Our Eternal Mother

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 8, 2020 — Year B
Readings: Gn 3:9-15, 20 / Ps 98 / Eph 1:3-6, 11-12 / Lk 1:26-38
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

The Blessed Mother has always been taking good care of her children. Even before she was the mother of the Lord, she had already devoted her life to God’s service.

Many of you know that I grew up in the Philippine Islands in the very small town of Barcelona. Many years ago there was a town jail there, very near to the church. No one was usually in the jail. (more…)

Jesus Has Been Here All the Time

Second Sunday of Advent
December 6, 2020 — Year B
Readings: Is 40:1-5, 9-11 / Ps 85 / 2 Pt 3:8-14 / Mk 1:1-8
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few years ago, my pastor from the Philippines, from the time when I was a newly ordained priest, came to visit me in my church in the Tidewater area. He was planning to be there on a Saturday afternoon, and he told me that he would concelebrate with me at the anticipated Mass. His plan was to arrive at least an hour before the Mass, so he would be able to see the place and possibly meet some of my parishioners. (more…)

Owner’s Manual for Life

First Sunday of Advent
November 29, 2020 — Year B
Readings: Is 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7 / Ps 80 / 1 Cor 1:3-9 / Mk 13:33-37
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Not too long ago, Bristol Street Motors conducted a study to find out how many motorists actually read the owners’ manual before driving their car. They found out that sixty percent don’t bother to read it, and I understand why. Reading the car manual is about as exciting as cleaning your oven or watching paint dry. (more…)

Happy in the Lord

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 15, 2020 — Year A
Readings: Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 / Ps 128 / 1 Thes 5:1-6 / Mt 25:14-20
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Last night we celebrated our first youth and children’s Mass here at Holy Name of Mary. I was so happy to see the children that I baptized over the past more than eleven years here at Holy Name, growing not only physically, but also spiritually. It is a joy to see parents and their children with happy faces, worshipping God together here in the best Catholic Church in the town of Bedford, Virginia. They have discovered a “pearl of great price”: their faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (more…)

Ordinary Saints

Solemnity of All Saints
November 1, 2020 – Year A
Readings: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14 / Ps 24 / 1 Jn 3:1-3 / Mt 5:1-12A
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Yesterday, during the Mass for the beatification of Blessed Michael McGivney, a five-year-old boy carried McGivney’s first class relic to the altar to present it to Cardinal Tobin, who represented Pope Francis as celebrant of the Mass.

According to medical science, that boy, Michael McGivney Schachle, is not even supposed to be alive. As related to us by Brother Knight Matt Cundiff, at the beginning of this Mass, this boy’s healing from fetal hydrops, through the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney, has been studied for years by the medical and theological experts of the Vatican and was declared miraculous. Because of this, Father Michael was raised to the order of Blessed. Blessed Michael’s beatification is an honor, not only for all the Christian Catholics here in the United States, but all over the world. (more…)

Love and the Law

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 25, 2020 – Year A
Readings: Ex 22:20-26 / Ps 18 / 1 Thes 1:5C-10 / Mt 22:34-40
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Ordinarily, nobody likes to be told what to do and what not to do. But for as long as we live, laws and restrictions will always be a part of our lives.

In my early years in the priesthood, I was assigned by my bishop to a remote village right next to the Pacific Ocean. Almost all the people there, including children, are skinny – probably because their primary means of transportation is walking. In a tropical country, this is very common. But every once in a while, I would see children who were overweight, and my question to them was always, “Do you live with your grandparents?” And their answer, 99.9% of the time was “yes.” (more…)

Joy: Offering Ourselves to God

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 18, 2020 – Year A
Readings: Is 45:1, 4-6 / Ps 96 / 1 Thes 1:1-5B / Mt 22:15-21
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Saturday, eight days ago, the first millennial saint was beatified: Blessed Carlo Acutis. He died just fourteen years ago. Blessed Carlo would say that his life’s plan was always to be united with Jesus. He spent a lot of time in prayer and, being afflicted with leukemia at a very young age, he could have complained to God why this was happening to him. Instead he said that the only thing we have to ask for in prayer is the desire to be holy. (more…)

Faith and Hope

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 4, 2020 – Year A
Readings: Is 5:1-7 / Ps 80 / Phil 4:6-9 / Mt 21:33-43
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few days ago, I had the privilege of being at the bedside of a great man, when I was called to give the Last Sacrament to Clint Shay, a member of our sister parish, Resurrection. He had turned 98 last March. I was expecting to see a man already nonresponsive, but when I got there, Clint was not only conscious and alert, but he even gave me a big smile and asked me how my mother is doing in the Philippines. He said, “I heard she is now 105 years old—only seven years older than me.” (more…)

Attitude of Gratitude

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 20, 2020 – Year A
Readings: Is 55:6-9 / Ps 145 / Phil 1:20C-24, 27A / Mt 20:1-16A
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few days ago, when I read the gospel that we have just heard, I was once again reminded of one of my Mom’s favorite sayings, “If you want to be a happy soul, you should look upon the donut, and not upon the hole.” As a result of having the habit of counting her blessings, and never, never comparing herself to others for more than 105 years now of having a wonderful life in this world, my Mom is still as happy as ever. (more…)

Live Love

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 6, 2020 – Year A
Readings: Ez 33:7-9 / Ps 95 / Rom 13:8-10 / Mt 18:15-20
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Yesterday we had one of the biggest, if not the biggest, attendance we’ve ever had at a First Saturday Mass here at Holy Name of Mary. Part of the reason is because we had some visitors from other states who came to worship with us.

After the Mass, I had a chance to talk to a family who had driven several hours, so they could be with their elderly parents here in Bedford County. Their children had been looking forward to this for months: the opportunity to see their grandpa and grandma. So thankfully this trip, in spite of the pandemic, was not out of the question. As you know, it is not easy to travel these days, but love was a powerful motivator for them to make this kind of sacrifice. (more…)