WTBH #112: Demands of Discipleship

Fr. Brian speaks of how disciples must be willing to patiently endure trial, as well as place Christ above every other obligation in their life (including those that cause us to leave Mass early).

WTBH #111: Christ, Chefs, and Disciples

Fr. Brian speaks about the identity of Jesus, why he rebuked his disciples and told them to tell nobody about his identity, and the importance of disciples to proclaim the Gospel in the face of persecution.

WTBH #110: Confronting Sin

Fr. Brian preaches on the necessity of confronting our own sinfulness in order for us to truly love others.

WTBH #109: Disciples of Christ

Fr. Brian preaches on discipleship using St. Paul as a model.

WTBH #108: Trinity Sunday

Fr. Brian speaks about the way in which the theology of the Holy Trinity calls us to enter into relationships of self-giving love.

WTBH #107: The City of God

Fr. Brian speaks about the new Jersusalem and it's parallels to the Catholic Church as the proper place of worship.

WTBH #106: As I Have Loved You - A Lousy Homily

While a 2 year old considered the topic lousy and favored a homily on Notre Dame, Fr. Brian rejected this opinion and preached on Christ's new command to love.

WTBH #105: Follow the Good Shepherd

Fr. Brian speaks of the importance of shepherds in the Church. He focuses on the importance of having good shepherds in our churched, while also reminding us of the importance of following the true shepherd of the Catholic Church – the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ Himself!

WTBH #104: Politics, Proms and Obedience to God

Fr. Brian discusses the necessity to "obey God rather than men." He explores this teaching in light of three incidents where the Catholic Faith has been marginalized: The discussion around the DOMA and Proposition 8 Case, the NY State Women's Equality Act, and the McQuaid Prom. Fr. Brian reminds us that the early Church faces similar societal issues, and overcame them through fidelity to authentic Church Teaching, and he urges us to do likewise.

WTBH #103: Divine Mercy

Jesus reveals God's Divine Mercy by responding to human sin with the words, "Peace be with you."

WTBH #102: Christ Overcomes the Dark Forces

Alleluia! He is Risen! Jesus overcame every dark force that enslaved humanity, and showed that His life is more powerful than all the forces of darkness combined! Alleluia!

WTBH #101: Holy Thursday

Fr. Brian's homily from Holy Thursday speaks about the institution of the Eucharist, the institution of the priesthood, and the universal call to service.

WTBH #100: Adultery and Change of Heart

Fr. Brian Carpenter discusses St. John's account of the Woman caught in adultery. In this homily he reminds us that Jesus came for the salvation of all (including those wishing to stone the woman). He speaks how Jesus' non-violent yet provocative response calls people to conversion - to a change of heart.

WTBH #99: God Saves in the House of Anguish

Fr. Brian offers insight to St. John's account of the resurrection of Lazarus, and showing that God does not rejoice in our human suffering, but rather saves us from our house of anguish.

WTBH #98: Repent! Cultivate the Soil

Fr. Brian preaches about the need to cultivate the soil in our lives by repenting, avoiding sin and living by God's commands in this Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent.

WTBH #97: Samaritans and Evangelization

Based on the Cycle A reading of the Samaritan woman at the well's encounter of Jesus, Fr. Brian discusses the importance of this encounter for Catholics as they embark on the NEw Evangelization.

WTBH #96: Knowing Christ in the Eucharist

Fr. Brian speaks of how the Transfiguration helps us to properly identify Jesus. Once we properly understand who Jesus is (God incarnate, dwelling among us) we seek relationship with Him, which ultimately leads us to the Eucharist.

WTBH #95: Desert Temptation and Papal Resignation

On Monday, Feb 11, 2013 Pope Benedict XVI announced that he would be resigning the Papacy. Fr. Brian discusses this monumental decision in light of the Gospel reading on the Temptations of Christ.

WTBH #94: Vocations vs. Careers

Fr. Brian Carpenter speaks about the difference between vocations and careers, reminding us that we are all defined not by what we do, but by who we are in relation to Christ and others.

WTBH #93: God's Promise to His Prophets

Fr. Brian Carpenter's Homily for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time speaks of God's promise not to leave His servant crushed, a promise fulfilled in the cross and resurrection. We too must be prophets in the world, confident that we will not be crushed.

WTBH #92: Remember Who You Are

Fr. Brian Carpenter reminds us of the importance of knowing our Catholic identity less we fall into the trap of the Israelites. Knowing our true identity is the only way we can fully live out God's covenant of love.

WTBH #91: An Epiphany

Fr. Brian speaks of the Magi as a model for Christian Evangelization.

WTBH #90: What Should We Do?

Fr. Brian Speaks about the Gaudéte Sunday and the Scripture readings in light of the Massacre that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. He discusses how Catholics can respond to the darkness that seems to permeate our world.

WTBH #89: Joyful Anticipation

Fr. Brian discusses Advent as a time when we await the Parousia (the second coming of Christ) with great joy.

WTBH #88: Christ the King of the Universe

Fr. Brian Carpenter discusses the implications of the Kingship of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

WTBH #87: Bottoming Out

The examples of 2 widows show us that when we bottom-out, God enters into our lives and calls us to become people who give of our very self.

WTBH #86: The Meaning of Life

What is the meaning of life? Fr. Brian Speaks about the Jewish Shema and the meaning of life.

WTBH #85: The Priority of Christ

Fr. Brian talks about the rich young man and our need to place Christ at the center of our lives.

WTBH #84: The Dignity of Marriage

Fr. Brian tackles the readings from the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time, readings that many found quite difficult. He shows that while the teaching of Jesus may be difficult, Jesus points is to the great dignity of the sacrament of marriage!

WTBH #83: The Way of the Cross

Fr. Brian speaks about the way of suffering, the way of the cross, as being the way that leads to true greatness and true happiness.

WTBH #82: Opening to the Truth

Fr. Brian Carpenter discusses our openness to the Truth of the Gospel, and to the Truths of the Catholic faith. He calls each one of us to a greater holiness by opeing our hearts to the Truth that is Jesus Christ.

WTBH #81: Catholicism and Bad Habits

Fr. Brian discusses some of the bad habits that we Catholics fall into, and how scripture condemns these habits by urging us to life our faith, which can only be done if we first know our faith.

WTBH #80: You Gotta Serve Somebody

Fr. Brian Carpenter reflects upon Joshua's imperative, "Decide today whom you will serve." Do we serve the Lord, the devil or ourselves? Do we walk away from Jesus, as the disciples did, or do we accept that He has "the words of everlasting life," as did Peter and the Apostles. We must all decide today whom we will serve.

WTBH #79: Bread of Life as the Case for Orthodoxy

Fr. Brian discusses the Bread of Life Discourse as the case for orthodox belief in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

WTBH #78: Our Hearts Are Restless

Fr. Brian Carpenter discusses how Jesus is the only food that can satisfy us. Without Jesus, we will never be satisfied, and our hearts will be restless.

WTBH #77: Insufficiency Superabundance

Fr. Brian speaks about the miracle in the feeding of the 5000, and the message that God can take our human deficiencies and turn them into a superabundance.

WTBH #76: Preach the Gospel Boldly

In the face of the HHS Mandate that threatens our religious liberty, we need to follow St. Paul's example of boldly preaching the Gospel, even in the face of adversity and persecution.

WTBH #75: Authority and Freedom of Religion

Fr. Brian speaks of the Authority of Christ and the current attack on religious liberty in the USA.

WTBH #74: The Son of God

Fr. Brian preaches about the confrontational title Son of God as used by St. Mark.

WTBH #73: No Fair

Are God's ways unfair, or are we just taking a childish view? Fr. Brian discusses this in his homily on the laborers in the Vineyard.javascript:void(0)

WTBH #72: 77 Times Vengeance, 77 Times Forgiveness

On this 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001, the scripture readings speak of forgiveness. Fr. Brian shows how 77 times mercy is called for in lieu of 77 times vengeance.

WTBH #71: A Suffering Faith

Jesus informs His disciples that following Him entails embracing the cross. Fr. Brian extrapolates on the notion that Jesus did not come to take away our suffering, but our sin in this homily.

WTBH #70: Who is Jesus?

Fr. Brian Carpenter preaches on the central question of our faith, who is Jesus? Is He a prophet? Is He the Son of God, and if so, what does that mean for His Church and those working against it?

WTBH #69: The Canaanite Woman

Jesus's encounter with the Canaanite woman shows us how we must turn our back on the idolatry and to seek out Christ and plead to Him for the salvation of the world.

WTBH #68: The Fourth Watch

We're living in the 4th Watch, the time between the Ascension and the 2nd coming. So what happens to the disciples, happens to us. Will we be frightened by the storm?

WTBH #67: Sharing Good, Eucharist Better

Fr. Brian discusses the miracle of the loaves and fish, insisting this is not a miracle of sharing, but a miracle of being fed the bread of life, the Eucharist, by Christ.

WTBH #66: Heaven is Not a Place on Earth

Fr. Brian discusses the parable of the Wheat and the Weeds (often known as the Wheat and the Tares), and reminds us that while our desire to make this world perfect is noble, that we will never truly rid this world of evil, as Heaven is not a place on earth (apologies to Belinda Carlisle).javascript:void(0)

WTBH #65: Nurturing the Seed

Fr. Brian comments on Jesus' homily on the parable of the Sower, encouraging us to become fertile soil where the Word of God is able to grow.

WTBH #64: Revelation, Reality and Religion

Fr. Brian Carpenter preaches on the importance of objective reality as it's been revealed over subjective opinions in his homily for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

WTBH #63: The Eucharist Is Our Salvation

Fr. Brian preaches on the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and how it pertains to our salvation.

WTBH #62: The Father's Mansion, Our Mother's Rules

Jesus is preparing a dwelling place for us in the Father's mansion, but if we want to live in the Father's Mansion, we have to obey Mother's rules. Fr. Brian extrapolates further in this First Communion Homily.

WTBH #61: The Voice

Would you recognize Jesus' voice if you heard it? Can you distinguishing it from the media, your peers, or even your own voice?

WTBH #60: Mercy, Vengeance and Power

We often think of the use of force as a sign of power. Today Jesus shows that true power is not in the use of violent force but in the ability to show mercy. Fr. Brian's homily breaks open this theme.

WTBH #59: Easter Sunday

Alleluia! Jesus has been raised! Fr. Brian reflects upon the meaning of the resurrection in our lives.

WTBH #58: Good Friday

Good Friday asks us to take a look at the Cross. Fr. Brian's homily explains why we must look at the Cross if we want to experience the depths of the resurrection.

WTBH #57: God Saves Us From Bethany

Are you caught in a house of pain? Do you need to be helped and saved? Fr. Brian preaches on the resurrection of Lazarus and the 3rd Scrutiny. javascript:void(0)

WTBH #56: Blindness and Recreation

Fr. Brian talks about the man born blind and Christ's ability to create us anew.

WTBH #55: Scrutinizing the Woman

Fr. Brian discusses the encounter with the samaritan woman at the well.

WTBH #54: Grasping and Receiving

Based on John Paul II's Theology of the Body, Fr. Brian explores the fall and the temptation to grasp at divinity and our receptivity to God's many gifts.

WTBH #53: The Concluding Rites - We're on a Mission from God

Fr. Brian Carpenter discusses the importance of the concluding rites, and how these rites commission us, sending us forth on a "Mission from God."

WTBH #52: Liturgy of the Eucharist

This week Fr. Biran talks about the dramatic events that occur during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

WTBH #51: Liturgy of the Word

Fr. Brian continues to talk about the Liturgy as he discusses the Liturgy of the Word.

WTBH #50: The Introductory Rites

Fr. Brian discusses the importance of the Introductory Rites to the Mass...and consequently why you should arrive on time!

WTBH #49: Behold the Lamb of God

Fr. Brian discusses what it means to behold the Lamb of God.

WTBH #48: Baptism and the Holy Trinity

Fr. Brian discusses the working of the Holy Trinity in the Baptism of the Lord as well as in our own baptism, and how we are able to participate in the work and life of the Holy Trinity. javascript:void(0)

WTBH #47: When Should I Prepare for the Apocolypse?

Fr. Brian talks about the end of the world, when and how we should prepare.

WTBH #46: True Love and Marriage

Fr. Brian talks about the eschatelogical meaning of marriage, and what true love is all about. Not bad for a celibate.

WTBH #45: At Least I'm Not Like Him

Fr. Brian discusses the ways in which we are all like the Pharisee in his homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary

WTBH #44: Awareness of God's Kingdom

Let's all say thanks and be done with it, right? Ahh, but Sacred Scripture is no fairy tale, so Fr. Brian delves deeper in order to see how this Gospel is going to transform our lives by making us aware of the eschatological reality that the Kingdom of God is at hand.

WTBH #43: Prudence and Squandering

What are the gifts that God has given you? How are you using them? This week Fr. Brian talks about the difference between squandering and sharing God's gifts.javascript:void(0)

WTBH #42: Jones, Justice and Mercy

Fr. Brian Carpenter homilizes on the intimate connection between God's justice and His mercy, while speaking out against the Terry Jones and the human desire for strict justice.

WTBH #41: Humility and Love

Fr. Carpenter's homily from the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time discusses God's love, and our need to be humble, as individuals and as a community.

WTBH #40: The Assumption

Mary was Assumed into Heaven, body and soul...so what does this mean for us today? How does this feast transform our lives? Fr. Brian discusses these questions in this Homily for the Solemnity of the Assumption, 2010.

WTBH #39: Prayer and Procrastination

Are you a procrastinator? Is it paying off now at the expense of the big picture? This and more in Fr. Brian's homily for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

WTBH #38: Affluenza and Retirement Savings

Where do you store your treasure? Where will you be retiring? Homily from the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

WTBH #37: Nourished by the Word of God

Fr. Brian discusses Jesus encounter with Martha and Mary in his homily from the 16th Sunday in ordinary time, 2010.

WTBH #36: The Good Shepherd

Homily from Good Shepherd Sunday given by Fr. Brian Carpenter.

WTBH #35: Fishing Nude and in the Dark

Catchy title (pun not originally intended, but intentionally retained). This homily was preached on the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time at a LifeTeen Mass.

WTBH #34: Neither Do I Condemn You

Fr. Brian's Homily for the fifth Sunday of Lent. The Gospel calls us all to repentance. This week we are asked to look at the ways we are in need of forgiveness before we condemn others.

WTBH #33: Sinners and the Self-Righteous

Fr. Brian discusses the Prodigal Son in terms of two responses to God's Dvine Mercy - that of the sinner and that of the self-righteous.

WTBH #32: Holy Temptation

Jesus is led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tempted. Likewise, the Holy Spirit leads the Church into the desert so that her faith may be tried and tested this Lenten season.

WTBH #31 - Vocation Stories

How is God calling you? What does an authentic vocational call look like? Fr. Brian reflects on these questions during his homily for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

WTBH #30 - Family History

Fr. Brian discusses the importance of knowing our identity as Catholics.

WTBH #29 - Weddings, Wine and Salvation

Fr. Brian's homily on the Wedding Feast at Cana, and how we can help Haiti.

WTBH #28 - The Model of the Magi

Fr. Brian explores how the Magi give us a model for worship and beyond.

WTBH #27 - Why God Became a Man

Christmas Homily - So why exactly did God enter into creation and become a human?

WTBH #26 - From Violet to Rose

Rejoice! Gaudete Sunday is here, and Fr. Brian explains why we wear Rose vestment, and answers the question "What should we do?"

WTBH #25 - People Look East (and Enter the Desert)

What does it mean to look east? How do we joyfully prepare for the coming of our savior? And where is this desert we are supposed to enter? All of these are addressed in Fr. Brian's homily for the 2nd Sunday of Advent 2009.

WTBH #24 - It's the End of the World as We Know It

Is the world coming to an end? And if so, what does this mean for Catholics? The answers to this and more in Fr. Carpenter's homily from the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

WTBH #23 - Widows and Gifts

A homily given to the University of Rochester Newman Community for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B.

WTBH #22 - Come and See

What does it mean to live an authentic Catholic Life? Come and see.

WTBH #21 - Do Not Give In to FEAR

Are you focused on Christ or is the something false distracting you? Deacon Brian discusses this theme in his homily on the readings for the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

WTBH #20 - Are You Hungry for a Miracle

Deacon Brian's homily discusses how God can use us as instruments of grace despite our own brokenness.

WTBH #19 - Do Weeds Shake Your Faith?

Deacon Brian's homily asks whether the presence of evil in our world (and indeed even in our Church) should shake our faith.

WTBH #18: Burdens of the Flesh

This week Deacon Brian discusses our burdens, how we create them, and how Jesus calls us to give it a rest!

WTBH #17: Stories and the Spirit

A reflection upon Pentecost and my time at St. Mary Parish.

WTBH #16: Put on Your Uniform

Jesus gives all Christians a uniform to wear. Are you wearing yours?

WTBH #15: I Think I Am Hearing Voices

Are you hearing voices? Which voices are you hearing and which ones are you following?

WTBH #14: The Snakes, The Cross and Salvation

Are there snakes in your Lenten desert? Look to the Cross for healing!

WTBH #13: Moses, Elijah and Cosmetic Surgery

Have you see the face of Christ this Lent. Has it been transfigured? This is a reflection from the readings for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, 2007.