The Kiss of Jesus

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 4, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Wis 9:13-18B / Ps 90 / Phmn 9-10, 12-17 / Lk 14:25-33
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few hours ago Mother Teresa was canonized by Pope Francis at the Vatican, and she is now officially Saint Mother Teresa.  It is interesting to note that even a saint like Mother Teresa has her critics.  This should give us encouragement if, while trying to do something good for God and our neighbor, we are also criticized for our actions.  (more…)

Love Your Neighbor

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 10, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Dt 30:10-14 / Ps 69 / Col 1:15-20 / Lk 10:25-37
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

When I was a little kid, and I would go with my Dad on Saturdays down to my grandmother’s house to work on cars, he would always give me a few coins.  When we would stop at the store, I got to pick whatever piece of candy I wanted.  So I loved getting coins.  But I have to confess, as I’ve gotten older, I’m really not a fan of coins any more.  (more…)

The Good Shepherd Knows

Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 17, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52 / Ps 100 / Rev 7:9, 14B-17 / Jn 10:27-30
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

About five decades ago, my uncle convinced my mom to allow me to spend a couple of days with his family in another province in the Philippine Islands.  I had a childhood experience that I will never forget, because that was my very first sleepover.  (more…)

To Boldly Go…

Easter Sunday
March 27, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 / Psalm 118 / Col 3:1-4 / Jn 20:1-9
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

When Father Sal told me he wanted me to preach this morning, my first thought was, “What do I say?” After all, today is THE day, the pinnacle of days. Today we celebrate the triumphal conclusion of Christ’s Paschal Mystery; His suffering, death and His glorious resurrection. What can be said except, “Jesus Christ is Risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!” Amen!

That was my first thought, but then I remembered my number one obligation is to preach the Gospel; the Good News of Jesus Christ. I can sum up this Gospel with three words: God loves us. God loves us and I can even prove it. (more…)

Embrace Change

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 7, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Is 6:1-2A, 3-8 / Ps 138 / 1 Cor 15:1-11 / Lk 5:1-11
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

This Sunday is not the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  But with these readings, it very well could be.  These readings have a common theme going through them: the theme of God calling and people answering, plain and simple. (more…)

Seeing God’s Presence

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 31, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Jer 1:4-5, 17-19 / Ps 71 / 1 Cor 12:31-13:13 / Lk 4:21-30
by Rev. Louis Benoit, Guest Celebrant

Jesus goes to his hometown and proclaims the Good News of healing and liberation, and the people are impressed.  But then they begin to say, “Wait a minute!  Isn’t this Joseph’s son?  Isn’t he the carpenter’s boy? Where did he get all this?  We know where he comes from.”  They begin to question.  Jesus points out to them that sometimes people outside Judaism have greater faith than these people inside Judaism.  And this really gets the people riled up!  They want to throw him over the edge of the hill where the town is built, but he goes through their midst and is gone…

Of course, the tragedy is that Jesus, God incarnate in a human person, is among them and they don’t see it.  Their vision is too narrow, and they miss it. (more…)

Mercy and Forgiveness

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 8, 2015 – Year C
Readings: Gn 3:9-15, 20 / Psalm 98 / Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 / Lk 1:26-38
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

During my first few months as pastor here and at our sister parish, Resurrection, I had the privilege to know an extraordinary young man named Alex Earnandes. He and his family were members of Resurrection Parish. He was highly regarded by both young and older members of the community and well known and loved by the congregation of Resurrection. He had been an altar server at Resurrection for many years before I became pastor. He was a member of the men’s group and helped in many other ministries as well. (more…)

Be Prepared!

1st Sunday of Advent
November 29, 2015 – Year C
Readings:  Jer 33:14-16 / Psalm 25 / 1 Thes 3:12 – 4:2 / Lk 21:25-28, 34-36
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Happy New Year! Today is the first Sunday of Advent, so it is the First Sunday of the Church’s year. And Happy New Year… the world is ending! How about that Gospel to start off the season of Advent?

I’m lucky that I have been able to be involved with Boy Scouting for the past 11 years. (more…)

Intercessors

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 15, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Dn 12:1-3 / Psalm 16 / Heb 10:11-14, 18 / Mk 13:24-32
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

We are all aware of the horrific events of last Friday, the 13^th, when the whole world was shaken by the attacks on innocent civilians in Paris. Pope Francis, after offering condolences and prayers, forcefully condemned the violence.   He described the attacks as ‘not human’, and he added that it is difficult to understand how such things could be done by human beings. The Holy Father knows, as we do, that there can be no rational explanation for such irrational and evil acts. (more…)

The Elephant in the Room

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 27, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Nm 11:25-29 / Psalm 19 / Jas 5:1-6 / Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Once upon a time there was a man. He went into the confessional, sat down and said, “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. I used some horrible language this past week, and I feel absolutely terrible.” The priest looked at him and said, “Tell me about it, my son.” (more…)