Homily for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (Year A - 12/28/2025)

Good afternoon, and a blessed Christmas season to everyone! Some of us are still on Christmas vacation; however, if you are like me, many of us return to work tomorrow. In other words, for many families, life returns to normal after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season with all its travels, festivities, and family and social gatherings. We see this happening in today’s Gospel. The shepherds returned to their flocks, “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20), and “the magi had departed” “for their country by another way” (Matthew 2:12). After all the excitement surrounding the birth of our Lord and Savior, the Holy Family found themselves alone as a family once again on that silent night. And yet, it is precisely in this quiet intimate relationship of father, mother, and child that makes family life so sacred and enduring. It is in the family that faith is nurtured, hope springs eternal, and love is unconditional through the mutual self-giving of each family member. And the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph is our model par excellence.

Joseph shows us what sacrificial love is when he embraces his responsibility as the provider and protector of Mary and Jesus. Moreover, as a man of faith, he knows that he does not shoulder this burden alone but with the grace of God. It is as we heard proclaimed in today’s Gospel: “[The] angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.’ Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt.” And then again, “[when] Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.’ He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel.” This is important for all husbands, fathers, and men to remember: it was precisely because Joseph was “afraid” that with humility, he trusted God and entrusted himself and his family to God’s love, mercy, wisdom, and grace.

 

Mary, knowing that Joseph, her betrothed, was a righteous man of faith, trusted him and entrusted her heart to him. She was “subordinate” to Joseph not because he was an oppressive, controlling husband but because she knew that he loved her and desired the best for her. Recall that when “Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit, Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. . . Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and. . . [when] Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home” (Matthew 1:18-24). Once again, this is important for all husbands, fathers, and men to remember: “love your wives. . .” All wives are like Mary, who kept things in her heart, pondering what they all mean for her family. As husbands, we are called to protect our wife not only from physical harm but also from mental exhaustion, emotional numbness, and spiritual emptiness by being men of prayer and allowing the “peace of Christ control [our] hearts,” the hearts of our family.

Jesus, “though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance” (Philippians 2:6-8). As a child, Jesus was “obedient” to his parents, Mary and Joseph, and obeyed them in everything (Luke 2:51) because this was pleasing to his Father in heaven (Colossians 3:12-21). It was in the family of Mary and Joseph that “Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man” (Luke 2:52). Like Jesus when he was a child, it is in the family that children are encouraged to become the best versions of themselves, to become who God intended them to be because “the love of a family is where you get to be your worst self. . . alongside your best self and still know love” (David J. Laughlin, 11/27/2025). From their father and mother, children learn “heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, and patience,” and forgiveness. Most of all, children learn to be thankful, to have hearts filled with gratitude to God for the many blessings in their lives, especially the blessing of their family. And so to all children, look to the child Jesus as your role model and obey your parents, trust in their wisdom and judgment, and know that they love you and desire what is best for you.

As a deacon, I am privileged with opportunities to journey with you all - the faithful people of God, my sisters and brothers in Christ through the Holy Spirit - as you face the joys and difficulties of family life. During this Advent season, I ministered to a young wife who was devastated by her husband's infidelity. I presided over the Rite of Committal and Commendation of a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, who passed away after her courageous battle with cancer. I shared in the joy of families preparing for the Baptism of their children. I rejoice with young couples who shared their first Christmas together as husband and wife. I prayed with families who have loved ones who are ill and with men who are facing the prospect of unemployment and the stress of how to provide for their families. I witness parents encouraging their children not to be afraid to come talk to them about anything that is weighing on their minds so that they can unburden their young hearts. In the Holy Family, as we heard in today’s Gospel, we see how quickly the circumstances and situations of our lives can change in an instant, from joy to sorrow, from peace to chaos. Through it all, though, in the same way that Jesus was with Mary and Joseph, during their perilous journey to Egypt and, then later, their return to Israel, God is with us.

My sisters and brothers in Christ, this is the human condition and the reality of family life and, yet, the God of the universe, the Lord of lords, and the King of kings, in his mercy, lovingly enters into the human family to sanctify family life. God comes to us in the family of Nazareth to show us how to love one another as the Father loves us. Families are a communion of love, like the communion of love of the Holy Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and the communion of love of the Holy Family of Nazareth - Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. “Let us therefore ask our Father in Heaven, through the intercession of Mary and Saint Joseph, to bless our families and all families throughout the world, so that by following the model of his Son made man, [families] may be for all an efficacious sign of his presence and his endless charity” (Pope Leo XIV, Angelus, 12/28, 2025), as we pray this Consecration to the Holy Family together as a family.

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122825.cfm

Homily for Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent (Year A - 12/22/2025)

In today’s Gospel, we hear how the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Mother, magnifies our Lord and our God, saying:  “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior. for he has looked upon his lowly servant.” Saint Ambrose once wrote: “Let Mary’s soul be in each of [us] to proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Let her spirit be in each to rejoice in the Lord. Christ has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ in faith. . .”

With her Magnificat, Mother Mary shows us that peace, hope, joy, and love are possible, even in the midst of the busyness and challenges of life, when we keep our focus on Jesus and keep Christ at the center of our family life. In other words, our soul magnifies the greatness of the Lord when we strive for holiness in our life, to live life in a way that we can one day become saints, because what is a saint but a sinner who continually strives for holiness? Again, Saint Ambrose wrote: “The Lord is magnified, not because the human voice can add anything to God but because he is magnified within us. Christ is the image of God, and if the soul does what is right and holy, it magnifies that image of God, in whose likeness it was created and, in magnifying the image of God, the soul has a share in its greatness and is exalted.”

Through Baptism, we are cleansed of Original Sin and called to a life of holiness. Just listen to these prayers for the Order of Baptism. When we receive the white garment: “you have become a new creation and have clothed yourselves in Christ. May this white garment be a sign to you of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring it unstained into eternal life.” And when we receive the lighted candle: “this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly, so that your child, enlightened by Christ, may walk always as a child of the light and, persevering in the faith, may run to meet the Lord when he comes with all the Saints in the heavenly court.”

My sisters and brothers in Christ, my hope and prayer for all of us is that as we prepare for family gatherings and as exchange presents with our loved ones and friends, on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, that we always remember that our heavenly Father, because He loves us, gave us the greatest gift we could ever receive. From the Gospel of Matthew: “‘She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” And receiving this great gift in faith, may our soul proclaim the greatest of the Lord and may our spirit rejoice in God our Savior by living a life of holiness.

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122225.cfm

Homily for Monday of the Third Week of Advent (Year A - 12/15/2025)

Yesterday, we celebrated the Third Sunday of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday, in which the Church reminds us to “Rejoice in the Lord always. . . rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.” For many of us, we have reasons to rejoice: festive family gatherings, Christmas bonuses, the end of the fall semester, etc. However, for some of us, we struggle to get out of bed every morning, much less have a reason to rejoice. Perhaps it is our first Christmas after we lost a loved one this past year. Perhaps we are unemployed and are anxious about what the future holds for our family.

Whether we are able to rejoice or not, as people of faith, we always have a reason to rejoice: our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our faith gives us a reason to hope because we believe in a God who is love and who loves us. Our faith, through prayer and the sacraments (especially, the Eucharist and Reconciliation), compels us to trust in God and entrust our lives to the authority of Jesus. This is what Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel. The people believed that John the Baptist was a prophet, which means that his authority comes from God. Well, by faith, we know with certitude from where Jesus’ authority comes from. Recall this exchange between Jesus and Peter from the Gospel of Matthew: [Jesus] asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (16:13-16).

My sisters and brothers in Christ, if you have reasons to rejoice, then give God praise and glory. However, if you are struggling to find a reason to rejoice, then be encouraged by these words of Pope Saint John Paul II and have a reason to rejoice. Saint John Paul II once said: “We do not pretend that life is all beauty. We are aware of darkness and sin, of poverty and pain. But we know Jesus has conquered sin and passed through his own pain to the glory of the Resurrection. And we live in the light of his Paschal Mystery — the mystery of his Death and Resurrection. ‘We are an Easter People and Alleluia is our song!’ We are not looking for a shallow joy but rather a joy that comes from faith, that grows through unselfish love, that respects the ‘fundamental duty of love of neighbor, without which it would be unbecoming to speak of Joy’” (Sunday Angelus on Nov. 30, 1986).

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121525.cfm

Reflecting on the KC Texas State Council Mid-Year Meeting (12/5-7/2025)

I attended my second Texas State Council Mid-Year Meeting, as the Assistant to the State Chaplain (Bishop Michael Mulvey, Diocese of Corpus Christi), this past weekend (December 5-7, 2025) at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi, TX. It was the site of this year's State Convention back in April, although, as you can see from the picture below, it was much more festive!

I took the Friday off and, after running some errands in the morning, we drove straight to Corpus Christi by way of 130, I-10, and I-37. It was a relaxing drive with no traffic and "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" audiobook keeping me awake during the 3-hour road trip. After we checked in at the Omni and registered, we carpooled to the State Deputy's Reception, Dinner, and DD (District Deputy) Training Session, hosted by brother Knights from Msgr. John J. Lannon Council 4157.

When we arrived at the Parish Hall, we had every intention to sit with the group that we carpooled with. We were catching up with Bishop Mulvey when the emcee called us together to get the dinner and program started. As we were about to return to our table, the State Deputy, Ron Alonzo, asked us where we are going and pointed to the two seats at their table that were reserved for us. We got to enjoy dinner with Bishop Mulvey, State Deputy Ron and his wife, Margo, and James Caffrey (Territorial Growth Director). The meal was delicious and the conversations were fantastic! We also gave Bishop Mulvey a Tiny Saints of Pope Leo XIV for his retirement. 

I am glad we carpooled because the hotel parking garage was packed and their overflow parking lot was packed. Guests had to part in the empty field across the street from the hotel. There were several company Christmas parties happening at the hotel Friday evening. I am grateful to my brother Knight for driving and letting us carpool. Thank you, Mike! It was so funny to hear him and Diocesan Deputy, Victor M., banter in the car. We closed the night out at the hotel bar with drinks and fellowship with our brother Knights and wives.

We started Saturday with the Holy Rosary, led by Gregory Brown and his Faith Formation & Evangelization committee. After remarks from our State Deputy and the First Lady, we went to our breakout sessions. I stuck with our Diocesan Deputy and District Deputies from the Austin area. I found the breakout sessions to be informative and well done so kudos to the presenters! During lunch, we watched a heart-warming video about the Wheelchair Program that has brought so much hope to those in need of wheelchairs for mobility, especially young children.

September 6, 2016 - The KofC Council 10333 & Assembly 3533 - from St Albert The Great Catholic Church - donated wheelchairs to Dell Children's Hospital. Bishop Vasquez blessed the wheelchairs this morning. The wheelchairs will benefit so many children in need. #misericordia #charity #KC10333 Special thanks to Steve Gottner for making this possible. And many thanks to the parishioners at St. Albert the Great.

[From left to right: Steve G., Hogan, Phúc, John F., Homer E., Fr. Matt, Eugene Schubeck Jr., Bishop Vasquez, John Ingram, Andy Rainosek, and George Koehler] 

Our State Chaplain celebrated Mass and led us in a Holy Hour. Bishop Mulvey gave a beautiful homily on the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120725.cfm). In reflecting on the Gospel about John the Baptist, Bishop Mulvey talked about repentance, humility, and sacrifice. As I listened to Bishop Mulvey, I thought about how important it is for family members to forgive one another so that Jesus can free them from the bonds of resentment so that we can love one another as God loves us. I also reflected on the virtue of humility and am reminded that I am a deacon of the Catholic Church not for the diaconate but for love of God and his people. Lastly, I reflected on sacrifice and how when I choose to do something, I choose not to do something else because we cannot do everything. Sometimes, the sacrifice we make to build up the kingdom of God on earth can burden us but then we reflect on Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross for our salvation and our sacrifices, united with Christ's suffering and death on the Cross, have meaning and purpose. And so we yoke ourselves to Christ and he bears the burden for us (Matthew 11:28-30).

Not only did I get to serve with our State Chaplain, but also with Fr. Mark and Deacon Frankie, both of whom are District Deputies. Fr. Peter Elizardo was also present to serve as emcee and we were blessed to follow his lead. I cannot thank our Liturgy family, the Tydings, for setting up for Mass and Holy Hour. Last, but definitely not least, I am blessed to have my wife there doing what she does best - serve at the Mass in any way that she can.

After Mass and Holy Hour, I had the blessed opportunity to do the invocation for the banquet. Here is what I shared and prayed:

Merciful and loving Father, as we prepare our hearts to receive the gift of our Son this Advent season, we humbly invoke Your blessings over the Texas State Council of the Knights of Columbus.

Pour forth your blessing upon our State Chaplain, Bishop Mulvey, and  Fr. Chen, our Associate State Chaplain. In a special way, we give you praise and gratitude for the gift of your servant, Bishop Mulvey, who has served your local Church and faithful people all these years with love, compassion, and humility, and a heart after the Sacred Heart of the Good Shepherd. Blessed him in his retirement, may he enjoy many new adventures in the years to come, all of them pleasing to you.

Lord, we ask for your blessing upon our State Deputy, Ron Alonzo, and his wife, Margo, and all the State officers, their staff, and all of us here and our families. May we be instruments of your hope, peace, joy, and love in our families and parishes, because in Texas, we follow Christ!

Lord, as we prepare to enjoy this meal, help us to be mindful of those who do not know when their next meal may be. Bless the food that we are about to receive and the hands that prepared them as we pray. . .

Blessed us, O Lord, + and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord. 

Blessed Michael J. McGivney. . . R: Pray for us. +

We heard from Supreme Director, Alfredo V., who is also a Past State Deputy, who encouraged us to go forth from the Mid-Year Meeting and grow the Order, not for the sake of membership but to bring men to an encounter with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, through the Knights of Columbus.

In his keynote remarks at the banquet, Bishop Mulvey talked about the three pillars of the Order - Charity, Unity, and Fraternity. He reflected on how our charity should reflect the love of God; how our unity as brother Knights should reflect the communion of the Trinity - Three Persons, God; and how our fraternity should reflect the communion of love that Jesus commands of us - to love God and love our neighbors. Without love, we labor in vain because God is love.

On Sunday morning, we wrapped up the Mid-Year Meeting with the presentation of the Silver Rose. These brother Knights on Bikes are taking the Silver Roses to Laredo for a special ceremony at the Mexico-Texas border. Before we ended our time at the Mid-Year Meeting, it has become tradition for us to take a selfie with Bishop Mulvey. I was so happy to hear that taking a selfie with us is one of the things that he will miss after our terms as State Chaplain and Assistant to the State Chaplain ends.

One the drive home, GPS took us through Lockhart, Texas so, of course, we has to stop at The Original Black's BBQ for a late lunch. It was a true blessing to be with my brother Knights and their wives that the Mid-Year Meeting. I look forward to seeing them again at the State Convention in Dallas, Texas, in April 2026.

Finally, as the Faith Formation & Evangelization coordinator for the Diocese of Austin, I would be remiss if I did not share these blogs that I wrote on Cor. I am sure there are others but there are the ones that I was able to find readily in my Blog:

"7 Things & Cor - A Report of the Spiritual Director  (8/28/2023)"

https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2023/08/7-things-cor-report-of-spiritual.html 

"Cor: A Knights of Columbus Initiative (Part 1)"

https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2023/09/cor-knights-of-columbus-initiative-part.html

"Cor - Leadership (2/22/2024)"

https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/02/cor-leadership-2222024.html

"Reclaiming Faithful Fatherhood" Initiative (inspired by Cor) (UPDATED 6/2/2025)"

https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/05/reclaiming-faithful-fatherhood.html

Homily for Monday of the First Week of Advent (Year A - 12/1/2025)

Benjamin Franklin once said, “The only guarantees in life are death and taxes.” However, as we just heard proclaimed in the Gospel, there is an even more perfect guarantee in life and that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ’s authority of sin and death and His love and mercy for us.

Many years ago, before my conversion to Catholicism and homecoming to Rome, I found myself in a similar situation like the centurion in today’s Gospel. Someone dear to me was very ill and I was at a loss as to what to do or say to bring comfort to myself and my family but, more importantly, healing for our loved one. Yet, even though I was not a Christian at that time, like the centurion, I felt in my heart that I could trust the person Jesus Christ. And so, in my own expression of faith, I asked Jesus to heal my dear one and promised that if he did, I would give my life over to him. Jesus brought healing to my family member, which unburdened the hearts of my other family members, who were concerned for our beloved one, and the rest, as they say, is history because I stand before you today as a Catholic deacon.

My sisters and brothers in Christ, Advent is a penitential season, a time for us to take stock (if you will) of our spiritual and prayer life, to reconcile ourselves with God and with our loved ones through the power of mercy and forgiveness and, more importantly, to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ. It takes courage for us to approach Jesus, to seek out his love, mercy, and forgiveness.. However, when we do go to him with humble and contrite hearts, we will find that he is ready and willing to come to us, bring us healing, make us whole again, and restore or renew our relationship with him and even with those we love. 

It truly takes humility on our part to approach our Lord and appeal to him for help, the same humility that moves us to respond to the priest, who says “Behold the Lamb of God. Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb” with the humble words of the centurion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” However, we have a perfect model of humility in our Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who not only humbled himself to share in our humanity, as a child born of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but He also comes to us in the Eucharist - Bread and Wine - so that we may share in his divinity.

And so, my sisters and brothers in Christ, may we be like the Blessed Virgin Mary and keep these things, reflecting on them in our hearts (Luke 2:19) this Advent season as we prepare ourselves for Christmas because “God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120125.cfm

Homily for the First Sunday of Advent (Year A - 11/30/2025)

At the National Catholic Youth Conference a week ago, Pope Leo XIV appeared on video conference to share words of hope and encouragement with the Catholic youth in America, including several members of our Ignite Youth Group here at St. Albert the Great. and answer their questions. One of the things that struck me in the Holy Father’s message to the youth was when he said to them: “You are not only the future of the Church, you are the present! Your voices, your ideas, your faith matter right now, and the Church needs you, the Church needs what you have been given to share with all of us.” The Pope encouraged them to attend Sunday Mass, be active participants in the life of their parishes, to engage each other and help one another grow in their Catholic faith through youth group activities.

My sisters and brothers in Christ, while the Holy Father may have addressed the youth in attendance at the conference, his message is universal. It was not meant for them only but for the rest of us as well. Pope Leo XIV’s message echoes that of Saint Paul to the Romans, in today’s second reading, when Saint Paul wrote: “. . .it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.” Even more than that, it echoes our Lord Jesus Christ’s message in today’s Gospel to “stay awake! . . you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. . . [because] our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”

Jesus tells us this himself when he said: "All that you see here–the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down" (Luke 21:5-11). And again, when Christ cleansed the temple and said “‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews said, ‘This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?’ But he was speaking about the temple of his body” (John 2:19-21). The message from our Lord Jesus Christ is this, the “world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever” (1 John 2:17) because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). It is the message that God reveals to us in the readings these past few weeks as we prepare ourselves not only for the new liturgical year but for our own mortality. It is no coincidence that we prayed for the souls of the faithful departed in November because it reminds us that time flies and to remember death: “Tempus fugit, memento mori”

Therefore, let us not be lulled into a “spiritual sleep” by the busyness of the holiday season but rather “stay awake” by keeping our spiritual senses focused and resolute so that we can “walk in the light of the Lord!” While the rest of society is playing Christmas music and stores are putting Christmas merchandise on their shelves let us patiently and joyfully await the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Christmas while anticipating his second coming during the penitential season of Advent. It is as Saint Paul puts it in today’s second reading: “let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy.” Rather, let us listen to our Lord’s command to “stay awake!” lest we become like the people “in the days of Noah, [who] were eating and drinking. . . [and] did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.”

So how can we “stay awake!” spiritually? Well, every first day of the new year, we “[think] about [our] past mistakes and [resolve] to do better in the future.” Why not also make resolutions for the new liturgical year to “throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. . . [and] put on the Lord Jesus Christ”? Thus, while we are preparing for holiday gatherings with families and friends, buying, wrapping, giving, and opening presents, attending endless Christmas parties, etc., let us always remember to take more than a fleeting moment in the busyness of the holiday festivities to remind ourselves that the Son of Man not only came for us on that Christmas night 2,000 years ago but that he is coming for us once again because he loves us and desires for us to be with him for all eternity.

One of the traditions that can help us prepare our hearts for Christmas is the Advent wreath and four lighted candles like the one we see before us. “The circular shape of the Advent wreath symbolizes God’s infinite love for us – it is never-ending, just like the true Light of the World, Jesus, who leads us into eternal life with Him. . . The four candles of Advent represent the four Sundays of Advent, and they respectively symbolize hope, peace, joy, and love.”

“[The] first candle on the Advent wreath, sometimes called the ‘Prophecy Candle,’ represents Hope – the first Sunday of Advent not only leads us to anticipate the birth of Christ but celebrate the beginning of a new liturgical season as well. . . The second candle on the Advent wreath, or the “Bethlehem Candle,” represents Peace. . . [and] reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. The third candle of Advent, or the “Shepherd’s Candle,” symbolizes Joy. . . [and] takes us back to the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem, even before the wise men. . . The fourth candle of Advent, called the “Angel’s Candle,” represents Love, the ultimate love of God that He might send His only Son for us” (Hallow).

Lighting the wreath was a pagan tradition that the early Christians adopted to evangelize and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ, the true God. It is as Saint Paul observed at the Areopagus: “For as I walked around looking carefully at your shrines, I even discovered an altar inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God.’* What therefore you unknowingly worship, I proclaim to you” (Acts 17:23). And so, in the same way that we prepare ourselves to come to the altar of the Lord to receive Jesus in the Eucharist at Mass, let us prepare ourselves to receive our Lord and our God in our hearts and homes this Advent season, glorifying the Lord by our lives.

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm

Podcast: https://phucphan.podbean.com/e/homily-for-the-first-sunday-of-advent-year-a-11302025/

The Grace of Gratitude - KC Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (11/24/2025)

Worthy Chapter President and Brother Knights,

I bring you greetings from our State Chaplain, Bishop Mulvey, and our Associate State Chaplain, Fr. Chen, whom I am in contact. I look forward to visiting and serving with Bishop Mulvey in a couple of weeks the Mid-Year Meeting for the Texas State Council. I hope to see many of the State Officers, Diocesan and District Deputies and spouses at the Mid-Year Meeting in Corpus Christi.

I am grateful to meet the Matthew and Alejandro, the Grand Knight and Deputy Grand Knight of Council #18087, Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic University Parish. At the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) as week, Pope Leo XIV appeared via video conference to pray with the youth and answer their questions. One of the things that the Holy Father share with our youth that struck me was, I love it that the Holy Father told the youth at NCYC that they are not only the future of the Church but her present as well and encouraged them to get involved in the life of their parish. I shared with this GK Matthew and Deputy GK Alejandro and thanked them for being the present and the future of the Order.

Brother Knights, one of my Christmas tradition is to watch the various versions of Charlies Dickens "A Christmas Carol" (you can read my thoughts on my favorite here). One of my favorites is "The Muppet Christmas Carol", particularly the song "Thankful Heart" that is sung my actor Michael Caine, because of the refrain: ". . .a grateful prayer and a thankful heart."

In his recent column, titled "The Grace of Gratitude", Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly wrote on the virtue of gratitude. I would invite you to read his column linked above. Like with all virtues, it is something that we have to cultivate in our lives through practice, practice, and practice. It is "easy" to show gratitude to God when things are going well in our lives; however, when we or a loved is sick or we suffered the loss of a family member or friend, it can be difficult for us to show gratitude. And there lies our challenge that the Supreme Knight gives all of us: ". . .let us cultivate gratitude as a spiritual practice and an intentional and permanent part of our character. It will heal us and bring us the grace and peace of Christ." As we prepare our hearts for Christmas and celebrate of the Incarnation, the Word became Flesh and made his dwelling among us, and the second coming of the Lord, this penitential  season of Advent, let us cultivate in our hearts gratitude so that the peace of the season fills our hearts, lives, and families.

Moreover, there is no better way to show God gratitude then to our participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Supreme Knight Kelly: ". . .the Mass is a profound expression of our gratitude to the Lord for the healing power of his life, death and resurrection. It is no coincidence that the word 'Eucharist' is derived from eucharistia, the Greek word for "thanksgiving." Therefore, my brother Knights, as I urge you to invite those in your family and circle of friends who have not attend Mass in a while to come to the Lord's table, the altar, and receive his love and mercy given to us in his Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity in the Eucharist . Advent and Christmas is a wonder time in the liturgical year to start anew in our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for us and for our families.

Sharing gratitude is important to help us keep things in perspective, that God loves us and Christ promises to be with us always until the end of the age (Matthew, Chapter 28). I encourage married couples, as well as couples preparing for marriage, before they go to bed to share with each other what they are grateful for about each other. This way, it helps them to focus on the blessings that God has bestow on them in each other in His goodness toward and love for them.

Brother Knights, I wish you and your families a blessed Thanksgiving and, since we will not have a meeting in December, a fruitful Advent season and a joyful Christmas, filled with the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Vivat Jesus!

P.S. Here is my prayer for you all and your families:

Lord Jesus Christ, as we ready ourselves to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, let us give thanks for the presence of those we love and share life with, in a special way, we pray for our spouses and children who sacrifice so that we can serve our parish and Order.

As Knights of Columbus, called to charity, unity, and fraternity, may we continue to journey with one another and to live a life of giving and serving, so that we may always recognize the blessings that you bestow upon us each day.

Let us never forget those who are in need, whose tables are empty, whose lives are impacted by war, famine, and economic uncertainty. We pray for an end to war and violence and persecution, especially in Nigeria. We also pray for loved ones and friends who are ill and ask you to heal their bodies and restore them to health. 

Let us also remember those who are no longer physically among us. Although, we may not see them as we would desire, their spiritual presence will forever be among us. In a special way, we pray for our deceased loved ones who have gone to their eternal reward in the heavenly banquet.

And for all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts and those intentions written here, Lord God, strengthen in us the virtue of gratitude as we strive to be bearers of hope to all whom we encounter. We ask in through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother, as we pray. . . Hail Mary. . .

[Adaption of Bishop Garcia’s Thanksgiving Message for 2025]

. . .

Here is a link to my previous report from the Chapter meeting in September:

https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2025/09/antidote-to-isolation-kc-austin-chapter.html

Deacon Phúc’s challenges for all Knights for the month of December 2025 & January 2026

• PERSONAL & FAMILY: Share gratitude daily with your family, especially important for husbands and wives but also teaches children to be grateful for the many blessings in their lives (example, Mary House).
• COUNCIL: Council leadership shares gratitude to members for all their efforts thus far this fraternal year. Encourage all families to go to Mass regularly, if they are not doing so already.