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:
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.
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