Saved by the Cross

Exaltation of the Holy Cross
September 14, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Nm 21:4b-9; Psalm 78; Phil 2:6-11, Jn 3:13:-17
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

About 28 years ago as a newly-ordained priest, a grandmother told me her granddaughter could recite all the basic prayers in three languages: in our own local language, in English and in Spanish. So I asked her, “Do you know the Our Father?” “No,” she answered.
“Hail Mary?”
“No.”
So I said, “Your grandmother told me you know all the prayers.”
“Yes.”
“What prayer do you know?”
“In the name of the Father.” (more…)

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 Faith of the Canaanite Woman

Reflection for Nursing Home Prayer Service
August 18, 2014
Readings: Is 56:1, 6-7; Psalm 67; Rom 11:13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28
by Mrs. Rita Zimmermann, Faith Formation Coordinator

Oh what faith she had! This Canaanite woman! You see, she knew she would not be welcome among those who followed Jesus as she was not a Jew, but a pagan and a woman! What courage and determination she must have had to just get up and leave her daughter to seek out the only person she knew that could help her. (more…)

True Faith Brings Happiness

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 17, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 56:1, 6-7; Psalm 67; Rom 11:13-15, 29-32; Mt 15:21-28
by Most Reverend Arturo Bastes, Bishop of Sorsogon, Philippines

The beautiful gospel has plenty of implications. First, this is the only recorded time that Jesus was in a non-Jewish territory. But most of all, it prophesied a very important doctrine that the gospel would be preached to all the nations, as prophesied by the prophet Isaiah in the first reading and fulfilled in the second reading during the time of St. Paul, when the gospel was preached to the Gentiles because the Jews rejected Jesus Christ, our Lord. However, St. Paul still had the hope that all the Jews would be converted to Christ someday, because they were the first chosen people of God. (more…)

Mary: Our Spiritual GPS

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
August 15, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Rv 11:19a, 12:1-6a, 10ab; Psalm 45; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

As we celebrate today the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we remember that glorious day when the Blessed Mother was taken up, body and soul, into heaven. Our faith tells us there are only two physical bodies in heaven: our Lord Jesus himself, who ascended into heaven, and the Blessed Mother, who was assumed into heaven.

Why is this so important to us? (more…)

Be Not Afraid

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 10, 2014 – Year A
Readings: 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a; Psalm 85; Rom 9:1-5; Mt 14:22-33
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

A few years ago, the comedian Jerry Seinfeld said, “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Now this means, to the average person, if you have to go to a funeral, you are better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” (more…)

Sharing Our Blessings

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 3, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Is 55:1-3; Psalm 145; Rom 8:35, 37-39; Mt 14:13-21
by Rev. Mr. Ray Roderique, Permanent Deacon

The central theme of today’s readings is the provident care of a loving and merciful God who generously shares His riches with us, giving us His Son Jesus as our spiritual food, preparing us for the Heavenly banquet, and challenging us to share our blessings with others. (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…)

“Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled”

5th Sunday of Easter
May 18, 2014 – Year A
Readings:  Acts 6:1-7, Psalm 33, 1 Pt 2:4-9, Jn 14:1-12
by Father Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Last night, a new parishioner – Brady Elizabeth Cundiff – was born about 10:00.  That’s great news.  The beginning of life.  We always celebrate beginnings.  That’s why graduation exercises are called commencement – the beginning of a new life.  If we look at it closely, even what we call death is also a beginning. (more…)

Journey with Jesus

3rd Sunday of Easter
May 4, 2014 – Year A
Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-23, Psalm 16, 1 Pt 1:17-21, Lk 24:13-35
by Rev. Salvador Añonuevo, Pastor

Last Sunday after the canonization of Saint John Paul II and Saint John XXIII, Cardinal Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York said that many people who don’t understand our Catholic faith tradition were probably wondering why thousands of people were gathered in the Vatican for the canonization.  Millions of people around the world were watching on TV, or following on Twitter or Facebook.  Why was everyone so excited, honoring these two dead men? (more…)