True Faith Brings Happiness

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 17, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 56:1, 6-7; Psalm 67; Rom 11:13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28
by Most Reverend Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon, Philippines

The beautiful gospel has plenty of implications. First, this is the only recorded time that Jesus was in a non-Jewish territory. But most of all, it prophesied a very important doctrine that the gospel would be preached to all the nations, as prophesied by the prophet Isaiah in the first reading and fulfilled in the second reading during the time of St. Paul, when the gospel was preached to the Gentiles because the Jews rejected Jesus Christ, our Lord. However, St. Paul still had the hope that all the Jews would be converted to Christ someday, because they were the first chosen people of God. (more…)

Mary: Our Spiritual GPS

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 15, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Rv 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab; Psalm 45; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

As we celebrate today the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we remember that glorious day when the Blessed Mother was taken up, body and soul, into heaven. Our faith tells us there are only two physical bodies in heaven: our Lord Jesus himself, who ascended into heaven, and the Blessed Mother, who was assumed into heaven.

Why is this so important to us? (more…)

Be Not Afraid

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 10, 2014 – Year A
Readings: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a; Psalm 85; Rom 9:1-5; Mt 14:22-33
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few years ago, the comedian Jerry Seinfeld said, “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Now this means, to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you are better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” (more…)

Different Voices, One Mission

Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul, Apostles
June 29, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Acts 12:1-11, Psalm 34, 2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18, Mt 16:13-19
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Today, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, two of the Church’s greatest saints. We commemorate their lives for the same reason that we commemorate all of the lives of the saints, to remind us of our ultimate call. Our calling is to join them, to become saints ourselves. (more…)

Sharing the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Pentecost Sunday
June 8, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  Acts 2:1-11, Psalm 104, 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13, Jn 20:19-23
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

Today we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. Most of us marvel at what happened to the disciples of Christ on that glorious day. We often think of this as a one-time event, but the truth is it is an on-going event. We need to observe Pentecost every day. (more…)

Mothers: Our Good Shepherds

4th Sunday of Easter (Mother’s Day)
May 11, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Acts 2:14A, 36-41, Psalm 23, 1 Pt 2:20B-25, Jn 10:1-10
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

There is a Mother’s Day story I thought you might enjoy. The story is in the autobiography of Jimmy Cagney, the famous Hollywood actor. It took place in his youth when his mother was very, very sick. Around her bed were the four Cagney boys and Jeannie, their only sister. Because of a stroke, Mrs. Cagney could no longer speak. (more…)

Open to the Spirit

2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday)
April 27, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 118, 1 Pt 1:3-9, Jn 20:19-31
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Today, the 2nd Sunday of Easter, the church emphasizes the unimaginable mercy of our loving God. In the first reading from The Acts of the Apostles, we get a little glimpse of the communal life of the brand-new Church. (more…)

The Joy of the Resurrection

Easter Sunday
April 20, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Acts 10:34A, 37-43, Psalm 118, Col 3:1-4, Jn 20:1-9
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

Each of the eye witnesses in the New Testament gives differing accounts of Christ’s resurrection. Here is the Apostle John’s account: Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from its entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and another disciple, (more…)