Homilies from Holy Cross Kernersville, NC

An explanation about how we ought to approach current crises in the world as a people of faith. Relying on Catholic Social Teaching to orient us and the practice of Christian detachment, we can persevere through any evil in the world and come safely to our heavenly homeland. Also, within the Church, we discuss the deposition of bishops, miscarriages of justice, and Fiducia Supplicans.

Racism, immigration, and Critical Race Theory (CRT) are terms that are thrown around daily on the news, in our workplaces, and at our schools. As Catholic Christians, we may be tempted to think, “I need to rise above the politics.” However, these are important topics that are shaping the way individuals process the world around them. In fact, the Church has quite a bit to say from its perspective of Catholic Social Teaching. She roots us in the reality of what these things are and how we can rationally approach discussions regarding the shaping of our nation.Racism and Slavery: we will cover how the Church defines racism an see her tens and tens of condemnations of racism over the past six hundred years.Immigration: let’s take a step back and discuss 1) what is a nation, 2) what is a migrant, and 3) what are their rights and duties towards each other. With the foundational principles laid out, we can much better talk sensibly about the direction we want to see our country’s policies move.Critical Race Theory: we cover the three principle tenants of CRT and the ways its proponents allege it manifests itself. Then we will look at how CRT is a simple repackaging of Marxism and Postmodernism. And yes, the Church has lots to say about Marxism and Postmodernism.

Fr. Carter's homily for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

A dive into the history, background and execution of the devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows. Encompassing the historical founding of the Servite Order in the midst of Florence's rise to influence in the medieval era, the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows is a unique look at the life of Mary and her experience of Christ's life.

Fr. Carter's homily for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Mlakar's homily for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Homily for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Outline:Theological AnthropologyThe teaching of Martin LutherThe teaching of the Council of Trent

Prayer for a Happy Death(John Henry Cardinal Newman)Oh, my Lord and Savior, support me in that hour in the strong arms of Your Sacraments, and by the fresh fragrance of Your consolations. Let the absolving words be said over me, and the holy oil sign and seal me, and Your own Body be my food, and Your Blood my sprinkling; and let my sweet Mother, Mary, breathe on me, and my Angel whisper peace to me, and my glorious Saints smile upon me; that in them all, and through them all, I may receive the gift of perseverance, and die, as I desire to live, in Your faith, in Your Church, in Your service, and in Your love. Amen.

Fr. Carter talks about the concept of time, the Jewish origins of feasting, what makes a feast, and how we can live the festive cycle of the Church's year within our homes and communities.

What does it mean when we say that the Church is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic? Join us for our September Coffee and Catechesis where we learn about these four characteristics of Christ's Church. Presenter: Fr. Jacob Mlakar

What We Hope To Accomplish Methods of Exegesis Covenantal Story Arch The Concept of Covenant Expansive Covenants Matthew's Kingdom-Church Underpinnings Luke's Banquet-Eucharist Underpinnings The New Testament is the Eucharist

Our July Coffee and Catechesis is on the theme of how reason and faith work together in order to discover truth. When we look at the history of the sciences, we discover Catholic monks, priests, and the Vatican itself at the cusp of innovation and discovery.

Fr. Jacob Mlakar delivers this month's Coffee and Catechesis, speaking about what God reveals to us about Himself and how the Church over time came to reject erroneous preaching and falsehoods. It is imperative that we come to right belief in who God is, because we are created to *know*, love, and serve Him.

Coffee and Catechesis The Month of May and the Glories of Mary Opening Prayer: Memorare Attempt with Coffee and Catechesis to recall the fundamentals of our faith.Since it is May, it’s the perfect opportunity to do a review of Mary’s role in salvation history.Mary’s humble role as dependent upon Christ. Walkthrough of Mary’s role in our salvation. Mary’s Involvement in Salvation History: Genesis 3:15Prophecy of a “new Eve” and proto-evangelion Birth of Christ: Matthew’s Gospel quotes Isaiah’s prophecy – a virgin will conceive and bear a son, and his name will be Emmanuel. Immaculate Conception and Perpetual VirginityWhile conceived in a natural way by Joachim and Ann, Mary was at the moment of her conception freed from the stain (macula) of original sin on her soul.“The blessed ever-virginal and immaculate Mary conceived, without seed, by the Holy Spirit, and without loss of integrity brought him forth, and after his birth preserved her virginity inviolate.”These work together as logical counterparts based on the effects of original sin. In the early Church, there were two errors that were spreading: Pelagianism and Nestorianism.Pelagius: Jesus was a really super guy, but not God.Nestorius: there was no union between the human and divine natures, and Mary bore only the human nature.Council of Nicaea: Christ was fully God and fully humanCouncil of Ephesus: hypostatic union – “consubstantial with the Father”Therefore: Mary was the Mother of God Incarnate (Theotokos) Assumption of MaryBased on Revelation 12:1-2, “enmity,” and Psalm 132 & the ark being restored to Jerusalem“Having completed the course of her earthly life…” – did she die?What we know: God brought Mary body and soul into heaven. Other teachings not solemnly definedQueen of HeavenMediatrix of all gracesMother of the Church[Co-redemptrix] Marian Devotion Catacombs in the 250’s, Mother of God in Jerusalem in 350 Churches erected after Ephesus in 431 to defend her title Carmel – 12th Century hermits in the Holy Land European bent: Bernard of Clairvaux (13th Century) Protestant Reformation and Our Lady of Guadalupe in 16th Century 16th Century official endorsement of the Rosary (Our Lady of Victory, Oct. 7)  Three Levels of Marian Devotion (Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange) Occasional Prayers (Hail Mary, Salve Regina, Memorare) Daily devotion (devout recitation of the Rosary) Total Consecration (gained popularity in 18th Century through de Montfort’s book)  The Secret of the Rosary The Spirituality of Mary

Eat my flesh, drink my blood, and you will have eternal life.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy TrinityLectionary: 164Reading 1 EX 34:4B-6, 8-9Early in the morning Moses went up Mount Sinaias the LORD had commanded him,taking along the two stone tablets.Having come down in a cloud, the LORD stood with Moses thereand proclaimed his name, "LORD."Thus the LORD passed before him and cried out,"The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God,slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity."Moses at once bowed down to the ground in worship.Then he said, "If I find favor with you, O Lord,do come along in our company.This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins,and receive us as your own."Responsorial Psalm DN 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56R. (52b) Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;And blessed is your holy and glorious name,praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory,praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever!Blessed are you who look into the depthsfrom your throne upon the cherubim,praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.R. Glory and praise for ever!Reading 2 2 COR 13:11-13Brothers and sisters, rejoice.Mend your ways, encourage one another,agree with one another, live in peace,and the God of love and peace will be with you.Greet one another with a holy kiss.All the holy ones greet you.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christand the love of Godand the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.Alleluia CF. RV 1:8R. Alleluia, alleluia.Glory to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit;to God who is, who was, and who is to come.R. Alleluia, alleluia.Gospel JN 3:16-18God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,so that everyone who believes in him might not perishbut might have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,but that the world might be saved through him.Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

Christ is asked about paying taxes. He confounds those present with his response. But the subtext teaches us what we are to render to God.

What's a precept and how is it different than a commandment? As we get used to a "normal" schedule at Holy Cross, many parishioners still have questions about whether they are obligated to go to Mass on Sundays.

Sunday homily for the Solemnity of Ascension from the parish's Sunday Mass.