The Armor of Light

First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2016 – Year A
Readings: Is 2:1-5 / Ps 122 / Rom 13:11-14 / Mt 24:37-44
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

About 20 years ago, while I was having a lively dinner conversation with my cousins in New York during my first week in the United States, they gave me the honor of hearing about all they had done – a sort of summary of their lives.  This included not only their achievements but also the mistakes they made and what they should have done.  (more…)

Prayer Power

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 16, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Ex 17:8-13 / Ps 121 / 2 Tm 3:14-4:2 / Lk 18:1-8
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

Many years ago, a young Catholic lady got married to a man who not only was a pagan, but also had a very bad temper.  But she bore all her sufferings with patience and with fervent prayer. (more…)

Be Aware, Be Grateful

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 9, 2016 – Year C
Readings: 2 Kgs 5:14-17 / Ps 98 / 2 Tm 2:8-13 / Lk 17:11-19
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon 

Be thankful.  We know we’re supposed to do it.  Count your blessings.  I’m sure everybody has heard that.  So why then do we often have so much trouble remembering that?  I’ve asked myself that as I prepared to preach this morning. And the list is long.  We’re busy, one thing after another.  Two things that happen to us are highlighted very well in the readings today. (more…)

Us and Them

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 25, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Am 6:1A, 4-7 / Psalm 146 / 1 Tm 6:11-16 / Lk 16:19-31
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

At first glance, our Gospel today seems pretty straightforward. The question is: Why did the rich man go to Hell? The obvious answer is: Because he did not feed the poor. (more…)

Love Freely Given

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 12, 2016 – Year C
Readings: 2 Sm 12:7-10, 13 / Ps 32 / Gal 2:16, 19-21 / Lk 7:36-8:3
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

This past week, as I was perusing Facebook, I saw a story about Ron Howard, little Opie Taylor.  He and his wife just celebrated their forty-first wedding anniversary.  I know some of you saw it, too, because it told me at the top of the screen that you “liked” it. (more…)

Power of Divine Mercy

Sunday of Divine Mercy (Second Sunday of Easter)
April 3, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Acts 5:12-16 / Ps 118 / Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 / Jn 20:19-31
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Not too long ago, a Catholic priest told his congregation in one of his Sunday homilies: “This may shock some of you, but I’m going to tell you that Christianity is not a good idea.”  He added, “Christianity is not a great idea.  In fact, it is not even an idea.  Christianity is a personal relationship with our living God who loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to dwell among us, so He would be able to relate to us in a deeply personal way.” (more…)

Oasis of Mercy

Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 6, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Jos 5:9A, 10-12 / Ps 34 / 2 Cor 5:17-21 / Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

When Pope Francis announced the Extraordinary Year of Mercy at St. Peter’s Basilica, he said, “Let us not forget that God forgives, and God forgives always.”  Today’s gospel is a manifestation of this truth.  Today, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the vestments of the deacons and  priests, as well as the linens, are colored rose,  because this is Laetare Sunday, or “Rejoice” Sunday. (more…)

Healing the Evil Butler

3rd Sunday of Lent
February 28, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Ex 3:1-8a, 13-15 / Psalm 103 / 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12 / Lk 13:1-9
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

On this third Sunday of Lent, I have a confession to make. I really, really like the PBS series “Downton Abbey.” So now, guys, before you start cutting up my man card, hear me out. It’s British, which just automatically raises its cool factor. Think “The Beatles.” But as a preacher, I also like the way the series handles moral dilemmas. They don’t present them in a shallow, superficial way. They dig deep into them and explore all sides of various issues, and they do this masterfully. (more…)

Mercy and Forgiveness

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
December 8, 2015 – Year C
Readings: Gn 3:9-15, 20 / Psalm 98 / Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 / Lk 1:26-38
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

During my first few months as pastor here and at our sister parish, Resurrection, I had the privilege to know an extraordinary young man named Alex Earnandes. He and his family were members of Resurrection Parish. He was highly regarded by both young and older members of the community and well known and loved by the congregation of Resurrection. He had been an altar server at Resurrection for many years before I became pastor. He was a member of the men’s group and helped in many other ministries as well. (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…)