The Order of Preachers, Independent

06/07/2026

One Bread, One Body: We All Belong ~ The Rt Rev Michael Beckett,OPI

June is Pride Month, in which we celebrate/honor/continue the fight for the rights of LGBTQ folks and the victories associated therewith. And, like virtually ALL of my LGBTQ sisters and brothers, we have heard the “Why do they need a month? Why not celebrate veterans? It should be the traditional family that is celebrated!” comments ad nauseum. The “Traditional Family/Straight Pride” is celebrated every damned day, and Military Appreciation Month is in May and Veterans Month is in November, and if these folks were truly concerned about those things, then they would celebrate them and shut up....

June is Pride Month, in which we celebrate/honor/continue the fight for the rights of LGBTQ folks and the victories associated therewith.  And, like virtually ALL of my LGBTQ sisters and broth…

06/07/2026

One Bread, One Body: Celebrating the Real Presence on Corpus Christi~The Rev Frank Bellino,OPI

As we enter into the beautiful month of June, our hearts and our liturgy turn toward one of the most profound mysteries of our faith, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known by its Latin name, Corpus Christi. Now, if you caught the pre-Mass announcements from my wonderful wife, Alma, you already know my favorite reminder for this feast day: we aren't talking about that beautiful Texas city down by the bay where the coastal winds blow!...

As we enter into the beautiful month of June, our hearts and our liturgy turn toward one of the most profound mysteries of our faith, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, tradit…

05/31/2026

The Overflowing Fire of Love~The Rev Frank Bellino,OPI

If we are being completely honest, Trinity Sunday is a day that makes a lot of preachers nervous. Too often, it gets treated like an annual, abstract geometry lesson full of dusty definitions and dry formulas, leaving everyone in the pews feeling detached from the mystery. But if we pull back the curtain and look at the real human story behind these scriptures, we find something far more raw, intimate, and urgent....

If we are being completely honest, Trinity Sunday is a day that makes a lot of preachers nervous. Too often, it gets treated like an annual, abstract geometry lesson full of dusty definitions and d…

05/25/2026

Homily: Queen of the Apostles and Mother of the Mystical Body.

​Introduction:
​In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

​Today, as we gather in the wake of Pentecost, the Church wisely directs our gaze to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the profound title of Mother of the Church. This is not merely a title of honour, but a living reality born at the foot of the Cross.

​The Council in the Upper Room:

​Scripture places Mary in the heart of the early Church. In the Acts of the Apostles, we find her in the Upper Room, persevering in prayer alongside the Apostles as they awaited the Holy Spirit.

​She who was overshadowed by the Spirit at the Annunciation now stands with the nascent Church as it is clothed with power from on high. As the Order of Preachers, we are reminded of our own call to contemplate and to share the fruits of contemplation; Mary is the ultimate exemplar of this holy endeavour.
​Motherhood at the Cross.

​The theological foundation of this feast rests firmly upon the words of our crucified Lord. In His final moments of agony, Jesus looked down at His mother and the beloved disciple, pronouncing those transformative words:
​"Woman, behold your son." Then He said to the disciple, "Behold your mother."
— John 19:26-27

​In that sacred exchange, John represented every one of us. Christ did not leave us orphans. He bequeathed to us His own mother to nurture, guide, and protect the Church throughout the ages. Just as she formed the physical body of Christ in her womb, she now fosters His mystical body on earth.

​A Shepherd’s Charge:

​As your shepherd, I urge you to fly to her protection. In times of division, sorrow, or uncertainty, look to Mary. She is the star of the new evangelisation, guiding us safely to her Son. Let us wrap ourselves in her maternal mantle, confident that she always points the way to Christ.

​Conclusion:

​May we, like the beloved disciple, take Mary into our homes and into our hearts. Let us pray that she continues to intercede for our parish, our families, and the universal Church.
​Holy Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us. Amen.

=​Written by The Very Reverend Lady Sherwood, OPI

05/24/2026

Pentecost: Go. Do. Be.~The Right Rev Michael Beckett,OPI

Y’all… Today is yet another major holiday in the Church. As you know, within the calendar year there revolves another kind of year, the liturgical year, in which we, the church, celebrate the major milestones of our faith, usually marking the events of Jesus’s life. And, like the calendar year, the liturgical year is divided into “seasons.” Today marks the end of the Easter season, which encompasses Easter and the 40 days thereafter....

Y’all…  Today is yet another major holiday in the Church.  As you know, within the calendar year there revolves another kind of year, the liturgical year, in which we, the church, celebra…

05/24/2026

The Fragrance of Veritas: Celebrating the Translation of Our Holy Father, St. Dominic~The Rev Frank Bellino,OPI

On May 24, the Order of Preachers throughout the world pauses to celebrate a unique and profound event in our history: the Translation of our Holy Father, St. Dominic. In the tradition of the Church, a "translation" refers to the formal movement of a Saint’s remains from one location to another. For the Dominicans, this occurred in 1233 in Bologna, Italy, twelve years after St....

On May 24, the Order of Preachers throughout the world pauses to celebrate a unique and profound event in our history: the Translation of our Holy Father, St. Dominic. In the tradition of the Churc…

05/24/2026

A Breath of New Life: Pentecost Homily 2026

​Introduction: The Locked Room:

​In the Gospel of John, we find the disciples huddling behind locked doors. They are paralysed by fear, weighed down by grief, and uncertain of what the future holds. Their world had changed completely, and they felt utterly ill-equipped to face it.

​How often do we find ourselves in that very same room? We lock the doors of our hearts out of fear of vulnerability, exhaustion, or the sheer unpredictability of life. We sit in the quiet, wondering how we can possibly muster the strength to keep going.

​The Breath of Peace:

​But Christ does not wait for us to unlock the door. He steps right through our barriers, stands in our midst, and says, "Peace be with you." He doesn’t offer a superficial peace that simply avoids conflict or pretends pain doesn't exist. It is a profound, grounding peace. And then, he does something extraordinary: He breathes on them. This is the divine breath of renewal, the same breath that hovered over the waters at creation and brought life out of dust. In teaching and pastoring, we often give so much of our own breath away to comfort, guide, and sustain others. Today, Pentecost reminds us that we must first receive the breath of the Spirit ourselves. We cannot pour from an empty cup.

​Sent Forth into the World:

​Once the disciples receive this breath, the atmosphere shifts completely. The locked room becomes a launching pad. The dynamic rush of wind and the tongues of fire in the Acts of the Apostles show us a Spirit that refuses to be contained.

​The Spirit does not erase our differences; it translates them so we can truly understand one another.

​The Spirit transforms our unique gifts—our varied ministries, wisdom, and acts of service—into one unified body.

​The Spirit moves us outward, compelling us to step beyond our comfort zones and carry love into a world that is aching for connection.

​Conclusion: A Gentle Presence

​The Holy Spirit is often symbolised by fierce wind and consuming fire, pushing us into bold new territories. Yet, the Spirit is equally present in the quietest, most tender moments of comfort. God knows exactly when we need the roaring flame to ignite our mission, and when we simply need a gentle, reassuring warmth to soothe our weariness.

​As you move forward into this season, may you feel that constant, comforting companionship enveloping you—a presence as close, soft, and fiercely loyal as a beloved creature curling up at your feet, resting against you with unconditional love and a comforting coat of fur.

​Closing Prayer:

​Let us pray:

​Divine Comforter, Breath of the Living God,
Enter the locked spaces of our hearts today. Where there is weariness, breathe your restorative peace; where there is grief, wrap us in your tender warmth; and where there is fear, ignite the flame of your courage.

​Fill us anew with your Holy Spirit, that we may step out into the world as vessels of your grace, instruments of your healing, and witnesses to your boundless love. Keep us ever mindful of your gentle, constant presence beside us.
​Amen.

=​Written by The Very Reverend Lady Sherwood OPI

05/22/2026

Lovest Thou Me?

​Today’s Gospel (John 21:15–19) brings us to the tender, charcoal-fire restoration of Peter on the shore of Tiberias. Three times Peter had denied his Lord by the warmth of a courtyard fire, and three times the risen Christ meets him in a similar setting to ask, "Simon, son of John, do you love me?"

​Jesus does not meet Peter’s past failure with condemnation, nor does he demand a lengthy explanation or a frantic apology. He simply asks for his heart.

​Grace in the Restoring:

​Healing the Wounds: Each "Yes, Lord" from Peter gently heals the sting of his threefold denial. Christ allows him to undo the past, not through punishment, but through a renewal of relationship.

​The Call to Action:

Notice that Jesus never lets love remain a mere sentiment. For every profession of love, there is an immediate pastoral mandate: "Feed my lambs," "Tend my sheep." Our affection for Christ is authenticated by our service to others.

​The Cost of Discipleship:

True love stretches out its hands. Jesus hints at the martyrdom Peter will eventually face, reminding us that following Him requires a willingness to be led where we might not naturally choose to go, trusting entirely in the One who walks ahead of us.

​"Lord, you know everything; you know I love you." — John 21:17

​As we stand on the threshold of Pentecost, waiting in prayerful anticipation with the early Church for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Jesus poses the very same question to us today. He looks past our recent shortcomings, our doubts, and our hidden regrets, and asks simply: "Do you love me?" If our answer is yes, then our task is clear. We are called to translate that love into action—to look after the vulnerable, offer comfort to the hurting, and follow Him without looking back.

​A Prayer for the Journey:

​O Lord Jesus Christ, who heals our brokenness and restores our souls, look mercifully upon our hearts today. You know our weaknesses, and You know our failures, yet You still choose to call us Your own.

​Grant us the grace to answer Your call with courage. Fill us with a love that seeks not its own comfort, but the good of Your flock. As we await the fire of Your Holy Spirit, strengthen us to feed Your lambs, to seek out the lost, and to follow You faithfully wherever You may lead.
​Amen.

=​Written by The Very Reverend Lady Sherwood OPI

05/21/2026

Consecrated in the Truth and Sent into the World.

​Homily

​In these final days of the Easter season, the liturgy draws us back into the profound intimacy of the Upper Room, inviting us to listen to Christ’s high priestly prayer. As we stand on the threshold of Pentecost, the words of Jesus in John’s Gospel carry an exceptional weight for all who are called to shepherd, counsel, and care for God’s people. He looks upon His disciples—and, by extension, upon us—and offers a petition that defines the very core of our calling: "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." He prays not that we should be taken out of the world, but that we should be protected from the evil one and consecrated for service.

​To be consecrated is to be set apart for a sacred purpose, claimed entirely by God. Yet, Christ makes it explicitly clear that this being "set apart" is never a call to isolation or spiritual elitism. We are not meant to retreat from the world’s complexities, its fractures, or its deep griefs. Instead, we are sent directly into the heart of it. Our consecration is the very thing that enables us to enter into the pain of others without being consumed by it. Whether through preaching, pastoral counselling, or the quiet grace of presence, our ministry demands that we encounter people exactly where they are, bearing witness to a hope that the world cannot manufacture.

​Jesus declares, "Your word is truth." In a culture where truth is often treated as subjective, shifting, or a weapon of division, anchoring our lives in the eternal Word provides the only stable foundation. It is this truth that sustains us when the weight of pastoral care feels overwhelming. It reminds us that we do not minister out of our own limited strength or flawed wisdom, but out of the limitless grace of the One who called us.
​As we wait in faithful anticipation for the fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we are challenged to let that Spirit permeate every corner of our hearts. The Spirit of Truth does not just inform our minds; it transforms our human efforts into conduits of divine healing. Let us go forth into this day fully reliant on that guide, ready to offer the comfort, mercy, and reconciliation that our broken world so desperately needs.

​Prayer:

​Let us pray:

​Almighty God, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ interceded for His disciples that they might be one and kept safe from the power of the enemy: Mercifully hear our prayers for Your Church and Your ministers. Consecrate us this day in Your truth, and deep-root Your word within our hearts so that it may bear abundant fruit.

​Fill us anew with the fire of the Holy Spirit, that we may boldly proclaim Your redeeming love and serve as authentic, compassionate instruments of Your pastoral grace. May Your presence comfort the lonely, bind up the broken-hearted, and guide our steps in the way of peace, until that day when all tears are wiped away and we are brought at last into the fullness of Your heavenly kingdom.
​Amen.

​Written by The Very Reverend lady Sherwood OPI

05/19/2026

Trusting in the Divine Guard.

​Wednesday of the seventh week of Easter brings us to the final moments of Christ’s earthly ministry. In the Gospel of John, Jesus lifts his eyes to heaven and prays for his disciples—not that they be taken out of the world, but that they be protected from the evil one.

​As we stand in this liminal space between Ascension and Pentecost, we are reminded that our calling is to live in the world without being of the world. Christ consecrates us in truth, sending us out as vessels of grace, mercy, and pastoral care to a world deeply in need of healing. We do not walk alone; we are held continuously in the protective love of the Father.

​Closing Prayer:

​Holy Father,
Keep us true to your name, that we may be one as you and the Son are one. Consecrate us in your truth, protect us from the shadows of this world, and fill our hearts with the full measure of your joy. Send us forth with courage to love and serve your people, wrapped always in your eternal grace.
​Amen.

=​Written by The Very Reverend Lady Sherwood OPI