Entering into the Mass | 4th Sunday of Lent | 3/15/2026

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4th Sunday of Lent (03/15/26): Entering into the Mass, Part 3

In this third installment of our Lenten homily series, we continue reflecting on the Mass and how to enter into it more intentionally. At every Mass, God speaks personally to each one of us—into the reality of our lives, our needs, our burdens, and the graces He wants to offer for the week ahead. But if our minds and hearts are elsewhere, we can miss what our Good Father is saying.

This homily begins with the image of David being anointed: “from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David.” We, too, have been anointed in Baptism, and the Holy Spirit desires to fill us and move within us. The invitation is to become more open and attentive to that grace.

The opening rites of the Mass help prepare us for this encounter. Through holy water and the Sign of the Cross, we remember who we are: people chosen by God, marked by the saving Cross of Christ, and called to live in communion with Him. We acknowledge our sins, ask for mercy, rejoice in God’s forgiveness, and gather our prayers together before the Father. In this way, our hearts are placed in the right posture for worship.

From there, we move into the Liturgy of the Word, where God speaks through Sacred Scripture. In the readings, Psalm, and Gospel, the Lord addresses both the whole community and each of us personally. The homily reminds us that Scripture is our family story—revealing who we are, where we have been, and where God is calling us to go. A simple and powerful practice is to ask God, before the readings begin, to open our hearts and ears to hear what He wants to say.

The homily then turns to the Liturgy of the Eucharist, especially the Preparation of the Gifts. This moment is presented as a deeply intentional act: placing our whole week on the altar—the good, the bad, the heavy, the hopeful, the people we are praying for, and even our struggles and weaknesses. Just as bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ, we ask God to transform everything we offer Him, including ourselves.

The gifts are brought forward from the community because they symbolize not only bread and wine, but the lives and intentions of the people. When the priest says, “Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable…,” we are reminded that we are not spectators at Mass. We join our sacrifices, prayers, and lives to Christ’s perfect offering to the Father.

Finally, the homily lifts our eyes to the heavenly reality of the Mass. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unites earth to heaven, joining us to the praise of angels and saints and to the eternal worship of God. In the Preface and the “Holy, Holy, Holy,” we begin even now to participate in the heavenly liturgy.

This week’s reflection ends by inviting us to notice what stood out most, what we want to enter into more fully, and what we want to carry into next Sunday. The Mass is not something we simply attend—it is something we are called to enter, with intention, prayer, and love.

Home: www.anchoredinthelord.com 

https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/order-of-mass

The structure of the Catholic Mass helps guide us step-by-step into deeper participation in Christ’s sacrifice.

Entering into the Mass | 2nd Sunday in OT | March 1, 2026

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Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “Mass is boring?” Many of us remember feeling that way at some point in our lives. But the truth is that the Holy Mass is anything but boring. Often, the challenge is not the Mass itself, but that we may not yet know how to fully enter into the experience of the Mass.

In this first homily of a Lenten series exploring the structure and meaning of the Catholic Mass, we begin by looking at the Introductory Rites. These opening moments of the liturgy are not just the “beginning” of Mass—they are meant to prepare our hearts, minds, and souls to encounter God.

The Mass is traditionally divided into four main parts:

  • The Introductory Rites

  • The Liturgy of the Word

  • The Liturgy of the Eucharist

  • The Concluding Rite

This week’s homily focuses on the Introductory Rites, which help us move from the busyness of our week into a sacred encounter with the Lord.

Entering into the Mass

The Introductory Rites begin with the Entrance Procession and Opening Hymn. This moment symbolizes the entire community moving toward God together. As the priest processes to the altar, we are invited to bring our intentions, struggles, joys, and prayers with us into the Mass and place them before the Lord.

Next comes the Sign of the Cross, a powerful reminder of our baptism and our identity as followers of Christ. When we say “Amen,” we are boldly affirming our faith and our commitment to God.

The priest then greets the congregation with a blessing, and the people respond “And with your spirit.” This back-and-forth dialogue reminds us that we are not passive spectators at Mass. We are active participants in worship.

The Penitential Act follows, inviting us to acknowledge our sins and ask for God’s mercy. By humbly admitting our need for God’s help, we prepare our hearts to receive His grace more deeply.

During most of the year, the Gloria follows as a joyful hymn of praise to God. However, during the season of Lent, the Gloria is intentionally omitted as the Church prepares in anticipation for the joy of Easter.

Finally, the Collect (Opening Prayer) gathers together the prayers and intentions of the entire community. In the brief moment of silence before the prayer, each person is invited to lift their own petitions to God.

A Deeper Encounter with God

God speaks to each of us personally at every Mass. Learning to enter more intentionally into the different parts of the liturgy can help deepen our experience of worship and our relationship with Him.

As you reflect on this homily, consider this question: What part of the beginning of Mass is God inviting you to enter into more intentionally?

Listen to More Homilies

We post recent and available homilies on our website:
https://haywardcatholic.org/homilies 

Father David’s Last Homily:

Other Helpful Links:

Turn Away From Sin, Follow Jesus, Go Fishing | 3rd Sunday in OT | Jan 25, 2026

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Turn Away From Sin, Follow Jesus, Go Fishing

In this episode of Anchored in the Lord, we reflect on the Gospel for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (January 25, 2026) and Jesus’ first public words of ministry: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” These words reveal that the Christian life is not static or one-dimensional, but a movement—a journey with direction, purpose, and mission.

Turn Away from Sin

The homily highlights three essential movements of the Christian life, all present in today’s Gospel. The first is repentance. To repent does not simply mean to feel bad or avoid wrongdoing; it literally means to turn around, to change direction, and to let go of whatever draws our hearts away from God. Repentance is where the life of faith begins—but it is not where it ends. If we only turn away from sin, we risk standing still, facing nothing in particular.

Follow Jesus

That leads to the second movement: following Jesus. Christ does not merely say, “Stop sinning.” He says, “Follow me.” He invites us into a new way of living—the life of the Kingdom of Heaven. This invitation is often subtle, appearing in daily nudges: a thought to reach out to someone, an impulse to act with generosity, or a quiet call to trust God more deeply. Yet, as the homily acknowledges honestly, we often hesitate. We delay. We tell ourselves we’ll respond later—after more prayer, more preparation, or when life feels less busy. In contrast, the disciples in today’s Gospel respond immediately.

Go Fish!

But the Gospel doesn’t stop there. The third movement completes the Christian life: mission. Jesus calls His followers not only to turn away from sin and to follow Him personally, but to “go fishing”—to draw others into the life of faith. Discipleship is never meant to be private or self-contained. A faith that does not become mission remains incomplete.

This episode invites listeners to examine where they may be stuck—repenting without following, following without sharing—and to hear again Christ’s call to live the Gospel fully: turn back to God, walk closely with Jesus, and bring others along.

👉 For more reflections, homilies, and parish resources, visit our main site:
https://anchoredinthelord.com

Turn Away From Sin, Follow Jesus, Go Fish

Following the Star / I Saw the Sign

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This Epiphany homily reflects on the journey of the Three Wise Men, who were led by a simple but powerful sign—a star—to the newborn Christ. Though the sign was visible to all, only a few chose to follow it. Ancient prophecies foretold their arrival, and after months of searching, the Magi finally reached Bethlehem, offering gifts and homage to Jesus.

The homily highlights a striking contrast: while the religious leaders knew the scriptures and could name the birthplace of the Messiah, they did not act on that knowledge. True wisdom, as described by Matthew Kelly, is not just seeing or knowing the truth, but living it. The Magi were wise because they followed the sign God gave them and allowed it to change their lives.

As the New Year begins, listeners are invited to reflect on two simple but challenging questions:
What signs is God placing in my life?
And when I see them, do I follow?

The message encourages openness, courage, and action—reminding us that faith grows when we not only recognize God’s signs, but respond to them.

About Father David
Father David is the Vocations Director for the Diocese of Superior and the lead pastor of the Lac Courte Oreilles & Hayward Area Catholic Churches in northern Wisconsin, serving multiple parishes across the Northwoods. Rooted in the sacraments and the teachings of the Church, his ministry focuses on preaching, pastoral care, and helping individuals and families welcome Christ into daily life.

Learn more at www.haywardcatholic.org.

Hear the previous podcast about O Little Town of Bethlehem at:   www.anchoredinthelord.com

Feast of the Holy Family: Holy & Ordinary

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Feast of the Holy Family – Holy and Ordinary
(December 28, 2025)

On the Feast of the Holy Family, we reflect on a powerful truth: holiness is found not in extraordinary places, but in ordinary family life. Jesus chose to grow within a real human family—one marked by love, sacrifice, misunderstanding, and daily tension—showing us that God’s primary path to holiness is lived through relationships.

This reflection explores how everyday moments of friction, sacrifice, and care within families become opportunities for growth in love, patience, and mercy. Drawing from Scripture, it reminds us that putting the needs of others before our own—spouses, children, parents, coworkers, and neighbors—creates a ripple effect of grace that extends far beyond the home.

The Holy Family teaches us that real holiness is not perfection, but faithfulness: choosing love in the midst of ordinary life. As we look to Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, we ask for the strength to recognize the opportunities God places before us each day to grow in authentic, lived holiness.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—pray for us.

About Father David
Father David is the lead pastor of the Lac Courte Oreilles & Hayward Area Catholic Churches in northern Wisconsin, serving multiple parishes across the Northwoods. Rooted in the sacraments and the teachings of the Church, his ministry focuses on preaching, pastoral care, and helping individuals and families welcome Christ into daily life.

Father David also serves as the Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Superior. www.callednorth.org

Learn more at www.haywardcatholic.org.

Hear more reflections at www.anchoredinthelord.com.

O Little Town of Bethlehem | Christmas 2025

On By AdminIn Christmas Season, Feasts, Special Celebrations

This reflection weaves the beloved hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem” into a quiet, hope-filled meditation on how God chooses small, hidden places to do His greatest work. From the stillness of Bethlehem to the silence of our own hearts, it invites listeners to notice how Christ meets the hopes and fears of every age—not from a distance, but by stepping directly into our lives.

The episode explores how Christmas can be easily missed amid busyness and distraction, even as heaven remains wide awake with wonder and love. It reminds us that God comes gently, waiting to be welcomed, asking only for openness rather than perfection.

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About Father David
Father David is the lead pastor of the Lac Courte Oreilles &  Hayward Area Catholic Churches in Hayward, Wisconsin, serving the faith communities of St. Ann in Cable, St. Francis Solanus Mission & School in Reserve, St. Ignatius in New Post, St. Joseph in Hayward, and St. Philip in Stone Lake. With a heart for pastoral care, preaching, and community life, Father David walks closely with parishioners through the joys and challenges of daily faith. His ministry is rooted in the sacraments, the teachings of the Church, and a deep commitment to welcoming Christ into the lives of individuals and families across the Northwoods.
Learn more about Father David and the Hayward Area Catholic Churches at www.haywardcatholic.org

See more podcasts at:  www.anchordinthelord.com

Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran — The Last Rites

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Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran — The Last Rites (Summary)

This weekend in our series Arise: On Death and Dying, we reflect on one of the most consoling and misunderstood gifts of the Church at the end of life: the Last Rites. And right away—what I say at the end I’ll say at the beginning: Call early, and when the priest comes, ask for everything. Priests love offering the Last Rites. This is what we’re ordained to do—don’t worry about “bothering” us!

Today’s feast gives a fitting backdrop: the readings show us God’s life flowing like living water, Jesus as the true Temple, and St. Paul reminding us that we are God’s temple. Yet parts of our “temple” can fall into disrepair—sin, fear, neglect, or suffering. As life draws toward its end, those places can feel heavier. This is why Christ gave us the Last Rites.

First is Confession, the cleansing of the temple—restoring friendship with God, clearing away anything unresolved, and filling the soul with peace.

Second is the Anointing of the Sick, which brings Christ’s strength, healing, and courage into physical or spiritual weakness. It’s not only for the final moments—it’s for anyone seriously ill or preparing for major surgery.

Third is Holy Communion, Viaticum—food for the final journey, Christ Himself accompanying the soul home. And if death is near, ask for the Apostolic Pardon, a beautiful prayer granting full remission of temporal punishment.

So again: Call early. Call when your loved one can still confess, receive Communion, and take in every grace Christ offers. And when the priest arrives, ask for everything: Confession, Anointing, Holy Communion, and the Apostolic Pardon.

The Church does not fear death—Christ has conquered it. The Last Rites prepare the temple of our body and soul for rising with Him. They are Christ’s final embrace, His last strengthening for the journey home.

Call early—and ask for everything.

 

Check out www.haywardcatholic.org !

Listen to Father David’s Previous homily HERE.

 

Daily Consistent Prayer. | 29th Sunday in OT | Oct 19, 2025

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Father David’s Homily this week focuses on daily consistent prayer without getting weird!

Our readings for October 19, 2025 (the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time) focus on perseverance in prayer and faith. Key themes include: God will grant justice to his chosen ones who call out to him day and night, so believers should not grow weary in prayer, as exemplified by the persistent widow in the Gospel of Luke. The readings emphasize remaining steadfast in faith, with the Old Testament passage from Exodus illustrating how Moses’ prayer, supported by Aaron and Hur, secured victory, and the second reading from 2 Timothy calling for a diligent and patient proclamation of the word of God. 

Put On Your Nikes – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Put On Your Nikes – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Oct. 12, 2025)  by Father David Neuschwander

This Sunday’s reflection, “Put On Your Nikes,” invites us to see how God’s greatest miracles often unfold through the simplest acts of obedience. In the first reading, Naaman the leper seeks a dramatic miracle from the prophet Elisha. He expects spectacle — raised hands, loud prayers, something unmistakably “miraculous.” Instead, Elisha doesn’t even meet him in person. He simply sends word: “Go wash seven times in the Jordan River.”

Naaman is offended. The river is muddy, the instructions seem too ordinary — surely God wouldn’t work through something so small. But after some persuasion, Naaman obeys, takes the step of faith, and is healed. The miracle didn’t come through drama or grandeur; it came through obedience.

In the Gospel, we meet ten other lepers crying out to Jesus for mercy. They, too, are given a simple instruction: “Go show yourselves to the priests.” No physical touch, no thunderous command — just a quiet directive. And as they go, on the way, their healing takes place. Once again, the power of God meets their obedience.

Fr. David draws the parallel to our daily lives. God’s invitations often come through small promptings — the nudge to reach out to someone, the thought to say a kind word, the whisper to forgive, or to invite someone to pray. It’s easy to overthink or ignore those moments, expecting something “bigger” or more impressive. But the truth is, God delights in doing extraordinary things through ordinary faithfulness.

Across our parishes, that obedience is already bearing fruit — people returning to Mass, families joining RCIA, and hearts opening to serve. The message is clear: when God stirs your heart, don’t reason it away. Lace up your spiritual sneakers, step out in faith, and just do it.

Check out www.haywardcatholic.org !

Listen to Father David’s Previous homily HERE.

What Do I Spend My Time Thinking About?

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25th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Sept. 21, 2025) — What Do I Spend My Time Thinking About?

This weekend, we’re asked to pause and pay attention to our own thoughts: What do I actually spend the most time focusing on each day? Is it worries about the world, struggles at home or work, or concerns for our children and families? Or is it God’s kingdom, my role as His disciple, and how I live that out?

St. Paul reminds us in today’s readings that our thoughts and concerns don’t have to spiral into worry or discouragement. Instead, they can be transformed into prayer, into trust in God, and into the energy of discipleship. “First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone… lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument” (1 Tim 2).

Jesus also says in the Gospel, “No servant can serve two masters.” One practical way to discern who we’re serving is to notice what we think and talk about most. Is it our anxieties—or the Lord?

This week, simply pay attention: Do my concerns lead me deeper into worry, or do they become fuel for prayer and for living as Christ’s disciple?