Talks on love & sex; dating & relationships; breakups & moving on; strength of body, mind & spirit; and faith, answers, and doubts at the Spring 2016 Busy Person's Retreat at St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Busy Person's Retreat Spring 2016

Catholic Illini Homilies is a collection of weekend homilies from St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Fr. Lee Brokaw, Fr. Matthew Hoelscher, and Fr. Alexander Millar contribute their reflections and exhortations on the Sunday Gospel.

Catholic Illini Homilies at St. John's Catholic Newman Center

Shawn and Heath look at one of this Sunday's scripture readings and tackle how the Catholic faith holds certain truths in balance with one another.

BW Episode 1: The Catholic "Both/And"

If you look at my birth certificate you would find out my real name, but I am rarely called that these days.  More often I am simply called “Father." It’s a name that we priests share, a name that's hard to get used to. There’s an uneasiness with it and part of it has to do with today’s Gospel.

Name? Father. (31st Sunday in Ordinary Time)

A Gospel such as today’s can prove challenging but also immensely helpful, if only we can muster the humility to consider what it would be like to be counted – not among the wise – but the foolish.

Pity the Fool (32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)

If you and I are to 'go off to eternal life' we mustn’t ever presume that we love God enough, that we are ready for eternity with the King of Love.

The Kingdom of Love (Solemnity of Christ the King)

Our readings today raise a lot of good questions that could be summarized in one: What’s taking so long?

Ready, Freddy? (1st Sunday of Advent)

So much preparation goes into a visit in which we host someone and that visit might last an hour or so. But we're invited into a relationship with God that is to the last eternity. So consider for a moment all the preparation that has to go in to making that relationship a fruitful one.

Prepare, Don't Despair (2nd Sunday of Advent)

You belong here at St. John's Catholic Newman Center. 
You belong here because you belong to Jesus Christ. 
Catholic Illini, this is your home. Your home to pray, worship, rest, and live. Jesus is always here at SJCNC for you.

Welcome Home! (20th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

We know very little about this “rich man.” Jesus says he is lacking in “one thing” necessary. This is a crazy thing to say to a guy who seems to have it all. Jesus invites him to more. Everyone has something that is our utmost importance, our focus or our priority. There will inevitably be one thing we seek with the whole of our hearts. Again and again Jesus asks us: will you trust me? Will you trust that I am enough? If you seek me as the one thing necessary, you will experience a life and fulfillment that words cannot describe.

What's the One Thing Necessary? (28th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Take Courage. Get up. Jesus is calling you.

Take Courage (30th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

We are not called as Catholics to just watch. We are not baptized and redeemed to watch the priest at Mass.  We are called to worship. You are called to come to the altar and enter into the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The place we are called to be is the altar. This is where you offer what only you can offer. This is how we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. 

What Are You Bringing to the Altar? (31st Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Christmas is less than a month away! The Advent Season is so short, and yet, it so important. The reason we celebrate this season every year is because Jesus wants to do something new in your life this year. I invite you to make room, give him space, give him permission. O come, O come, Emmanuel! 

Why Advent Matters (1st Sunday of Advent)

Rejoice! “I shall say it again, rejoice! … Have no anxiety at all.” From prison. In chains. Unsure if he is going to live or be executed. So many unknowns. How can St. Paul say this? “The Lord is near.” That’s how. “Near” in the sense that God does not play games, is always faithful, knows what He is about and is not nervous. “Near” in the sense that He is with us, no matter the circumstances you and I find ourselves in right now. God is with us. He doesn’t just sit beside us, unable to do anything. He gives us grace, strength, and all that we need to endure, to persevere, to hang on, to trust. Whatever we are facing right now, God can handle it. He’s got this. He has no rivals. He is stronger.  

Rejoice! Have no anxiety at all. The Lord is near. (3rd Sunday of Advent)

The relentless love of the Father (FOCUS Father’s House retreat)

15th Sunday in OT-C “I am the man in the ditch”

We are on a journey. We know where we are going. 19th Sunday in OT-C

Home field advantage away from home: 20th Sunday in OT-C

Welcome Back! Strive, Compete, Commit

“The real you” 22nd Sunday in OT-C

We are not called to admire Jesus. We are called to be disciples. (23rd Sunday in OT-C)

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Don’t wait (25th Sunday in OT-C)

Who’s the 1 person Jesus can’t have you miss? (26th Sunday in OT-C)

Faith is power. Faith is costly. (27 Sunday in OT-C)

We don’t have a choice to be thankful or not (28th Sunday in OT-C)

Prayer changes us (29th Sunday in OT-C)

All Souls-God hates death. He does something about it.

“For the temple of God, which you are, is holy.”

33rd Sunday in OT-C   “No Hiding”

Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (FOCUS interview weekend)

Second Sunday of Advent- What does it mean to have hope?

Gaudete Sunday 2025-We always have reason to rejoice

Christmas-God is on your side!

SEEK 2026 “The 99 and the 1”

Talks on love & sex; growing love & staying true to yourself; breakups, healing & moving on; friendship & hard choices; and strength of body, mind and spirit as part of the Spring 2016 Busy Person's Retreat at St. John's Catholic Newman Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Setting Boundaries for Growing Love

Love & Sex

Healing from Broken Relationships

Have a Nice Life: Moving On from Bad Relationships

Body + Soul

Jesus reigns.  

Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck reflects on the enduring faithfulness of Monsignor Greg Ketcham, even unto his last breaths.

Fr. Greg's Great Exchange (6th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

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