Would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?

In this homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter, Fr Sam challenges us to take a long, honest look at our discipleship. Christianity is not a cultural label or comfort-zone lifestyle. It is radical, self-giving love...seen most clearly in the Cross.

Drawing from Christ’s command to love as He loved, and St Paul’s bold witness in Antioch, Fr Sam invites us to reject "comfort-zone Christianity" and embrace faith that transforms lives. He shares practical steps for making our faith convincing: through the Catechism, acts of service, and a life rooted in prayer.

This is a message for Catholics who are ready to live the Gospel not just with words, but with action. Because the world doesn’t any old Catholics. It needs witnesses!

So, ask yourself: Is your Christianity convincing?

Connect with Fr Sam: https://www.frsamfrench.com

What do mothers and priests have in common with Jesus the Good Shepherd

In this homily for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Fr Sam reflects on a beautiful convergence. It is both Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother’s Day, a chance to see how the self-giving love of Christ is mirrored in the vocations of motherhood and priesthood.

Drawing from John’s Gospel, Fr Sam unpacks what makes Jesus the Good Shepherd. It is not sentimentality or soft imagery, but the courageous love that lays down one’s life for others. That same love is visible in the quiet heroism of mothers who sacrifice for their children, and in priests who give their lives to serve the people of God.

This is a message about vocation, love, and the power of prayer. It is a call to see beyond the superficial and rediscover the deep beauty of lives lived for others. It is also a moment to give thanks for the new hope stirring in the Church, as more men respond to the call to serve as priests, and as families continue to raise children in faith and love.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, we honour the hearts that lay down their lives for the sake of others.

Thank God for good mothers. Pray for good priests. Follow the Good Shepherd.

Connect with Fr Sam: https://www.frsamfrench.com

Why do we stay in the Church when the failings of its leaders are so public and painful?

This week, Fr Sam reflects on the image of the boat in the Gospel of John. More than just a fishing vessel, it becomes a symbol of the Church itself. When the apostles try to fish on their own, they fail. But when they listen to the voice of Jesus, the net overflows. It is a powerful reminder that without Christ, the Church is empty. With Him, it is alive.

Fr Sam speaks candidly about the pain and disillusionment so many feel when the Church seems lost or broken. He shares his own experience of entering the priesthood in a time when trust in the Church was at its lowest. But he reminds us that we are not here because of the human leaders who sometimes falter. We are here because Jesus chose this boat. And when His voice is followed, the mission of salvation continues.

This homily is an invitation to see the Church not as an institution of control, but as the vessel Christ Himself steers. It is a call to remain faithful, to pray for our leaders, and to trust that God still works through the net of the Church to gather the world to Himself.

We stay in the boat not because it is perfect, but because Christ is in it

Connect with Fr Sam: https://www.frsamfrench.com

What if your doubts are not a barrier to faith but the doorway into it?

In this week’s homily, Fr Sam dives into the story of St Thomas and the human hunger for proof. In a world obsessed with photos and evidence, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking faith should work the same way. But Jesus invites us to something far greater.

Fr Sam shows how doubt is not the enemy of faith. It can be the soil where deep trust takes root. Drawing on his own experience of suffering and healing, he reflects on how the wounds we carry are not signs of defeat but places where Christ meets us most powerfully.

This is a message for anyone who has ever wrestled with hard questions or carried hidden hurts. Jesus is not afraid of your doubts. He is already present in them, offering His peace and His presence.

We do not need a photo to prove He is alive. We need the courage to reach out, encounter Him in the Word, the Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Confession, and discover that the Risen Christ is closer than we ever imagined.

My Lord and my God

Connect with Fr Sam: https://www.frsamfrench.com

What if the Resurrection isn’t just a matter of faith—but of fact?

In this Easter Sunday homily, Fr Sam puts the Resurrection on trial—not to cast doubt, but to show that our faith in the risen Christ is grounded in history, reason, and truth. Like a courtroom drama, he presents three compelling exhibits: ancient testimony, radical transformation, and the unexpected witness of women.

This isn’t just a celebration of Easter joy—it’s a challenge to think, to believe, and to respond.

Drawing from saints, scientists, and Scripture, Fr Sam dismantles the myth that faith and reason are at odds. He shows how the empty tomb is not only believable, but life-changing. If Christ is risen, then his every word carries eternal weight. Including this one: “Come, follow me.”

And that’s the invitation—offered to every heart this Easter. Come back to Confession. Receive the gift of the Eucharist. Say “yes” to the God who gave everything for you.

Because if Jesus really rose from the dead… nothing can stay the same.

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Connect with Fr Sam: ⁠https://www.frsamfrench.com

Ever been tempted to throw a stone—figuratively or literally? This Sunday, Jesus challenges us to drop it.

In this week’s homily, Fr Sam breaks open one of the most confronting Gospel stories: the woman caught in adultery. It’s a scene charged with tension—sin, shame, public judgment. But instead of condemning her, Jesus does something unexpected. He writes in the dirt. He defuses the crowd. He shows mercy.

Reflecting on a bronze statue from his seminary days—capturing the precise moment a Pharisee drops his stone and walks away—Fr Sam explores what it means to be people of both justice and mercy. He traces the thread of God’s relentless love from the Old Testament to the present, showing how divine mercy isn’t passive—it pursues us like a shepherd chasing his lost sheep.

This homily doesn’t soften sin—it names it. But it also reminds us that God’s mercy is always greater. That we’re called not just to receive it, but to extend it—even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.

Fr Sam weaves in a funny airport story with a surprise twist that flips our assumptions upside down—just like mercy does.

So here’s the invitation: if you’ve been hurt, misunderstood, or tempted to judge—drop the stone. Come to Confession. Receive mercy. And then pass it on.

Don’t hate the sinner—or the chips. Hate the sin.

Connect with Fr Sam: ⁠https://www.frsamfrench.com

Ever feel like you’re wandering through the desert spiritually? This Sunday is your foretaste of hope.

In this week’s homily, Fr Sam reflects on Laetare Sunday, the midpoint of Lent, where the Church invites us to rejoice—even in the midst of our Lenten sacrifices. Drawing from salvation history, he traces the journey from Abraham, to Moses, to Joshua leading God’s people into the Promised Land. Just like the Israelites tasted the first fruits of that land, we’re given a glimpse of the joy of Easter—a taste of heaven.

At the heart of this Sunday’s readings is the story of the Prodigal Son. Fr Sam unpacks how this powerful parable isn’t just about a wayward son—it’s about all of us. Whether we relate to the son who wandered or the brother who stayed, the message is the same: the Father’s mercy is greater than our sin. And His love runs to meet us, even when we’re still far off.

Fr Sam shares how this parable connects with confession, forgiveness, and the Christian call to community. He offers a simple invitation: if you’ve been away, come home. Come to Confession. Experience the mercy of God and start again.

This Lent, don’t just wander—come back to the Father. He’s already on His way to meet you.

Connect with Fr Sam: ⁠https://www.frsamfrench.com

Do you ever wonder if it's worth the effort to climb the mountain toward God? We've all heard the story of Jesus' Transfiguration—but do we really grasp what it means for our lives today?In this week's homily, Fr Sam unpacks the mystery of the Transfiguration, drawing wisdom from one of his favourite saints and theologians, Saint Thomas Aquinas. Jesus revealed His glory on the mountain not just as a spectacular moment, but as a signpost pointing us toward our ultimate destination: heaven. Life's journey is filled with crosses—struggles, doubts, disappointments—but Jesus shows us the glory ahead to give us hope.Fr Sam shares a personal experience from his seminary days, a "mountaintop encounter" with Jesus in Scripture that strengthened his faith and carried him through challenges. Lent invites each of us to climb that mountain, to meet Jesus as He truly is. It won't always be easy—but Fr Sam offers a practical, simple way to start: 5-10 minutes of daily Bible reading, stacked onto an existing habit you never skip.Ready to begin your climb? Encounter Jesus this Lent—He's already waiting for you at the top.Connect with Fr Sam: ⁠https://linktr.ee/frsamfrench