Living, Loving, and Giving

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 15, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Is 25:6-10A / Ps 23 / Phil 4:12-14, 19-20 / Mt 22:1-14
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

On your way to our sanctuary, you must have noticed the tables and displays of the different ministries of Holy Name of Mary. Just as our Holy Mother Church asks us to make an inventory of our God-given talents and find time during the week, month, or year to share them with the Mystical Body of Christ, this Sunday we are also beginning the Joyful Living, Grateful Giving program. (more…)

The Greatest Blessing of All

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
January 1, 2017 – Year A
by Rev. Mr. Mike Stinson, Permanent Deacon, St. George, Scottsville
Readings: Nm 6:22-27 / Psalm 67 / Gal 4:4-7 / Lk 2:16-21

Your deacon Eddie and I were both raised as Baptists, and most of the preaching I heard in the first few decades of my life was Baptist preaching — including a few times just down the street at Bedford Baptist Church.

You might know that the preaching tradition in Baptist churches is a little different than here in the Catholic church. One way it’s different is that Baptists often feel encouraged to talk back to their preachers — to say “Amen,” or “that’s right,” or “Praise Jesus,” or other things.

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The Merciful King

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
November 20, 2016 – Year C
Readings: 2 Sm 5:1-3 / Ps 122 / Col 1:12-20 / Lk 23:35-43
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King, which is the last Sunday in the liturgical calendar, and this year is also the last day of the Year of Mercy.  It is the hope of our Holy Mother Church that the emphasis on God’s infinite mercy this past year will remain with us to ponder upon and reflect on for the rest of our lives.  (more…)

Prayer Power

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 16, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Ex 17:8-13 / Ps 121 / 2 Tm 3:14-4:2 / Lk 18:1-8
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

Many years ago, a young Catholic lady got married to a man who not only was a pagan, but also had a very bad temper.  But she bore all her sufferings with patience and with fervent prayer. (more…)

Living and Praying with Joy

Second Sunday of Advent
December 6, 2015 – Year C
Readings: Bar 5:1-9 / Psalm 126 / Phil 1:4-6, 8-11 / Lk 3:1-6
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

The recent Bedford Christmas 5K race and the concert by the Lynchburg Youth Symphony Orchestra remind me of the significance of this year’s theme of the Bedford Christmas Parade: “It’s a Wonderful Life.” It was obviously taken from the classic movie of the same title that’s supposed to have taken place in a town called Bedford Falls. (more…)

Journey with Our King

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
November 22, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Dn 7:13-14 / Psalm 93 / Rv 1:5-8 / Jn 18:33b-37
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

St. Augustine once said that the world is a book and those who do not travel, read only one page. All of us have been traveling with the Lord Jesus in the company of God’s family at Holy Name of Mary since November 30, 2014, the first Sunday of Advent. Today, which is the feast of our Lord Jesus Christ, as King of the universe, marks the end of our spiritual journey in cycle B in our liturgical calendar. (more…)

Francis Effect

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 4, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Gn 2:18-24 / Psalm 128 / Heb 2:9-11 / Mk 10:2-16
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

For the past 7 days, up until yesterday, whenever I’ve turned on the radio in my car, talk radio hosts have still been talking about Pope Francis. Usually, they are discussing the so-called “Francis Effect.” Maria Shriver wrote that covering Pope Francis’ visit to America has got to be the highlight of her career as a journalist. She said, “I didn’t get to interview Pope Francis; I didn’t even get to meet him. But it didn’t actually matter because his words met my heart and ignited my spirit. I felt them deep in my soul.” (more…)

Be Opened!

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 6, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Is 35:4-7a / Psalm 146 / Jas 2:1-5 / Mk 7:31-37
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A story is told about a man who, after the Mass, asked his priest to pray for his hearing. Remembering what Jesus did, he laid his hand on the man and prayed for his hearing. The following day, he saw the same man in the church and asked, “So, how’s your hearing?” And the man said, “I don’t know; it’s not until Friday.” That’s not the kind of hearing that’s being referred to by St. Mark in the Gospel, but no prayers are wasted. Prayer is prayer. (more…)

Rewards of Giving

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 26, 2015 – Year B
Readings:  2 Kgs 4:42-44 / Psalm 145 / Eph 4:1-6 / Jn 6:1-15
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Just over 6 years ago, a girl about 8 years old regularly attended Mass with her grandparents in my former parish of St. Luke’s in Virginia Beach. None of us in the parish bothered to ask why she was living with her grandparents instead her own parents. We were just happy to have her there because we enjoyed her company. She had a way of making everyone around her feel special and important just by being herself. (more…)

Sharing Our Blessings

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 3, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 55:1-3; Psalm 145; Rom 8:35, 37-39; Mt 14:13-21
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

The central theme of today’s readings is the provident care of a loving and merciful God who generously shares His riches with us, giving us His Son Jesus as our spiritual food, preparing us for the Heavenly banquet, and challenging us to share our blessings with others. (more…)