Solemnity of Christ the King Homily

“This morning, in Rome, Pope Francis concluded the Year of Mercy; here in Orlando, in closest union with the Successor of Peter, we, the family of the Knights of Columbus, also conclude the Year of Mercy.

“We do so with deep gratitude to God, the Father of Mercies, for the many graces and favors received during this extraordinary Jubilee Year. We reflect on God’s patience and lovingkindness in forgiving our sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We think of the indulgences we have been granted to assist us in repairing the lingering damage done us even by those sins that have been forgiven. We give thanks for the grace of receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, aware that in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar the very Incarnation of God’s Mercy enters our inmost being. Let us also give thanks for the graces by which we were enabled to perform the spiritual and corporal works of mercy – extending to others the same mercy that the Lord has lavished on us. Yes, the Year of Mercy has filled us with gratitude and with hope that God’s mercy will triumph in our personal lives and in our families, in our beloved Order and in our Church, in our nation and throughout the world.”

Read the complete homily HERE.

32nd Sunday Homily; Catholic Distance University

“Archbishop Christoph, Apostolic Nuncio; Bishop Loverde; brother priests; President Mount; Worthy Supreme Knight and Mrs. Anderson; members of the board, faculty, and staff, graduates and students; benefactors and friends of CDU; and all dear friends in Christ:

“It is a special pleasure to join with all of you this evening in expressing our wholehearted support for the Catholic Distance University as we celebrate this Holy Mass and bestow diplomas on your graduates. It is also a moment to focus on the mission of Catholic Distance University in light of the readings just proclaimed.”

Read the complete homily HERE.

32nd Sunday Homily; Closing of the Holy Doors

“In 1994, Pope St. John Paul II called the Church to observe ‘The Year of the Family’. A fellow priest, a good friend, was not impressed. In fact, he harrumphed, ‘So this year it’s the family, next year something else, and what good does it all do?’ ‘O calm down,’ I said, ‘Next year might be all about you!’

“Indeed, the Jubilee Year of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis is truly all about us – it’s about me, and it’s about you, it’s about a world all in need of God’s mercy. Later this month, Pope Francis will solemnly conclude the Year of Mercy just as today we will end our observance of this special year of grace by symbolically closing ‘the holy door’ at the entrance of the cathedral / basilica. Does this mean we’re shutting the door on God’s mercy? Does it mean we’re moving on from the mercy of God, and perhaps, entering into ‘a year of severity’ or ‘a year of being upset about many things?’”

Read the complete homily HERE.