Preaching

The USCCB has agreed to look into and prepare a document on preaching.  The target date is November 2012.  The paper will look into homilies, specifically.  It sounds like a lively debate ensued over whether or not homilies should include catechesis.  Some say, (and I've been told myself) that homilies are not the place for adult catechesis.  But today's Catholics are so poorly formed in the truths of their Faith, where else will they hear it?  The homily is the only shot some get.

Order of Preachers -- Fr. Timothy Radcliffe

I have a friend who told me that years ago he and his wife would go to have an abortion on Saturday, and go to Mass afterwards, because they didn't know it was wrong.  They received First Eucharist and Confirmation together, so their religion formation ended at age 8.  They never heard the word "abortion" in a homily.

Come to think of it, I've rarely heard the word mention.  I don't think I've ever had a homily on any of the hot buttons that Catholic should be concerned with: abortion, capital punishment, homosexuality, contraception, social justice, etc.

The best homily I ever heard was by Fr. John Currie to my "cloistered brothers."  I still remember it and I don't think I'll ever forget it because there were few women in the congregation, so the homily was directed at the men.  Father told it like it was.  He was right in their face.  I'll never forget it because I was so embarrassed I felt my neck redden.  Father talked about pornography.