. If you would like to continue receiving email updates, you will have to subscribe again at this site. There is a button up top labeled "Subscribe". The process is super simple. Just insert your name and email address, and presto, you will start getting email updates again.

Those who subscribe to the podcast of the homilies in iTunes or any other app will not be affected in any way. Just sit back and relax.

The old website can still be accessed at: http://fathervoisin.blogspot.ca. However, keep in mind that content will no longer be updated there, and at a certain point, it will be completely removed.

Homily for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time



Don't be like the Pharisees and focus just on the letter of the law. Focus rather on the spirit of the law, and follow the commandments to show God you love Him with all your heart, your mind and your soul, and that you truly love your neighbour as yourself.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Paragraph 2181:  The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor. Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin.

Paragraph 2182:  Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church. The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity. Together they testify to God’s holiness and their hope of salvation. They strengthen one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Homily for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time



How would you have reacted to Jesus telling you that "It's not right to take what belongs to the children and throw it to the dogs?"

Special credit to Fr. Robert Barron for some of the ideas in this homily. Go listen to his much better insights on this Gospel passage by clicking here.