From the Pastor – 6th Sunday of Easter

May 7, 2018

From the Pastor – 6 th Sunday of Easter

The First Reading from Acts begins with Cornelius falling at Peter’s feet. Peter lifts him up and says, “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.”

Cornelius was likely the inspiration for that statement. St. Cornelius is a significant person in the Acts of the Apostles. A documented centurion in the Cohors Italia , he is considered by most Bible researchers as being one of the first Gentiles converted to Christianity.

The message, however, applies to all of us, as most of us are indeed Gentiles. It is made clear that Cornelius was a holy and generous man. However, he did not receive the Holy Spirit until he had heard the Gospel from Peter and responded to it. That is what each of us is called to do as well. If we allow the Lord to be an important part of our lives, God will do everything for those who are willing to receive Him.

This reading then reports, “While Peter was still speaking these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the word.” St. Peter is later criticized for entering the house of a Gentile, eating, and then baptizing Cornelius, but in Acts 11 Peter responds, “If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?” God is there for all of us, but we must receive Him and open our lives to Him.

Pastoral Pondering

As we move into May and the close of the school year, I want to graduate all of those who are graduating from high school or college over the next several weeks. Henry Hoyt, who has been serving as our sacristan, is graduating from high school and preparing for the next chapter in his life. I want to thank him for his dedicated service. Patrick Martin, a rising high school senior, has assumed the sacristan role.

2018 marks the 50 th anniversary of the encyclical of Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae. The Latin title translates simply, Of Human Life. The sub-title was on the regulation of birth. It was released on July 25, 1968 during a tumultuous time in the Church and the world. Sadly, at the time of its release, much of its wisdom was lost because of the widespread rebellion against what the world saw as an “unenlightened view” of human sexuality. When one reads the full contents of the document, it is easy to assert that Pope Paul was actually prophetic in what he saw as resulting from the widespread use of “the pill”.

In a recent article in First Things , Mary Eberstadt notes that “The most globally reviled and widely misunderstood document of the last half century is also the most prophetic and explanatory of our time” ( https://www.firstthings.com/article/2018/04/the-prophetic-power-of-humanae-vitae ). She summarizes these “prophetic points” methodically, and it is worth considering them and allowing the reality to enter into our prayer and conduct.

The first empirical reality she notes is the correlation between the use of contraception and abortion. Fifty years ago, one of the mantras of those opposing the prohibition was that the use of contraception would render abortion obsolete. In reality, however, “rates of contraception usage, abortion, and out-of-wedlock births exploded simultaneously.” Moreover, the judicial overturn by the Supreme Court of prohibitions on selling contraceptives in the Griswold decision in 1965. This decision became part of the justification for the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973. The justices concluded that if contraception is legal, then abortion must also be legal in case contraception fails. As Eberstadt states: “Legal reasoning justifying freedom to contraception has been used to justify freedom to abort…It is plain in hindsight that the “lowering of moral standards” foreseen by Humanae Vitae could come to include disrespect not only for women, but for the human fetus too.”

The facts are incontrovertible that the old defense of birth control as the alternative to abortion is simply false. In actuality, experience shows that the widespread use of contraception is an accelerant to abortion. Because of this more people outside the Church have come to recognize the prophetic voice of Pope Paul VI and Humanae Vitae. As Eberstadt states: “Observing what the sexual revolution has wrought, more and more Protestant voices now question yesterday’s nonchalance about contraception. This reconsideration is far from a majority view – yet, anyway. But it manifests what any minority view must have in order to win over others: evidence and moral energy.”

Pope Paul’s assertion that the widespread use of contraception would lead to a decline in sexual morality and a growing disrespect for human dignity and life have become all too clear on our society today. From Terry Schiavo to Alfie Evans we see the disintegration of a respect for basic human dignity on all fronts. In the weeks ahead, I will consider the other points Dr. Eberstadt makes as we observe this important anniversary of Pope Paul’s prophetic encyclical.

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.