Basilica of Saint Mary Podcast

Faith Matters is a weekly podcast for the Messenger newsletter of the Basilica School of Saint Mary, which gets distributed to Basilica School families. It features Father Edward Hathaway, the rector of the Basilica. In this week's episode, Fr. Hathaway wecomes school families back to school and shares two inspirational quotes. 
He also invites all school families whose children participate in CYO sports to be a part of "CYO Kick-Off Day." During the 8:30 a.m. Mass this Saturday, Aug. 29th, our CYO athletes and coaches will receive a special blessing from Father Hathaway as they prepare to compete, serve, and grow together during the upcoming CYO sports year. After the Mass, there will be a celebration at the Basilica School of Saint Mary, where you can meet other CYO families, connect with our program community, and enjoy a fun morning together as we kick off the year. Click here to find out more and to RSVP to attend the event at the school.

Father John Meyerhofer, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica, shares a homily during The Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on August 23, 2026.

Missionary priest Fr. Michael Boathene shares a homily during The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on August 16, 2026.



Our parish mission organization is the Archdiocese of Kumasi in Ghana (West Africa), which is involved in the work of evangelization through projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of their people. Their projects include the building and upgrading of rural health clinics, the care for street children and providing accessible, clean drinking water by building new wells and boreholes, especially on school grounds and rural communities.

Father James Searby, a Parochial Vicar at the Basilica, shares a homily during The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It was given in the Basilica on August 9, 2026.

The monthly series called "What Are the Sisters Reading?" continues with Sister Emily Beata Marsh, FSP, who shares about a book called "Saint Bernard's Three Course Banquet: Humility, Charity, and Contemplation in the De Gradibus"  by Father Bernard Bonowitz as he reflects on Saint Bernard of Clairvaux's short classic, "The Steps of Humility and Pride" (De gradibus humilitatis et superbiæ).
To check out more books on the Catholic faith and religious items of interest at the Pauline Books and Media Center at 1025 King Street in Alexandria, please click here.