I’ll Be Home for Christmas

Mass of Christian Burial for Angie Ayers Patterson
December 27, 2014
Readings: Job 19:1, 23-26; Psalm 23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:1-6
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

When I was little, I loved going places with my Aunt Brenda. We had a lot of fun together but sometimes our outings turned into adventures. On one fall afternoon, we were driving along going somewhere and we got lost. According to my aunt, as she was trying to figure out how to get back on track, I spoke up from the back seat and said, “Nonda, will we make it home for Christmas?” (more…)

Finding Joy

3rd Sunday of Advent
December 14, 2014 – Year B
Readings: Is 61:1-2a, 10-11; Luke 1; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

“Gaudete in Domino semper” –“Rejoice in the Lord always.” That is the beginning of the opening antiphon for today’s celebration. The theme for today is Joy, and that is the why we light a rose candle and wear rose vestments. (Judging by the grins on so many of your faces, I think it has been effective.)

One thing that my daughter and I share is that our birthdays are both in December. This can present a special challenge that people with birthdays in other months can not fully appreciate. (more…)

Second Coming, Second Christmas

1st Sunday of Advent
November 30, 2014 – Year B
Readings: Is 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7; Psalm 80, 1 Cor 1:3-9; Mk 13:33-37
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Today, the first day of the season of Advent, Holy Mother Church tells us that Christmas is coming. We notice that the church is pretty late in her announcement, because here in the town of Bedford, the Christmas ornaments have been at the Elks Home since October. At Liberty Lake Park, the decorations have been up for a few weeks. The radio station 93.5 has been playing Christmas songs 24 hours a day for more than two weeks now. (more…)

Christ Our King

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
November 23, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Ez 34:11-12, 15-17; Psalm 23, 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28; Mt 25:31-46
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A story is told about a young dad who was trying to teach his 5-year-old son about discipline and the virtue of self-denial. One evening, his little boy didn’t want to go to bed, and when he asked for a glass of juice, the father answered, “No sir, it’s too late for that. You’re supposed to be in bed. No more juice. I am the King of the Juice in this house.” The little boy answered, “I don’t think you are right, Daddy, because our Sunday School teacher said it’s Jesus who is the King of the Juice.” (more…)

Got Talent?

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 16, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Psalm 128; 1 Thes 5:1-6; Mt 25:14-30
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

One of the most popular reality shows on TV today is “America’s Got Talent.” Maybe some of you have watched this show. The most common questions that the judges ask the contestants is, “Do you think the talent you will show us is worth a million dollars?” (more…)

What Is a Church?

Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran in Rome
November 9, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 46; 1 Cor 3:9C-11, 16-17; Jn 2:13-22
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

In 2011, my family and I were fortunate enough to be able to go on a trip with my in-laws to Europe. During this trip we spent several days in Rome. One of the many places that we visited is the subject of today’s feast – the Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. (more…)

Intimacy. Intentionality. Integrity.

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 26, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Ex 22:20-26; Psalm 18; 1 Thes 1: 5c-10; Mt 22:34-40
by Rev. Mr. Chris Barrett, Permanent Deacon, Resurrection Catholic Church

Three “I” words for you this morning: Intimacy, Intentionality, and Integrity – and the three “I” words relate to love of God, love of neighbor and love of self.

A scholar of the law is asking Jesus which commandment is the greatest, and he was probably hoping for a very scholarly, intellectual answer. What he got was, “Love God, love your neighbor, love yourself.” A very simple answer, but it does kind of say it all, doesn’t it? (more…)

Servants – “Invite to the Feast Whomever You Find”

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 12, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 25:6-10a; Psalm 23; Phil 4:12-14, 19-20; Mt 22:1-14
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

For the third Sunday in a row, Jesus is criticizing the chief priests and elders, and once again, he is speaking to them in parables. He is admonishing them for failing to live up to the spirit of the Law and the Old Covenant. Unlike the last two Sundays where vineyards featured prominently, in this Gospel reading, Jesus uses the image of a party, a wedding feast, and the image is rich in meaning and symbolism. (more…)

Workers in the Vineyard

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 28, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Ez 18:25-28; Psalm 25; Phil 2:1-11; Mt 21:28-32
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

I don’t know about you but I like it when Jesus talks about vineyards. For me, it conjures up images of sitting in an adirondack chair over looking rows and rows of vines while sipping a glass of Nebbiolo. Birds chirping, mountains in the distance. However, I don’t think that’s the image that Jesus was going for. (more…)

Protesting Evil

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 7, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Ez 33:7-9, Psalm 95, Rom 13:8-10, Mt 18:15-20
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

There comes a time when we must speak out.

If your brother sins against you, go to him and show him his fault. (Matthew 18:15)

Martin Niemoller was a German submarine commander in World War I. The German government awarded him the prestigious Iron Cross for his service.  After the war he studied theology and became a Lutheran pastor in a suburb outside Berlin. When the Nazis came to power, he became a party member.  But when he saw the evil direction the Nazis were beginning to take, he publicly opposed them and organized German church leaders to oppose them, also. (more…)