From the Pastor – Feast of the Holy Family

January 1, 2018

From the Pastor – Feast of the Holy Family 2017

The primary purpose of The Feast of the Holy Family is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families.

In Italy there is a saying, “La famiglia é tutto,” which means, “the family is everything.” Our Holy Father Pope Francis has made families one of the focal points of his papacy. He organized a conference on families in 2015. Speaking to the gathered families, he said, “You cannot have a family without dreams. I am very fond of dreams in families. For nine months, every mother and father dream about their baby. They dream about what kind of child he or she will be… You can’t have a family without dreams. Once a family loses the ability to dream, children do not grow, love does not grow, life shrivels up and dies. So I ask you each evening, when you make your examination of conscience, to also ask yourselves this question: Today did I dream about my children’s future? Today did I dream about the love of my husband, my wife? Did I dream about my parents and grandparents who have gone before me?”

All of today’s readings have to do with families and family life. The reading from Sirach, our First Reading, emphasized the Fourth Commandment, “Honor thy father and mother.” We are commanded to respect and love our parents. However, it is a two-way street. The Gospel Reading speaks of the development of Jesus, and that should inspire parents to understand that our prayers are the same as the prayers of Joseph and Mary — that our children will become strong in spirit and filled with wisdom.

Pastoral Pondering

During the weeks before Christmas the other priests and high heard hundreds of first Confessions along with all of the other confessions that we hear on a weekly basis. One of the things that we started doing this year with the children seeking first reconciliation and first Communion was that the parents right a letter to me indicating the desire on their part for their children to receive the sacraments, but also, a commitment on their part to do what is necessary to provide their children with a truly Catholic formation. This commitment involves getting their children to Mass on Sundays and holy days and providing them opportunities for prayer and spiritual growth. The following admonition from the Rite of Baptism for Children encapsulates what’s expected of parents when they present a child for baptism:

“On your part [parents], you must make it your constant care to bring them up in the practice of the faith. See that the divine life which God gives them is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in their hearts.”

Parents today have a hard task. We live in a world that is hostile to the faith on many levels. Certainly, this is true for the majority of public universities and colleges, but, sadly, that attitude can also be found in schools of all levels and even in some that bear the name Catholic. Yet, in the midst of all of this, parents are not without spiritual support if they avail themselves of it.

The faith when it is faithfully lived at home and actively lived outside the home, is a potent antidote to the “spirit of this world.” Failing to provide that for our children is spiritually abusive because it places them on the battleground without providing them with the weapons they need to defend themselves and survive. It is heartbreaking, for example, to have a second-grader, confess that he or she missed Mass because mom and dad are too busy to take them. This is the minimum that should be expected of Catholic parents.

The minimum, of course, is not going to be enough is this time in history, however. The faith must be lived at home. It is not enough to send children to faith formation or Catholic school and expect them to simply absorb the faith as by osmosis. It simply does not work that way. Children learn from what the adults in their lives say and do. Baptism is not magic, and living the Christian life is hard work. But it is a labor of love and if done with faith and attention will bear great fruit.

If we want our families to be holy, we have to be holy. We can only be holy, when we do whatever He tells us. Happy New Year!

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 10, 2026
In today’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus shares the familiar Parable of the Sower. It is a powerful image for the stewardship way of life, demonstrating the gradual but transformative effect that a life centered on God can have on us over time. In the parable, some seed falls on a path where birds quickly carry it away. Other seed falls on rocky ground, where it begins to grow but cannot develop deep roots. Still more seed falls among thorns that eventually choke the young plants. Finally, some seed falls on rich, fertile soil and produces an abundant harvest. Jesus explains that the seed is the Word of God, generously scattered for all to receive. The question is whether our hearts are prepared to receive it and allow it to take root. This is where the stewardship way of life comes in. When we offer our time, talent, and treasure to God and place Him first in our lives, we help create the “good soil” needed for the Kingdom to flourish within us. Stewardship removes the “rocks” of mistrust as we grow in confidence that God will provide for our needs. It clears away the “thorns” of worldly concerns that can distract us from what matters most. Through prayer, the sacraments, and generous service, the soil of our lives is continually nourished and renewed. Let us deepen our commitment to this way of life, allowing the Divine Sower to do His work within us. In time, He will produce an abundant harvest through our lives. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering A Pastoral Reflection on the Earthquakes in Venezuela Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In these days, our hearts are heavy as we learn of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026. Two powerful tremors, measuring approximately 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have caused great loss of life, injured thousands, and left many families homeless and grieving. As your pastor, I invite you to join me in prayer for all those affected— the deceased, the injured, the missing, and those working tirelessly in rescue and relief efforts. May the Lord grant them strength and comfort in this time of trial. The Catholic Church offers us clear guidance on how to understand such natural disasters. They are not punishments from God directed at specific sins or peoples. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, our world is “in a state of journeying” toward its ultimate perfection (CCC 310). In God’s wise plan, creation includes both life-giving and destructive forces of nature—such as the shifting of tectonic plates that cause earthquakes. Physical evils like these remind us of the disorder introduced into the world by Original Sin, yet they are not direct divine judgments. Jesus Himself rejected such thinking when asked about tragedies in His time (see Luke 13:1-5 and John 9:1-3). Instead, these events humble us, turn our eyes from fleeting earthly goods toward heaven, and call forth the best in us: compassion, solidarity, and trust in God’s providence. Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has expressed his deep closeness to the Venezuelan people. He has offered prayers for the victims and their families, entrusted the rescuers to the Lord, and sent an initial emergency donation of €100,000 to support relief efforts through the local Church. He urges the international community to respond with generous solidarity. In moments like this, we remember that creation itself “groans” in labor pains as it awaits full redemption (Romans 8:22). Yet we are not without hope. God does not abandon His children. He is present in the suffering Christ who walks with us, and He brings good even from tragedy—through heroic acts of charity, stronger communities, and hearts turned more fully toward Him. What can we do here at St. Mark’s? - Pray: Offer Masses, Rosaries, or personal prayers for Venezuela. Consider a special intention at weekend Masses. - Help: Support reliable Catholic relief organizations such as Catholic Relief Services (CRS) or efforts coordinated by our Diocese of Charlotte. Even small donations can provide food, shelter, and medical aid. - Reflect: Use this as an opportunity for personal conversion and gratitude for the blessings we enjoy.  Let us entrust our Venezuelan brothers and sisters to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Mark, our patron. May the Risen Lord bring healing, peace, and hope to all who suffer. And may we, as one parish family, respond with the love of Christ.

From the Pastor - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 10, 2026
The theme of humility is central to our readings today. God Himself is a humble God, so if we wish to follow Him as Christian stewards, we too, must be humble. In fact, humility is key to the stewardship way of life, and to a peaceful and fulfilling life. In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus Himself speaks to the Father about the privileged role that humble souls play in God’s plan of salvation. “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.” What does it mean to be a “little one”? It means that we acknowledge we don’t have it all figured out, but that we are very much in need of a savior. It means we recognize that all we are and all we have been given is a gift from God. It means we embrace the stewardship way of life. It is not easy, but deep peace and consolation come with this way of life. Jesus offers these warm and encouraging words to entice us to embrace them. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Let us resolve to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, embracing the humble path of stewardship. It is the path that leads to peace here and now, and ultimately leads us to heaven. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering One of the struggles that confessors often have to face is the reality of scrupulosity. It is not something new and has in fact been recognized as a spiritual obstacle throughout the centuries. Hence, I thought a discussion of the issue, albeit brief, would be helpful to those who face it or know someone who does.  Scrupulosity is a condition in which a person experiences excessive, persistent anxiety and doubt about sin, often seeing mortal sin where there is none or obsessing over past faults that have already been forgiven. It is sometimes described as a religious form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and can cause great spiritual distress, frequent confessions, and difficulty trusting in God’s mercy. The Church has long recognized scrupulosity as a heavy cross, not a sign of weak faith but a challenge that even great saints like St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Alphonsus Liguori faced. The Catholic response emphasizes trust in God’s infinite mercy, the reliability of the sacraments, and obedience to a trusted confessor or spiritual director. Key principles include: once a sin is confessed and absolved, do not revisit it; temptation is not the same as consent or sin; and venial sins are forgiven through ordinary acts of love and the Eucharist. If you struggle with scrupulosity, choose one regular confessor, follow his guidance faithfully, and resist the urge to “priest-hop” for repeated reassurance. Professional help from a therapist familiar with OCD and Catholic teaching can also be a valuable complement. Remember the words of Jesus : “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). God’s mercy is greater than our fears. If you or someone you know suffers in this way, speak with a priest, seek spiritual direction, and know that you are not alone. Resources such as *Scrupulous Anonymous* (a free newsletter) and books like Fr. Thomas Santa’s *Understanding Scrupulosity* can offer further encouragement. May the Lord grant peace to all who carry this burden.