This weekend, May 30-31, 2026, the Knights of Columbus Council 16255 at St. Joseph Parish in Vacaville held a fundraiser upcoming July 11th Vocations Dinner to support our seminarians as they prepare for the priesthood. Our goal was ambitious: sell 600 homemade empanadas over the course of five Masses.
Edith and I were responsible for ordering, picking up, transporting, and setting up the empanadas for sale. Fresh batches were scheduled to arrive before each Mass so that parishioners would receive them hot and fresh. Our Brother Knights and their families generously volunteered after each Mass, helping to organize the sales, greet parishioners, package orders, and keep everything running smoothly.
As we packed up after the Saturday evening Mass, our excitement had faded. We looked at table after table of unsold empanadas. Less than half of what we had available had been sold, and we knew that hundreds more were arriving the next morning. We exchanged worried glances and quietly wondered, “What are we going to do with all this food?”
Many of us were discouraged. We had worked hard to prepare for this fundraiser, and it seemed possible that we had simply ordered too much.
Then Sunday morning arrived.
Before we had even finished setting up after the 8:00 AM Mass, parishioners began lining up. One tray disappeared, then another, and then another. People kept coming. Soon we were sold out, with parishioners still asking if there were any empanadas left.
The same thing happened after the 10:00 AM Mass.
And again after the Noon Mass.
And once more after the 5:00 PM Mass.
What had seemed impossible the night before became a blessing beyond anything we had imagined.
What made the day even more beautiful was watching Brother Knights, their wives, children, and families working side by side. Some were selling empanadas, others were carrying boxes, restocking tables, greeting parishioners, or helping with cleanup. What began as a simple fundraiser became a visible expression of faith, charity, fraternity, and unity.
The generosity of the parishioners of St. Joseph Parish was truly overwhelming. Time and again, people stepped forward not only to purchase empanadas but also to support the young men who have answered God’s call to serve His Church as priests.
Looking back, it is hard not to see the hand of God in what happened. Just when we began to worry, the Holy Spirit reminded us that this work was never really ours alone. The Holy Spirit desires holy priests for Christ’s Church and continues to inspire faithful Catholics to support vocations.
By the end of the weekend, every empanada had been sold. The Knights of Columbus raised a substantial amount of money to help support our seminarians in their formation for the priesthood.
The lesson for me was simple: never doubt the Holy Spirit.
When God’s people come together in faith and place their work in His hands, He can accomplish far more than we could ever imagine. What began as a night of uncertainty ended as a celebration of faith, generosity, and hope for the future priests who will one day serve His Church.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love.
God bless you, Holy Spirit.
