A Guiding Light

The Epiphany of the Lord
January 7, 2018 – Year B
Readings: Is 60:1-6 / Ps 72 / Eph 3:2-3A, 5-6 / Mt 2:1-12
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Each of us must have experienced, at some time in the past, a total power outage during the night. If there is total darkness, you instantly notice even one candle or a small flashlight or a battery operated bulb. As emergency lights, these make a big difference. But as we know, physical darkness doesn’t last very long. It usually takes only a few minutes before the power comes back on.

There is, however, another form of darkness in our lives that has the tendency to linger: the spiritual darkness caused by living a life which is completely separate from the Author of life. (more…)

A Sneak Preview

Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
August 6, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Dn 7:9-10, 13-14 / Ps 97 / 2 Pt 1:16-19 / Mt 17:1-9
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

The first fifteen to twenty minutes in a movie theater are a preview of coming attractions. Movie makers and theater owners hope that the preview will catch our interest enough to bring us back to see the whole film.

Wedding rehearsals, graduation ceremony practices and First Communion rehearsals are also forms of previews of exciting upcoming events. (more…)

Full of Grace

Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 14, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Acts 6:1-7 / Ps 33 / 1 Pt 2:4-9 / Jn 14:1-12
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Today, Mother’s Day, we honor all of our mothers, including the Blessed Mother, whose first apparition at Fatima occurred one hundred years ago. Yesterday, on the actual anniversary of her first apparition in Fatima, the whole Catholic world rejoiced upon the canonization of Saint Jacinta and Saint Francisco, two of the children shepherds who witnessed the apparition. (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…)

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…)

Light in Darkness

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 22, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Is 8:23-9:3 / Ps 27 / 1 Cor 1:10-13, 17 / Mt 4:12-23
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor 

Today is once again the first day of the rest of our lives. Not only our life here on earth, but our lives that will never end.   (more…)

Shine Like a Star

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
January 8, 2017 – Year A
Readings: Is 60:1-6 / Psalm 72 / Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 / Mt 2:1-12
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

I have a question for you. How many of you have family stories? I think you probably know what I am talking about. They are those stories that are told by your father, or your grandfather, or maybe your uncle, about some event that happened in your family’s past. Maybe it’s about the time so-and-so hiked up the mountain on a hunting expedition. I will bet that over the years those stories have morphed and evolved. Maybe the mountain got taller and steeper, maybe the weather got colder, maybe the fish got bigger. But this shouldn’t surprise you because this very thing happens in every culture. If you’ve ever studied mythology, you’ll see this happening. For instance the story of King Arthur – that story evolved and changed over time. (more…)

The Power in the Words

The Nativity of the Lord
December 25, 2016 – Year A
Readings: Is 9:1-6 / Ps 96 / Ti 2:11-14 / Lk 2:1-14
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

This morning, when I visited Our Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, I was pleasantly surprised at how beautiful our sanctuary looked.  The flowers and the arrangements are truly a work of art.  During the Advent season, we don’t have flowers, so what a change. 

But what makes our sanctuary really beautiful tonight is that we are all here, in the sanctuary of Holy Name of Mary, as members of God’s family, to celebrate the birthday of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  (more…)

The Armor of Light

First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2016 – Year A
Readings: Is 2:1-5 / Ps 122 / Rom 13:11-14 / Mt 24:37-44
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

About 20 years ago, while I was having a lively dinner conversation with my cousins in New York during my first week in the United States, they gave me the honor of hearing about all they had done – a sort of summary of their lives.  This included not only their achievements but also the mistakes they made and what they should have done.  (more…)

Power of Divine Mercy

Sunday of Divine Mercy (Second Sunday of Easter)
April 3, 2016 – Year C
Readings: Acts 5:12-16 / Ps 118 / Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 / Jn 20:19-31
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Not too long ago, a Catholic priest told his congregation in one of his Sunday homilies: “This may shock some of you, but I’m going to tell you that Christianity is not a good idea.”  He added, “Christianity is not a great idea.  In fact, it is not even an idea.  Christianity is a personal relationship with our living God who loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to dwell among us, so He would be able to relate to us in a deeply personal way.” (more…)