HABEMUS PAPAM!!

Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the first US-born pontiff and will be known as Pope Leo XIV

Chapter Chaplain's Homily Reflection - LIVING LIGHTLY AND FREELY

LIVING LIGHTLY AND FREELY

Life is full of struggles. These struggles constitute a heavy load to carry. These loads range from social and moral to personal and public. The three readings prescribe reasons why we carry heavy burdens. The first reading tells us that the burden we carry comes from war and breakdown in relationships. Some people carry the scars and burdens of breakdown in personal, national, or international relationships. In the light of the second reading, it is caused by the desires of the flesh and the passing of life. Some people carry the loads of sinful indulgence and human frailty. The Gospel tells us that the burden we carry comes from the interpretation of the law and religious observances and its unrealistic expectations.
The Gospel adds another source: the burden created by religious interpretation and unrealistic expectations. Jesus speaks of “yoke” and “burden” to describe how the religious leaders of Israel had made the practice of faith difficult. Their strict interpretation of the law placed heavy demands on ordinary people. Jesus Himself denounced the Scribes and Pharisees for tying up “heavy burdens, hard to carry,” and laying them on people’s shoulders without lifting a finger to help (Mt 23:4). In today’s Gospel, Jesus extends His invitation to all who are weary and weighed down by these religious pressures.
To understand Jesus’ message, we must understand the imagery. A yoke is a heavy wooden beam placed on two animals so they can pull a load together. In Scripture, the word “yoke” is often used figuratively to describe being under someone’s authority — servants under masters, subjects under rulers, or sinners under the slavery of sin. The burden Jesus refers to is the weight of unrealistic religious expectations and responsibilities imposed by the law.
When people are weighed down by burdens, what they need is rest. People seek rest in many ways — through entertainment, relationships, travel, food, drink, or even harmful coping mechanisms like drugs and alcohol. Yet none of these provide lasting peace. Jesus teaches that true rest is possible, but it requires a certain discipline: yoking ourselves to Him.
Jesus uses the farming image of two animals pulling a load together. A yoke is not a burden by itself; it is a partnership. It means two beings share the weight. So when Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you,” He is really saying: “Come into partnership with me. Don’t carry life alone. Let me walk with you and pull the weight.” Christ’s yoke is not a tool of oppression but an invitation to companionship.
The yoke is the relationship; the burden is the weight. The yoke makes the burden bearable. When we carry life alone, the load feels crushing. But when we accept Christ’s yoke — His companionship, His teaching, His Spirit — the same burden becomes lighter because we are no longer pulling alone. The burdens of life do not disappear, but they lose their power to crush us. His yoke is easy because He is gentle. His burden is light because He carries it with us.
A yoke is easy only when the stronger one is doing most of the pulling. That is exactly what Jesus does. He does not remove every burden, but He shares it. He does not eliminate every struggle, but He strengthens us in it. He does not promise a life without crosses, but He promises we will never carry them alone. This is why His yoke is easy: He carries the heavy side.
When our will aligns with God’s will and we begin to live according to the mind of Christ, we experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. Walking in God’s ways is walking in company with Christ, whose food is to do the Father’s will. This is the path to real rest — not merely a break from work, but a deep spiritual peace.
The takeaway is simple: we need divine help to shoulder the problems that confront us daily. Because a yoke requires two, Jesus volunteers to be the second partner. He invites us to entrust our burdens to Him, to walk with Him, and to learn from Him. With Jesus, our burden becomes our song, and His joy becomes our strength.

Fr. Imo 

Chaplain 

Arrowhead Desert Valley Chapter

Past Arrowhead Desert Valley Chapter President Alex Castanon elected State Warden

 Our very own Past Chapter President Alex Castañon was elected the California State Warden for 2026 - 2027 Columbian year.

Congratulations to him and praying for his success as well as success for the entire California State Council. 

State Officer Installation

Knights of Columbus California State Council cordially invites you to the Installation od Officers and  Directors.

Saturday, June 27, 2026 at Our Lady of Peace Church.

15444 Nordhoff St., North Hills, CA 91343 (Entrance on Langdon Ave.)

ADVC wins Fourth consecutive California Chapter of the Year

The Arrowhead Desert Valley Chapter wins it's Fourth consecutive California Chapter of the Year!

ADVC President Zaki Mustafa wins Knight of the Year

Arrowhead Desert Valley Chapter President brother Zaki Mustafa, besides leading the Arrowhead Desert Valley Chapter to California's Chapter of the Year, wins California’s Knight of the Year.

Catholic Scouting Donation Opportunity

My Brothers, 

I am asking that you prayerfully consider making a monetary donation to our Catholic Committee on Scouting so that we may supply these awards and patches to every Scout that earns them. We would also use these funds to promote Catholic Scouting as a Youth Ministry throughout our Diocese of San Bernardino with your help. There are two ways in which you can send your donation. • Zelle to sbcatholicscouting@gmail.com • Mail a check payable to San Bernardino Catholic Committee on Scouting o C/O Manuel Alexandre, Treasurer 11831 Amethyst Ct, Jurupa Valley CA 91752 I would like to thank you for taking the time to consider donating to Catholic Scouting. If you have any questions, please feel free to email, sbcatholicscouting@gmail.com, or call me, (909) 896-5832.

Vivat Jesus!

Mark Glaudini

2024-25 ADVC Star District Deputies

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 ADVC District Deputies that achieved 100% or more.

District     DD Quota % Achieved      District Deputy
141          248.00%                           Jason Negrete
142          227.27%                           Jason Lucero
144          252.63%                           John Coffman
145          207.14%                           Jose Sanchez
146          114.29%                           Conrad Trinidad
147          263.64%                           Ed Robillard
148          176.19%                           Michael Hall
149          183.33%                           Hans Monod de Froidville
150          131.58%                           Rudy Saldana
152          307.41%                           William Calderon
153          126.32%                           Mark Lanca
156          125.00%                           Jorge Hurtado-Gomez

Prayer for Priests

The Passing of Fr. George Gonzales

Fr. George Gonzalez was a member of the Knights of Columbus for 74 years. He did his first degree 11-1- 1951. He was a member of Grand Terrace council 12050 & was member of Assembly 2247 Padre Pio in Temecula. Our brother got called home “Good and faithful servant job well done.”

May Our Lord Jesus grant him eternal peace and may the perpetual light shine upon him. 

Here are the services for Fr George:

Tuesday, December 30: Viewing, Vigil and Rosary at Christ the Redeemer, Grand Terrace
4PM to 5PM: private family viewing
5PM to 7PM: public viewing
7PM: Vigil and Rosary (Msgr. Lopez presides)
Small reception afterwards

Wednesday, December 31: Funeral Mass at St Frances Xavier Cabrini, Yucaipa

10AM: Mass (Bishop Rojas presides; Msgr Webber homilist)
Reception after Mass in parish hall
1:30 PM: Burial at OLQP Cemetery (Bishop Barnes presides, tentatively)

The passing of PCP Charles Howard and Funeral Information

It is with great sorrow to notify you of the passing of Arrowhead Desert Valley Chapter Past Chapter President Charles Howard.
Brother Charles was  influential in many brother's journey in the Knights of Columbus. We ask you to remember him and Cinthy in your prayers.

The Passing of Former District Deputy John Lopez

John Lopez Obituary

October 10, 1938 - March 24, 2026

John was born October 10th, 1938 to John and Emma Lopez. He served 6 years in the Navy participating in atomic bomb testing as a Frogman for the Navy. He married Lucy on May 13th, 1961. His twin boys Rick and Gary were born September 29th, 1966 and his daughter Veronica was born August 26th, 1971. He also has a granddaughter Francisca and grandson in law Octavio as well as two granddaughters Aria and Gianna. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus for many years. He coached Jr. Bowlers, Little League Baseball and Girls Softball for Rialto Girls softball league and Eisenhower High School. He attended and completed training classes through the catholic church so that he could serve God more He taught catechism classes for Christ the King church and also in our Lady of Guadalupe in El Centro where he had the largest class of 300 confirmations, he was also a lector and a Eucharistic minister in the church. He was visited by the Bishop of San Diego. He loved to fish hunt travel golf and just to play games on his computer he also loved to camp with his family whom he loved dearly. He was always there for anyone he loved that needed him. He was an amazing man and will be missed. May his soul rest east now.