Intercessors

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 15, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Dn 12:1-3 / Psalm 16 / Heb 10:11-14, 18 / Mk 13:24-32
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

We are all aware of the horrific events of last Friday, the 13^th, when the whole world was shaken by the attacks on innocent civilians in Paris. Pope Francis, after offering condolences and prayers, forcefully condemned the violence.   He described the attacks as ‘not human’, and he added that it is difficult to understand how such things could be done by human beings. The Holy Father knows, as we do, that there can be no rational explanation for such irrational and evil acts. (more…)

True Colors

Solemnity of All Saints
November 1, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14 / Psalm 24 / 1 Jn 3:1-3 / Mt 5:1-12a
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few years ago when I was still a priest in Norfolk, I got a call to go to a nearby hospital. When I arrived I was met by a jolly male nurse who was dressed as a clown for Halloween. After he greeted me with “Happy Halloween,” he gave me a rare compliment on my outfit. He said, “Nice costume. You really look like a priest.” I told him I loved being a priest and he responded, “Well who knows, you might be a priest someday.” (more…)

Eyes of Faith

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 25, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Jer 31:7-9 / Psalm 126 / Heb 5:1-6 / Mk 10:46-52
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

All of us rejoice, because we are alive. This is the first day of the rest of our lives, not only in this world, but the life that will never end.

We know that we are all blessed to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains area. The leaves in this part of the world, during the season of Fall, remind us of the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. But we also know that this beautiful scenery around us means nothing, if we don’t have the sense of sight. Our ability to see is indeed something that we should be grateful for, every single day of our lives. It should remind us how good and gracious is our God. (more…)

Holy Indifference

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 11, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Wis 7:7-11 / Psalm 90 / Heb 4:12-13 / Mk 10:17-30
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

The older I get, the more it astonishes me how wisdom can often be found in the strangest places. Even if you’ve never watched it, I’m sure most of you are aware of the cartoon that comes on by the name of The Simpsons. (more…)

Francis Effect

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 4, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Gn 2:18-24 / Psalm 128 / Heb 2:9-11 / Mk 10:2-16
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

For the past 7 days, up until yesterday, whenever I’ve turned on the radio in my car, talk radio hosts have still been talking about Pope Francis. Usually, they are discussing the so-called “Francis Effect.” Maria Shriver wrote that covering Pope Francis’ visit to America has got to be the highlight of her career as a journalist. She said, “I didn’t get to interview Pope Francis; I didn’t even get to meet him. But it didn’t actually matter because his words met my heart and ignited my spirit. I felt them deep in my soul.” (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…)

Be Opened!

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 6, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Is 35:4-7a / Psalm 146 / Jas 2:1-5 / Mk 7:31-37
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A story is told about a man who, after the Mass, asked his priest to pray for his hearing. Remembering what Jesus did, he laid his hand on the man and prayed for his hearing. The following day, he saw the same man in the church and asked, “So, how’s your hearing?” And the man said, “I don’t know; it’s not until Friday.” That’s not the kind of hearing that’s being referred to by St. Mark in the Gospel, but no prayers are wasted. Prayer is prayer. (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…)

Live Forever

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 16, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Prv 9:1-6 / Psalm 34 / Eph 5:15-20 / Jn 6:51-58
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A story is told about a man who was desperately late for an important appointment as he drove into an underground parking garage. He jumped out of the car and opened the back door to get his briefcase. Just then, an attendant came up and explained to him that the garage was a ‘self-park garage’ and he would have to park his car himself. Since he was in such a hurry, he quickly jumped back into the car and rolled down the window and said, “Okay, okay, which way do I go?” The attendant leaned into the window and replied, “Up the ramp and to your right, sir; but first you’ll have to get into the front seat of your car.” (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…)