A Personal Relationship with Jesus

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 24, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 22:19-23; Psalm 138; Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

Last week at the end of Mass, I had the honor of giving you the good news that Father Sal has been released from the Diocese of Sorsogon in the Philippines and is now a priest of our own diocese. In the process, perhaps I even taught you a new word… “incardination.”

This week, our second reading may also have taught you new word. “How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!” (more…)

The New Evangelization Needs YOU!

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 13, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 55:10-11; Psalm 65; Rom 8:18-23; Mt 13:1-23
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

Today’s gospel is all about the sowing of seeds. We wonder what kind of ground we are. Are we the path, are we the rocky ground, or are we the good soil? The question is put before us, the word is preached. We hear the word, but do we put it into action? That’s what the message is today, to all of us. I think most of us are like the rocky ground. We hear the word and it brings joy to our hearts but then we leave here and forget all about it until next week. And that’s about as far as we go. But that’s not what Jesus wants from us. He wants each and every one of us to be fertile ground, who hears the word, takes it to heart and uses it on a daily basis, week after week. How do we do all these things? Well, there are a number of ways. (more…)

An Oasis of Comfort and Love

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 6, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Zec 9:9-10, Psalm 145, Rom 8:9, 11-13, Mt 11:25-30
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

The first time I had the opportunity to visit the city of New York, 17 years ago, my cousin took me to a restaurant called TGI Fridays – Thank God It’s Friday. My first reaction was, “Why would you only thank God on a Friday? Because the connotation is when Monday comes – Oh no, it’s Monday.” I’ve never seen a restaurant with the title “ONIM” – “Oh No, It’s Monday”. I don’t think people would be excited to eat dinner or have coffee at a restaurant with that name. (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…)

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…)

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…)