Category: From the Pastor’s Desk

In recent weeks, we have been reflecting on the lives of the early Christians during our weekday and Sunday readings. Despite facing persecution, their numbers continued to grow. None of…

This year, on June 8th, I will reach the remarkable milestone of thirty-five years of service as a priest. I thank God for this tremendous blessing! I am grateful for…

“In Illo uno unum,” which translates to “In the One (Christ), we are one.” Friends, this is the motto of Holy Father Pope Leo XIV for his pontificate. I believe…

It’s Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast close to the heart of St. John Paul II, who established this observance on the Second Sunday of Easter. Successive popes, including Pope Leo…

It can be challenging to wish everyone a Happy Easter when the world is plagued by conflicts, war, and economic crises. Celebrating Easter is not easy when our lives are…

There are aspects of our lives that need to die. These may include our pride, fears, anxieties, and our tendency to compare ourselves with others. We often become dissatisfied with…

There are aspects of our lives that need to die. These may include our pride, fears, anxieties, and our tendency to compare ourselves with others. We often become dissatisfied with…

Friends, we are in the Fourth Sunday of Lent, and I hope you are finding time to pray more and spend intimate moments with the Lord. One of the purposes…

We are called to be bold witnesses to our faith in Jesus and the Gospel He preached and lived, not merely through our words but through our actions. The Samaritan…

Faith is a treasure that we must possess to live a life of hope, especially in trying times. It’s a gift we must ask from God every day to navigate…

The story of the Buddhist monks’ “Walk for Peace” from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., beginning on October 26, 2025, and concluding in February—covering 2,300 miles on foot—went viral…

Friends, As we enter this new year, I have been reflecting deeply on the virtue of trust. I believe it is something we all need these days—to trust in God’s…

Hey friends! As we step into Ordinary Time in our liturgical calendar, let’s take a moment to reflect on what this season truly means. It’s not “ordinary” in the sense…

This Sunday, We Celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord! As we gather to honor this special day, we’re reminded that the Baptism of Jesus marked the beginning of…

Dear Parish Family, As we come together to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, we reflect on the profound meaning and significance of this special day in our Christian journey. Epiphany,…

Dear friends in Christ, This Sunday, we commemorate the solemnity of the Holy Family, a sacred trio that includes Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, our Savior. I hope you all enjoyed…

Dear Parish Family, The Fourth Sunday of Advent beautifully encapsulates the essence of this sacred season: promise, hope, restoration, repentance, transformation, and joy. These powerful themes do not emerge from…

Joy is the overarching theme of the Third Sunday of Advent. This is why the third candle on the Advent wreath is pink (rose)—it represents the shepherds’ joy and the…

I have always been fascinated by John the Baptist’s appearance, demeanor, and character. He embodied passion, austerity, discipline, boldness, and certitude—qualities from which all of us can learn. Unyielding and…

Here we are at the beginning of the Advent season! Naturally, as we celebrate this time, our thoughts turn to Christmas. However, the Church reminds us not to focus our…

A comment made by a parent during our recent parish school auction dinner and gala night continues to linger in my mind. “By the way, Father, I’m not Catholic; I’m…

Last Sunday’s Ministry Fair was an incredible sight and a joyous event in our parish. I felt immense pride in witnessing the many active ministries in our church that promote…

I have been deeply impressed by Pope Leo XIV’s leadership as a figure committed to fostering peace and reconciliation in our troubled world. During his meeting with leaders from the…

All Souls’ Day falls on the Sunday following All Saints’ Day, marking the first two days of November—the most somber month of the year—during which we celebrate the lives of…

How would I describe the jubilee pilgrimage I recently led to Italy? First and foremost, it was a ministry and mission, not a vacation. As I emphasized to the 34…

What do the words of the Gospel, “Lord, increase our faith,” mean to us? Do they signify the strength to endure grief, worries, and life’s challenges? Do they mean having…

I have a friend and a member of the Sisters of Social Service who has spent her life ministering to impoverished families and children of Paliparan, Cavite, in the Philippines….

You have often heard me express in my homilies my deep longing for unity among all of us, the children of God, as well as my yearning for an end…

Have you seen street robots delivering food? What about those driverless cars? Have you taken a ride in one? Friends, we live in an era of robots, artificial intelligence, and…

“You don’t need a title to be a leader!” This statement is the title of a presentation on transformative lay leadership I gave two weeks ago. I borrowed it from…