Put Your Hope in Jesus Now

Fifth Sunday of Lent
April 2, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Ez 37:12-14 / Ps 130 / Rom 8:8-11 / Jn 11:1-45
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

A story is told of a devout old woman who, knowing she was about to die, asked her pastor to give her the last sacraments.  After being anointed, she said, “Soon I’ll be rocking in the bosom of Moses.”  (more…)

Children of Light

4th Sunday of Lent
March 26, 2017 – Year A
Readings: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a / Psalm 23 / Eph 5:8-14 / Jn 9:1-41
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Last December 25th, 2016 – just three months ago – a man in Roanoke was celebrating his 95th birthday. He wished to celebrate it by taking a bouquet of flowers to the grave of his wife at a Roanoke cemetery. Since someone had told him that plastic flowers are much better because they are not only cheaper, but last much longer than real ones, that is what he bought. But on his way to the cemetery, a speeding vehicle smashed the right side of his car. Though he had only minor injuries, his car was totally damaged. When the cops arrived at the scene of the accident, he was still picking up what was left of those flowers that had been scattered all over the road. (more…)

Mary’s Intercession Brings Miracles

3rd Sunday of Lent
March 19, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Ex 17:3-7 / Psalm 95 / Rom 5:1-2, 5-8 / Jn 4:5-42
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

The wonderful things that have been happening here in Holy Name of Mary Parish since Friday are all manifestations of the Blessed Mother’s love for us. For instance, although the pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima was scheduled to leave yesterday at 5 pm, by some miraculous events she has remained here overnight in our sanctuary. This is now the second Mass we are celebrating in the presence of the miraculous pilgrim statue of Our Lady of Fatima. (more…)

Up and Down the Mountain

Second Sunday of Lent
March 12, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Gn 12:1-4A / Ps 33 / 2 Tm 1:8B-10 / Mt 17:1-9
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon 

Last weekend my wife and I were in Munich, Germany.  We went there because my wife was invited to give a recital at the Gasteig.  It’s a big concert hall with multiple venues, similar to the Kennedy Center or Carnegie Hall.  It’s very active:  They do a thousand events there a year. (more…)

The Lure of Sin

First Sunday of Lent
March 5, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Gn 2:7-9, 3:1-7 / Ps 51 / Rom 5:12-19 / Mt 4:1-11
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

For those who are hooked on fishing, Smith Mountain Lake is one of the best places to be.  Within its 20,600-acre reservoir is an abundance of popular game fish.   

To go fishing you need at least a fishing rod, a reel, and a line with a hook at the end of it.  But you need one more thing that is really important, because the fish will not bite an empty hook. (more…)

Keep It Simple: Pray

Ash Wednesday
March 1, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Jl 2:12-18 / Ps 51 / 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 / Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

Today we begin our journey with the rest of the members of God’s family, who are all trying to be closer to God during this season of Lent.    (more…)

Live Worry Free

Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 26, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Is 49:14-15 / Ps 62 / 1 Cor 4:1-5 / Mt 6:24-34
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

A story is told about two business executives who met for lunch, and Gene asked Ed, “How’s your health?”   

Ed replied, “I feel great!  My ulcers are gone; I feel really great!”    (more…)

Cherish No Grudge

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 19, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Lv 19:1-2, 17-18 / Ps 103 / 1 Cor 3:16-23 / Mt 5:38-48
by Rev. Paul O’Donnell Duggan, Guest Celebrant 

One of my little peculiarities is that I enjoy walking through a graveyard and looking at epitaphs.  Every so often I say to people in New Jersey, “Oh, in today’s reading, there is a lovely epitaph.”    (more…)

The Right Path

6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 12, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Sir 15:15-20 / Psalm 119 / 1 Cor 2:6-10 / Mt 5:17-37
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Today’s Gospel is one of the first sections of the New Testament that I ever came across that caused me great concern. I don’t recall when I first read it, but it was probably on a Sunday morning reading the pew Bible instead of listening to the preacher. (Don’t do that, kids! Listen to Father Sal!) (more…)

Is Your Light On?

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 5, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Is 58:7-10 / Ps 112 / 1 Cor 2:1-5 / Mt 5:13-16
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

The Sunday School Times once published a story about a motorist who, one dark night, was run down by a train at the grade crossing.  The old signalman in charge of the crossing had to appear in court.  After a severe cross examination, he was still unshaken.  He said that he had waved his lantern frantically, but all to no avail. (more…)