This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week throughout the whole Diocese and beyond. Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity to showcase the value of an education rooted in the Catholic worldview, and what a treasure we have in our schools. The Diocese of Dallas is home to 27 grade schools and 8 high schools, as well as the Notre Dame School for students with intellectual disabilities. Finally, the Diocese is home to the University of Dallas, a top-ranked liberal arts university with a solid Catholic identity, of which I am a proud alum. Read more...

Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!" is a very familiar expression for us Catholics. We sing or recite it at every Mass. Today’s gospel reading tells us how John the Baptist, on seeing Jesus coming towards him, presented Christ to his listeners and to the world by announcing him as the Lamb of God. Read More...

Jesus’ baptism is attested in all four Gospels, with the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove as He emerges from the waters. This is reminiscent of the story of Noah, as the dove returns with an olive leaf as the flood waters recede, signifying a fresh start to creation. This points to an aspect of Jesus’ mission, as He renews creation, now not through the destruction of sinners, but by redeeming us in Himself. Read more...

Each year at every Mass for Epiphany, we read about the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus. As seen in today’s gospel: “They [the Magi] prostrated themselves and did him [Jesus Christ] homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” What pushed the Magi to undertake this tedious journey from the east? The answer is found in the connection between the ancient meaning and the Christian meaning of the gifts the Magi presented to Jesus. Read more ...

The family can be described as a school of love: in it, we learn to love first by being loved by our parents and siblings and extended family; as we mature, we learn to reciprocate by participating in family life, thinking of others instead of just ourselves; and finally, we learn to love without counting the cost when caring for those who cannot reciprocate, like an infant or an infirm parent or spouse. This points to how God loves us, selflessly and generously, as we could never fully repay Him for everything we have received. Read more ...

Join us for VBS True North, June 16th - June 20th

Crisis can easily be managed when it threatens only the present, but when it threatens the future, it becomes an existential crisis. That happens when you seem to be lost about the future and the next steps to take. That is exactly the time to take a walk with God. Read more ...

Have you ever walked past a sign that might keep you safe and healthy without noticing it? Like a STOP sign on the road, or an “Out of Order” sign on a restroom door? Psychological studies show that we naturally tune things out sometimes to keep from being overwhelmed with new decisions to make. But we also see from these examples that this can lead to bad consequences. This can also be true in the spiritual life. Read more ...

The rhetorical question asked by Jesus at the beginning of today’s gospel requires more of reflection than an answer. Imagine if the blind man being led is completely oblivious of the impeded sight of the one who leads him, or if the one leading is unperceptive of the visual impediment of the man he leads. Read more ...

As y’all will remember, the diocesan Synod Assembly was held a few months ago to discuss and prepare for the future of the local Church. Some appointed delegates from our parish joined with others from across the Diocese of Dallas prayerfully to consider a set of resolutions. Here's an update. Read more ...

Let us begin our reflection on the gospel text of this Sunday by asking ourselves; who are the beatitudes for? According to Luke, Jesus was addressing only the disciples, not the crowd. Read more ...

As Deacon Paul and I mentioned at Masses last Sunday, the Bishop’s Annual Appeal is underway, as Bishop Burns seeks to raise $9 million to help fund several important ministries in our Diocese. I contribute each year to support the Bishop’s Appeal, and I humbly request that you consider supporting it as well. Read more ...

In 1997, Pope John Paul II called for the promotion of Consecrated Life throughout the Church by declaring February 2, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, World Day for Consecrated Life (WDCL). The celebration, therefore, becomes an opportunity to thank God for the gift of the Consecrated Life, to reflect on the role of Consecrated persons within the Church and to pray for an increase in vocations to the Consecrated Life. Read more ...

This year is a year of Jubilee, as y’all have probably heard. Although this is my second Jubilee year as a priest, I must admit I’m still coming to understand what a Jubilee is and why we celebrate it. I’m writing to y’all with a beginning of an answer, in hopes that we’ll all come to a greater understanding of it as the year progresses. Read more ...

Today's gospel narrative of the wedding feast at Cana is a good example of God's love for humanity. Wedding feast is a symbol of the feast that God has prepared for his elects. The wedding at Cana is peculiar in the sense that wine which is the symbol of merriment was lacking. How can people make merry without wine? Read more ...

This weekend we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Of course, His baptism by John the Baptist in the Jordan River is a bit different from the sacrament of baptism in the Church, as John himself alludes: Jesus Himself, in the person of the Church’s minister, baptizes with the Holy Spirit. I’d like to take this opportunity to reflect on the effects of the sacrament of baptism, and how we might live this gift well. Read more ...

Today is the solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. It is the manifestation of the child Jesus to the gentile world. The Magi from the east saw a star and through their knowledge in astrology recognized that a King was born in Jerusalem. There are two points in my reflection today. Read more ...

This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth: Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. I’m writing to y’all, therefore, with three practical ways that I hope you and your family household will be blessed in the new year. Read more ...

Merry Christmas! I hope you’re not tired of hearing that already. For many people, the Christmas season seems to end on Christmas Day, but for us as Christians (rather than consumers) it is only just beginning. Learn more ...

Christmas is here; it is important you visit or reach out to your relatives and rekindle the fires of family links. Be a source of joy to those who encounter you beginning with your family members. God has visited his people. His people must visit themselves. Read more ...