Sunday Homilies with Father Martin

¿Qué prácticas espirituales le ayudan a mantenerse cerca de Dios? En esta homilía, el padre Martin comparte una herramienta poderosa para fortalecer nuestra fe: memorizar las Escrituras. A través de Filipenses 4,13, «Todo lo puedo en aquel que me fortalece», descubrimos cómo la Palabra de Dios puede animarnos en los momentos difíciles y recordarnos que nuestra verdadera fortaleza viene de Cristo.

What spiritual practices help you stay close to God? In this homily, Father Martin shares a powerful tool for strengthening our faith: memorizing Scripture. Through Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me,” we discover how God’s Word can encourage us in difficult moments and remind us that our true strength comes from Christ.

Para ver la Misa completa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKt6Fo0AWLc

To watch the whole Mass Explained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMAplERm4hs

En esta homilía, el Padre Martin comparte la historia de cómo Dios lo fue llamando al sacerdocio: desde la huida de su padre de Vietnam y su profunda devoción a la Virgen María, hasta su propia educación católica y las semillas de fe que su familia sembró en su corazón. Reflexiona sobre sus años en UC Irvine, cuando buscaba sentirse realizado a través de sus logros y de la aprobación de los demás,...

In this homily, Father Martin shares the story of how God led him to the priesthood—from his father’s miraculous escape from Vietnam and devotion to Mary, to his own Catholic upbringing and the seeds of faith planted by his family. He reflects on his years at UC Irvine, where he searched for fulfillment through achievement and affirmation while drifting from his faith. Through the questions of a f...

In this homily, Father Martin reflects on his recent pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, where Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 with a message of prayer, penance, and pilgrimage. He shares a personal experience of receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Lourdes and being moved to tears by God’s mercy and the realization that God works through us even in our weakness. Connecting hi...

En este episodio, el Padre Martin reflexiona sobre el “Domingo de Nombres” y el llamado a construir una comunidad donde cada persona sea vista, conocida y amada. Nos invita a dar un paso más: preguntarle a alguien, “¿Cómo puedo orar por ti?” y orar por esa persona en ese mismo momento. En su homilía, “Cuando Alguien Te Hace Daño, ¿Qué Haces?” , el Padre Martin explora las palabras de Jesús en Mate...

In this episode, Fr. Martin reflects on “Known by Name Sunday” and our call to build a parish community where every person is seen, known, and loved. After more than a year of learning one another’s names and praying for each other, he invites us to take the next step: ask someone, “How can I pray for you?” and then pray with and for that person in the moment. Fr. Martin offers three simple steps...

¿Qué significa realmente seguir a Jesús? En esta homilía, el P. Martin reflexiona sobre las famosas palabras “Lo hice a mi manera” y las contrasta con la llamada de todo cristiano: “Lo hice a la manera de Dios.” A través de tres palabras sencillas — Pertenecer, Creer, Convertirse — somos invitados a descubrir cómo Dios nos lleva de pertenecer a una familia de fe, a creer y poner nuestra confianza...

What does it mean to truly follow Jesus? In this homily, Fr. Martin reflects on the famous words, “I did it my way,” and contrasts them with the call of every Christian: “I did it God’s way.” Through the simple framework Belong, Believe, Become , we are invited to consider how God leads us from belonging to a family of faith, to trusting in Jesus, to becoming the person He created us to be. Fr. Ma...

In this homily, Fr. Martin explores the question: Did Jesus Establish a Church? Reflecting on Matthew 16, where Jesus says, “You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,” we look at how Christ established a visible Church, entrusted Peter with a unique role of leadership, and gave him the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. From Peter to the popes of today, the succession of the Bishop of...

En esta homilía, el Padre Martin reflexiona sobre una pregunta fundamental: ¿Estableció Jesús una Iglesia? A partir del Evangelio de Mateo 16, donde Jesús dice a Pedro: “Tú eres Pedro y sobre esta piedra edificaré mi Iglesia”, exploramos cómo Cristo estableció una Iglesia visible, confió a Pedro un papel único de liderazgo y le entregó las llaves del Reino de los cielos. Desde San Pedro hasta los...

In this weekday homily episode, Father Martin shares briefly about his experience at the Amazing Parish Leadership Summit in Houston, TX. He asks the parish to pray for him and the leadership at St. Joseph to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. He also encourages parishioners that if it's been a while since they've had a "mountaintop" or "summit" experience, to cons...

This week, Fr. Martin begins with a heartfelt word of gratitude following his Installation Mass as Pastor of St. Joseph Church, thanking everyone whose prayers, generosity, and service made the celebration so memorable.  Reflecting on Isaiah's invitation to "come to the water," St. Paul's assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, and the Gospel of the feed...

Watch the Installation Mass here: https://youtube.com/live/ZCYaA9zVxZs?feature=share

Antes de la homilía, el Padre Martin comparte un anuncio importante de la parroquia: el próximo domingo a las 4:00 PM será su Misa de Instalación como Párroco de San José, celebrada por el Obispo Timothy Freyer en inglés, español y vietnamita (nota: la Misa de las 5:00 PM será cancelada ese día).  Con más de 1,000 invitados y 50 sacerdotes confirmados, ofrece indicaciones prácticas sobre estaciona...

Before the homily, Fr. Martin shares an important parish announcement: next Sunday at 4:00 PM is his Installation Mass as Pastor of St. Joseph, celebrated by Bishop Timothy Freyer in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese (note: the 5:00 PM Mass is canceled that day).  With over 1,000 guests and 50 priests expected, he offers practical guidance on parking and arrival (carpooling, walking/biking/rideshar...

En este Domingo de Nombres, el Padre Martín reflexiona sobre un reciente viaje a Kauai, donde la lluvia diaria transforma la isla en un paraíso exuberante y florido. Basándose en el Profeta Isaías y la Parábola del Sembrador, explora cómo la palabra de Dios es como esa lluvia — siempre dada generosamente, pero solo fructífera según la condición de la tierra en la que cae.  El Padre Martín repasa l...

On this Known by Name Weekend, Fr. Martin reflects on a recent trip to Kauai, where daily rain transforms the island into a lush, blooming paradise. Drawing from the Prophet Isaiah and the Parable of the Sower, he explores how God's word is like that rain — always given generously, but only fruitful depending on the condition of the soil it falls on.  Fr. Martin walks through the four types o...

In this homily, Fr. Martin begins by sharing several important parish transitions: thanking Fr. Danh on his final weekend at St. Joseph, welcoming Fr. Arundas Thomas as the new parochial vicar, and announcing his own Installation Mass as pastor on July 26. The homily then turns to a simple but challenging question: "Are you generous or greedy? Do you give or do you grab?" Fr. Martin refl...

En este Día del Padre, damos gracias a Dios por todos los papás y figuras paternas de nuestra comunidad: los nuevos padres, los padres solteros, los abuelos, los padres espirituales, quienes atraviesan dificultades, quienes desean ser padres y aquellos que ya han partido a la Casa del Padre.  Pedimos al Espíritu Santo que los bendiga y fortalezca para que sean signos vivos del amor paternal de Dio...

On Father's Day, we give thanks to God for all fathers and father figures in our parish community: new fathers, single fathers, grandfathers, spiritual fathers, those facing challenges, those longing to be fathers, and those who have gone before us in faith.  We ask the Holy Spirit to bless and strengthen them so that they may reflect God's paternal love in their families and in the worl...