From the Pastor – Third Sunday of Easter

May 6, 2019

From the Pastor – Third Sunday of Easter

In today’s Gospel, we find the Apostles dejected and discouraged following the death of our Lord. Poor Peter decides to throw in the towel on the whole disciple thing and go back to his old way of life, declaring, “I’m going fishing.” Upon hearing this, the other disciples follow him.

How easy it is for all of us to backslide on changes we have made in our lives, especially when it comes to our spiritual lives. But look how Jesus treats the disciples during their “backslide.” He is right there with them in the midst of it, already waiting for them on the shore when they come back from their unsuccessful return to the fishing business (after abandoning their mission as disciples). Our Lord greets them tenderly, gives them some fishing pointers, and then prepares their breakfast. How gracious He is to them!

He is just as gracious today. When we find ourselves “out at sea” —  discouraged by our failures or for squandering the gifts God has given us, or simply by a lack of progress in our faith life, Jesus is with us! He is calling to us from the shore to come back to Him without shame or embarrassment, but with hope-filled trust in His steadfast love. He never tires of offering “do-overs” if we just keep returning to Him.

This constant process of turning back to the Lord, of reevaluating our goals and priorities as we aim for Heaven, is the essence of a stewardship way of life. Let us take heart as we continue our journey today, secure in the knowledge that Jesus is beside us every step of the way.

In matters of faith —With all the little ones we have running around St. Mark, it is easy to forget that many couples today struggle with infertility. This can be a source of great distress for couples who desperately want to start a family. In having discussions with couples, I have found that there is often great confusion regarding what is morally acceptable for Catholic couples to do in such situations. Therefore, I thought it would be helpful to discuss this topic as a way of providing insight and guidance for those who find themselves struggling with infertility. The information that follows is taken from The National Catholic Bioethics Center ( www.ncbcenter.org ) which is a great Catholic resource for guidance in difficult moral situations.

First of all, we need to remember that infertility is not new. In the Bible we encounter Abraham and Sarah as well as Hannah. Joachim and Ann also were childless as were Zechariah and Elizabeth. The Bible also reminds us that all we do should be in accord with God’s will.

Secondly, with advances in modern medicine, there are a number of morally illicit options that couples can use to assist them in getting pregnant. At the same time, there are those that are immoral because of the means that are used to obtain the end.

Morally Unacceptable Technologies for Addressing Fertility Problems within Marriage would include the following: In in vitro fertilization (IVF), sperm is collected and used to fertilize eggs in vitro. At least one embryo is then transferred to the uterus. • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a variant of IVF in which sperm is collected, treated, and micro-injected into eggs, followed by transfer of at least one embryo to the uterus. • Pronuclear-stage tubal transfer (PROST) and zygote intrafallopian tube transfer (ZIFT) are similar to IVF except that the embryo, either at the fertilized pronuclear stage or the zygote stage, is transferred to the fallopian tube. • In natural cycle oocyte retrieval intravaginal fertilization (NORIF), an egg is retrieved during a natural ovulation cycle without ovulatory hyper-stimulation and is placed with the sperm in a special vial with culture media. The vial is placed in the vagina for a period of forty-eight hours to allow fertilization to take place. The vial is then removed and the embryo is extracted and transferred into the uterus. • Cloning is the popular term for a technique called “somatic cell nuclear transfer,” which replaces the nucleus of an egg cell (ovum) with the nucleus of a body (somatic) cell in order to produce a new individual with a genetic code identical to that of the person who provided the body cell.

Morally Acceptable Technologies for Assessing and Addressing Fertility Problems within Marriage include:• Hormonal modulation of menstrual cycle irregularities; • Determination of cervical, uterine, and fallopian tube structural competence by imaging techniques (e.g., ultra-sound, hysterosalpingogram); • Surgical correction of tubal damage or occlusions; • Resolution of endometriosis; • Use of fertility drugs to address anovulation; • Use of Viagra or other agents or approaches to address erectile dysfunction; • Techniques to boost male sperm production in the testis; • Techniques to correct hypospadias or address premature ejaculation; • NFP (natural family planning) to observe naturally occurring signs of fertility during the woman’s cycle so as to

time intercourse for family building; • LTOT (low tubal ovum transfer), in which eggs are retrieved and transplanted into the uterus or fallopian tube at a point likely to increase the probability of fertilization following marital relations; • Other NaPro (natural procreative) Technologies

Morally Unresolved Technologies for Addressing Fertility Problems within Marriage include: • In artificial insemination (AI), sperm is placed into a woman’s uterus (intrauterine insemination, IUI) or cervix (intracervical) by a means (such as a catheter) other than a natural act of intercourse; •Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) involves the transfer of sperm and egg, separated by an air bubble, into the fallopian tube, so that fertilization occurs intracorporeally (within the mother’s body).

It should be remembered that those who have used illicit procedures because of ignorance are generally not culpable of a sin. Also, a child produced by an illicit means, is still a child of God with inherent dignity. It is important that when a couple is having difficulty and considering what options they might employ to assist, in addition to their doctors, they should also consult a priest or someone knowledgeable in Catholic moral teaching. The NCBC is also very willing to respond to questions when you contact them.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 7, 2025
In today’s Gospel passage, from Luke, we find our Lord appointing disciples to go out and prepare others to receive His invitation into the Kingdom of God. Every verse has something to say about the way a Christian steward should approach others. Let’s consider at least one of the coaching tips Christ gives. “The Lord appointed seventy-two others whom He sent out ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place He intended to visit.” In His wisdom, Christ sent His disciples out not as individuals but in pairs, as teams. This approach to evangelization certainly provided practical advantages. The disciples could lean on each other for mutual support and encouragement, helping each other to stay on task and to put their heads together to pray and problem-solve. This teamwork approach is just as relevant to us modern-day Christian stewards. It takes courage and commitment to go out and invite others into the Christian life. We need to work together to do it well. But there is also symbolic importance to working in teams. It points to the reality that when we invite others to embrace the Good News of the Gospel, we are not merely inviting them into a belief system, but into a relationship with Christ and through that relationship, into Christ’s family — our fellow Christian disciples near and far. Our parish is our immediate spiritual family in this extended worldwide fold. We are not meant to live as isolated individuals within the parish any more than we are meant to live in isolation within our families. We are meant to be a community. That is why it is so important for us to foster a vibrant, supportive, welcoming parish life. This is why we emphasize hospitality as one of the pillars of stewardship. It is not enough just to point others to Christ; we must invite them to join us in community with Him; we must offer a place and mission for them in the Church and within our parish family. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering As you know, during the last weekend of May (5/31-6/1), we had our final push for our Growing Home Campaign. I wanted to give everyone a final update as we conclude our fundraising period. During that weekend’s presentation, I asked everyone to help us close the $325,000 gap to meet our $9.7 M goal. As we close this portion of the campaign, I am happy to report that we have reached $10.5 million in pledges and gifts, exceeding our goal by $800,000! I am continuously amazed by the giving spirit that pervades our parish. Your generosity is a tangible expression of your commitment to our amazing parish. The funds raised over the goal and any funds raised going forward will help us to address the ever-increasing cost of construction and reduce the loan amount that will be required to complete the overall project. As noted earlier this year, the Rectory project has started and is projected to take about 12 months to complete. Our hope and plan is to break ground on the Monsignor Bellow Center and Adoration Chapel next summer or early Fall. Words alone never seem adequate to express the gratitude that I have in my heart for all of you who have participated in and supported this monumental effort. Both the financial support and the support with time and talent have been tremendous and for that, I want to offer a heartfelt “THANK YOU!”. May God bless each of you for your generosity in helping us grow our home here at St. Mark.

From the Pastor - Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

By John Putnam • June 27, 2025
During June, we have celebrated key moments in the life of the Church — Pentecost, the Most Holy Trinity, Corpus Christi — culminating today with the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. Though very different men, they are united in faith, mission, and martyrdom, and the Church has honored them together since the third century. St. Peter, the first Pope, was chosen by Christ as the rock on which the Church would be built. The Catechism tells us that because of the faith he professed, Peter remains the “unshakeable rock of the Church.” Despite his human weaknesses, Peter's loyalty, repentance, and leadership make him a powerful model of stewardship. St. Paul, once a persecutor of Christians, became one of the Church’s greatest evangelists. In today’s second reading, Paul reflects on his mission, saying, “I have finished the race… the crown of righteousness awaits me.” The Greek word he used for “crown” — stephanos — refers to a victor’s crown, not a royal one, showing his view of faith as a race well-run for the sake of Christ. Though they were martyred separately, tradition holds that Peter and Paul were in Rome at the same time, and their shared witness and sacrifice tie them closely together in Church history. They embody two vital aspects of stewardship — Peter in his faith and leadership, and Paul in his zeal and wisdom. As stewards, we are called to follow their example — to build the Church through our commitment, to overcome our failures through God’s mercy, and to proclaim the Gospel with courage. Like Peter and Paul, we are invited to give all we have for the sake of Christ and His Church. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering  This Solemnity marks the beginning of summer vacation in Rome. The Holy Father will be traveling to Castelgandolfo for some time away from the heat of Rome. For the rest of us, the weeks of summer are in full swing, and as we move into July this week, I hope that families have an opportunity to spend some time in rest and relaxation. Spending time with family, friends, and the Lord, are among the best things that we can do with our “down time”. Leisure is essential to a well-lived life, but it has to be understood properly in the context of the Christian life. Anthony Esolen’s Leisure: The Basis of Culture is a contemporary reflection and expansion on the classic work of the same name by Josef Pieper. Esolen argues that modern society has lost its understanding of true leisure, mistaking it for mere idleness or entertainment. In contrast, he defines leisure as a contemplative, receptive state that allows individuals to encounter truth, beauty, and God. True leisure, according to the author, distinguishes leisure from passive consumption or busyness. True leisure is rooted in wonder, worship and reflection – activities that are ends in themselves, not means to productivity. He critiques how modern life has turned all human activity into something utilitarian. Education, art and even religion are often reduced to tools for social mobility or economic growth, rather than pursued for their intrinsic value. Esolen emphasizes that leisure finds its highest expression in worship and liturgy. Time spent in contemplation of the divine is the deepest form of leisure, because it directs the soul toward eternal realities. He draws on classical and Christian sources to affirm that man is not simply a worker or consumer but is made for contemplation and communion. In the end, he calls for a return to genuine leisure as the only path to restoring culture, education, and the dignity of the human spirit. The author argues that without true leisure, civilization cannot thrive, because it loses contact with what is eternal and meaningful. Leisure, rightly understood, is not a break from life – it is at the heart of what makes life worth living.
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