Brunswick Monogrammist / Public domain

To be disregarded or despised is a painful experience for us human beings. Have you considered that God, in creating free persons, opened himself to being despised and disregarded? From the beginning, he opened himself to the possibility of being despised and disregarded. The Cross is God’s answer to this. It comes down to this: will let him love us? Will we accept his gift or spurn it? He loves you. Will you disregard him, despise him, or will you receive him and be saved?

Your Holy Family | The Mission of the Family – To Educate, Empower, and Evangelize | Feast of the Epiphany – Luke 10:41

This homily is the final reflection in a three-part Christmas–Epiphany series on the family. Celebrated on the Feast of the Epiphany and preached by Fr. Will Rooney, it focuses on the mission of the family as God’s chosen instrument for making Christ known to the world. Reflecting on the visit of the Magi, this homily highlights how Jesus chose to manifest Himself not in power or prestige, but within the simplicity of the Holy Family. Their encounter with Christ changes them—and reveals a lasting truth: God continues to evangelize the world through families who welcome Him into their homes. Every family, despite its imperfections, is called to become an epiphany—a visible manifestation of Christ’s light that draws others to Him. Fr. Will explores how families live this mission concretely by first being evangelized themselves, by forming communities of prayer and sacrificial love, and by allowing the grace of Christ to shape daily life. Through small, faithful practices—praying together, blessing the home, building relationships with neighbors—families become domestic churches where Christ’s light shines outward to the world. This final homily completes the series by uniting the roles of fatherhood and motherhood with their shared purpose: to educate, empower, and evangelize, so that every nation may come to adore the Lord.
  1. Your Holy Family | The Mission of the Family – To Educate, Empower, and Evangelize | Feast of the Epiphany
  2. Your Holy Family | Motherhood – To Receive, Reflect, and Respond | Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
  3. Your Holy Family | Fatherhood – To Protect and Provide | Feast of the Holy Family
  4. Healing Divisions; Bringing Communion | Homily for Pentecost Sunday 2024| Fr. Will Rooney
  5. No one can steal your joy. | Homily for 8th Grade Graduation Mass 2024 | Fr. Will Rooney

Published by Fr. Will Rooney

Fr. Will Rooney was baptized at St. Anthony’s Parish in Bryan, TX where his parents had been married. He has two younger brothers, David and Travis. Will received his First Communion at St. Anthony’s and around that time began to think about becoming a priest. Will was confirmed at St. Thomas Aquinas in May 2006. During high school, he actively participated in the parish youth group and was involved in robotics competitions. He and his brothers also raised poultry for 4-H and FFA projects. Upon graduation from A&M Consolidated High School in 2009, Will studied Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University. While at A&M, he worked as a Middle School youth minister and felt a growing desire toward the priesthood. In his senior year at A&M, he decided to apply for seminary, was accepted, and began attending Holy Trinity Seminary for pre-theology after he graduated. Two years later, Will was sent to St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston for theological studies. He served his pastoral year at St. Louis, King of France, Catholic Church and School in Austin (2017-2018). He was ordained to the Diaconate May 18, 2019, and served his deacon year at Our Lady of the Visitation in Lockhart, TX. He was ordained to the priesthood June 27, 2020 currently ministers at St. Mary Cathedral in Austin.

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  1. Good morning Father Will. I appreciate your homilies very much. You continue to educate me on God’s word. Thank you and God bless you. Oliver says hello.

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