The Reward of Welcoming Jesus

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
April 13, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Mt 21:1-11, Is 50:4-7, Psalm 22, Phil 2:6-11, Mt 26:14-27:66
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few minutes before Mass, I was talking to Deacon Eddie. He reminded me of a story from when his daughter Carrie was in kindergarten. She said that the best part of her day was when she saw her mom waiting for her at the bus stop after school. This is precisely the same feeling that travelers on a journey in the desert during the time of our Lord would have when they saw their friends and relatives waving palm branches to welcome them. (more…)

He Who Believes in Me Will Live

5th Sunday of Lent, Year A
April 6, 2014
Readings: Ez 37:12-14, Psalm 130, Rom 8:8-11, Jn 11:1-45
by Rev. Mr. Sal Clarizio, Permanent Deacon

In the gospel reading of today from St. John we hear the story of the raising of Lazarus from death. This miracle is the seventh and greatest of the ‘signs’ that Jesus works in St. John’s gospel. (more…)

Time for a Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Lenten Penance Service
April 1, 2014
Readings: Joel 2:12-17, Psalm 51, Hebrews 3:12-15, Luke 15:11-32
By Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Maybe some of us have already started our Spring Cleaning. Maybe for your children and grandchildren, cleaning the house or putting things in order is not their idea of Spring Break. But cleaning our souls is definitely God’s idea of a Spring Break. That’s why we take a break today – to receive this beautiful sacrament for a spiritual Spring Cleaning. (more…)

What Time Is It?

4th Sunday of Lent
March 30, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a, Psalm 23, Eph 5:8-14, Jn 9:1-41
By Rev. Mr. Chris Barrett, Permanent Deacon, Resurrection Catholic Church

My dad was a nuclear physicist and kind of a mad scientist, in a good way. He was the kind of guy that if you asked him the time, he would tell you how a watch was made. I remember my nephew, Mac, was an elementary student in New York City and he called his grandfather to ask a question about a science project. We all listened in the background in pain for half an hour while grandpa gave this elementary school child a very lengthy answer to what I’m guessing was a fairly simple question.

I’m thinking about questions this morning because of that gospel we just heard. (more…)

What If You Were at the Well?

3rd Sunday of Lent
March 23, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  Ex 17:3-7, Psalm 95, Rom 5: 1-2, 5-8, Jn 4:5-42
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Prayer, Fasting and Alms Giving.  When we think about Lent, this is probably the first thing that comes to mind.  These are the three pillars of Lenten observance.

A friend of mine, who is a Protestant, asked me on Ash Wednesday, “What exactly is Lent?” (more…)

Mass – Our Transfiguration Experience

2nd Sunday of Lent
March 16, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  Gn 12:1-4a, Psalm 33, 2 Tim 1:8b-10, Mt 17:1-9
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Many of us here have probably been up or at least close to Sharp Top.  That’s the first thing I did when I came here.  I wanted to tell all my parishioners in Virginia Beach that I have been up that mountain. (more…)

The True Meaning of Temptation

1st Sunday of Lent
March 9, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Gn 2:7-9, 3:1-7, Psalm 51, Rom 5:12-19, Mt 4:1-11
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

Step by step, Matthew has unfolded the story of Jesus. He begins by showing us how Jesus was born into this world. He goes on to show us, at least by implication, that Jesus had to perform faithfully his duties to his home before he began his duties to the world. He had to show that he was faithful in the smaller tasks before God gave him the greatest task of all. He goes on to show us how, with the emergence of John the Baptist, Jesus knew that his time had come to enter into his work. He shows us Jesus identifying himself with the people’s search for God. In that moment he shows us Jesus realization that he was indeed the chosen one of God, but his victory lay through the cross.

One thing that we ought to be aware of is the meaning of the word “Tempt”. (more…)

Time for a Spiritual “Selfie”

Ash Wednesday
March 5, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Jl 2:12-18, Psalm 51, 2 Cor 5:20-6:2, Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

We begin today the 40-day season of Lent; a time of prayer, fasting, abstinence, self-denial and going the extra mile in doing something for God and for our neighbors. Some of you were already here this morning for the giving of ashes. Still, we come back tonight because we cannot pray enough, as we all know. (more…)

Trust in Jesus

8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
March 2, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 49:14-15, Psalm 62, 1 Cor 4:1-5, Mt 6:24-34
by Rev. Mr. Sal Clarizio, Permanent Deacon

There are so many things to worry about as we start each week. And in our thoughts, we hear that clock ticking – we wonder will I get everything done – then we become anxious and upset. Well, I recently came across an article entitled: “How to Worry.”

This story tells about the clock that had a nervous breakdown. (more…)

Love Your Enemies

7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
February 23, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  LV 19:1-2, 17-18; Ps 103; 1 Cor 3:16-23; Mt 5:38-48
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

“Be holy” and “be perfect.” Today’s readings are book-ended quite nicely, aren’t they? Then in the second reading, St. Paul tells the Corinthians that their body is a “temple of God” and it is holy. So holiness and perfection are our calling. How can we, as humans, ever hope to do this.
(more…)