It’s God’s Time For You

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 30, 2017 – Year A
Readings: 1 Kgs 3:5, 7-12 / Ps 119 / Rom 8:28-30 / Mt 13:44-52
by Rev. Mike Boehling, Guest Celebrant

Six years ago, John Christian was the very last person to apply to the seminary that year.  I remember that he was anxious, and as I met with him time and again as the Vocations Director, there was anxiety about taking the next step.  (more…)

What We Know for Sure

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
June 18, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Dt 8:2-3, 14b-16a / Psalm 147 / 1 Cor 10:16-17 / Jn 6:51-58
by Rev. Paul O’Donnell-Duggan, Guest Celebrant

Can you imagine Oprah Winfrey being stuck for a word? She said it happened once when she was being interviewed by Gene Siskel, the Chicago Sun Times film critic, in an interview before he died. He asked her a question that stumped her, “Tell me, Oprah, what do you know for sure?” That’s a great question, and she said, “Um, uh, I know for sure . . . actually, Gene, I need more time. I can’t answer that question right now.” (more…)

Courage to Witness

The Ascension of the Lord
May 28, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Acts 1:1-11 / Ps 47 / Eph 1:17-23 / Mt 28:16-20
by Rev. Paul O’Donnell Duggan, Guest Celebrant

Tomorrow is the hundredth anniversary of the birth of President John F. Kennedy.  To mark the occasion, the Post Office put out a beautiful stamp of Kennedy.  Of course, we all know his most famous statement.  If you ever visit Arlington National Cemetery, you’ll see the Eternal Flame and the words from his inaugural address in stone:  “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”  (more…)

Loving His Way

Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 21, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 / Ps 66 / 1 Pt 3:15-18 / Jn 14:15-21
by Rev. Paul O’Donnell Duggan, Guest Celebrant

I’ve always been impressed by the quality of the hospitality of Filipino families. I have spent almost fifty years in New Jersey, and in every parish I was in, we always had Filipino families.

There was one in particular that would call at least once a month, sometimes twice, “Father Paul, can you come over?” It’s 8 o’clock at night or 9 o’clock, and I say “Oh, I’d love to, certainly.” At that hour, I’ve already had my dinner. When I go over, there is a huge dinner waiting. (more…)

Hope, Not Fear

The Resurrection of the Lord
April 16, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Acts 10:34A, 37-43 / Ps 118 / Col 3:1-4 / Jn 20:1-9
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon 

If you’ve spent any time on the internet looking at social media, you have encountered a “meme.”  Even if you don’t know the word “meme,” you probably do know what I’m talking about.  I had been seeing these things for a long time and had no clue what they were called until one day my teenagers informed me of the proper term for these things.  (more…)

Commissioned To Do Good

Holy Thursday
April 13, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14 / Ps 116 / 1 Cor 11:23-26 / Jn 13:1-15
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

A few months before Bishop Fulton Sheen died, he allowed himself to be interviewed on television. During the interview, the TV reporter asked him, “Your Excellency, you have inspired millions of people, not only in this country but all over the world. Can you tell us who inspired you? Was it the pope?” Bishop Sheen responded that it wasn’t the pope, nor a cardinal or another bishop, or even a priest or a nun. He said it was an eleven-year-old girl.   (more…)

Children of Light

4th Sunday of Lent
March 26, 2017 – Year A
Readings: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a / Psalm 23 / Eph 5:8-14 / Jn 9:1-41
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Last December 25th, 2016 – just three months ago – a man in Roanoke was celebrating his 95th birthday. He wished to celebrate it by taking a bouquet of flowers to the grave of his wife at a Roanoke cemetery. Since someone had told him that plastic flowers are much better because they are not only cheaper, but last much longer than real ones, that is what he bought. But on his way to the cemetery, a speeding vehicle smashed the right side of his car. Though he had only minor injuries, his car was totally damaged. When the cops arrived at the scene of the accident, he was still picking up what was left of those flowers that had been scattered all over the road. (more…)

Up and Down the Mountain

Second Sunday of Lent
March 12, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Gn 12:1-4A / Ps 33 / 2 Tm 1:8B-10 / Mt 17:1-9
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon 

Last weekend my wife and I were in Munich, Germany.  We went there because my wife was invited to give a recital at the Gasteig.  It’s a big concert hall with multiple venues, similar to the Kennedy Center or Carnegie Hall.  It’s very active:  They do a thousand events there a year. (more…)

The Right Path

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 12, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Sir 15:15-20 / Psalm 119 / 1 Cor 2:6-10 / Mt 5:17-37
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Today’s Gospel is one of the first sections of the New Testament that I ever came across that caused me great concern. I don’t recall when I first read it, but it was probably on a Sunday morning reading the pew Bible instead of listening to the preacher. (Don’t do that, kids! Listen to Father Sal!) (more…)

Is Your Light On?

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 5, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Is 58:7-10 / Ps 112 / 1 Cor 2:1-5 / Mt 5:13-16
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

The Sunday School Times once published a story about a motorist who, one dark night, was run down by a train at the grade crossing.  The old signalman in charge of the crossing had to appear in court.  After a severe cross examination, he was still unshaken.  He said that he had waved his lantern frantically, but all to no avail. (more…)