From the Pastor – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 27, 2019

From the Pastor – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In last week’s readings, we were encouraged to remain persistent and constant in our prayer life. Today, we focus on the proper attitude of a steward at prayer.

In the Gospel passage from Luke, Jesus illustrates the humble attitude we must have as we approach God in prayer through a parable of two praying men. One is a Pharisee, a man with respected status, theological training and all the right credentials. He marches right up to the front of the temple to speak a prayer “to himself,” thanking God for making him just a little bit superior to everyone else!

The other man is a tax collector, known by those of his day to be a cheater and a sell-out to his fellow Jews. In contrast to the Pharisee, he stands near the back and cries out to God in a simple and honest way: “Be merciful to me a sinner.”

Jesus tells us that it is the tax collector and not the Pharisee who leaves the temple justified. Why?

The Pharisee was full of self as he approached God. He felt no real need for God as he rattled off his resume of good works and spiritual practices. He was simply going through the motions of prayer. His lack of humility prevented him from entering into a real dialogue with the Father. The tax collector, by contrast, emptied himself as he approached God. He recognized who he truly was (a sinner) and asked for mercy, leaving all the rest up to God. This is the kind of attitude God can work with! This is how a good steward prays — with trust, with complete openness to God’s will, with a listening mind and heart, ready to serve as God leads. Catholic Stewardship Consultants ©

Pastoral Pondering

Recently, I mentioned the Pew Research Poll regarding belief in the Eucharist among Catholics. I’ve been asked to clarify what is meant by sacrilege, a term which I referenced in the previous bulletin. I’m happy to do so here and perhaps expand a bit on our understanding of the Eucharist.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church sacrilege is profanation of or irreverence toward persons, places, and things which are sacred, i.e., dedicated to God; sacrilege against the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, is a particularly grave offense against the first commandment (2120). When one intentionally commits sacrilege against the Eucharist, e.g. intentionally desecrating the Eucharist or stealing the Sacred Host for an occult purpose, it results in the most serious of ecclesiastical penalties. As canon 1367 of the Code of Canon Law states: a person who throws away the consecrated species or takes or retains them for a sacrilegious purpose incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See; moreover, a cleric who does so, can be punished with another penalty, not excluding dismissal from the clerical state.

Hence, it can be seen that an intentional desecration of the Sacred Eucharist results in the most severe of penalties. Because of this it can also be said that everything that can be done should be done to also protect the Holy Eucharist from unintentional desecration. As the instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum points out: “In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favoritism (RS, 183).

Obviously, the Church insists on this because the Eucharist is central to who we are and what we believe as a Church. The author Flannery O’Connor once wrote to a friend in 1955 explaining what had occurred in a discussion with a woman who had abandoned the faith as a teenager. It’s very informative and puts the matter rather succinctly. She writes:

Well, toward morning the conversation turned on the Eucharist, which I, being the Catholic, was obviously supposed to defend. Mrs. Broadwater said when she was a child and received the Host, she thought of it as the Holy Ghost, He being the ‘most portable’ person of the Trinity; now she thought of it as a symbol and implied that it was a pretty good one. I then said, in a very shaky voice, ‘Well, if it’s a symbol, to hell with it.’ That was all the defense I was capable of but I realize now that this is all I will ever be able to say about it, outside of a story, except that it is the center of existence for me; all the rest of life is expendable.”

This statement is quite profound and informative. It summarizes very clearly what the Church believes in very simple terms. As a priest I can say that I did not give my life for a symbol but for the very Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. There is no reason to do so otherwise.

Our time at Holy Mass and our time before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament in adoration are times of grace during which we should ponder His Divine Presence. We should also do all that we can to show Him reverence and devotion by our outward words and actions.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Palm Sunday

By John Putnam • March 27, 2026
We begin this Holy Week with the reading of the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of Matthew. It is fitting that during this week we intensely focus our minds and hearts on the steps of our Savior as He laid down His very life for us. But let us also examine the seemingly small acts of stewardship by some who encountered Jesus during this most eventful week. One occurred when Jesus gave instructions about the room where He would celebrate the Passover. Jesus said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him…” ‘In your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.’” While we do not know this man’s name, we do know he agreed to this request — he shared the material gift of his home and the gift of hospitality. Because of his good stewardship, his own home became the site of the institution of the Eucharist! There was also Simon the Cyrenian, who offered the gift of his physical strength, helping the Lord to carry His Cross. Consider, too, the actions of Joseph of Arimathea — he generously shared a material gift of the tomb that was his, and he gave the gift of service to our Lord by giving Him a proper burial. Then there were the "two Marys” who gave Jesus the gift of their time. Keeping watch in tender vigil after His death, they “remained sitting there, facing the tomb.” Each of these were simple acts of good stewardship, yet God used them in mighty ways. God invites each of us, too, to cooperate with Him in small ways through the sharing of our time, talent, and material gifts. Small gifts can become mighty deeds when placed in God’s service. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering  Recently, a new translation of The Order of the Anointing of the Sick and of Their Pastoral Care was released by the USCCB. In keeping with our review over the last two weeks, I think it would be good to have a reminder about when it is proper to ask to receive this wonderful sacrament of healing. The following is adapted from an article by Father Dylan Shrader, an edited version of which appeared in the journal of the Society for Catholic Liturgy Antiphon 16, no. 1 (2012):52-61. Anointing of the Sick Before Surgery: When and Why? Many Catholics wonder: “Can I receive Anointing of the Sick just because I’m having surgery?” It’s a common question in parishes. Some assume that any procedure requiring general anesthesia carries enough risk to qualify for the sacrament. Fr. Dylan Schrader’s clear article (published in Antiphon, 2012) shows why this view, though well-meaning, does not match Church teaching. The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is not a “good-luck charm” against surgical complications. It is a healing sacrament Christ gave specifically for those who are already suffering a dangerous bodily infirmity —a serious illness, injury, or the frailty of old age that puts them in danger of death right now. Scripture (James 5:14) and the Councils of Florence and Trent are unmistakable: this sacrament is for the sick, not for anyone facing an external danger (battle, travel, or upcoming surgery) if they are otherwise healthy. The Church’s official Ritual says anointing can be given before surgery—but only when “a dangerous illness is the cause of the surgery itself.” The Catechism echoes this: it is “fitting” to receive Anointing before a serious operation for those who already qualify because of their illness. The point is pastoral wisdom, not a new rule: if someone is already sick enough to need anointing, it’s better to receive the sacrament before the added stress of surgery than to risk delaying it or missing it entirely. The special grace of Anointing does not “wear off.” Once received with faith, it lasts throughout the entire period of that same infirmity, giving strength, peace, union with Christ’s suffering, forgiveness of sins (if needed), and even possible physical healing. It can be repeated only if the person recovers and then falls seriously ill again, or if the same illness becomes markedly worse. Practical Guidance for Parishioners - If your surgery is because of a serious illness or injury (e.g., cancer surgery, heart procedure, complications from an accident), ask your priest about Anointing beforehand. He will gladly celebrate it. - If your procedure is elective, precautionary, or cosmetic (wisdom teeth removal with no infection, knee replacement for a stable condition, organ donation, etc.), you are not yet a candidate for Anointing. The Church offers beautiful alternatives: the blessing of the sick, prayers from the Book of Blessings, or simply the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. - Always prepare spiritually with Confession and Holy Communion. These are available to everyone, healthy or ill. Priests are happy to explain the sacrament and resolve any doubt in favor of celebrating it when the criteria are met. The goal is never to withhold grace but to honor the beautiful purpose Christ gave this sacrament: to strengthen us precisely in the suffering we already carry. Christ instituted Anointing of the Sick so that, in our weakness, we might be united to His Passion and receive every grace we need to bear illness as Christians. When we understand its true purpose, we receive it with greater faith—and experience its full power. If you or a loved one faces serious illness, don’t wait. Call your priest today. The Church wants you to have this sacrament at the right time, for the right reason, and with full confidence in Christ’s healing love.

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.