From the Pastor – 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 23, 2018

From the Pastor – 16 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Most are familiar with the scriptural quote from Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want.” This passage serves as the Responsorial Psalm on this 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time because it supports the other readings with two key ideas: that we must place our trust in the Lord, and that we inherit life from our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

At the time St. Paul was writing his Letter to the Ephesians (our Second Reading), Paul was under house arrest in Rome and awaiting trial. He was allegedly accused by the Jews of taking a Gentile into a temple. Therefore, part of Paul’s statement, “For he (Christ) is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims,” is saying essentially the Lordship of Jesus is not greater than any difference you may feel you have with others — that Jesus is our Savior and our Shepherd.

In the Gospel Reading from Mark, the idea of shepherding lies at the heart. “When he (Jesus) disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.” In other words, He began to feed them with the Word of God. That is what we do during this part of our Mass; we hear Holy Scripture. These are the Words of the Lord. He is our shepherd. We are His sheep.

As always, Jesus teaches us a valuable lesson about stewardship through today’s readings. To the Lord, the needs of others were more important than His own. When we share our time, our talents, and our treasure, we are not only following our Good Shepherd, we are also living His Gospel call to shepherd others by giving of ourselves.

Pastoral Pondering

I want to thank all of those who generously gave of their time and resources to help us meet our Rise Against Hunger goal last week. The 100,000 meals that were packaged will bring life-giving food to the most needy and vulnerable. This weekend we welcome Father Cyrus Gallagher, a priest representing Unbound Ministries which was founded in 1981 to provide assistance to needy children around the world. The work of Unbound is solidly rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Father Gallagher is here to share about their good work and invite those who feel called to cooperate in their outreach.

In the July 6 th issue of the Catholic News Herald the front page focused on the recent immigration issues, especially helping separated families. My sense from talking to a number of people is that there is some confusion regarding what the Church teaching regarding this matter is and how we, as Catholics, should be responding.

First and foremost, Catholic Social Teaching is based on our fundamental belief, deeply rooted in the natural law, that each human person is created in the image and likeness of God. Each person then has inherent dignity which should guide all of our interactions within the human community.

With that being said, we also believe in the right of the state to enact laws that protect the good of society at large. Securing our borders would certainly fall into that category. Such laws have to be evaluated as to their moral (or immoral) value.

The flashpoint of the most recent debate has focused on separating children from families who have entered the country illegally. Bishops have spoken out about the injustice of such a policy and certainly, Pope Francis has been clear about his support of immigration. Obviously, the Church supports families and family unity.

Nonetheless, it would behoove everyone to step back and take a more circumspect view of this particular situation. Most importantly, it is necessary to have reasonable discussions without demonizing those who disagree with one position or another. Evidence suggests that many children are used and abused by the adults who benefit from illegal immigration. Kidnapping, Human trafficking, and drug trafficking are realities that also need to be addressed among others.

The government certainly needs to listen to the voices of those who raise legitimate concerns about the morality of policies, but the converse is also true. Those who raise concerns need to make sure that they have a clear understanding of all of the facts that impact the issues at hand. And, as I pointed out last week, civil discourse is essential to reaching a common goal. It respects the dignity of each person and realizes that individuals and groups of individuals can disagree but at the same time work towards solutions that benefit everyone.

From the Pastor

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!

From the Pastor - 3rd Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • March 6, 2026
Today’s readings for this Third Sunday of Lent center on the theme of thirst, reminding us that a stewardship way of life both satisfies our own longing for Christ and helps us respond to Christ’s thirst for souls. In our first reading from Exodus, the Israelites complain in their thirst for water, despite all God has done to free them from slavery. Yet when Moses cries out for help, God provides abundantly, bringing water from the rock to satisfy His people. The Lord’s generosity did not end there. He continues to provide for us today, patiently meeting our needs again and again. In today’s Gospel, we hear the powerful encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, beginning with His simple request: “Give me a drink.” He then tells her that He can offer living water — water that truly satisfies. These words speak directly to us as well. Christ asks us to “give Him a drink” by sharing the gifts we have received with Him and with others for His sake. Yet it is Christ Himself who fills us, offering the living water of His grace. God invites each of us to play a part in bringing others to Him through a stewardship way of life. This Lent, may we respond to that invitation with renewed commitment, offering our time, talent, and treasure so that many may come to know Christ. In doing so, we help to quench His thirst for souls. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026 Pastoral Pondering  Continuing with last week’s theme about stewardship and in harmony with our Stewardship Renewal, here are some Key Reasons Why Stewardship Matters to Catholic s: 1 . It Reflects Gratitude for God's Love God has first loved us unconditionally (shown most perfectly in Jesus Christ). Stewardship is our loving response—recognizing all good things as gifts from Him and returning love through generous use of those gifts. As the bishops note, "Stewardship is the Response of the Disciple to God’s unconditional love for us." 2. It Imitates Jesus, the Model Steward Jesus lived as the perfect steward, using His life, time, and gifts entirely for the Father's will and the good of humanity. Catholics are called to imitate Him, making God's love visible in the world. 3. It Involves Accountability Before God We will be held accountable for how we use what God has entrusted to us (e.g., biblical parables like the talents in Matthew 25:14–30 emphasize this). Stewardship reminds us that we are managers, not ultimate owners. 4 . It Encompasses Time, Talent, and Treasure Catholics are called to share these proportionally and sacrificially to support the Church, help the poor, and promote justice. This builds up the Body of Christ and addresses needs in society. 5. It Includes Care for Creation As part of Catholic social teaching, stewardship extends to environmental responsibility. We respect the Creator by caring for the earth (e.g., as in Genesis 1–2, where humanity is given dominion as caretakers, not exploiters). This is a "requirement of our faith," not just an optional concern. 6. It Leads to Spiritual Growth and Holiness Living as a steward fosters conversion, deeper prayer, and a Christ-centered life over self-centeredness. It transforms ordinary actions into acts of worship and service. In essence, stewardship is integral to authentic Catholic life because it turns faith into action, gratitude into generosity, and discipleship into a tangible witness of God's Kingdom. It's not primarily about fundraising or programs—it's about a heartfelt relationship with God that naturally overflows into love for neighbor and creation.