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…)

Formula for a Tranquil Life

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 18, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Am 8:4-7 / Ps 113 / 1 Tm 2:1-8 / Lk 16:1-13
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

Sometime in the past we may have heard someone ask if it is really possible to experience complete peace and serenity.  Many will say that this could probably only happen in our dreams.  But today’s second reading, which is taken from the First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy, tells us otherwise.  The Apostle gave us the formula on how to attain it when he wrote, “I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life.”  (more…)

Being a Prophet

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 14, 2016 – Year C
Jer 38:4-6, 8-10 / Ps 40 / Heb 12:1-4 / Lk 12:49-53
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

The readings today are about being a prophet and what is liable to happen to you if you are a prophet.  We have to be sure that we don’t confuse ‘prophet’ with ‘prophecy’.  A ‘prophecy’ is a prediction about the future.  And while many prophets will prophesy, that’s not their primary function.  (more…)

Being Prepared, Always

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 7, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Wis 18:6-9 / Ps 33 / Heb 11:1-2, 8-19 / Lk 12:32-48
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

My favorite teacher in high school was the one who used to tell us:  “You all study tonight, because tomorrow I am going to give you a surprise quiz.”  We all liked his methods, because with him, there were no surprises.    (more…)

Seek What Is Above

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 31, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Ecc 1:2, 2:21-23 / Ps 90 / Col 3:1-5, 9-11 / Lk 12:13-21
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few hours ago Pope Francis gave his final blessing to approximately two million people during the last Mass of World Youth Day in Poland. I surfed the internet to read more articles about World Youth Day and was directed to WorldYouthDay.com which has the Bible verse “Be not afraid” at the top of its web page. (more…)

Mary’s Way

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 24, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Gn 18:20-32 / Ps 138 / Col 2:12-14 / Lk 11:1-13
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Three days ago, Tom Messier called us to tell us the good news that the Town of Bedford made official the name of the access road alongside our church, as “Mary’s Way.”  Some of you may have noticed that the sign is already in place.  If you have not seen it but are a Facebook friend of Holy Name of Mary, you’ve at least seen the picture.  We would like to thank Tom for all his effort in making this possible.

But for us here, “Mary’s Way” is more than just the name of a road. (more…)

The Better Part

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 17, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Gn 18:1-10A / Ps 15 / Col 1:24-28 / Lk 10:38-42
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

From the time we get up in the morning until the time we sleep at night, we have to make decisions, and we hope and pray that we will always make the right ones.  Sometimes decision-making is as easy as choosing between eating the food that we love and not eating the food that we hate.  In that case, the choice is obvious.  But there are moments in our lives when making a decision is not so simple, because we perceive the choices as equally good, yet we still want to choose the better option. (more…)

Love Your Neighbor

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 10, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Dt 30:10-14 / Ps 69 / Col 1:15-20 / Lk 10:25-37
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

When I was a little kid, and I would go with my Dad on Saturdays down to my grandmother’s house to work on cars, he would always give me a few coins.  When we would stop at the store, I got to pick whatever piece of candy I wanted.  So I loved getting coins.  But I have to confess, as I’ve gotten older, I’m really not a fan of coins any more.  (more…)

You Are Needed

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 3, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Is 66:10-14C / Ps 66 / Gal 6:14-18 / Lk 10:1-12, 17-20
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Anyone who has been involved in the pastoral care ministry of our church, either giving Holy Communion to the homebound or visiting those who are in hospitals, can attest that it is a very rewarding ministry.  When I thank them for giving their time to those who are not well enough to be with us in the Mass, they usually reply that they get more out of it than they give. (more…)

Knowing Jesus

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 19, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Zec 12:10-11; 13:1 / Ps 63 / Gal 3:26-29 / Lk 9:18-24
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

First, I would like to extend prayerful greetings to all fathers here today:  biological fathers, foster fathers, adoptive fathers, spiritual fathers, and godfathers.  I want to wish all a Happy Father’s Day and thank you for your continued care of your family, the domestic church. (more…)