How to Make Homilies Better, Briefer and Bolder: Tips from a Master Homilist Book

Preface   Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan     7
Introduction   Rev. Alfred McBride, O.Praem.     9
Let God's Word Own You: The secret of St. Augustine's preaching     13
Call People to Faith: The preacher: St. John Chrysostom     19
Begin with a Story: St. Ambrose dramatizes Scripture     25
Study the Bible: Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ: St. Jerome     31
Preach Christ: St. Leo the Great: defender of the Incarnation     37
Welcome the New Evangelization: St. Gregory the Great: creating Christian Europe     43
Say the Idea - Speak a Picture: St. Thomas Aquinas: the marriage of reason and faith     49
Preaching about the Saints: St. Catherine of Siena...she changed the mind of a pope     55
Marian Homilies: St. Bernard of Clairvaux     61
Preaching Should Be a Prayer, Not a Performance: St. Teresa of Avila - a Doctor of Prayer     67
Humor in Homilies?: St. Philip Neri: God's clown became the Apostle of Rome     73
Wedding Homilies: St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton     79
Funeral Homilies: St. Paul the Apostle     85
Some Preaching Lessons from Cardinal Newman     91
Children's Homilies: St. Therese of Lisieux: her "little way" of spiritual childhood     97
Baptism Homilies: St.John the Baptist     103
Advent Homilies: Isaiah: prophet of the Advent     109
Christmas Homilies: St. Norbert: began his Order on Christmas Day     115
How to Deliver a Homily: St. Francis de Sales: under the radar     121
Lenten Homilies: Sr. Thea Bowman, F.S.P.A.: she lived the mystery of the Cross     127
Preaching Easter: Cardinal Joseph Bernardin: he witnessed the Risen Lord     133
Pentecost: Preaching the Holy Spirit: Pope John Paul II: Be not afraid - overcoming fear of preaching     139
Remote Preparation for Homilies: How God prepared St. Paul to preach     145
How to Talk: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen     151
Homily Resources     157