From the Pastor – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 30, 2018

From the Pastor – 17 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel reading recounts Jesus’ miracle of feeding the multitude. In a miracle that anticipated Jesus’ miracle of feeding the multitude, as reported in today’s Gospel, Elisha commanded that a small amount of bread be served to 100 men, and Jesus promised that all would indeed be fed. Elisha trusted that promise, acted upon it, and saw the promise miraculously fulfilled. We, like most people, tend to forget the miracles our Lord can work in everyday life. If we trust in God and live as good stewards, what we accomplish is, in its own way, a miracle.

St. Paul beautifully sums up how our approach to living as Catholics and Christians should be. In today’s Second Reading from his letter to the Ephesians, Paul urges us to live “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit.” Does that describe our parish community?

This cannot happen unless we have the same kind of trust that Elisha had, and which St. Paul had, as well. Paul also says in today’s Second Reading, “I urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.” This is stewardship at its core. We should not give of our time, talent and treasure because we want to earn God’s love. He already loves us unconditionally.

Jesus knew full well what miracle He was about to perform, but He also saw this as a chance to teach His Apostles, and also show us the way. Philip and the others had already seen Jesus perform many miracles, and there should have been no question in his mind about the divine resources Jesus had at His disposal. Yet Philip hesitated. It is human nature to be doubtful. Yet, as with Elisha, they all ate, and there was much left over. Through this miracle, Jesus is teaching us to trust Him and to do the same in our lives. And, by committing ourselves to a stewardship way of life, we can see our own gifts multiplied. And perhaps even perform our own modern-day miracles.

Copyright © 2018 — Catholic Stewardship Consultants, Inc.

Pastoral Pondering

I thought I would use this week’s bulletin to respond to some of the questions that have come in from the “Ask Father” link on the website.

1. If I recall a sin from many years ago that I didn’t recall at the time when I went to confession, should I confess that sin now or am I already absolved? This is a good question and one that actually comes up fairly often. The simply answer is as long as it was not an intentional omission it would be taken care of. I normally suggest that penitents, at the end of confession, say “for these sins, any sins I cannot remember and all of the sins of my past life, I ask pardon and penance.” This covers everything. I would also say that on occasion the Holy Spirit brings things up that have been addressed in confession but perhaps still have some residual effects in the soul. It never hurts to explain this to the confessor and mention it at the next confession.

2. If a lifelong Catholic is conscious and aware when he receives the Apostolic Blessing (part of the reception of Viaticum), and dies three days later, do we pray for his soul? The Apostolic Blessing offers the remission of all sins and the plenary indulgence. However, the reception of it does not negate the importance of prayer for the faithful departed because purification must occur both from the temporal punishment due to sin already forgiven but also from attachments to this world. We all need some type of purification. Sometimes this is done in this life, but for most of us some will need to be done in the life to come. Nonetheless, the Apostolic Blessing provides a source of grace and blessing from the spiritual treasury of the Church, and for that reason it is important to ask to receive as soon as death is approaching or when there is a significant danger of dying, e.g. serious surgery. Any time we are seriously ill, we should request and receive confession and the Anointing of the Sick.

3. I heard an announcement at church a while back asking for boys to sign up to serve the weekly Latin Mass. Is there a reason that girls were not included? In July of 2007 Pope Benedict XVI allowed for the celebration of the Usus Antiquior or the Mass of 1962 (Pope John XXIII). In the instructions for the implementation of that document, it was made clear that the liturgical norms in force at the time were to be observed. Since the allowance of girls as servers was prohibited until 1994, they are prohibited from serving at the Old Mass. This is why the announcement indicated a request for boys to serve.

The 1994 interpretation and subsequent explanation noted that girls are permitted to serve but bishops are not bound to allow it. Moreover, priests can choose whether or not to allow this service at the altar. As the letter pointed out: “It will always be very appropriate to the follow the noble tradition of having boys serve at the altar. As is well known, this has led to a reassuring development of priestly vocations. Thus, the obligation to support such groups of altar boys will always continue.” Here at St. Mark we have a dedicated group of boys and girls who volunteer to serve. With the exception of the Old Mass where the prohibition remains in place, that practice will continue, and we are appreciative of the dedicated service offered.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Solemnity of Christ the King

By John Putnam • November 21, 2025
On this Feast of Christ the King, our readings show us that we serve the greatest of Kings, who is at the same time the humblest of Kings. Christ is the perfect model of servant leadership. And what an indescribable privilege that He has called us to be servant leaders — stewards in the work of advancing His Kingdom. In our second reading, from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Paul describes the great power and dignity that characterize Christ the King. “All things were created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” It makes you want to stand up and cheer. That’s our King! Yet, what a contrasting description of the same King we find in our Gospel passage, from Luke. Now we see our King nailed to the Cross. Everyone from rulers to soldiers, to the criminals on either side of Christ is mocking, sneering, and reviling him. They tauntingly urge him to prove His kingship by coming down from the Cross to end his suffering with a great show of power. “if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” But He does not. Amazingly, it is in this moment of seeming-weakness and humiliation, when all appears hopeless and lost, that the full breadth of his greatness as king is displayed. Though all things were created through and for Him — Christ chooses to live entirely for others, for us! What does this mean for us as his followers and stewards of His kingdom? It is precisely that our lives are not about us. They are about Christ and others. And we will advance his kingdom to the extent that we embrace this mindset: my life is not about me; it is about serving the King of kings. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025

From the Pastor - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • November 14, 2025
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our readings offer a sober reminder that this life is not our aim and that God’s justice will triumph in the end. Now is the time to get our priorities in order, putting God above all else as his faithful stewards. Our Lord brings home the urgency of right priorities in our Gospel passage from Luke, reminding the people around him who were looking at the temple nearby, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Our Lord reminds us that all in this world is passing. We must keep our focus on eternity. Yet before the eternal bliss of heaven, we should expect to be tried and tested. “Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.” Sounds scary. But if you are living a stewardship way of life, there is nothing to fear. You have a plan in place. All you need to do is stick with it. Put our Lord first in your time, with your talents, and through your use of treasure. This way of life is not easy. But Jesus promises it will lead to eternal salvation and the joy of union with Him. “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” Onward, Christian stewards, the struggle is worth the joy that awaits! Pastoral Pondering On November 4th the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released Mater Populi Fidelis, a 20-page doctrinal note which was approved by the Holy Father. The Document addresses longstanding requests for clarification on Marian titles related to Mary’s cooperation in salvation. It emphasizes Mary’s unique role as Mother of believers while safeguarding Christ’s sole mediatorship, aiming to foster authentic devotion, Catholic fidelity, and ecumenical dialogue. The Note responds to decades of proposals, including petitions for new Marian dogmas, often amplified via social media and private revelations. It draws on Scripture, Tradition (e.g., St. Augustine), and prior papal reflections, including Joseph Ratzinger's 1996 and 2002 critiques of certain titles as unclear or prone to misunderstanding. The document appreciates popular piety but cautions against expressions that could confuse the faithful or obscure Christ's centrality. It promotes "participated mediation"—Mary's supportive role in union with Christ—without equating her to the Redeemer. The document goes on to underscore “approved titles/expressions” and “discouraged titles/expressions.” Those that are encouraged include: Mother of God (Theotokos), Mother of Believers, Spiritual Mother, Mother of the Faithful People of God, and Mediatrix (in a general sense of intercession). It notes that these underscore Mary's maternal bond with Christ and the Church, directing devotion to the Son. They are biblically rooted (e.g., John 19:26-27) and foster hope, tenderness, and unity. Those titles discouraged are Co-redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces. It notes that these risk eclipsing Christ's unique mediation (1 Tim 2:5) and redemption; not explicitly in Scripture or early Tradition; potential for confusion or imbalance in faith, especially ecumenically. I know in my own discussions over the years; it is very easy (especially for my non-Catholic relatives) to get confused over certain Marian titles. They can certainly be explained, but as the DDF points out, those titles that require greater explanation for common understanding should be discouraged. To be sure, you can find both titles used in various Catholic resources, and the document certainly does not forbid their use. Nonetheless, it approaches the topic in a balanced and pastorally sensitive way that recognizes the importance of Marian devotion and piety while, at the same time, reminding us all of the importance supporting and encouraging doctrinal harmony.