Homily for the Memorial and Promotional Mass for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem
October 16, 2021
Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church
Arlington, Texas
Sirach 2:1-11
Psalm 23
1 John 3:1-2
John 14:1-6
Today the Lord has gathered and summoned us as His People to offer and to celebrate this Mass for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jesus. We pray for the repose of the souls of those Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulcher who have died during the past two years. We also pray for those members who are to be promoted within the ranks of our order for the sake of the mission entrusted to us.
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Homily for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Opening Mass of the Diocesan Synodal Process
October 17, 2021
St. Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas
Isaiah 53:10-11
Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
Hebrews 4:14-16
Mark 10:35-45
Synod is a word from Greek that means a meeting of people. In 1965, as a means of the continuing implementation of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, Pope Saint Paul VI created a new structure of the Holy See called the Synod of Bishops, and he planned for that standing office to organize regular meetings of bishops from around the world who would be given a topic to address by the Pope and then make recommendations based on their deliberations.
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Homily for the Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church
Diocesan In-Service for Teachers
October 15, 2021
Nolan Catholic High School
Fort Worth, Texas
Romans 8:22-27
Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11
John 15:1-8
Today in our life as the Church we celebrate the memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus also known as Saint Teresa of Avila, the great Carmelite Reformer and Doctor of the Church. Saint Teresa writes, “Let nothing trouble you, let nothing frighten you, everything passes but God remains. Patience attains all, he who possesses God lacks for nothing; God alone suffices.”
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Homily for the Mass for Babies who Died before Baptism
October 9, 2021
St. Patrick Cathedral
Fort Worth, Texas
Isaiah 25:6-10a
Psalm 23
Mark 10:13-16
The Rite for Baptism of Infants calls for two anointings. The first anointing is to be administered by the priest and deacon with the Oil of Catechumens applied to the chest of the infant. This anointing is to take place before the Baptism is administered with the pouring of water. Then Baptism is administered by the priest or deacon by pouring the water over the head of the infant while saying simultaneously the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” There soon follows the second anointing with the Holy Chrism applied by the priest or deacon on the crown or forehead of the infant which signifies the newly baptized infant’s being anointed into the common priesthood, the prophetic office, and the kingship of Christ. Two anointings. One takes place before Baptism and the second one takes place after Baptism. Why?
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Life on the Chrism Trail 