Francis Effect

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 4, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Gn 2:18-24 / Psalm 128 / Heb 2:9-11 / Mk 10:2-16
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

For the past 7 days, up until yesterday, whenever I’ve turned on the radio in my car, talk radio hosts have still been talking about Pope Francis. Usually, they are discussing the so-called “Francis Effect.” Maria Shriver wrote that covering Pope Francis’ visit to America has got to be the highlight of her career as a journalist. She said, “I didn’t get to interview Pope Francis; I didn’t even get to meet him. But it didn’t actually matter because his words met my heart and ignited my spirit. I felt them deep in my soul.” (more…)

The Elephant in the Room

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 27, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Nm 11:25-29 / Psalm 19 / Jas 5:1-6 / Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Once upon a time there was a man. He went into the confessional, sat down and said, “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned. I used some horrible language this past week, and I feel absolutely terrible.” The priest looked at him and said, “Tell me about it, my son.” (more…)

Being Great

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 20, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Wis 2:12, 17-20 / Psalm 54/ Jas 3:16-4:3 / Mk 9:30-37
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Last Thursday after we celebrated the funeral Mass for our brother in Christ, Tom Gilsinan, one of his friends described him as a great man. Those of who knew Tom would surely agree. He was great not because he had extraordinary achievements in life that should be recorded in history books or featured in national media, but because he was a man who was always willing to serve. He was the type who always showed up to be of assistance whenever help was needed. (more…)

Star of the Sea

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Parish Feast Day
September 13, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Is 50:5-9A / Psalm 116 / Jas 2:14-18 / Mk 8:27-35
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

It’s encouraging to know that someone of St. Peter’s stature and importance in the early Church could walk the walk so well – with his foot in his mouth. But what we have to remember is that, just like all of us, St. Peter was human. Even the greatest of humans makes mistakes. (more…)

Be Opened!

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
September 6, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Is 35:4-7a / Psalm 146 / Jas 2:1-5 / Mk 7:31-37
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A story is told about a man who, after the Mass, asked his priest to pray for his hearing. Remembering what Jesus did, he laid his hand on the man and prayed for his hearing. The following day, he saw the same man in the church and asked, “So, how’s your hearing?” And the man said, “I don’t know; it’s not until Friday.” That’s not the kind of hearing that’s being referred to by St. Mark in the Gospel, but no prayers are wasted. Prayer is prayer. (more…)

Perfect Gift

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 30, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Dt 4:1-2, 6-8 / Psalm 15 / Jas 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27 / Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Yesterday in his homily at our sister parish in Moneta, Resurrection Catholic Church, Deacon Chris Barrett focused on his theological reflections related to the shooting that occurred at Bridgewater Plaza last Wednesday, taking the lives of Alison Parker and Adam Ward, and wounding the lone survivor, Vicki Gardner. Vicki is out of danger now. She is a parishioner at Resurrection, and we were able to talk to her yesterday. (more…)

To Whom Shall We Go?

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 23, 2015 – Year B
Readings:  Jos 24:1-2a, 15-17, 18b / Psalm 34 / Eph 5:2a, 25-32 / Jn 6:60-69
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Yesterday, the Holy Name of Mary Men’s Breakfast Group had a very enlightening spiritual discussion on the sacrament of marriage. They based their reflections on today’s second reading, which is taken from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians, part of which says, “Husbands should love their wives, as their own bodies.” This biblical passage implies that wives should also love their husbands in the same way, even as Christ loves His Church. (more…)

Live Forever

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 16, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Prv 9:1-6 / Psalm 34 / Eph 5:15-20 / Jn 6:51-58
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A story is told about a man who was desperately late for an important appointment as he drove into an underground parking garage. He jumped out of the car and opened the back door to get his briefcase. Just then, an attendant came up and explained to him that the garage was a ‘self-park garage’ and he would have to park his car himself. Since he was in such a hurry, he quickly jumped back into the car and rolled down the window and said, “Okay, okay, which way do I go?” The attendant leaned into the window and replied, “Up the ramp and to your right, sir; but first you’ll have to get into the front seat of your car.” (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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The Whole Banquet

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August, 9, 2015 – Year B
Readings: 1 Kgs 19:4-8 / Psalm 34 / Eph 4:30-5:2 / Jn 6:41-51
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

I want you to think for a minute and see if you can remember where you were and what you were doing on March 13, 2013. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing. I was at work, sitting at my computer, working on a design for a new machine, when all of a sudden something caught my attention on my Twitter feed. White smoke had been seen over the Vatican, indicating that we had a new Pope. (more…)