How to Get Closer to Jesus

Ash Wednesday
February 17, 2021 — Year B
Readings: Jl 2:12-18 / Ps 51 / 2 Cor 5:20-6:2 / Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Today, Ash Wednesday, as we begin the forty-day season of Lent, we may have at the back of our minds that this is the time we are supposed to give up something. Many, perhaps, will ask, “Is there anything else left that we can still give up?”

Since the beginning of this pandemic, we might feel, and rightfully so, that we have already given up quite a bit in our lives. We gave up shaking hands, gathering for parties in our homes or elsewhere, traveling, and going on vacations. Even in the church, we have given up sitting in our favorite pews and, for a good number of us, due to our health conditions, we are forced to give up being physically present in our liturgical celebration in the church. (more…)

Watching, Reflection, and Hope

First Sunday of Advent
December 3, 2017 – Year B
Readings: Is 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7 / Ps 80 / 1 Cor 1:3-9 / Mk 13:33-37
by Rev. Dan Kelly, Guest Celebrant

It’s the First Sunday of Advent, and this year we begin a new set of readings. As you know, this is the so-called “B” cycle. All last year we were reading from the other set of readings, the “A” cycle.

Here we have advice from the Lord in the very brief gospel reading. “Be watchful, because you do not know the day.” It sounds rather ominous and like bad things are going to happen. On the other hand, it is more than a warning; it is an open, generous, and warm counsel that our Lord gives us. (more…)

Intercessors

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 15, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Dn 12:1-3 / Psalm 16 / Heb 10:11-14, 18 / Mk 13:24-32
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

We are all aware of the horrific events of last Friday, the 13^th, when the whole world was shaken by the attacks on innocent civilians in Paris. Pope Francis, after offering condolences and prayers, forcefully condemned the violence.   He described the attacks as ‘not human’, and he added that it is difficult to understand how such things could be done by human beings. The Holy Father knows, as we do, that there can be no rational explanation for such irrational and evil acts. (more…)

Priming the Pump

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
November 8, 2015 – Year B
Readings: 1 Kgs 17:10-16 / Psalm 146 / Heb 9:24-28 / Mk 12:38-44
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

We all know that there is no such a reality as something for nothing. There is a term called “priming the pump” which literally means that we should pour some water into the pump to enable it to begin pumping more water. This is part of life’s reality. We have to give at least a little in exchange for something we would like to get in life. (more…)

Eyes of Faith

30th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 25, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Jer 31:7-9 / Psalm 126 / Heb 5:1-6 / Mk 10:46-52
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

All of us rejoice, because we are alive. This is the first day of the rest of our lives, not only in this world, but the life that will never end.

We know that we are all blessed to live in the Blue Ridge Mountains area. The leaves in this part of the world, during the season of Fall, remind us of the beauty and wonder of God’s creation. But we also know that this beautiful scenery around us means nothing, if we don’t have the sense of sight. Our ability to see is indeed something that we should be grateful for, every single day of our lives. It should remind us how good and gracious is our God. (more…)

Service and Greatness

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 18, 2015 – Year B
Readings:  Is 53:10-11 / Psalm 33 / Heb 4:14-16 / Mk 10:35-45
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Not too long ago, I had an enlightening experience while at a car rental office in New York. It was a busy morning there, and all the rental associates were attending to customers when I arrived. After several minutes of waiting, a man, whom I saw earlier parking one of the rental cars outside the building, came into the lobby. Noticing how busy the place was, he asked if I had been taken care of. When I told him that I was just waiting for my turn, he said that he would help me. I felt comfortable with him because listening to the way he spoke – he was pretty much like me. English definitely was not his first language. (more…)

Holy Indifference

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 11, 2015 – Year B
Readings: Wis 7:7-11 / Psalm 90 / Heb 4:12-13 / Mk 10:17-30
by Rev. Mr. Eddie Craig, Permanent Deacon

The older I get, the more it astonishes me how wisdom can often be found in the strangest places. Even if you’ve never watched it, I’m sure most of you are aware of the cartoon that comes on by the name of The Simpsons. (more…)

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…)

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…)