From the Pastor – 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 18, 2018

From the Pastor – 11 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

We have stated previously that St. Paul had a way with words. He was able to take a very complex concept and summarize it in a few words and phrases. In today’s Second Reading from Second Corinthians, Paul says simply, “…we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5: 7) That statement by Paul has inspired hymns and treatises.

Yet, it is in reality what we are all about as Catholics and Christians. There is no question that it is one of the most difficult notions for us as Catholics and Christians to grasp and accept. The word translated as “walk” can also be translated as “live.” Thus, we could say “We live by faith, and not by sight.”

This was a popular and consistent theme for St. Paul, his point being that we need to build our lives around the eternal prospects, not those of this world. In this society “things” seem so important to us. However, the truth is that they have no eternal significance. That is an ongoing message in the concept of stewardship — basically who we are and how we live is more important than what we own and what we may appear to be. That can be tough for us.

The late Billy Graham, who died earlier this year, was fond of saying, “My home is in Heaven. I am just traveling through this world.” St. Paul would agree with that attitude.

Pastoral Pondering

With our new Director of Sacred Music, Michael Garnett, beginning his tenure at St. Mark, I thought it would be a good idea to discuss a bit of the Church’s teaching on Sacred Music; that is, music for Sacred Worship. Most people, of course, if they were asked to define Sacred Music, would simply say “the hymns we sing at Mass.” And in many ways, that is true, since it arises from the experience of most folks attending Mass in our country, at least over the last 40 years or so.

The Second Vatican Council, however, had a much richer view of liturgical music, and the Council’s teaching was based on a beautiful document that was issued by Pope Pius XII on Christmas Day of 1955. The title of the document is Musicae sacrae disciplina (On the Discipline of Sacred Music). The document states: “Thus at the instance and under the sponsorship of the Church, sacred music, through the course of centuries has traversed a long road by which, though sometimes slowly and laboriously, it has finally reached the heights: from the simple and natural tones of Gregoria’s modes, which are, moreover, quite perfect in their kind, to great and even magnificent works of art which not only human voices, but also the organ and other musical instruments embellish, adorn and amplify almost endlessly. Just as this progress in the art of music shows clearly how dear to the heart of the Church it was to make divine worship more resplendent and appealing to Christian peoples, so too it made clear why the Church also must, from time to time, impose a check lest its proper purposes be exceeded and lest, along with the true progress, an element profane and alien to divine worship creep into sacred music and corrupt it.”

In Musicam Sacram (Sacred Music) of Vatican II, which was issued in March 5, 1967, ordered the preservation and fostering of the great treasury of church music, beginning with the Gregorian chant up to the most modern compositions. As Monsignor Richard Schuler points out, “This is to be done within the setting of liturgical worship, not merely in concert form. Most of this vast repertory that spreads across centuries of human achievement demands trained groups of singers and instrumentalists to perform. It is art and demands skill and training in the musicians needed to perform it. It is the highest form of human artistic endeavor, worthy of God and His worship ( What is Sacred Music? In Sacred Music , Fall 1991).

Over the slower summer months, I will continue to expand on this topic as a way of helping us all increase our knowledge and devotion to the Church and her care for Sacred Music.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 31, 2026
Today’s readings should inspire the Christian steward with deepened gratitude for our God, who loves us with both fierce and tender love. We must make an intentional response each day, returning love for Love. In our Second Reading from Romans, St. Paul reminds us that nothing and no one can separate us from the love of Christ. No anguish, distress, persecution, famine — and we might add illness, financial hardship, family struggles, or uncertainty about the future — nothing can keep our God from loving us. God holds us securely in the palm of His hand. And yet, this reassurance is only the beginning of God’s gifts to us. Our Gospel from Matthew recounts the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. This miracle foreshadows the gift of the Eucharist, where Christ feeds us not simply with bread, but with His own Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Notice how the Gospel begins. "His heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick." What generous and compassionate love our Lord shows. But even that is not enough for Him. He remains with the people, teaching and ministering to them until evening. When the disciples suggest sending the crowds away to find food, Jesus instead invites them to become part of His plan. He tells them to feed the people, then miraculously multiplies the few loaves and fish they offer. What a privilege it was for the disciples to participate in Christ's work. That same privilege is ours as Christian stewards. Let us respond with grateful hearts to such amazing love. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants,

From the Pastor - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 31, 2026
The stewardship way of life could be described as a daily pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven. In today’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus uses a series of parables to help us understand the incomparable value of that Kingdom. First, He reminds us that living for Him and for His Kingdom will require sacrifice. Yet the joy that comes from following Christ makes any sacrifice worthwhile. Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” He then compares the Kingdom to “a merchant searching for fine pearls." When the merchant finds a pearl of great price, he gladly sells everything he has to obtain it. In both parables, the Kingdom is something precious that must be sought and recognized. We must intentionally look for it amid the distractions and noise of the world. Yet Jesus also reminds us that the Kingdom is meant for everyone. He compares it to a net cast into the sea that gathers fish of every kind. At the same time, He reminds us that each of us will one day be judged. The angels “will separate the wicked from the righteous.” It is a powerful reminder that our choices matter. Let us pray for the wisdom to recognize the Kingdom of Heaven in our midst and to pursue it above all else. There is no greater treasure, and no greater source of joy, than a life lived as a faithful disciple of Jesus. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering I enjoy books generally. I like to hold them, look at them and, of course, read them. I also enjoy audiobooks because they are a good way to pass the time with all the driving that I do. I like a wide variety of books, but I generally try to avoid things that are strictly political. Hence, I was a little hesitant when the book Communion by J.D. Vance was recommended to me. However, what I discovered is that it is an excellent read and has nothing to do with politics. Rather, it is the story of the Vice President’s return to the Christian faith that eventually resulted in his becoming Catholic. I suppose “conversion” stories attract me because of my own background. And while I did not grow up in Ohio coal country as he did, there are many similarities to his family, described in Hillbilly Elegy, and my dad’s family from the mountains of North Carolina. This particular book, in some ways, is a sequel to Hillbilly . It discusses his chaotic childhood and exposure to Baptist and Pentecostal churches, his drift into atheism as a young adult, following the death of his grandmother, and his gradual return to faith which culminated in his conversion to Catholicism in 2019. The title refers to the Eucharist, and the author explores what it means to be Christian across life stages – as a child, young man, husband, father and public figure – while reflecting on the role of religion in public life and American society.  This memoir mixes spiritual autobiography with broader commentary on faith, politics, family values, and societal problems. While some have criticized it as more of a cultural manifesto, I appreciated the honest assessment of one man’s journey from his childhood faith to an adult faith which led to full communion with the Catholic Church. Granted, it may not be to everyone’s liking, but it shouldn’t be dismissed simply because the author is the current Vice President. I enjoyed it, and if you want something to pass a lazy summer afternoon, I’d recommend it.