In this week's homily, Fr. Rob reflects on what he learned in the weeks after his ordination: all his theological education had merely laid a foundation, but he had no idea how to actually live out priesthood. Seeking wisdom from mentors, he recalls crucial advice from an old Polish country priest who said simply, "Be nice to the little children and to the elderly, and everything else will fall into place." This wisdom, Fr. Rob explains, reveals a profound spiritual truth: kindness to people's loved ones opens hearts in ways that nothing else can.

Drawing on the Gospel, Fr. Rob connects this insight to Jesus' teaching that "whoever welcomes you, welcomes me." Our love for God is demonstrated not through piety, prayer, or time spent in church, but through how we welcome, listen to, and treat one another with mercy and generosity. All our spiritual practices are meant to transform our hearts so that we can truly love God by loving His people. Without that, Fr. Rob reminds us, it's all just empty theory.

Have you ever sat next to someone at a party who spent the entire time complaining about "kids these days"? In this homily, Fr. Rob shares a humorous and pointed encounter with a particularly crabby gentleman who was convinced that his generation was the only "good" one left. Using this story as a springboard, Fr. Rob challenges the universal myth that the world is in a state of constant decline.

Drawing on Jesus’ command to "Fear nothing," Fr. Rob argues that while every era faces its own chaos and violence, the presence of Christ remains the constant thread throughout human history. Rather than despairing over the news, we are called to recognize that the Kingdom of God is active and alive, moving just a little bit closer with every subsequent generation. This homily is a powerful reminder to trade generational cynicism for spiritual hope, trusting that God’s grace is continually at work in our world.

Fr. Rob takes a cue from the cynical Dr. House to explore a profound spiritual truth. While the famous TV doctor claimed that "everybody lies," Fr. Rob suggests that the biggest lie we tell is to ourselves—whenever we believe that our talents, wealth, or even our lives are things we have earned or merited on our own.

The reality? Everything is a gift from God. Drawing on the powerful Gospel mandate, "Without cost you have received, without cost you are to give," Fr. Rob challenges listeners to stop hoarding their gifts and start using them to build the Kingdom of God here and now. Whether it is our intelligence, our abundance, or our capacity for compassion, we are called to share our "gifts" to alleviate the needs of others. The Kingdom of God isn't a far-off destination; it is a reality we help build today by recognizing that we are stewards of God's immense generosity.

On the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Fr. Rob reflects on our identity as a "Eucharistic people." Drawing on St. Augustine’s definition of a sacrament—a visible sign of invisible grace—he explores how God uses our physical senses to help us experience the divine. However, Fr. Rob challenges the congregation to look deeper by using the "vision of the heart." Through a simple but powerful exercise, he demonstrates that the Real Presence of Christ isn't confined to the altar; it is found in the person sitting to our left, the person to our right, and even in our own reflection in the mirror.

The transformative power of the Eucharist is meant to make Christ’s living presence a part of who we are. Fr. Rob poses a challenging question: If we are willing to bow or genuflect before the Tabernacle, shouldn't we show that same reverence and respect to one another? From the pews to the church parking lot, this homily calls us to recognize the sacredness in every human being and to treat one another with the healing, merciful love of Christ.

In a world where corporations and sports teams spend millions on trademarks—from the iconic shape of a Coke bottle to the Old English "D" on a Tigers jersey—Fr. Rob explores the "logo" of the Catholic Church: the Sign of the Cross. This familiar gesture is more than just a way to start or end a prayer; it is a public declaration of our identity as children of God. Fr. Rob reflects on the mystery of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and what it reveals about our own nature. Because our God is, by definition, relational, we are created to be relational too. We are not meant to walk our faith journey alone; we are called to live, pray, and care for one another as a communal family. This homily challenges us to move beyond the rote motions of the Sign of the Cross and rediscover it as a profound reminder that we are part of the body of Christ, created in the image of a God who is a perfect relationship of love.

In this weekend's homily, Fr. Rob uses a classic scene from the television show MASH*—Frank Burns holding his breath—to illustrate a powerful spiritual truth. While it is biologically impossible to stop ourselves from breathing forever, Fr. Rob suggests that we are equally dependent on a different kind of breath: the Holy Spirit.

Reflecting on the Gospel account of Jesus breathing upon the apostles, Fr. Rob explains that the Spirit is the essential life-force that enables us to be generous, merciful, and compassionate. Just as we rarely notice our physical breathing until it becomes difficult, we may not always feel the Spirit’s presence in our daily lives, yet it remains the foundational breath that sustains our faith and our identity as a Church. This message serves as a beautiful reminder that the Holy Spirit is not just a historical event, but a constant, life-sustaining presence that allows the love of Christ to shine through us.

In this engaging homily, Fr. Rob reflects on the essential balance between spiritual life and practical service. Sharing a humorous and blunt story from his early priesthood about a pastor’s frustration with "professional prayers" who refused to help decorate the church, Fr. Rob explores the true purpose of our devotional lives. Using the Feast of the Ascension as a backdrop, he reminds us that while the disciples could have spent their lives simply staring into heaven, Christ called them to move. Prayer is never meant to be the end goal; rather, it is a transformative conversation with God intended to change our hearts so that we can better serve, forgive, and love our neighbors. Fr. Rob challenges listeners to be people of both prayer and action, translating their faith into tangible acts of mercy and compassion in the world today.

Note: We did have some audio issues with the first half of Fr. Rob's homily. Here is the transcript from that portion:

Most parents that I have spoke to, and a friend of mine who had children, they acknowledge that there have been a few times raising their children when they said things that they wished they could’ve pulled back because it probably wasn’t the best example to set, and they know that eventually the kids will be saying the very same thing to somebody else. Well, it's not that different when you're a young priest, you should look to the older priest to model for you the best way you can be. Which is why, at least you used to get a couple of assignments before you made a pastor, so you could see different styles and learn from them. And one of the pastors I was assigned with will always say he wishes he never said this in front of me because at that time when somebody was arguing with him quite vociferously, and he [the other person] said, “well, why do you need to do that?” He [the priest] said, “Well I'm the pastor.” And he said, that's the only thing I ever learned from him, as I say that same thing. Which isn't really true. But there was another time where I heard another priest say something, And it really wasn't the best, but it still spoke the truth that it was worth the period. It was the last Sunday in Advent. And we were at his parish to help out with, you know, penance service.

In this candid and humorous homily, Fr. Rob uses a self-deprecating story about his "master's degree in sarcasm" to explore the deep roots of faith. Reflecting on a question from an adult formation group—"Why are you Catholic?"—he admits that while he was born into the faith, it has become an inseparable part of his DNA, much like his lifelong, often-trying loyalty to the Detroit Lions. Just as he couldn't walk away from his family or his team, he realized his faith is simply who he is. Fr. Rob connects this personal reflection to the Gospel, where the disciples feel nervous and scared at the prospect of Jesus leaving them. Jesus reassures them—and us—that He will remain present in ways they don't yet understand. Fr. Rob reminds us that this divine presence is so deeply embedded within us that it is sometimes hard to see. No matter our struggles, fears, or times we may turn away, we are never truly alone. This homily is a comforting reminder of the profound, unshakable love that defines our identity and remains with us always.