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…)

Star of the Sea

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Parish Feast Day
September 13, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Is 50:5-9A / Psalm 116 / Jas 2:14-18 / Mk 8:27-35
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

It’s encouraging to know that someone of St. Peter’s stature and importance in the early Church could walk the walk so well – with his foot in his mouth. But what we have to remember is that, just like all of us, St. Peter was human. Even the greatest of humans makes mistakes. (more…)

Perfect Gift

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 30, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Dt 4:1-2, 6-8 / Psalm 15 / Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 / Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Yesterday in his homily at our sister parish in Moneta, Resurrection Catholic Church, Deacon Chris Barrett focused on his theological reflections related to the shooting that occurred at Bridgewater Plaza last Wednesday, taking the lives of Alison Parker and Adam Ward, and wounding the lone survivor, Vicki Gardner. Vicki is out of danger now. She is a parishioner at Resurrection, and we were able to talk to her yesterday. (more…)

The Whole Banquet

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August, 9, 2015 – Year B
Readings: 1 Kgs 19:4-8 / Psalm 34 / Eph 4:30-5:2 / Jn 6:41-51
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

I want you to think for a minute and see if you can remember where you were and what you were doing on March 13, 2013. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing. I was at work, sitting at my computer, working on a design for a new machine, when all of a sudden something caught my attention on my Twitter feed. White smoke had been seen over the Vatican, indicating that we had a new Pope. (more…)

Are You a Prophet?

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 12, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Am 7:12-15 / Psalm 85 / Eph 1:3-14 / Mk 6:7-13
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Once upon a time, there was a doctor. One day, a patient walked into his office and said, “Doctor, I think I’m dying,” and the doctor said, “Well, what seems to be the problem?” The patient said, “I get this terrible pain whenever I touch my head.” The doctor said, “OK, what else?” He said, “I get that same terrible pain whenever I touch my chest.” (more…)

Strength in Weakness

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 5, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Ez 2:2-5 / Psalm 123 / 2 Cor 12:7-10 / Mk 6:1-6
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Not too long ago, Psychology Today Magazine published an article by Dr. Glenn Crosten, entitled “The Thing We Fear More Than Death.” In his article, Dr. Crosten explains that the reason we break into a sweat when we stand up in front of a group of people is that we are afraid of their rejection. (more…)

Storm and Faith

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 21, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Jb 38:1, 8-11 / Psalm 107 / 2 Cor 5:14-17 / Mk 4:35-41
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

At some time in the past, some of us have experienced a storm while at sea, at the lake, or even while driving. For many of us, especially those who travel quite often, the closest experience that we may have is turbulence on a plane. During that time, it is a big relief when someone gives us assurance that everything will be fine. (more…)

Breastplate

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
May 31, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Dt 4:32-34, 39-40 / Psalm 33 / Rom 8:14-17 / Mt 28:16-20
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

In the past few years, the news in the papers, television, radio and all media outlets has almost always included something about war or other forms of armed conflict. However, there is a war that each and every one of us is fighting every single day. This is our spiritual battle, the war against the forces of evil, the conflict within us to say ‘yes’ to God and ‘no’ to sin. (more…)

We Walk by Faith

Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday
April 12, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Acts 4:32-35 / 1 Jn 5:1-6 / Jn 20:19-31
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Talking about accident forgiveness, one of the lines in the most recent TV commercial of Liberty Mutual Insurance, is “Insurance Companies: News Flash. Nobody’s perfect.” We all know that this is not news. It is a reality which is as old as humanity.

A few years ago, I saw a bumper sticker on a car which said: “I am not perfect, just forgiven.” (more…)

You’ll Never Walk Alone

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
January 11, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm – Isaiah 12; Acts 10:34-38; Mk 1:7-11
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

From September 1940 until May 1941, Hitler’s Luftwaffe carried out an intense bombing campaign of London. His intent was to demoralize the British people and and encourage them to surrender quickly. The damage inflicted on the city was great and causalities were high. The destruction in the East End of London was especially bad. In spite of this and against the advice of many of his advisors, King George VI and his wife Elizabeth decided to stay in London instead of evacuating to the countryside. (more…)