Mystery and Math

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
May 22, 2016 – Year C
Readings:  Prv 8:22-31 / Psalm 8 / Rom 5:1-5 / Jn 16:12-15
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

The Holy Trinity. We say it all the time. It’s the foundation of Christianity. It’s what makes us unique. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. One God, three Persons. NOT three Gods. We are not polytheistic, as some people accuse us. But no other religion on earth has this understanding of the Divine Nature. (more…)

Holy Spirit’s Power

Pentecost Sunday
May 15, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Acts 2:1-11 / Ps 104 / 1 Cor 12:3B-7, 12-13 / Jn 20:19-23
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Yesterday afternoon, after I prayed our mid-afternoon prayers at the church rectory, I was admiring the beauty of the rain from the window.  And this led me and inspired me to once again read the free verse poem written by Michelle Sedas entitled “Welcome the Rain.”  I usually don’t read poems, but somehow this one I have read quite a number of times and part of it reads this way: (more…)

Changed by the Spirit

Confirmation
April 22, 2016
by Msgr. Mark Lane, General Vicar

Before I do anything tonight, I have one request of the young people about to be confirmed:  Breathe.  You’re not breathing.  Unless you breathe, you’re going to fall out.  And while in the charismatic renewal movement and within the gifts of the Spirit there is such a thing as being “slain in the Spirit,” tonight is not the night for being slain in the Spirit, I can assure you. (more…)

Life in the Spirit

Holy Spirit Prayer Ministry
August 11, 2015
Readings: (cited within the transcript)
by Bishop Arturo Bastes, SVD, D.D.

Let me recall what I know about the Holy Spirit. First of all, the Holy Spirit is the creator. In the beginning of the Bible, we read in the Book of Genesis, in the original Hebrew:

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Seeds of the Spirit

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 14, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Ez 17:22-24 / Psalm 92 / 2 Cor 5:6-10 / Mk 4:26-34
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

One Sunday after the service, a preacher was standing outside and greeting the people as they left the church. One lady came up to the preacher and said, “I really enjoyed your homily today.” And the preacher said, “Well ma’am, I can’t take credit for it. It must be the Holy Spirit.” The lady looked at him and said, “I’m sorry, but it wasn’t that good.” (more…)

Breastplate

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
May 31, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Dt 4:32-34, 39-40 / Psalm 33 / Rom 8:14-17 / Mt 28:16-20
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

In the past few years, the news in the papers, television, radio and all media outlets has almost always included something about war or other forms of armed conflict. However, there is a war that each and every one of us is fighting every single day. This is our spiritual battle, the war against the forces of evil, the conflict within us to say ‘yes’ to God and ‘no’ to sin. (more…)

The Gift of Wisdom

Pentecost Sunday
May 24, 2015 – Year B
Readings:  Acts 2:1-11 / Psalm 104 / 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13 / Jn 20:19-23
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

According to Beliefnet.com, one of the three most popular prayers in the world, which is being prayed by thousands, and even millions, of people every day is the Serenity Prayer. Part of it says, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” We all know that trying to change our DNA, or our genes, or our family, is an exercise in futility. But there are still a lot of things in the world and in ourselves that we can change. (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…)

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…)