From the Pastor - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 15, 2021

Our Gospel today conveys how we are called to imitate Jesus through humility and service.

 

We are reminded that the Son of God became man and surrendered His life into the hands of men so that we might be saved. The life of Jesus was centered around His Father’s mission and the service of mankind. And this is how we ought to live — in imitation of Christ.

 

James and John wanted to ensure they had a spot in heaven with Jesus. They were concerned about themselves in that moment — “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.”

 

Jesus quickly reminded them, “whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all.”

 

Our culture constantly encourages us to do what we can to get ahead in this world, to do what feels good, no matter the effects — that power, authority, and wealth should be our goals in life.

 

Our faith offers us something different and fulfilling — a life of humility and service. As Christian stewards, we are called to live our lives in service of God and neighbor, just as Jesus did. Our life is not about us. It is about fulfilling God’s glorious plan for each one of us.

 

So, we must ask ourselves, are we living out God’s plan for our lives? Is my life centered on Christ and those around me or is it centered on me?

 

It can be difficult to know God’s plan for our entire life. He sees the whole picture — we only see the now. All we can do is seek Him daily. If each day is centered on Him, then our entire lives will become the work of Jesus. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2021

 

Pastoral Pondering —October is the month of the Holy Rosary. Additionally, October is that month of the year when we focus on issues that impact the fundamental right to life, especially those attacks on the most vulnerable human beings in the womb through abortion. Sadly, since taking office in January of this year, the current administration, more than any before, has instituted policies and/or promoted legislation that directly attacks the fundamental right to life. A few of these, taken from various headlines, include: on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade President Biden pledges to make abortion available for everyone; Biden restores foreign aid to abortion by repealing the Mexico City Policy; President Biden leaves out pre-born Americans in calling for “justice for all: at the National Prayer Breakfast; Biden marks International Women’s Day with orders to promote abortion; Citing Covid 19, Biden FDA approves dispensing abortion pills through mail; Biden administration withdraws US from declaration stating “no international right to abortion”; Biden proposes federal budget forcing Americans to fund abortion; Biden administration Justice department drops lawsuit against hospital that forced nurse to assist at abortion; and Biden directs additional funds to Texas abortion centers, launches new attacks on heartbeat law. There are certainly others, but these highlight the main actions that the current administration has taken in the promotion of abortion.

 

In light of this it behooves us to consider what we have now become as a nation. While the US has embraced a culture of death for many years, prior to the last presidential election, there were at least some bright spots with regard to abortion. Nonetheless, the darkness continues to descend while many within the Church simply remain silent or ambivalent and others, who identify as Catholic actively promote the destruction of life. In last week’s pondering, I discussed the Watkins book on the illumination of conscience that has been promised. We need, however, as people of faith, to do some hard examination of our hearts and souls here and now; not only for the sake of our own souls, but for the sake of the nation’s survival. The Supreme Court is set to rule on matters relating to abortion this term, but we should not depend on the courts or the other organs of government to bring about the change that’s needed. We need a change of heart and soul, and that has to begin with each and every individual. There are a lot of folks suffering right now both from the ongoing impacts of COVID as well as the rising inflation and other economic issues. Perhaps these struggles should not be surprising in light of the abandonment of faith and morals that we have seen in this country for quite some time. Nevertheless, we have an obligation to pray, to do penance, and to seek each day to proclaim the fundamental truths of life in the face of the growing culture of death and to make amends for those actions or inactions that have contributed to this present darkness.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • August 7, 2026
Stewardship spirituality invites us to surrender control of our lives to God in grateful recognition that everything we have is a gift from Him. Today's readings remind us that God is always in control of His creation and His people. They also reveal what can happen when we fully entrust our lives to Him — in other words, when we embrace the stewardship way of life. When we take our eyes off God, we lose sight of the fact that all is gift. We begin to rely on ourselves instead of trusting in Him, and we fail to make our lives a grateful response to His generosity. Peter experiences this in today's Gospel from Matthew. Jesus sends the disciples ahead of Him by boat. Later that evening, Jesus comes to them, walking on the water, and invites Peter to join Him. Peter steps out of the boat and begins walking toward the Lord. But when he notices the strong wind around him, instead of keeping his eyes on Christ, he begins to sink. Imagine if Peter had never looked away from Jesus. What an extraordinary adventure he would have experienced walking on the water with his Lord. The same is true for us. When we take our eyes off Christ, His countless blessings, and His faithful love for us, we begin to sink as well. But when we embrace the stewardship way of life, loosening our grip on our time, talents, and treasure and placing our trust in God, life becomes a great adventure rooted firmly in the One who never fails us. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering First of all I want to thank all who participated in our meal packing effort last Friday and Saturday. What a gift it is to be able to come together as a community and unite for the sake of our brothers and sisters in need. These events cannot happen without the efforts of numerous people. To each of you who made it possible, THANK YOU! As we move into August and our lives begin reorienting from lazier summer months towards fall, it is an opportunity to reflect on the blessings that we were afforded to rest, refresh, and renew during these past weeks. Hopefully, family were able to spend some quality time with each other without the demands of school, work and the day to day demands that impact many of us.  For me, I was privileged once again to participate in the Te Deum Peace Pilgrimage to Fatima. This year we were able to invite and sponsor nine (9) seminarians from various dioceses including Charlotte, NC; Charleston, SC; Cleveland, OH; and Youngstown, OH. They along with a wonderful group of non-seminarian pilgrims were able to grow in our love for the Lord and Our Lady. It was a true blessing, and I was so impressed with the seminarians who were a part of our pilgrimage family for our time in Portugal and Spain. Along the same lines, please pray for parishioner Mark Pressley who is entering St. Joseph College Seminary. Mark’s family has been a part of the parish for many years. Keep him and the other nine (9) young men who are beginning their formation this fall.

From the Pastor - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 31, 2026
Today’s readings should inspire the Christian steward with deepened gratitude for our God, who loves us with both fierce and tender love. We must make an intentional response each day, returning love for Love. In our Second Reading from Romans, St. Paul reminds us that nothing and no one can separate us from the love of Christ. No anguish, distress, persecution, famine — and we might add illness, financial hardship, family struggles, or uncertainty about the future — nothing can keep our God from loving us. God holds us securely in the palm of His hand. And yet, this reassurance is only the beginning of God’s gifts to us. Our Gospel from Matthew recounts the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. This miracle foreshadows the gift of the Eucharist, where Christ feeds us not simply with bread, but with His own Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Notice how the Gospel begins. "His heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick." What generous and compassionate love our Lord shows. But even that is not enough for Him. He remains with the people, teaching and ministering to them until evening. When the disciples suggest sending the crowds away to find food, Jesus instead invites them to become part of His plan. He tells them to feed the people, then miraculously multiplies the few loaves and fish they offer. What a privilege it was for the disciples to participate in Christ's work. That same privilege is ours as Christian stewards. Let us respond with grateful hearts to such amazing love. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants,