We Are God’s Temple

Third Sunday of Lent
March 8, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Ex 20:1-17 / 1 Cor 1:22-25 / Jn 2:13-25
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Spring is here, although not formally, not until March 20, but we already spring forward. I love those words: “Spring forward.” We don’t spring backward, we always spring forward. And this is what we do with our spiritual life. We always move forward. (more…)

The Joy of Listening to Jesus

Second Sunday of Lent
March 1, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Gn 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18; Psalm 116; Rom 8:31B-34; Mk 9:2-10
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

While I was away, Holy Name of Mary was in the Catholic Virginian again with Colleen’s article, “It All Began with a Word.” After consistently reading the sacred scriptures for several days, she got the inspiration to start the Holy Spirit Prayer Ministry. One of those who recently attended the Prayer Ministry said, “I came feeling sick and depressed. I left feeling joyful!” (more…)

Coming Home

First Sunday of Lent
February 22, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Gn 9:8-15; Psalm 25; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

I would like to thank all of you for praying for me while I traveled back from the Philippines. It’s quite a change from 90-degree temperature all the time to 8 degrees with snow. 99 percent of my relatives & friends in my hometown have never seen, much less touched, snow. So when they heard there was a snowstorm here, they asked me to try to explain snowflakes and snow formation. I tried, but (more…)

Come after Me

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 25, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Jon 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 25; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20
Rev. David Hyman

Jesus says, “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Come after me.” Those are the key phrases for me this morning.

“The kingdom of God is at hand” simply means that Jesus is here. The final revelation of God is here. Come after me, sign up – you and I have done it. We’ve been baptized, we’ve been confirmed, we belong to the kingdom of God. We’d like to think that we’re all coming after in the ways in which we’ve been shown and the ways we’ve chosen to do it. And so it is. (more…)

You’ll Never Walk Alone

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
January 11, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Is 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm – Isaiah 12; Acts 10:34-38; Mk 1:7-11
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

From September 1940 until May 1941, Hitler’s Luftwaffe carried out an intense bombing campaign of London. His intent was to demoralize the British people and and encourage them to surrender quickly. The damage inflicted on the city was great and causalities were high. The destruction in the East End of London was especially bad. In spite of this and against the advice of many of his advisors, King George VI and his wife Elizabeth decided to stay in London instead of evacuating to the countryside. (more…)

My Faith Journey

FIRE Mass Testimony from Dr. Joseph Mukuni,
Visiting Assistant Professor of Career and Technical Education, Virginia Tech
January 6, 2015

Dear brothers and sisters, thank you for inviting me once again to share the testimony of my life journey with you. (more…)

Follow the Star

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
January 4, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Is 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6; Mt 2:1-12
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few weeks ago on a dark, rainy morning like today, I was called by one of our parishioners who wished to receive the sacrament of holy anointing. Since the address was in Bedford, I didn’t bother to ask for detailed directions. I figured that since she didn’t live that far away, even my 8-year-old GPS could find her place. That’s what I thought. (more…)

Dwelling in God’s Eternal Kingdom

Mass of Christian Burial for Baby Moses Jacques Baptiste
January 2, 2015
Readings: Lamentations 3:17-26; Psalm 25; 1 John 3:1-2; Matthew 25:35-40
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

In 28 years of the priesthood, I have never had a funeral Mass for a baby as young as Baby Moses. This is a first for me. (more…)

Can We Be Like the Mother of God?

Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
January 1, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Nm 6:22-27; Psalm 67; Gal 4:4-7; Lk 2:16-21
by Rev. Mr. Mike Stinson, Permanent Deacon

What does a Mother do? She helps her child grow. First, her child grows within her. Then her child is born. And then she encourages her child to keep growing, and she introduces him to others.

Like any mother, Mary remembered the events surrounding the birth of her child — the gospel says she “kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” These events showed the unique nature of her child. A human baby — but also God, come to earth in human form. (more…)

I’ve Gone to Rest a Little While

Mass of Christian Burial for Edward William Wessel
December 30, 2014
Readings: Is 40:28-31; Psalm 121; 2 Cor 5:1, 6-10; Jn 14:1-6
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Lettie, Gary – the three of us were with Eddie when he was born into life eternal. Members of Holy Name of Mary know that we never say that Eddie “died.” We use the words “born into life eternal.” It is one thing to die; it is another thing to be born into life eternal. (more…)