Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP

Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP, S.T.D., is senior director, theology and sponsorship at the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA). He counsels and assists sponsors and members of Catholic healthcare organizations in carrying out their canonical responsibilities for the health ministry of the Catholic Church and provides guidance for CEOs and boards regarding the distinctive roles of sponsorship and governance. He also works with Church leaders and bishops at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and at the Holy See on a range of issues involving health care, social justice, public policy and the Church.

Videos

The Third Sunday of Advent

Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP opens up the readings for us for the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete ("Rejoice") Sunday. In the readings we are challenged to see the coming of our saviour and rejoice in that knowledge, and to ask "what must I do to help bring this great thing about?"

Readings: Zephaniah 3:14–18a; Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:10–18

13 Dec • Look deeper, for the effectiveness of the Gospel message

Jesus tells us that wisdom is vindicated by its works. We need to judge what is true not by what sounds good, but what this teaching or this person accomplishes for us and for others.

12 Dec • God dwells within each of us

On this Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we celebrate the fact that God now dwells within each one of us. This givest the dignity of every human life, ourselves and others, and we are called to respect that dignity with our actions.

10 Nov • Every good deed matters

Today we hear of the woman who gave two small coins for poor, which was everything she had. Jesus noticed her generosity and pointed it out to others. Perhaps he was even moved to be more generous himself. So let us together do all we can, encouraging one another to be more generous.

9 Nov • We are temples of God

Today we celebrate the oldest church in Christianity, the Basilica of St. John Lateran. But our readings remind us that however important buildings are, when Jesus walked the earth he was God's temple. Now it is we, the baptised, who are God's true temples, called to be living stones, active in the world.

The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP unpacks the readings for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time during this election season. As Jesus asks James and John if they can drink from the that he drinks from, we are asked the same question—can we drink from the cup of compassion, having compassion for sinners as Jesus did? Can we drink from the cup of solidarity with immigrants and the poor? Can we drink from the cup of justice and truth, acknowledging that the deeper truth and the fuller justice lies far beyond simple black and white characterizations.

Readings: Isaiah 53:10–11; Hebrews 4:14–16; Mark 10:35–45