From the Pastor - 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

June 18, 2021

Our readings today remind us that God always has our best interests in mind. No matter what is going on in our lives, God is with us.

 

In our Gospel today, Jesus and His disciples are traveling in a boat when heavy winds and violent waves begin to overwhelm the boat. Jesus was there sleeping in the boat in the midst of this horrific storm.

 

The disciples woke Jesus and questioned Him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus calms the wind and the waves, and then asks them in return, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

 

Think back to a time that you endured great suffering, a hard trial or felt overwhelmed with life. How did you respond?

 

In moments of trial, we often live our days in a panic. We see the water coming into our boat and we do all that we can in our power to stay afloat. We are frantic, so we fail to stop and recognize that our Savior is in the same boat with us. Although it might feel like He is sleeping and His presence is lacking, He is right there suffering with us.

 

God won’t allow anything that we cannot handle. In a moment of suffering, we might feel trapped. Yet, He sees the moment of peace and still waters.

 

During our trials, cling to Jesus. Know that there is an end, and whether we see the end in this life or the next, God allows it all for our salvation.

 

Today, let us thank God for His presence in our lives, and ask for the eyes of faith to see that He is right here with us always. 

 

Pastoral Pondering

Before continuing on with our catechesis, I want to address an unexpected change. While we had originally hoped that our clergy personnel would remain unchanged, due to unforeseen circumstances in the Diocese, Father Gámez will be leaving us on July 6th. He has been an amazing addition to our parish family, and it has been a joy working with him during his first years of priesthood. I am unable at present to announce where Father is going or who will be coming here, but will hopefully be able to do so next week.

 

The Second Precept – You shall confess your sins at least once a year: We must prepare for the Eucharist by means of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). The sacrament “continues Baptism’s work of conversion and forgiveness (Code of Canon Law, 989 as quoted in CCC, 2042).

 

The sacrament of Penance, also called reconciliation or confession, is that gift of Christ that recognizes our weakness as human beings due to our fallen human nature. Since our mission is to maintain communion with Christ and His Church, we need the spiritual aids that will assist us to do so since we cannot do so without God’s help. The sacrament of penance along with the sacrament of the anointing of the sick are identified as sacraments of healing. They restore us to spiritual health.

 

For its part the sacrament of penance, in order to truly be effective, requires that it be an external expression of something that is already an interior reality; namely, interior sorrow or contrition for offending God by falling into sin. As St. Ambrose, the great Archbishop of Milan noted, “there are two conversions in the Church, water and tears; the waters of baptism and the tears of repentance” (See CCC, 1429).

 

Because is first and foremost “an offense against God (CCC, 1440), we should always be mindful of the serious consequences that arise from freely giving into sin; which also damages our relationship with the Church. Hence, in order to repair the damage caused by sin, by Christ’s design, we need an act of the Church to bring about the fullness of healing. Of course, as the Catechism points out, “only God forgives sin” (1441), nonetheless because of His power as God, Christ handed on that authority to the Apostles and their successors to exercise this sacred task through His bride, the Church (see Mt. 16:19; cf. Mt, 18:18; 28:16-20).

 

While it is strictly true that only serious or mortal sin is necessary to restore communion (see CCC, 1456), it is a worthy practice to use the sacrament with regularity even if only venial sins have been committed because the sacrament itself is a font of grace through which the penitent is strengthened to fight temptation and avoid sin (CCC, 1458). Those conscious of serious or mortal sin must not approach Communion until they have received sacramental absolution (CCC, 1457).

 

One of the aspects of the sacrament that is often overlooked is the necessity of satisfaction. Forgiveness of sin brings about reconciliation with God and the Church. In addition to injuring our relationship with God, sin often also injures others. Because of this, simple justice requires that the sinner repair the harm that his sin has caused, e.g., return stolen goods, restore someone’s name, pay compensation for injuries (CCC, 1459). This aspect of reconciliation is often called reparation or expiation for sin. The priest confessor, in imposing a penance, should take this into consideration when offering the penitent guidance in restoring relationships and healing offenses.

 

At St. Mark we committed several years ago to offer opportunities for the regular reception of this sacrament of healing. Usually, confessions are offered prior to each Mass, and regular times for confession are offered on Saturday afternoons and Wednesday evenings.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 11, 2025
In today’s Gospel passage, from Luke, we read the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. Here, Jesus teaches us in rich detail what stewardship in action looks like. In fact, this parable could just as accurately be called the parable of the Good Steward. The first thing we note about the Good Samaritan is that he is aware of the needs of those around him and responds generously. While the priest and Levi brush right past the man on the side of the road, the Samaritan is watching for those who might be in need. He has a hospitable way of looking at the world around him and so he is able to “see” in a way that the others did not, and he was “moved with compassion at the sight” of the man. Next, we see the Good Samaritan spring into action to serve this man, setting aside his own schedule and plans to meet his needs. He does not just give the man a few dollars or offer quick words of encouragement from across the road. He goes right up to the man. He cleans and bandages his wounds. He puts the man on his own animal and brings him to an inn where he can heal. He ensures the innkeeper would continue to look after him, and he commits to re-turning to the man on his way back. That is how we live out God’s commandments. That is true hospitality and service.  That is how a good steward springs into action when he comes upon a neighbor in need. And Jesus says to each of us personally, just as He did in today’s Gospel, “Go and do likewise.” ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering I want to welcome Father Christopher Angermeyer to St. Mark as Parochial Vicar. As many of you know, Father was ordained in June. After completing his undergraduate studies at Belmont Abbey and St. Joseph College Seminary. He completed his theological studies and priestly formation at Mount St. Mary’s in Cincinnati. His home parish was St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte. We are happy to have Father Angermeyer with us. I know you will do your part to make him feel welcomed here at St. Mark. I will be away for the next couple of weeks on pilgrimage with a group of seminarians and faithful. Please know that the parish will be in my prayers, and I take all of your intentions with me to the Shrine of Our Lady.

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.
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