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