From the Pastor - The Ascension of the Lord

May 14, 2021

We often cite Jesus’ quote from today’s Gospel of Mark: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” This was not a suggestion from the Lord. It was quite frankly a command, and it is one which still holds for each of us. Being an evangelist, being a disciple, being a steward is not a matter of choice for those of us who are Catholic and Christian. It is something the Lord expects of us.


Often, we may like to spend time debating how to do that, but that does not lessen the fact that it is something we are supposed to do. We need to acknowledge that even the original Apostles and followers of Jesus did not do that immediately. We learn that they stayed in Jerusalem for some time, and it seemed to be only when the Church and its followers were persecuted that they began to reach out and truly share the “Good News.”


Once Christians accepted that charge from the Lord, they did indeed take the Word of God to all corners of the earth. Look at the Church today. It is incredible how this Church has grown from one Man/God and a small group into what it is today. That does not, however, get us “off the hook.”


As much as we may argue about how to carry out this command from Jesus, the fact remains that our very lives need to stand as a representation of what it means to be a Christian, what it means to “love one another,” what it means to live and to work as a disciple of Christ. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2018


Pastoral Pondering

With the arrival of the Ascension, we have come to the end of our observance of Jesus’ earthly ministry and beginning the era of the Church. Jesus’ ministry continues through the Church He founded and the apostles and their successors entrusted with preserving and passing on the faith.


I had an interesting conversation recently with a priest friend who was noting a level of confusion in Catholic circles about what it means to be Catholic; or, more specifically, a practicing Catholic. Some of this confusion is fomented by the secular culture but much of it must be laid at the feet of those who have the responsibility of preaching and teaching in the name of the Church. A recent article posted on the website uscatholic.org highlighted some of this reality; albeit, in a biased way. The author, Peter Feuerherd, is well known for seeking out stories that highlight the divide in the Church or look to sensationalize various conflicts. Nonetheless, he does identify a reality that is being experienced in many parts of the Church these days.


No one can deny that a spirit of division has become dominant in the culture in which we live, and, sadly, the Church is not totally immune from this division. The divide in the Church tends to follow divisions in liturgy, morality and ecclesiology. Some of the author’s sources are dubious in terms of their veracity, but they all share a very common attribute – they tend to involve those who came of age in the 50s, 60s and 70s. These were turbulent times in the world in general, but the Church was swept up in that turbulence, especially during the years of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council (1962-1965) and the years of implementation that followed.


These years saw many Catholic colleges and universities abandon a commitment to faith, many religious communities being decimated and many seminaries closing due to a dearth of seminarians. There was also a general hope, spurred by the “spirit of the world” at the time that the Church would abandon traditional moral teaching. This, at least, came to a head when Pope St. Paul VI issued Humanae Vitae which upheld the Church’s traditional view of married life and the procreation of children.


When Pope St. John Paul II came to the chair of St. Peter, he inherited a Church, that in many respects, was in shambles. The culture continued to devolve and the Church, because of her own failings and the failings of her leaders, was ill-equipped to confront the culture and curb the tide. Nonetheless, the Pope from Poland did his best to evangelize the world and engage the faithful with an evangelical spirit. He influenced a whole generation of seminarians who became priests who desired to reclaim our Catholic heritage and uphold Catholic teaching.



The reality of division, tension and conflict has continued in greater or lesser degrees since then, and we often see it played out in parish life around the country and even around the world. I believe a substantial reason for this is rooted in the question that my priest-friend asked when I began this pondering, what is a practicing Catholic. Over the next few weeks, I will try to answer that question as I understand it and hopefully bring some clarity that will benefit all of us.

From the Pastor

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,

From the Pastor - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 31, 2026
The stewardship way of life could be described as a daily pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven. In today’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus uses a series of parables to help us understand the incomparable value of that Kingdom. First, He reminds us that living for Him and for His Kingdom will require sacrifice. Yet the joy that comes from following Christ makes any sacrifice worthwhile. Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” He then compares the Kingdom to “a merchant searching for fine pearls." When the merchant finds a pearl of great price, he gladly sells everything he has to obtain it. In both parables, the Kingdom is something precious that must be sought and recognized. We must intentionally look for it amid the distractions and noise of the world. Yet Jesus also reminds us that the Kingdom is meant for everyone. He compares it to a net cast into the sea that gathers fish of every kind. At the same time, He reminds us that each of us will one day be judged. The angels “will separate the wicked from the righteous.” It is a powerful reminder that our choices matter. Let us pray for the wisdom to recognize the Kingdom of Heaven in our midst and to pursue it above all else. There is no greater treasure, and no greater source of joy, than a life lived as a faithful disciple of Jesus. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering I enjoy books generally. I like to hold them, look at them and, of course, read them. I also enjoy audiobooks because they are a good way to pass the time with all the driving that I do. I like a wide variety of books, but I generally try to avoid things that are strictly political. Hence, I was a little hesitant when the book Communion by J.D. Vance was recommended to me. However, what I discovered is that it is an excellent read and has nothing to do with politics. Rather, it is the story of the Vice President’s return to the Christian faith that eventually resulted in his becoming Catholic. I suppose “conversion” stories attract me because of my own background. And while I did not grow up in Ohio coal country as he did, there are many similarities to his family, described in Hillbilly Elegy, and my dad’s family from the mountains of North Carolina. This particular book, in some ways, is a sequel to Hillbilly . It discusses his chaotic childhood and exposure to Baptist and Pentecostal churches, his drift into atheism as a young adult, following the death of his grandmother, and his gradual return to faith which culminated in his conversion to Catholicism in 2019. The title refers to the Eucharist, and the author explores what it means to be Christian across life stages – as a child, young man, husband, father and public figure – while reflecting on the role of religion in public life and American society.  This memoir mixes spiritual autobiography with broader commentary on faith, politics, family values, and societal problems. While some have criticized it as more of a cultural manifesto, I appreciated the honest assessment of one man’s journey from his childhood faith to an adult faith which led to full communion with the Catholic Church. Granted, it may not be to everyone’s liking, but it shouldn’t be dismissed simply because the author is the current Vice President. I enjoyed it, and if you want something to pass a lazy summer afternoon, I’d recommend it.