From the Parochial Vicar - August 5, 2018

August 6, 2018

From the Parochial Vicar - August 5, 2018

I am thankful for our youth. I am thankful for our young adults. I am thankful for our youth ministry and young adult ministry. When I arrived at Saint Mark Catholic Church one year ago, it was a Tuesday. Fr. John told Fr. Becker and me that there was Young Adult Group, and he wanted at least one of us there whenever they met. Also, we were told that we were going to be present Sunday night for Life Teen and Wednesday nights for Fraternus/Fidelis. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday nights we tried to balance commissions’ meetings and Edge youth ministry for the middle school students. So, yes, Fr. John “volun-told” us to be present. Within one month, however, we shared in his commitment to accompany these young people. Sunday through Wednesday, the parish hall, school gym, and classrooms in the Kerin Center overflow with the parish’s youth: your children. And they all have one desire: to encounter the Lord.

I am thankful for our faith formation staff, youth ministers, Life Teen core team, and K-5 catechists. I am grateful to our school teachers, especially in the religion department, for daily catechizing our youth. I am ever grateful to the adults that give of their time, talent, and treasure to be sure that our youth ministry programs provide opportunities for our children to enter into a relationship with the Lord. Whether someone goes to public school, Catholic school, or homeschool, I have witnessed each one in our youth ministry programs form virtuous friendships together and encourage each other to remain faithful no matter where they will scatter after their youth nights and activities.

It has become clear to me and the other priests here that Saint Mark—a parish that forms intentional disciples—must be as present as possible to our youth and young adults as they navigate a world that has rejected Christ. In hearing confessions, being part of small group discussions, going on outings with our youth, and even meeting groups of our high schoolers at the local coffee shop, the kids share their struggles and burdens in ways that they have never shared with anyone else. I wish there was a magic formula to take away those afflictions. What youth ministry does, however, is instill the hope of Christ and the strength of community. Pope Francis, speaking to youth ministers in 2014, said that youth ministry is “much more than the promotion of a series of activities for young people. This ministry consists in walking with them, accompanying them personally in the complex and at times difficult contexts in which they are immersed. … Youth ministry is called to gather the questions of young people of today and, from them, to initiate a true and honest dialogue to bring Christ into their lives.”

As families are preparing to get back into the swing of school and other academic-year-activities, there has been plenty of discussion in the parish about the relationship between catechesis (faith formation) and youth ministry. While these two environments overlap in some respects, just learning principles and doctrine about Christ and his Church is not enough to initiate a relationship with Christ that is sustainable. In fact, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said in his Encyclical Deus Caritas Est (God Is Love), “Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.” An ethical choice is made logically from different data points so that one can say, “Aha! This is a good thing for myself and those around me.” But an encounter with the love of God is ongoing, rich, and lived in the wider community. “We cannot love what we do not know,” says St. Augustine; so, learning of Christ and his Church must be coupled with opportunities to grow in love of the event and person of Christ.

What can we do as a parish? First, we can all thank God for our young Church, present in our youth; thank God for their new ideas, fresh perspectives, and zealous hearts. Second, we can pray daily for our youth. We can pray that God protect and enlighten them. Third, we can affirm them. Tell them how good it is to see them participating at Mass and present at the parish. Fourth, we can reach out to the Faith Formation and Youth Ministry offices and ask, “With my gifts and talents, how can I help our young people to encounter Jesus by cooperating with youth ministry?”

The Church needs our youth. The Church needs our young people. The Church needs you and I to provide the opportunities for them to full heartedly pursue Jesus and his righteousness.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 5th Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • March 20, 2026
At this point in our Lenten journey, it is tempting to grow weary of the spiritual disciplines we have taken on. Today’s readings inspire us to remain faithful, in grateful response to a God who loves us so much. In our first reading, the prophet Ezekiel speaks God’s own words to us. “I will put my spirit in you that you may live… I have promised and I will do it, says the Lord.” Our God wants to be so closely united to us that we are one with Him. And He has promised He will do it. But only if we make room for Him by making Him THE priority of our lives. Putting God first is a grateful response that is very pleasing to Him. How can we do this? Our second reading, from Romans, tells us. “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh… you are in the spirit if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.” The disciplines of Lent and a stewardship way of life are wonderful gifts that free us from too great an attachment to “the flesh.” The sacrifices we make as Christian stewards are not meant to restrict our freedom and joy. Quite the contrary. They are tools to help us find the real freedom and joy that only come when we make room in our lives for God. As we journey closer to the Passion of our Lord, let us intensify our Lenten resolutions and our stewardship way of life, inviting the Holy Spirit to take over more and more of our lives. By Easter, we will be freer to rejoice in Him and truly pleasing to God. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering On September 29, 1916, the Angel of Peace appeared to the three shepherd children in Fatima. During this encounter, the Angel shared with the children the following prayer: "Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I adore thee profoundly, and I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of the same son Jesus Christ, present in the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for all the sacrileges, outrages, and indifferences by which He Himself is offended. And by the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners." In keeping with the theme that I began last week, about reviewing the basics, I thought it might be useful to address the importance of Eucharistic reverence and devotion. In the prayer given by the Angel, sacrileges, outrages and indifferences are specifically mentioned. Perhaps looking at each of these is a helpful way to address this.

From the Pastor - 4th Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • March 13, 2026
Today’s readings for this Fourth Sunday of Lent are filled with powerful contrasts — God’s vision versus human vision, the light of Christ versus the darkness of sin, and spiritual blindness versus spiritual sight. Embracing a stewardship way of life frees us from spiritual blindness, helps us see as God sees, and allows us to reflect Christ’s light in our daily lives. In our Second Reading from Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us, “… You were once in darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Through Baptism, the very life and light of the Blessed Trinity dwell within us. Yet amid the busyness and challenges of daily life, it is easy to forget this truth. We may even struggle to recognize whether our actions truly reflect Christ’s light. A stewardship way of life — with its intentional and grateful use of our time, talent, and treasure — provides a daily guide to help us live as children of the light. It encourages us to make choices that reflect Christ in the way we serve, give, and love others. In today’s Gospel from John, Jesus restores sight to a man born blind, and the man simply testifies that Christ “opened my eyes.” During these Lenten days, we too can ask Jesus to open our eyes — to help us see areas where spiritual blindness may still linger, especially in how we use the gifts entrusted to us. As we continue our Lenten journey, let us renew our efforts wherever our vision has grown dim, so that by Easter we may truly live as children of the light. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering It is always good to be reminded of the fundamentals of our faith. Recently, I have become more aware that some Catholics do not realize or understand the necessity of assisting at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. With that in mind, hopefully the following will be of assistance. As Catholics, we are called to make the Eucharist the “center” of our spiritual lives. Attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is not merely a tradition or a good suggestion—it's a fundamental precept of the Church that helps us fulfill God's command and grow in faith. The Biblical and Divine Foundation The importance begins with the Third Commandment: "Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day" (Exodus 20:8). For Christians, Sunday—the Lord's Day—replaces the Jewish Sabbath because it commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the central event of our salvation. The early Church gathered on Sundays to break bread (the Eucharist) in memory of the Lord's passion, resurrection, and glorification (see Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2). The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "the Sunday celebration of the Lord's Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life" (CCC 2177). Sunday Mass is the "foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice" (CCC 2181). By participating, we obey Christ's command at the Last Supper: "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). Why the Church Requires It The Church, guided by the authority Christ gave the apostles (Matthew 18:18), has established this as a precept to help us fulfill the moral law of worshiping God. Canon Law states: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass" (Canon 1247). Deliberately missing Mass without a serious reason (such as illness, caring for infants, or other grave circumstances) constitutes a grave sin (CCC 2181). This obligation extends to Holy Days of Obligation, which highlight key mysteries of our faith—events in the life of Christ, Mary, or the saints that are so central they call the whole Church to gather in worship. These days remind us of God's saving work and invite us to pause our daily routines to give thanks and receive grace. Benefits for Our Spiritual Life Attending Mass regularly: Unites us with Christ in His sacrifice, allowing us to receive the Eucharist, our spiritual food and source of strength. Builds community: We gather as the Body of Christ, supporting one another in faith (CCC 2182). Sanctifies our week: It sets aside time for rest, reflection, family, and mercy, helping us avoid habits that harm our relationship with God. Testifies to our faith: Public participation shows our commitment to Christ and His Church. Holy Days of Obligation serve a similar purpose, celebrating core truths like the Incarnation, Mary's role, or Christ's Ascension. In the United States, these typically include (in addition to all Sundays): January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Ascension Thursday (transferred to Sunday in our Diocese) August 15: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (may be abrogated if it falls on Saturday or Monday in some cases) November 1: All Saints' Day December 8: Immaculate Conception December 25: Christmas A Joyful Invitation, Not a Burden The Church's precept isn't meant to restrict us but to free us for what truly matters: encountering the risen Lord. As one reflection notes, Sunday Mass reorients our lives toward God, reunites us in love, and pours out grace for salvation. It's the "sweetest obligation ever imposed" because it draws us into the mystery of God's love. If scheduling conflicts arise, speak with your pastor—exceptions exist for serious reasons. But let's embrace this gift: make attending Mass a priority and let it transform your week and your life.  May the Eucharist strengthen us all as we journey together toward heaven!