Why Christmas Matters

HOMILY: The Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas) Isaiah 52:7-10 / Hebrews 1:1-6 / John 1:1-18 25 December 2025  Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA Every year, Christmas comes — and it surprises me that I always get asked: “Father, why do we have to celebrate Christmas?” “Can we not believe in Jesus withoutContinue reading “Why Christmas Matters”

Quiet Grace in Advent

HOMILY: Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10, James 5:7-10 and Matthew 11:2-11.  14 December 2025  Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA A few years ago, I visited a woman grieving the loss of her husband. Every time I checked on her, she would say, “Father, I have been praying… pero wala naman nagbabago.”Continue reading “Quiet Grace in Advent”

Turning Toward the Light

HOMILY: First Sunday of Advent (A) Isaiah 2:1-5 / Psalm 122:1-9 / Romans 13:11-14 / Matthew 24:37-44 30 November 2025 Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA  Are you good at taking selfies? Some people are such experts — alam na nila agad (they know right away) where the light is, how to angle their face, howContinue reading “Turning Toward the Light”

The GIFT of our PRESENCE

Homily: Fourth Sunday of Advent (C) Luke 1:39-45 22 December 2024 Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez, AA Last Thursday, after Fr. Steve presided over the PLDM Misa de Gallo as one of its former parish priests, he and I visited an elderly lady who used to be a staunch supporter of the parish projects. She is quiteContinue reading “The GIFT of our PRESENCE”

Restored in Christ Jesus

Homily: Second Sunday of Advent (C) Luke 3:1-6 8 December 2024 Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez We often hear the expression “To straighten things out…” or “To straighten someone out!” Why do we bother to do this? When we use this for objects perhaps the typical translation in Filipino will be ” ayosin” or “i-derecho” whichContinue reading “Restored in Christ Jesus”

Beware, Frequent-flyers!

Homily: First Sunday of Advent (C) Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 1 December 2024 Fr. Ricky Cañet Montañez  Do you remember the first time you rode an airplane? Were you excited? Anxious? Frightened? Perhaps all three? After all, all these are typical of a new experience. Air travel is much more common these days, than when IContinue reading “Beware, Frequent-flyers!”