From the Pastor - Solemnity of the Assumption

August 13, 2021

Today we celebrate the Assumption of Mary — the moment she was taken up, body and soul, into heaven. This day reveals much about our Holy Mother. Next to her Divine Son, Mary truly is the model steward for us as we journey through this life.


Our Gospel recounts the story of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth who was soon to deliver John the Baptist. Mary truly is a dwelling place for Christ. Even baby John the Baptist noticed as he leaped in his mother’s womb upon Mary’s greeting! We too are called to be a dwelling place for the Lord. Yet for Christ to dwell in us, we must prepare our hearts for Him.


Mary was prepared for Christ to reside in her, and her Magnificat expresses how we can imitate her and prepare a place for Christ in ourselves: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord…”


How can we proclaim the ‘greatness of the Lord?’ It is simply by how we choose to live our lives. Each day is an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Christ. We can choose to rise each day in prayer, respond to those around us in kindness, serve in our vocations and occupations from a place of love and selflessness, and use our gifts and talents for the glory of God.


As we reflect on the life of Mary today, let us strive to imitate her in proclaiming the greatness of God by how we live our lives. Let us celebrate her as our Mother, our Queen, and a Model Steward. She is not distant or out of reach, rather, she is as close to us as a mother to her baby — constantly watching, interceding, and guiding us to be with her Divine Son in eternal life. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2021


Pastoral Pondering

This weekend we have the opportunity to celebrate the Assumption of Our Lady. These solemnities occur infrequently on Sunday, so when they do, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate as a parish. This weekend as well, we are celebrating Father Gámez as he prepares to move to his new assignment in Winston-Salem. While his assignment there does not begin until the end of the month, until them he will be assisting primarily at St. Thomas.


Understandably, over the past several months, I have received a number of inquiries regarding various movements or trends that are going on in the wider culture, especially Critical Race Theory and the various gender theories. With that in mind, I thought it would be wise to present how the Church responds to such things. If one tries, it is usually possible to see both positives and negatives in these trends and movements; however, we must always seek to apply the eternal truths that have been passed down to us so as to be authentically Christian in response to the culture in which we live.


For the Church racism is a moral issue and needs to be evaluated in light of Catholic Social Teaching. Hence, there are aspects of Critical Race Theory (CRT) about which both Catholics and non-Catholics can agree. Namely, we can certainly agree on the importance of confronting racism, reaching out to and supporting the poor, under-privileged and poor, addressing social and economic inequalities, and actively fighting human exploitation. Each of these problems are concern because they undermine our Catholic view of the human person as having inherent dignity and being created in the image and likeness of God. Hence, our language when dealing with these wrongs arises from those core beliefs.


As Catholics, we believe that sin is an act of a person (CCC, 1868). Even when institutions or society participate in that which is immoral, it is still the work of individuals; albeit, in an accumulated manner. While it is true to say that in some instances, there needs to be a change in society as a whole, in the end such change only occurs one person, one soul at a time. Moreover, while recognizing the reality of historical sin, the Church does not believe that the offspring of those involved are culpable for the “sins of their fathers”. Christ reminds us of this in His preaching and teaching. This is where Catholic teaching would diverge from the political aspects of CRT because while CRT argues that the descendants of slave owners, for example, are responsible for the sins committed in the past and, therefore, they too are guilty due to the color of their skin, the Church would oppose such a view as not in harmony with the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching.


As Catholics we are called to respond to those in need with the love of Christ and to oppose anything that contradicts that love. Seeking to restore a properly ordered society where each human being is treated with the dignity with which he or she is created is our aim. Sadly, in the current forms of CRT in the public arena, we often see other forms of discrimination being justified based on discrimination from the past. As the saying goes, “two wrongs don’t make a right”; hence, we are called to work against discrimination in all its forms and seek each day to recognize the dignity in each and every person.



An authentically Catholic approach to these matters then, begins and ends with the human person always guided by the light of God’s grace. We are called to be that hands and feet of Christ and look for opportunities to alleviate suffering wherever we find it; to respond with love when we encounter the hatred and anger that seems to be so pervasive throughout our society these days.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Solemnity of Christ the King

By John Putnam • November 21, 2025
On this Feast of Christ the King, our readings show us that we serve the greatest of Kings, who is at the same time the humblest of Kings. Christ is the perfect model of servant leadership. And what an indescribable privilege that He has called us to be servant leaders — stewards in the work of advancing His Kingdom. In our second reading, from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Paul describes the great power and dignity that characterize Christ the King. “All things were created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” It makes you want to stand up and cheer. That’s our King! Yet, what a contrasting description of the same King we find in our Gospel passage, from Luke. Now we see our King nailed to the Cross. Everyone from rulers to soldiers, to the criminals on either side of Christ is mocking, sneering, and reviling him. They tauntingly urge him to prove His kingship by coming down from the Cross to end his suffering with a great show of power. “if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” But He does not. Amazingly, it is in this moment of seeming-weakness and humiliation, when all appears hopeless and lost, that the full breadth of his greatness as king is displayed. Though all things were created through and for Him — Christ chooses to live entirely for others, for us! What does this mean for us as his followers and stewards of His kingdom? It is precisely that our lives are not about us. They are about Christ and others. And we will advance his kingdom to the extent that we embrace this mindset: my life is not about me; it is about serving the King of kings. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025

From the Pastor - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • November 14, 2025
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our readings offer a sober reminder that this life is not our aim and that God’s justice will triumph in the end. Now is the time to get our priorities in order, putting God above all else as his faithful stewards. Our Lord brings home the urgency of right priorities in our Gospel passage from Luke, reminding the people around him who were looking at the temple nearby, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Our Lord reminds us that all in this world is passing. We must keep our focus on eternity. Yet before the eternal bliss of heaven, we should expect to be tried and tested. “Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.” Sounds scary. But if you are living a stewardship way of life, there is nothing to fear. You have a plan in place. All you need to do is stick with it. Put our Lord first in your time, with your talents, and through your use of treasure. This way of life is not easy. But Jesus promises it will lead to eternal salvation and the joy of union with Him. “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” Onward, Christian stewards, the struggle is worth the joy that awaits! Pastoral Pondering On November 4th the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released Mater Populi Fidelis, a 20-page doctrinal note which was approved by the Holy Father. The Document addresses longstanding requests for clarification on Marian titles related to Mary’s cooperation in salvation. It emphasizes Mary’s unique role as Mother of believers while safeguarding Christ’s sole mediatorship, aiming to foster authentic devotion, Catholic fidelity, and ecumenical dialogue. The Note responds to decades of proposals, including petitions for new Marian dogmas, often amplified via social media and private revelations. It draws on Scripture, Tradition (e.g., St. Augustine), and prior papal reflections, including Joseph Ratzinger's 1996 and 2002 critiques of certain titles as unclear or prone to misunderstanding. The document appreciates popular piety but cautions against expressions that could confuse the faithful or obscure Christ's centrality. It promotes "participated mediation"—Mary's supportive role in union with Christ—without equating her to the Redeemer. The document goes on to underscore “approved titles/expressions” and “discouraged titles/expressions.” Those that are encouraged include: Mother of God (Theotokos), Mother of Believers, Spiritual Mother, Mother of the Faithful People of God, and Mediatrix (in a general sense of intercession). It notes that these underscore Mary's maternal bond with Christ and the Church, directing devotion to the Son. They are biblically rooted (e.g., John 19:26-27) and foster hope, tenderness, and unity. Those titles discouraged are Co-redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces. It notes that these risk eclipsing Christ's unique mediation (1 Tim 2:5) and redemption; not explicitly in Scripture or early Tradition; potential for confusion or imbalance in faith, especially ecumenically. I know in my own discussions over the years; it is very easy (especially for my non-Catholic relatives) to get confused over certain Marian titles. They can certainly be explained, but as the DDF points out, those titles that require greater explanation for common understanding should be discouraged. To be sure, you can find both titles used in various Catholic resources, and the document certainly does not forbid their use. Nonetheless, it approaches the topic in a balanced and pastorally sensitive way that recognizes the importance of Marian devotion and piety while, at the same time, reminding us all of the importance supporting and encouraging doctrinal harmony.