It depends on the church, the priest, the day, the readings, etc.
http://www.enotes.com/literary-terms/homily this should help :]
A synonym for sermon is "lecture" or "homily."
it
On weekday masses a homily is highly encouraged but not mandatory. Thus a priest may lawfully choose not to preach on a weekday mass. However, on Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation a priest is never permitted to omit the homily. A priest may choose to give a short homily, but it is never permissible to omit the homily.
anomaly
A papal homily usually refers to a sermon that a pope gives on a topic that relates to Scripture.
The priest delivered a heartfelt homily during the Sunday church service, urging the congregation to show compassion and kindness to others.
Yes, cardinals do all the normal roles of clergy, and that would include preaching a homily.
pompananny
sermA3n
The purpose of a homily is to reinforce the message provided in a scripture. Once the scripture is read the homily is used to provide details and examples based on the scripture reading. It allows the congregation to obtain more meaning from the scripture
The readings end with the Gospel, which is followed immediately by the Homily. Right after the Homily the priest and congregation renew their faith by reciting the Nicene Creed (at most Sunday Masses and Solemnities). On a weekday that is not a Solemnity (major feast) the homily would be followed by the Intercessions.