The New Eve

August 15, 2021 |by N W | 0 Comments | Eternal Life, Faith, Father Nixon, Heaven, Hope, Mary, Resurrection

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 15, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Rv 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab / Ps 45 / 1 Cor 15:20-27 / Lk 1:39-56
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

There is an old story about a workman on scaffolding high above the nave of a cathedral.  He looked down and saw a woman praying before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  As a joke, the workman whispered, “Woman, this is Jesus.”  But the woman ignored him.

So the workman whispered again more loudly, “Woman, this is Jesus.”  But the woman still ignored him.

Finally, he said aloud, “Woman, don’t you hear me?  This is Jesus.”

At this point the woman looked at the crucifix and said, “Be still now, Jesus; I’m talking to your mother.” (more…)

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The Real Presence

August 8, 2021 |by N W | 0 Comments | Comfort, Eucharist, Faith, Father Nixon, Healing, Hope, Trust

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 8, 2021 — Year B
Readings: 1 Kgs 19:4-8 / Ps 34 / Eph 4:30 – 5:2 / Jn 6:41-51
by Rev. Nixon Negparanon, Pastor

There is a story I heard when I was in the Philippines:  A young boy from a very remote province went to a city to look for a job. One day he posted a picture on Facebook. He was leaning on a very expensive car, a Lamborghini. His mother saw the picture and posted a comment, “Oh, son, I’m glad that you were finally able to get a job, and that you got such an expensive car.”  But the son sent a private message to his mom, “Mom, I have to lean on the car or else I’ll pass out, because I have not eaten in days.” (more…)

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Follow in Hope

May 16, 2021 |by N W | Comments Off on Follow in Hope | Easter, Eternal Life, Faith, Father Salvador, Heaven, Hope

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
May 16, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Acts 1:1-11 / Ps 47 / Eph 1:17-23 / Mk 16:15-20
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

About five hundred years before our Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem, there was a philosopher in ancient Greece by the name of Heraclitus, who said that the only permanence in life is change. Heraclitus was stating the obvious. Every single moment there is a change in the world within us and around us, whether we are aware of this or not. We are no longer the same persons compared to yesterday. We change physically, mentally, and even spiritually. (more…)

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Prayer is Our Connection

May 2, 2021 |by N W | Comments Off on Prayer is Our Connection | Father Salvador, Hope, Prayer, Sacraments

Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 2, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Acts 9:26-31 / Ps 22 / 1 Jn 3:18-24 / Jn 15:1-8
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

The other day, when I noticed that the percentage of my cell phone’s battery was down to 1%, I connected it immediately to my phone charger. After about fifteen minutes, I checked it, and I noticed that the battery was totally discharged. The phone was dead. Since my cell phone is more than five years old, this got me concerned. So I consulted the tech support that I know will give me a quick answer: my good friend, Google. (more…)

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Our Shepherd Cares for Us

April 25, 2021 |by N W | Comments Off on Our Shepherd Cares for Us | Blessings, Comfort, Father Salvador, Grace, Healing, Hope, Trust

Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 25, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Acts 4:8-12 / Ps 118 / 1 Jn 3:1-2 / Jn 10:11-18
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

At this morning’s first Mass, baby Theodora, whom I baptized a few months ago, was a little uneasy during the liturgy. Her Mom, as all mothers do, knew exactly what to do to calm her down. She knew what she wanted every time she was uncomfortable. It is such a privilege, if you are in the company of someone who knows you like a mother knows her baby. (more…)

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Open to Grace, Now

April 4, 2021 |by N W | Comments Off on Open to Grace, Now | Deacon Eddie, Easter, Faith, Grace, Hope, Love, Resurrection, Sacraments

The Resurrection of the Lord
April 4, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43 / Ps 118 / Col 3:1-4 / Jn 20:1-9
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Today we celebrate the glorious resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ! The tomb is empty! Jesus has destroyed death, and He has gone to Galilee. That’s the story we hear in the gospels.

Last night, at the Easter Vigil, we had nine readings. Father Sal explained to us that the first seven are actually a love story – the love story between God and His people. (more…)

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Forgiven and Forgotten

March 21, 2021 |by N W | Comments Off on Forgiven and Forgotten | Comfort, Father Salvador, Forgiveness, Healing, Hope, Mercy, Repentance, Sin

Fifth Sunday of Lent
March 21, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Jer 31:31-34 / Ps 51 / Heb 5:7-9 / Jn 12:20-33
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

All of us who have attended funerals in the past where there is a eulogy know that the friends and members of the bereaved family will always say all of the good things that the deceased has done. If ever the person being eulogized has done something wrong, all those things are forgiven and forgotten. But of course it is unfortunate that most people only do this to the dead and very seldom to the living. The great news for all of us is that we have a God who forgives and forgets. (more…)

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Dealing with Anxieties

January 31, 2021 |by N W | Comments Off on Dealing with Anxieties | Comfort, Courage, Faith, Father Salvador, Hope, Strength, Trust |

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 31, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Dt 18:15-20 / Ps 95 / 1 Cor 7:32-35 / Mk 1:21-28
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

At the present time, we are all aware that many people are experiencing some sort of anxiety. They ask questions like: “When will this pandemic finally end?” “When can we all get the vaccine?” “Will it really work?” “Can we ever go back to our normal life, or will the so-called ‘new normal’ go on forever?”

Being anxious about the uncertainty of the future is a matter of course for a good number of people nowadays. Yet, St. Paul is telling us, through his First Letter to the Corinthians, that he wants us to be free of anxieties. (more…)

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Mary Our Guide

January 17, 2021 |by N W | Comments Off on Mary Our Guide | Comfort, Courage, Faith, Father Salvador, Hope, Mary, Trust

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 17, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Gn 3:9-15, 20 / Ps 87 / Acts 1:12-14 / Jn 19:25-34
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Not too long ago, Christina Simos and her 18-month-old baby were caught between a rock and a hard place at their third-story apartment, when it was on fire. To save her child, she wrapped him in her arms and jumped from the third floor of the building. Although Simos severely injured her back, her baby, Camron, had only a few scratches. This is one of the many stories that tells us what a mother would do to save her child from danger. (more…)

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God With Us

January 10, 2021 |by N W | Comments Off on God With Us | Baptism, Deacon Eddie, Eucharist, Faith, Grace, Holy Spirit, Hope, Light, Trust

The Baptism of the Lord
January 10, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 / Ps 29 / Acts 10:34-38 / Mk 1:7-11
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Week after week, we hear four readings from the scriptures. The first reading generally comes from the Old Testament. The psalm generally (but not always) comes from the Book of Psalms. The second reading generally comes from the Letters of the apostles.

We have a three-year cycle of readings for the gospel. In Year A, most of the gospel readings come from St. Matthew. Now, we’re in cycle B, and for the most part the gospels come from Mark. In Year C, they generally come from Luke. The Gospel of John is distributed throughout those years. (more…)

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