The New Evangelization Needs YOU!

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 13, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 55:10-11; Psalm 65; Rom 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

Today’s gospel is all about the sowing of seeds. We wonder what kind of ground we are. Are we the path, are we the rocky ground, or are we the good soil? The question is put before us, the word is preached. We hear the word, but do we put it into action? That’s what the message is today, to all of us. I think most of us are like the rocky ground. We hear the word and it brings joy to our hearts but then we leave here and forget all about it until next week. And that’s about as far as we go. But that’s not what Jesus wants from us. He wants each and every one of us to be fertile ground, who hears the word, takes it to heart and uses it on a daily basis, week after week. How do we do all these things? Well, there are a number of ways. (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…)

The Joy of Christ

Reflection for Nursing Home Prayer Service
Wednesday of the 3rd Sunday of Easter, Year A
May 7, 2014
Readings:  Acts 8:1B-8, Psalm 66, Jn 6:35-40
by Mrs. Rita Zimmermann, Faith Formation Coordinator

In the Acts of the Apostles and the letters of Paul, the response of people who began to believe was joy. It today’s First Reading we hear, “Thus Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them… There was great joy in that city.” (more…)

Journey with Jesus

3rd Sunday of Easter
May 4, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-23, Psalm 16, 1 Pt 1:17-21, Lk 24:13-35
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Last Sunday after the canonization of Saint John Paul II and Saint John XXIII, Cardinal Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York said that many people who don’t understand our Catholic faith tradition were probably wondering why thousands of people were gathered in the Vatican for the canonization.  Millions of people around the world were watching on TV, or following on Twitter or Facebook.  Why was everyone so excited, honoring these two dead men? (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 Responsibility of Baptism

Easter Vigil
April 19, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Gn 1:1-2:2, Psalm 104, Gn 22:1-18, Psalm 16, Ex 14:15-15:1, Ex 15:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 17-18, Is 54:5-14, Psalm 30, Is 55:1-11, Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6, Bar 3:9-15, 32-4:4, Psalm 19, Ez 36:16-17A, 18-28, Psalm 51, Rom 6:3-11, Psalm 118, Mt 28:1-10
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

The Easter Vigil is my favorite liturgy of the whole year. There are many that I love. The Chrism Mass, which was celebrated on Monday night at the Cathedral in Richmond, is incredible and if you have never been, you should plan on attending next year. But it is ranks behind the Vigil in my book. (more…)

The Face of Christ

Holy Thursday:  Mass of the Lord’s Supper
April 17, 2014
Readings: Ex 12:1-8, 11-14, Psalm 116, 1 Cor 11:23-26, Jn 13:1-15
by Rev. Mr. Sal Clarizio, Permanent Deacon

Not long ago, the history channel showed a documentary in which scientists attempted to create what may be the most realistic 3-D image of the face of Christ. They spent many months on the project, using sophisticated computer technology to craft the image from the Shroud of Turin. (more…)

He Who Believes in Me Will Live

5th Sunday of Lent, Year A
April 6, 2014
Readings: Ez 37:12-14, Psalm 130, Rom 8:8-11, Jn 11:1-45
by Rev. Mr. Sal Clarizio, Permanent Deacon

In the gospel reading of today from St. John we hear the story of the raising of Lazarus from death. This miracle is the seventh and greatest of the ‘signs’ that Jesus works in St. John’s gospel. (more…)

What If You Were at the Well?

3rd Sunday of Lent
March 23, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  Ex 17:3-7, Psalm 95, Rom 5: 1-2, 5-8, Jn 4:5-42
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Prayer, Fasting and Alms Giving.  When we think about Lent, this is probably the first thing that comes to mind.  These are the three pillars of Lenten observance.

A friend of mine, who is a Protestant, asked me on Ash Wednesday, “What exactly is Lent?” (more…)