Preaching with Sciences

Welcome!

Welcome to the Preaching with the Sciences homily outline library featuring the first fruits of an extraordinary initiative, made possible by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.

This free online resource featuring 110+ homily outlines and growing, provides ideas for key Sundays and feast days across the 3-year lectionary cycle. These homily outlines highlight some of the ways sciences and the contemporary search for religious meaning can interface.  In a special way, they are intended to help shape a scientifically informed religious imagination among established and emerging preachers.  Fresh contributions are always welcome.  See the ‘Submit a Homily Outline’ button below.

The Preaching with the Sciences initiative is directed by Edward Foley, Capuchin, Duns Scotus Professor Emeritus of Spirituality at CTU and Founding Director of the Ecumenical Doctor of Ministry Program.

Featured Homily Outlines

26th Sunday of the Year B

By Ann Garrido, Sep 29, 2024 Lectionary 137: Num 11:25-29 Ps 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14 Jas 5:1-6 Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48...

28th Sunday of the Year B

By Gerald Liu, Oct 13, 2024 Lectionary 143: Wis 7:7-11 Ps 90:12-13, 14-15, 16-17 Heb 4:12-13 Mark 10:17-30        ...

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Matthew S. O’Donnell, Oct, 20 2024 Lectionary 146: Isa 53:10-11 [Through his suffering, the servant of the Lord will justify many] Ps...

Find a Homily Outline

Submit a Homily Outline

Guidelines for submitting an outline for publication with the Preaching with the Sciences Project

Since preaching is a contextual event that requires homilists to craft materials in ways appropriate to their particular contexts, this project does not present finished homilies. Rather, the goal is to provide an outline that sparks a homilist’s imagination by engaging the sciences and allied STEM fields, juxtaposed by specific readings, liturgical texts, feasts and seasons. This allows local preachers to shape these outlines in ways appropriate for reception by their local communities.

 

Consequently, contributors to this project should submit bullet point outlines that:

  • – are between 750 and 1000 words
  • – begin by listing the readings of the day, including the designated Roman Catholic lectionary number, and a hyperlink to them in the USCCB website
  • – note possible preaching themes appropriate for the Sunday or feast (at least 2, no more than 4)
  • – supply open access scientific sources (at least 3 for each possible preaching theme) which could effectively be juxtaposed with the texts and seasonal context of the Sunday or feast. These resources should appear prominently in the outline.
  • – choose one theme and its scientific resources and provide a homiletic outline on that theme and its resources. Outline should comprise at least 50% of the submission.
  • – provide 3-5 suggested tags for the submission
  • – describe 2-3 suggested visuals to accompany the homily outline.

 

Contributors should also provide a short bio (maximum of 100 words), or a link to their website or other online presence.

Preaching with Sciences

Edward Foley, Capuchin
Duns Scotus Professor Emeritus of Spirituality
Professor of Liturgy and Music (retired)
Catholic Theological Union
Vice-Postulator, Cause of Blessed Solanus