Homily from the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Claimed. Respected. Trusted. Jesus Transfigured on the top of Mount Tabor precedes His journey to Mount Calvary. On Tabor, He is not merely transfigured...He is Claimed, Respected, and Trusted as the beloved Son. We too need the Father's voice to voice His claim over us, His respecting us, and His entrusting a mission to us.Mass Readings from August 6, 2023:Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 92 Peter 1:16-19 Matthew 17:1-9

Homily from the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord Claimed. Respected. Trusted. Jesus Transfigured on the top of Mount Tabor precedes His journey to Mount Calvary. On Tabor, He is not merely transfigured...He is Claimed, Respected, and Trusted as the beloved Son. We too need the Father's voice to voice His claim over us, His respecting us, and His entrusting a mission to us.Mass Readings from August 6, 2023:Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 92 Peter 1:16-19 Matthew 17:1-9

8/6/23 Identity Precedes Mission

Homily from the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Observe. Orient. Decide. Act. When we are faced with the challenges and obstacles of following Christ, it is easy to become overwhelmed. But we do not have to solve all of the potential issues. We are simply called to face this problem and take the next step.Mass Readings from July 30, 2023:1 Kings 3:5, 7-12Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 13:44-52

Homily from the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Observe. Orient. Decide. Act. When we are faced with the challenges and obstacles of following Christ, it is easy to become overwhelmed. But we do not have to solve all of the potential issues. We are simply called to face this problem and take the next step.Mass Readings from July 30, 2023:1 Kings 3:5, 7-12Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130Romans 8:28-30 Matthew 13:44-52

7/30/23 Parabellum: This Battle

Homily from the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time The enemy can't win, he just wants you to lose. The Church has been established by Jesus Christ Himself. And yet, the Church has sinners and sin within Her ranks. The enemy of God and humanity has done this. We need to be aware of sin in the Church and sin in our own hearts. If we stay awake and alert, we can guard against sin in the Church and in our lives.Mass Readings from July 23, 2023:Wisdom 12:13, 16-19Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43

Homily from the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time The enemy can't win, he just wants you to lose. The Church has been established by Jesus Christ Himself. And yet, the Church has sinners and sin within Her ranks. The enemy of God and humanity has done this. We need to be aware of sin in the Church and sin in our own hearts. If we stay awake and alert, we can guard against sin in the Church and in our lives.Mass Readings from July 23, 2023:Wisdom 12:13, 16-19Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43

7/23/23 Parabellum: An Enemy

Homily from the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time We may want to run, but things get in the way. God provides the grace that we need to be able to grow as fully and freely as possible. But life is full of obstacles that make this growth a challenge. With God's grace, we can be prepared for these battles.Mass Readings from July 16, 2023:Isaiah 55:10-11Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23

Homily from the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time We may want to run, but things get in the way. God provides the grace that we need to be able to grow as fully and freely as possible. But life is full of obstacles that make this growth a challenge. With God's grace, we can be prepared for these battles.Mass Readings from July 16, 2023:Isaiah 55:10-11Psalm 65:10, 11, 12-13, 14Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23

7/16/23 Parabellum: Five Attacks

Homily from the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time "Hurry is the greatest threat to the spiritual life and the way of Jesus." We constantly experience the temptation to "max out" our lives by racing from event to event, task to task. The goal of life is union with God and anything that takes us away from this goal is a major threat to this goal...including hurry.Mass Readings from July 9, 2023:Zechariah 9:9-10Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30

Homily from the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time "Hurry is the greatest threat to the spiritual life and the way of Jesus." We constantly experience the temptation to "max out" our lives by racing from event to event, task to task. The goal of life is union with God and anything that takes us away from this goal is a major threat to this goal...including hurry.Mass Readings from July 9, 2023:Zechariah 9:9-10Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30

7/9/23 Hurry and Worry

Homily from the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Just one more thing that could go wrong. To protect one's heart is the safest way to live. But since we are made in God's image and likeness, we are made for love. Without love, we remain safe...but we remain incomprehensible to ourselves. To love is to be vulnerable...it is to risk. To receive the gift means we must be open to grief.Mass Readings from July 2, 2023:2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16aPsalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Matthew 10:37-42

Homily from the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Just one more thing that could go wrong. To protect one's heart is the safest way to live. But since we are made in God's image and likeness, we are made for love. Without love, we remain safe...but we remain incomprehensible to ourselves. To love is to be vulnerable...it is to risk. To receive the gift means we must be open to grief.Mass Readings from July 2, 2023:2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16aPsalm 89:2-3, 16-17, 18-19Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Matthew 10:37-42

7/2/23 Gift and Grief

Homily from the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We must cultivate the fear of the Lord in our lives. If we do not, then we will have only a partial vision of who God truly is. If we do not cultivate the fear of the Lord, then we will never have the proper relationship with God that we are made for.Mass Readings from June 25, 2023:Jeremiah 20:10-13Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-33

Homily from the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We must cultivate the fear of the Lord in our lives. If we do not, then we will have only a partial vision of who God truly is. If we do not cultivate the fear of the Lord, then we will never have the proper relationship with God that we are made for.Mass Readings from June 25, 2023:Jeremiah 20:10-13Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35Romans 5:12-15 Matthew 10:26-33

6/25/23 The Fear of the Lord

Homily from the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Competent generosity is the key for healthy masculinity. Jesus prays that His Church is never without shepherds. This world and His Church is in need of leaders, of shepherds, and of fathers. While we will always need women and mothers, we stand in particular need of fathers at this moment in history. We need both: strong and generous men and women to place their strength at the service of the people around them.Mass Readings from June 18, 2023:Exodus 19:2-6aPsalm 100:1-2, 3, 5Romans 5:6-11 Matthew 9:36—10:8

Homily from the Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Competent generosity is the key for healthy masculinity. Jesus prays that His Church is never without shepherds. This world and His Church is in need of leaders, of shepherds, and of fathers. While we will always need women and mothers, we stand in particular need of fathers at this moment in history. We need both: strong and generous men and women to place their strength at the service of the people around them.Mass Readings from June 18, 2023:Exodus 19:2-6aPsalm 100:1-2, 3, 5Romans 5:6-11 Matthew 9:36—10:8

6/18/23 The Need for Fathers

Homily from the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Feast of Corpus Christi) Love is the best thing in this world. We are made for love. God is love. We are therefore made for God. And God comes to us in love in the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Christ at every Mass. Mass Readings from June 11, 2023:Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16aPsalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-201 Corinthians 10:16-17 John 6:51-58

Homily from the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Feast of Corpus Christi) Love is the best thing in this world. We are made for love. God is love. We are therefore made for God. And God comes to us in love in the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus Christ at every Mass. Mass Readings from June 11, 2023:Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16aPsalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-201 Corinthians 10:16-17 John 6:51-58

6/11/23 The Heart of the Matter

Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity God, you get to tell me who You are. We have been made in the image of God. The common temptation that we all face is to re-make God in our own image. We can be drawn to the idea that we can simply worship the God whom we prefer rather than the God who has revealed Himself. Mass Readings from June 4, 2023:Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 562 Corinthians 13:11-13 John 3:16-18

Homily from the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity God, you get to tell me who You are. We have been made in the image of God. The common temptation that we all face is to re-make God in our own image. We can be drawn to the idea that we can simply worship the God whom we prefer rather than the God who has revealed Himself. Mass Readings from June 4, 2023:Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 562 Corinthians 13:11-13 John 3:16-18

6/4/23 Blank Tablets

Every week, Catholic priest Fr. Mike Schmitz delivers powerful homilies based on the Sunday Mass Scripture readings, inviting you to live more fully as the person God created you to be. Engaging and motivating, these 20-30 minute homilies will help ground your faith, fortify your heart, and transform your life. Fr. Mike Schmitz preaches from Duluth Minnesota, where he serves as the Newman chaplain for University Minnesota Duluth’s Bulldog Catholic campus ministry.

Started watching Fr Mike when masses were canceled. Every homily it was like he was talking to our family and we always get SO much out of it! It has gotten us through some very hard times and reminded us to be grateful through the good times. The message is always relevant with current events in the world and in my life and tie back into the Bible. I am TRILLED we can still listen to Fr Mike! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Please keep doing what you are doing and God Bless!!!

So happy the homilies are here!

Learning so much from him!  Love his humor!

Learning lots!

Sunday Homilies with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Homily from the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.If comparison is a thief of joy, then we have to learn how to steal it back.In the battle to escape the comparison trap, we can become invincible to bad comparison by actively looking for the blessings, giving thanks, and inviting others into celebrating them. Because there are some things worth celebrating. Mass Readings from November 17, 2019: Malachi 3:19-20 Psalms 98:5-92 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.If comparison is a thief of joy, then we have to learn how to steal it back.In the battle to escape the comparison trap, we can become invincible to bad comparison by actively looking for the blessings, giving thanks, and inviting others into celebrating them. Because there are some things worth celebrating. Mass Readings from November 17, 2019: Malachi 3:19-20 Psalms 98:5-92 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19 <a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/comparisin-stealing-joy.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the Homily Study</a>

11/17/19 CompariSIN: Stealing Joy

Homily from the Third Sunday of Easter.Back to normal might not be what we think.Our lives can be spent wishing for certain outcomes. But a security built on specific outcomes is a conditional and temporary security. We need true hope to walk in confidence. Mass Readings from April 26, 2020: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-111 Peter 1:17-21 Luke 24:13-35 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Third Sunday of Easter.Back to normal might not be what we think.Our lives can be spent wishing for certain outcomes. But a security built on specific outcomes is a conditional and temporary security. We need true hope to walk in confidence. Mass Readings from April 26, 2020: Acts 2:14, 22-33 Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-111 Peter 1:17-21 Luke 24:13-35 <a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/insecure-not-home.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the Homily Study</a>

04/26/20 Insecure: Not Home

Homily from the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.Often, the next hardest step is the next step.Continuing to walk in the midst of failure, rejection, and imperfection is a sign of a great life. In your life, you will take hundreds of first steps.  Mass Readings from October 20, 2019: Ezekiel 17:8-13 Luke 18:1-82 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Mark 10:2-16 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.Often, the next hardest step is the next step.Continuing to walk in the midst of failure, rejection, and imperfection is a sign of a great life. In your life, you will take hundreds of first steps. Mass Readings from October 20, 2019: Ezekiel 17:8-13 Luke 18:1-82 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Mark 10:2-16 <a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/the-hardest-step-the-next-step-1.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the Homily Study</a>

10/20/19 The Hardest Step: The Next Step

Homily from the First Sunday of Advent.You will never be ready unless you get ready.Advent is a season of preparation. We get ready to celebrate the first coming of Christ into this world. We also get ready for His Second Coming at the end of the world…or at the end of our individual lives. During Advent, we get ready to die. Mass Readings from December 02, 2018: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalms 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 141 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2 Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the First Sunday of Advent.You will never be ready unless you get ready.Advent is a season of preparation. We get ready to celebrate the first coming of Christ into this world. We also get ready for His Second Coming at the end of the world…or at the end of our individual lives. During Advent, we get ready to die. Mass Readings from December 02, 2018: Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalms 25:4-5, 8-9, 10, 141 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2 Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 <a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/advent-2018-be-ready-get-ready.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the Homily Study</a>

12/02/18 Be Ready, Get Ready 

Homily from Ash Wednesday. You are in a fight; what comes next?For many of us, our default assumption about life is: it’s fine. Even when things are obviously broken, we can pretend that they will “fix themselves.” But Lent reminds us that we are in a battle that won’t be won unless we are ready to engage the enemy who will attack us like our Lord was attacked in the wilderness...behind enemy lines. Mass Readings from March 6, 2019: Joel 2:12-18 Psalms 51:3-6, 12-14Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Download the Homily Study

Homily from Ash Wednesday. You are in a fight; what comes next?For many of us, our default assumption about life is: it’s fine. Even when things are obviously broken, we can pretend that they will “fix themselves.” But Lent reminds us that we are in a battle that won’t be won unless we are ready to engage the enemy who will attack us like our Lord was attacked in the wilderness...behind enemy lines. Mass Readings from March 6, 2019: Joel 2:12-18 Psalms 51:3-6, 12-14Corinthians 5:20—6:2 Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 <a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/behind-enemy-lines.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the Homily Study</a>

03/06/19 Behind Enemy Lines: Isolated and Disoriented

Homily from the First Sunday of Lent.The decision that broke the world.This world is not perfect. And we are not perfect. But imperfect does not mean unloved. Mass Readings from March 1, 2020: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Psalms 51:3-6, 12-13, 17Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the First Sunday of Lent.The decision that broke the world.This world is not perfect. And we are not perfect. But imperfect does not mean unloved. Mass Readings from March 1, 2020: Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7 Psalms 51:3-6, 12-13, 17Romans 5:12-19 Matthew 4:1-11 <a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/un-done-weve-become-undone.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the Homily Study</a>

03/01/20 Un-Done: We've Come Undone

Homily from the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.What makes them so great? What makes me so awful?When someone else being honored or loved more than we are meets our insecurity, we are tempted to tell stories…about them and about ourselves.  But when we know who we are and are grateful for what we have, we have security. And comparison is powerless. Mass Readings from November 3, 2019: Wisdom 11:22-12:2 Psalms 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 142 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2 Luke 19:1-10 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time.What makes them so great? What makes me so awful?When someone else being honored or loved more than we are meets our insecurity, we are tempted to tell stories…about them and about ourselves. But when we know who we are and are grateful for what we have, we have security. And comparison is powerless. Mass Readings from November 3, 2019: Wisdom 11:22-12:2 Psalms 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 142 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2 Luke 19:1-10 <a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/comparisin-infinitely-preferred.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the Homily Study</a>

11/03/19 CompariSIN: Infinitely Preferred

Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.Do not underestimate what God is doing when it seems like God is doing nothing.There are seasons of silence, and hiddenness, and brokenness in all of our lives. These times are not just useful, they are necessary for us to become the kind of people God needs us to be. Mass Readings from January 26, 2020: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-141 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time.Do not underestimate what God is doing when it seems like God is doing nothing.There are seasons of silence, and hiddenness, and brokenness in all of our lives. These times are not just useful, they are necessary for us to become the kind of people God needs us to be. Mass Readings from January 26, 2020: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-141 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 <a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/underestimated-silence-is-not-absence.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the Homily Study</a>

01/26/20 Underestimated: Silence is Not Absence

Homily from Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil. We profess the faith today so we can persevere in the faith tomorrow. Christianity is an historical religion that is not based on feelings, philosophies, or myths. It is based on a fact: the fact of the resurrection of Jesus. The one thing that changes everything.

Homily from Holy Saturday, the Easter Vigil. We profess the faith today so we can persevere in the faith tomorrow. Christianity is an historical religion that is not based on feelings, philosophies, or myths. It is based on a fact: the fact of the resurrection of Jesus. The one thing that changes everything.

04/11/20 Witnesses

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Easter.Failure either gives us clarity and conviction or course correction.Failure is not final and failure is not fatal. As long as we don’t stop, and as long as we are willing to learn from our failures, they have no power to defeat us but only to educate us and make us better. Mass Readings from May 12, 2019: Acts 13:14, 43-52 Psalms 100:1-2, 3, 5Revelation 7:9, 14-17 John 10:27-30 Download the Homily Study

Homily from the Fourth Sunday of Easter.Failure either gives us clarity and conviction or course correction.Failure is not final and failure is not fatal. As long as we don’t stop, and as long as we are willing to learn from our failures, they have no power to defeat us but only to educate us and make us better. Mass Readings from May 12, 2019: Acts 13:14, 43-52 Psalms 100:1-2, 3, 5Revelation 7:9, 14-17 John 10:27-30 <a href="https://bulldogcatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/fail-failure-is-feedback.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Download the Homily Study</a>

05/12/19 #Fail: Failure is Feedback

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