Homiletics: Homily Helps

Published by National Catholic Reporter Publishing Company, Inc. One of the oldest homily services, Celebration includes features on liturgical and theological topics, planning resources, commentaries on the lectionary readings, youth preaching, music suggestions, sermon starters and sample homilies. Contributors to Celebration include many of the big names in liturgy. Published monthly. Daily Bread offers daily reflections for weekday homilies.

(Formerly Good News.) Published by Liturgical Publications Inc. Published monthly. Following the Catholic Lectionary, Connect! is a contemporary homily service which contains liturgical and scriptural backgrounds, homily reflections, quotes, historical references, prayers of the faithful, and bulletin inserts for Sundays, Holy days and major feasts. A bimonthly newsletter section includes thematic articles, conference listings, book reviews, and a chart of the daily readings. Subscribers to Connect! also receive Wednesday Morning Connection, a weekly e-mail that unites the scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday with the news of the week.

Editor: James Cormier. Published by MediaWorks. This publication includes stories, quotes, anecdotes and reflections that relate to the themes of each Sunday's readings (in both the Roman and common lectionaries). It is a newsletter with little exegesisso it might be a good supplementary service. This publication is available through the library in PRINT ONLY.

Published by CSS Publishing Company. There are several subscription plans available including their sermon suite. Web version has searchable archive of past sermons and illustrations. This Lutheran service, based on the Revised Common lectionary with Lutheran options includes columns on liturgical topics, lectionary sermon illustrations, sample homilies, children’s object lessons, worship ideas such as calls to worship and intercessory prayers. SermonSuite features eight different resources to support preaching and worship. Subscriptions can be placed for any of these individually or in combinations. (We do not subscribe to the Sermon Suite)

Published by Gold Label Preaching. Published monthly. A combination of Sunday homilies and Liturgy Aids. A theme is suggested for each Sunday based upon the readings. The publication consists of a model homily, very brief starter ideas about the readings, suggested introductory thoughts, penitential rites, general intercessions and closing thoughts. No credit is given to the authors of these suggestions. This publication is available through the library in PRINT ONLY.

Published quarterly by Communications Resources. Subscription includes online access with backfile of 10 years and PowerPoint Presentations. Each Sunday's material includes a theme, exegesis usually of the Gospel reading only, suggestions for bring the text to life, lots of illustrative material, a possible children's sermon, suggested calls to worship, prayers, benedictions, and hymns. There are also some cartoons scattered throughout. This journal is not located in the Homily Box. It can be found on the current periodical shelves in the library.

Published monthly by St. Anthony Messenger Press. For each Sunday this service includes exegesis of all three readings, a homily outline with suggested attention-getters, applications, and transitions to the liturgy of the Eucharist. The Lectern Guide is a supplement and includes introductions to the penitential rite and each reading, and general intercessions. One of the Athenaeum's Old Testament professors, Rev. Timothy Schehr, provides the Old Testament exegesis. This publication is available through the library in PRINT ONLY.

Published bi-monthly by American Ministry Resources. This periodical has features on preaching in general, four or five model sermons (not necessarily on the lectionary readings for the season), some cartoons, sermon illustrations, sermon briefs based upon the lectionary, the preacher's bookshelf containing book reviews of books of interest to preachers, children’s sermons and the editor's page.

Published online only by TrueQuest Publications. Includes a weekly exegetical reflection, Preaching the News Thursday update, weekday reflections, Pastoral Trends report, story starters, quotes, and sample homilies for funerals, feast days, holy days, and special occasions. Bonus: Access to all archives of: Prepare the Word: Complete preacher's toolkit!

Editor: William H. Willimon. Published quarterly by Logos Productions, Inc. Based upon the New Revised Common Lectionary, this service provides biblical interpretation, suggested sermon approaches and many illustrative materials. Each issue also includes a feature called "The five-minute Preaching workshop." Online access to Pulpit Resource archives and Children’s Sermon Index come with the subscription. This publication is available through the library in PRINT ONLY.

Published four times a year by Dominican Publications. The editorial board, advisory board and contributors are all well known Catholic biblical and liturgical scholars. Each issue includes a celebrant's guide for Sundays and festivals and a celebrant's guide for weekdays and saints' days. For each Sunday there are also commentaries and homily notes. Each issue also includes a biblical essay and a column entitled "Proclaiming the Word: a guide for readers." This publication is available through the library in PRINT ONLY.

Published bi-monthly by Voicings Publications. It offers a model sermon for each Sunday. The type is Large Print which may make it easier to read for the seeing impaired. This publication is available through the library in PRINT ONLY.

Published quarterly by Oregon Catholic Press. This quarterly magazine is a resource for pastoral musicians and those who prepare the Sunday liturgy. It contains liturgy worksheets and music suggestions for each Sunday and holy day, plus articles, samples of new music and practical hints from acknowledged experts like Elaine Rendler, Paul Covino, Tom Tomaszek, Alice Parker and Don Saliers. A Spanish version, Liturgia y Canción is also available on the current periodical shelves in the library. This publication is available through the library in PRINT ONLY.