Fr. Steve Gira, member of the Congregation of the Resurrection, was a beloved Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Church from July 2003 until his death from cancer on Dec. 6, 2010. From our pastor, Fr. Carl Scherrer:

Father Steve was beloved by all the parish for his kindness, gentleness and generosity,” Msgr. Carl Scherrer, pastor at Immaculate Conception, said. “But he was best known for his love of the sacred Scriptures and his magnificent preaching. His homilies were insightful, engaging and filled with creative imagery, and always Scripture centered. All our visitors, including my sisters, always commented to me about how terrific his homilies were. From a personal perspective, I believe I’m a better person, priest, pastor and preacher because of my seven and a half years of ministry with Father Steve. Both in living and in dying he truly taught us all what it means to be a Resurrectionist!

Fr. Steve had a key role in making these podcasts a reality. After forwarding him an article from CNN about “Godcasts,” he asked me whether this was something we could do.  I suggested recording the homilies, and shortly afterwards, the Immaculate Conception Church podcast was born.

The following are MP3 files of Fr. Steve’s homilies from Immaculate Conception that were recorded for this podcast. 

May 4, 2008
May 11, 2008
May 25, 2008
June 8, 2008
June 29, 2008
July 6, 2008
July 13, 2008
August 24, 2008
August 31, 2008
September 21, 2008
October 12, 2008
October 19, 2008
November 23, 2008
December 7, 2008
Christmas Day, 2008
January 4, 2009
January 11, 2009
Fr. Carl announces Fr. Steve’s condition to the congregation on January 18, 2009
October 25, 2009
November 22, 2009
January 31, 2010
September 26, 2010
November 7, 2010

Fr. Carl Scherrer’s homily from Dec. 5, 2010, the day before Fr. Steve died.

The Resurrectionist Prayer

O Risen Lord, the Way the Truth and the Life,
make us faithful followers of the spirit of your Resurrection.
Grant that we may be inwardly renewed, dying to ourselves
in order that you may live in us.
May our lives serve as signs of the transforming power of
your love.  Use us as your instruments for the renewal
of society, bringing your life and love to all and leading
them to your church.
This we ask of you, Lord Jesus, living and reigning
with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God Forever.  Amen