An Interview on Hospitable Preaching with Monsignor Harahan

With more than half a century of preaching, and a former Rector/Dean at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST), Monsignor Robert E. Harahan, S.T.D. understands that the homily should be “creative, relational, liturgical, human and hospitable.” For Monsignor Harahan, preaching is a spiritual and ministerial undertaking. “Preaching makes you think more, pray more and get to know people better” he said. “It allows you to know the circumstances and situations where people are living better.” Further, hospitable preaching “make(s) every effort to speak to people in a loving, human and compassionate way.” 

Monsignor Harahan recalled his own time as a seminarian at ICSST, approximately 60 years ago, as he learned to write and deliver homilies. He remembered guidance given to him by his Homiletics professor, a Methodist minister, who encouraged students to prepare homilies a week in advance to allow their ideas to “germinate.” This advice stayed with Monsignor throughout his ministry. His professor also encouraged homilies to connect with the congregation and to reflect on the Scripture. Homilies are meant to touch our emotions; they are emotionally and spiritually moving. Monsignor Harahan wants his homilies to be a “thought provoker,” and desires for parishioners to think about his homily beyond their time at Mass. “When people are driving home, or having dinner, are they going to be able to say something about the homily?” he said.

Monsignor Harahan treasures his relationship with parishioners. He most recently served as the Pastor of St. Rose of Lima, in Short Hills, New Jersey, from 2019-2022. The faith of parishioners inspires his preaching ministry. He enjoys working with others who are committed to parish life and recalls several lay mission efforts, including food pantries and clothing drives. “People never stop doing great things,” he said. “People are very good!” 

God seeks us; He calls us to be together with Him in community. Monsignor Harahan reflected on a line from the Eucharistic Prayer, “Listen graciously to the prayers of the family, whom you have summoned before you.” God summons us all to be with Him at Mass. “The liturgy tells us we did not show up to Mass that Sunday; the Lord summoned us to Mass so that we could participate in the liturgical activity and listen to His Word in Scripture and be uplifted and challenged and spiritually fed.” 

The Preaching as Hospitality Formation program of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology seeks to form seminarians, diaconal students and religious and lay graduate students of theology to be compelling preachers who will offer a hospitality of the heart as they break open the Word of God. The initiatives help to form preachers who will understand and embrace preaching as hospitality — a ministry of inviting, welcoming and offering compassion. The program also focuses on newly ordained priests and deacons and newly appointed pastors (less than five years) who are invited to re-imagine their preaching through the lens of Christian hospitality.

To learn more about Wisdom Figures of Preaching, or ICSST’s Preaching as Hospitality Formation Program, please contact Alyssa Carolan at alyssa.carolan@shu.edu.

Categories: Faith and Service