Life on the Chrism Trail

Homily for the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr; Mass of Convocation of Teachers of the Schools of the Diocese of Fort Worth

August 10, 2026
St. Mark
Argyle, Texas

2 Corinthians 9:6-10
Psalm 112:1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9 “Blessed the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.”
John 12:24-26

We come together for this celebration of the Eucharist at the start of our annual convocation of teachers and administrators on the Feast of Saint Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr. We ask for his intercession for ourselves, our students and their families, and our semester. We especially pray for the intention that as each of our schools seek that which is true, that which is beautiful, and that which is good, all of our schools together will seek these transcendental goods for the sake of communion with God and with each other, mindful of Christ’s prayer on the Cross that all may be one in Him. The life and martyrdom of Saint Lawrence are instructive and encouraging for us who are entrusted with this beautiful treasure of Catholic education.

August 10, 2026

Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Mass of Consecration of the Diocese of Fort Worth to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

June 21, 2026
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Comanche, Texas

Deuteronomy 10:12-22
Psalm 25
1 John 4:7-16
John 15:9-17

“Behold the heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself in order to testify its love. And in return I receive from the greater part only ingratitude by the irreverence and sacrilege, and by the coldness and contempt they have for me in this sacrament of love.” This is the quote offered by Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque during his fourth apparition to her in 1675.

Commencement Address

Nolan Catholic High School, Class of 2026

May 24, 2026
Texas Hall, University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas

On this momentous day that not only concludes your time as students at Nolan Catholic High School, but more importantly formally launches you towards your continued education in the newness of college, we do so as the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Pentecost, the day on which the Holy Spirit imparted His seven gifts upon the Apostles and their successors, the bishops. Pentecost brings the newness of the Gospel into the lives of the baptized.

May 26, 2026

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 3, 2026
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church
Fort Worth, Texas

Acts 6:1-7
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
1 Peter 2:4-9
John 14:1-12

Today we celebrate together the twenty-fifth anniversary of the establishment of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Fort Worth. This parish was established to provide particular ministry for the Vietnamese Catholic Community in East Fort Worth and has done so through the generous collaboration of the priests and brothers of the Congregation of the Mother of the Redeemer.

May 3, 2026

Homily for the Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Opening Mass for the National Association of Diaconate Directors Conference

April 28, 2026
St. Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas

Acts 11:19-26
Psalm 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7
John 10:22-30

“It was winter.” These are the words we read in today’s Gospel as written by John the Evangelist. “It was winter.” It was a winter not so much of discontent but of disbelief. It was a winter of cold disbelief among those who saw the works of Jesus but refused to understand them. It was a winter of cold disbelief among those who heard the words spoken by Jesus but refused to listen to them or to recognize His voice. It was a winter of suspense and anxiety among those who waited for the Christ but would only recognize and accept Him on their own terms. “Tell us plainly.” It was winter.

April 29, 2026

Homily for the Thursday of the Third Week of Easter

Eighth Grade Vocations Mass

April 23, 2026
St. Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas

Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
John 10:11-18

We all need to earn money to live, but money cannot satisfy our deepest desires. A true vocation has nothing to do with money because it comes from love. Most people are called to love another person in Holy Matrimony, and then husbands and wives love their children. That kind of love cannot be bought. And other men and women are called to love without being married, and they become priests and religious sisters. That kind of love cannot be bought either. Vocations, either to married life or priesthood and religious life, cannot be bought just as Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd teaches us: someone who works because of a desire for money is not following a call from God.

April 23, 2026

Homily for the Third Sunday of Easter

April 19, 2026
St. Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas

Acts 2:14, 22-33
Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
1 Peter 1:17-21
Luke 24:13-35

It is in the light of Jesus’ revelation as experienced by Cleopas and his fellow traveler on the way to Emmaus and recorded in Luke’s Gospel that Peter — the first pope — preaches in both the first and second readings from today’s Liturgy. In these first two readings, Saint Peter speaks to all the nations of the world that this Man, Jesus Christ — the One they had crucified and seen suffer and die — has been raised from the dead. As a witness of the Resurrection, humbled after his cowardice on Good Friday, Peter preaches to the world that “our futile lives and conduct have now been ransomed because of the precious Blood of Jesus Christ.” The Cross and Resurrection of Christ have changed everything, including our destiny and our capacity to act morally as redeemed human beings. The Death and Resurrection of Christ is what now informs our conscience.

April 19, 2026

Homily for the Second Sunday of Easter

Divine Mercy Sunday

April 12, 2026
Confirmations in Sacred Heart Church in Seymour; St. Joseph Church in Rhineland; and St. John Paul II Church in Denton

Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24
1 Peter 1:3-9
John 20:19-31

Saint Thomas not only doubts the Resurrection of Christ; first, he doubts and disbelieves the witness of the other Apostles who have received the gift and power of the Holy Spirit as breathed upon them by Christ Himself. He sets his own conditions for belief by establishing the criteria that he first probe the wounds in Christ’s hands and side with his own fingers and hands in order for him to believe. It is only after Thomas encounters Jesus Christ risen from the dead that he comes to recognize the pride of his own disbelief and he repents and converts. The Resurrection of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit given to Thomas and the other Apostles for the sake of sharing with their successors and with all the followers in the Church introduces an entirely new reality in which truth, love, and mercy conquer deception, hatred, and sin.

April 12, 2026