From the Pastor - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 29, 2018

From the Pastor – 4 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today’s Gospel Reading from St. Mark, it is reported that Jesus went to the synagogue and began to teach, but His teaching was somewhat different from that normally heard there “for he taught with authority and not as the scribes.” Often those who taught in Jesus’ time (the scribes) simply quoted others, a variety of Rabbis.

However, Jesus taught with authority because He had authority. Jesus’ divine message was not quoting other humans, but quoting God. Jesus was One with God so He knew what He was talking about. Jesus taught with authority because He believed what He was teaching. He was familiar with the information which allowed Him to teach boldly. People listening could perceive that this was someone Who knew.

Up until this time we have seen the Lord as the Son of Man Who submitted to His Father. He submitted to God in His Baptism, and to the Holy Spirit in the wilderness. To have authority also requires submission. We, too, are called to submit to God, but for us that is sometimes challenging because it requires humility, something that is not easy for many of us.

Later in the Gospel of John there is another account of the Lord teaching at the Temple. He is challenged, and His response is quite simply, “My teaching is not from myself; it comes from the one who sent me.” We are not divine, but we, too, are sent.

Pastoral Pondering

Every now and then it is good to make an assessment of where we are and where we need to be. This is what pastoral planning is all about. As I’ve said here before, the Pastoral Council has been diligently working on developing a new pastoral plan for the parish. This serves two purposes, first it helps us examine what the needs of the community are and how we are addressing those needs. Second, it helps us see what needs to be changed or modified in order to better respond to the the parish and the community.

Faith Formation and Religious Education has been one of those areas where the demands and needs seem to be ever changing and evolving. Our staff has to constantly look for ways to respond the various constituencies that we serve while at the same time utilizing available resources in a responsible manner. With that in mind, we have recently made some slight modifications to the Faith Formation Department. Michael Griffith who holds an MA in theology, with a concentration in catechesis from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, will assume the new position of Director of Catechesis. In this role he can better coordinate the overall catechetical programs that the parish offers, insure that we are implementing Diocesan norms and polices effectively, and helping us make the best use of contemporary methods of catechesis, including using the various social media. He will continue to supervise the departmental budget and data management.

Theresa Benson, who is finishing up her MA in theology, will assume the Director of Faith Formation position with special attention to school and parish relationships, interfacing with parents and encouraging and recruiting catechists and other volunteers. Theresa and Michael will be working closely together to insure that our overall program is effectively responding to our pastoral plan and developing ways to better promote faith formation at every level of the parish.

In order to be intentional disciples, we have to know who we are and what it is we profess. Faith Formation is essential in this regard. We will continue to foster a strong culture of formation and education in the parish, and I am excited that with these changes we can do that even more effectively.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

By John Putnam • May 29, 2026
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity — the central mystery of our faith. Though the Trinity is a profound mystery, it also reveals something very practical for us as Christian stewards. The Trinity is a communion of Persons who give themselves completely to one another. This self-giving love is at the heart of the stewardship way of life. In our Gospel, we hear, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” God gives Himself to us out of love. We are called to respond in the same way — by giving ourselves back to Him and to others. The more we give of ourselves in love, the more we experience “the grace of the Lord, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit” within us. This Triune God invites us into a deeper relationship with Him — one that grows as we live a life of gratitude and self-gift through the stewardship way of life. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026 Pastoral Pondering In light of the blessing of the ordination of ten new priests for the Diocese of Charlotte and the 34 th anniversary of my own ordination (May 30 th ), I thought it would be good to reflect on the importance of the ministerial priesthood in the life of the Church. The Catholic priesthood (ministerial priesthood) is essential to the Church's life, mission, and sacramental reality. It flows directly from Christ's own priesthood and enables the Church to continue His saving work until the end of time. Rooted in Christ's Priesthood Catholic teaching holds that Jesus Christ is the one eternal High Priest (Hebrews 5:1-10, 7-10). The ministerial priesthood does not replace or compete with His but participates in it in a unique way. Priests are ordained to act in persona Christi Capitis ("in the person of Christ the Head")—especially in the sacraments. This differs essentially (not just in degree) from the common priesthood of all the baptized , by which every Christian offers spiritual sacrifices, lives a holy life, and witnesses to the Gospel (1 Peter 2:5, 9). The ministerial priesthood exists *for the service* of the common priesthood, to build up the Church as the Body of Christ. Key Roles and Importance Priests exercise a threefold ministry (teaching, sanctifying, and governing), called the three Munera, that mirrors Christ's: Sanctifying the People of God : Priests are the ordinary ministers of several sacraments, above all the Eucharist . Through them, Christ's one sacrifice on the Cross is made present in the Mass. Without ordained priests, there would be no valid Eucharist in the Catholic understanding. They also forgive sins in Confession, anoint the sick, baptize (in ordinary circumstances), and celebrate other sacraments. This makes divine grace accessible in a tangible, ecclesial way. Proclaiming the Word : Priests preach the Gospel, teach the faith, and guide consciences. They are "co-workers" with bishops in shepherding the faithful. Governing and Serving : As spiritual fathers, they lead communities, counsel, perform works of mercy, and foster unity. They do this not by their own power but as instruments of Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: "In the ecclesial service of the ordained minister, it is Christ himself who is present to his Church as Head of his Body, Shepherd of his flock, high priest of the redemptive sacrifice, Teacher of Truth." Apostolic succes sion ensures continuity: Bishops ordain priests through the laying on of hands, tracing back to the apostles. This sacramental character is indelible—permanent. Why It Matters to the Church The Church cannot fully be the Church without it in Catholic doctrine. The priesthood guarantees the valid celebration of the Eucharist (the "source and summit" of Christian life) and the other sacraments that nourish faith. It maintains the Church's hierarchical structure for unity and ordered mission. Priests enable the laity's priestly vocation by providing the sacraments and pastoral care that empower everyday Christians to live out their baptismal calling. Historically and theologically, the priesthood fulfills and surpasses the Old Covenant priesthood, making Christ's mediation present across time and place. Vatican II's Presbyterorum Ordinis (Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests) emphasizes that priests are "taken from among men and appointed for men in the things that pertain to God" (Hebrews 5:1). Their celibacy, obedience, and life of prayer are oriented toward total availability for the Gospel and the flock. In short, the Catholic priesthood is not an optional "clergy class" but a divine gift by which Christ continues to shepherd, teach, and sanctify His Church. Catholics believe that through faithful priests, grace flows to the world, making salvation accessible and the Church a living sacrament of Christ's presence.  Let’s thank God for the gift of our newly ordained priests and ask the Lord to continue to send workers into the vineyard.

From the Pastor - Pentecost

By John Putnam • May 22, 2026
Throughout our readings today for Pentecost Sunday, we see the powerful truth that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts and guidance in a deeply personal way. We are meant to use these gifts to build up the Body of Christ — each in our own unique way. In our first reading from Acts, we hear of the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. A strong driving wind filled the house, and tongues of fire came to rest on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues. Notice how personal this moment is. The Spirit came upon each individual, equipping them in a unique way to share the Gospel. The same is true for us today. Embracing the stewardship way of life means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in using the unique gifts He has given to each of us for the mission entrusted to us. In our Gospel, Jesus sends His disciples forth: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” This is our mission as well. But we are not sent alone. Jesus gives us His peace — “Peace be with you.” As this Easter season comes to a close, let us be at peace and resolve to rely more fully on the Holy Spirit as our guide through the stewardship way of life. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026 Pastoral Pondering This weekend we are celebrating a number of events that I am extremely thankful for. First, three of our own parishioners were ordained deacons on their road to the Priesthood. Bradley Loftin, Patrick Martin and Connor White were ordained deacons by Bishop Martin. I have had the privilege of watching each of these young men grow up, in many respects, and mature in their discernment of God’s call in their lives. Each will be serving in a parish this summer. Deacon Loftin will be serving at St. Eugene in Asheville, Deacon Martin will be serving at St. Matthew in Charlotte and Deacon White will be serving at the Cathedral of St. Patrick. Secondly, on Pentecost afternoon we will be receiving our candidates, those who received baptism in a non-Catholic Christian church, into the full communion of the Catholic Church with the reception of Confirmation and Holy Communion. Each of them has studied and prayed and prepared for this special occasion. Please pray both for our new deacons as well as our newest Catholics. These events are a reminder that God is never outdone in generosity, and He continues to produce an abundance of fruit when we willingly open our hearts and cooperate with His grace. Happy Pentecost!!