From the Pastor - 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 15, 2023

Today’s readings call us to look inward to the state of our hearts, our thoughts and emotions.

 

Our first reading, from Sirach, addresses the complicated emotion of anger. “Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?" We have all been wounded by others at some point, some perhaps quite deeply. Our emotions are gifts from God. But we must steward them well, rather than allowing them to overcome us.

 

How do we do this? Sirach tells us. “Remember your last days, set enmity aside... Remember the Most High’s covenant and overlook faults.” We embrace the stewardship mindset— not brooding over hurts but recalling all the gifts our good God has given us, all the love He continually pours out upon us, and we put our focus and trust in Him.

 

In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus reminds us of the true position we have before Him in light of all that He has done for us, comparing the kingdom of heaven to a “king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.” In the parable, a debtor is brought before the king, owing such an overwhelming debt that it could not possibly be repaid. Yet, the king is filled with compassion for the servant, forgives the debt and lets him go free.

 

Doesn’t that sound like each of us in relation to the King of Kings? The Father has given us life, and then sent His only Son to die for us to free us from our sin “debts” and make eternal life with Him possible for us. It is impossible for us to repay this debt. All we can do is thank God by giving Him our whole selves — inside and out.

 

What joy and freedom we find in the stewardship way of life!

 

©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2023

 

Pastoral Pondering

This weekend we have the opportunity to come together and celebrate Septemberfest as a parish family. It is good to worship together. It is good to pray together. It is also good to have fun together! Thanks to Rose George and all the staff and volunteers who make this annual event possible.

 

In this weekend’s pondering, I wanted to address a topic that I have been asked about a number of times over the last few months, the warning and the three-days of darkness. Recently, Father Chris Alar, MIC produced a YouTube Video concerning this topic. The notion of the warning and the three-days of darkness did not originate with Father Chris. Rather, it is deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture, especially in the book of Revelation. Moreover, it has been propagated by various private revelations including those of Fatima, Akita and LaSalette.

 

At Fatima, and through Our Lady’s instructions to Sister Lucia regarding the First Saturday Devotion, we know that Our Lord desires reparation. God’s justice will come, but the severity of his justice might be assuaged by our prayers of reparation united with the intercession of Our Lady. We know that her Immaculate Heart will triumph, but we also know that we must be obedient to her call for penance and reparation. This is encouraged primarily through the First Saturday Communion of reparation and by praying the rosary daily for the conversion of sinners.

 

St. Padre Pio is said to have prophesied about the three-days of darkness. Before him, however, similar messages were given to St. Anne Catherine Emmerich, St. John Bosco, St. Anna Maria Taigi and St. Faustina Kowalska. In 1918 Padre Pio began to experience the stigmata, the five wounds of Christ. Padre Pio testified to the truth of the revelations he received from the Lord in a letter he sent to the Vatican commission investigating the veracity of his experiences. The Lord told him that the time was at hand for his judgment to come. His faithful ones are told to be faithful in prayer and reparation. The Divine Judgement shall strike like a thunderbolt as were the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. During this time, the faithful are admonished not go outside nor even look outside. They are to pray constantly. Blessed candles will provide the only light and hurricanes of fire will come upon the earth. The Lord said that no harm will come to those who keep my will and observe my warning. Following this punishment, on the fourth day, the sun will shine, and the angels of peace will descend on the earth.

 

So, what are we to do in response to these prophecies? We are to do what we are called to do always. We are called to pray, to be obedient to the Lord’s commands and to remain in the state of grace. In other words, we are called to pursue holiness in all we say and do. This, of course, is more and more difficult in the world in which we live. To be sure, there is still great goodness in the world, but there is also great evil. That which is wrong, the world presents as right. That which is good, the world presents as evil. Reality is being turned upside down. In light of this, we must remember the words of Sacred Scripture, those who walk in darkness have seen a great light (see Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16; John 8:12 and Acts 26:18). The LIGHT has been revealed to us, and our job is to follow the LIGHT and not take our eyes away from HIM. In John chapter 6 verse 20, Jesus says to the apostles, “It is I, do not be afraid.” He speaks those words to us as well. God is just, but He is also merciful to those who seek His mercy. Therein lies the key. We must seek His mercy every day. We must pray every day, and we must heed His words through St. Paul: So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. (1 Thess. 5:6)


From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Baptism of the Lord

By John Putnam • January 9, 2026
Today marks the close of the Christmas season, but before we return to Ordinary Time, we have one more great feast to celebrate — The Baptism of the Lord. Today’s feast is a perfect opportunity to consider the privileges and responsibilities we all share as Christian stewards by virtue of our own Baptism. At the moment of our Baptism, we became adopted sons and daughters of God, members of his holy, Catholic Church. Though we may not have realized it, the moment of our Baptism is also the moment we become Christian stewards, disciples of Jesus Christ, tasked with the work of following in His footsteps day by day and sharing the Gospel message with all those around us. In our second reading from the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter gives us a glimpse of the person of Jesus we should imitate. “He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” We must live our lives like Jesus, seeking to do good to everyone we encounter; not just those in our inner circle of family and friends, but everyone in our community since the Father loves us all and Jesus sought out everyone with His saving message. In the Gospel passage from Matthew, we see yet another aspect of Jesus in action, this time as he humbly stands before John to be baptized by him. What humility and what willingness to unite Himself to us our Lord demonstrates by this act. We can do no less as we live out our daily lives as his disciples. And when we do strive with all our might to live out our Baptismal call to Christian stewardship, we will experience the deep honor of knowing that we, too, are God’s “beloved” sons and daughters “with whom He is well-pleased.” © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering As many of you know, on December 17 Bishop Martin issued a pastoral letter concerning the reception of Holy Communion. In that letter, he directed that non-fixed altar rails and kneelers be removed no later than January 16. I want to acknowledge, very simply and honestly, that this has been difficult for many in our parish. I feel that weight as well. I love St. Mark, and I am grateful for the reverence and devotion so many of you show toward the Holy Eucharist. I do not take lightly the concerns, questions, or disappointment this has raised. I am also aware that some of the faithful have made use of the appropriate channels within the Church to petition for clarification or reconsideration, and those processes may continue. At the same time, as your pastor, I am entrusted with leading this parish in fidelity to the Church and her discipline in those matters that do not contradict Catholic law. While there are sincere and thoughtful discussions about posture for receiving Holy Communion, the current liturgical discipline in the United States indicates that Communion is ordinarily received standing, whether on the tongue or in the hand. It is important to state clearly that the right of an individual communicant to kneel remains fully intact, and no one may ever be denied Holy Communion for choosing to do so. Therefore, unless a suspensive decision is issued by the Bishop or by the Dicastery for Divine Worship, we will comply with the directive and remove the kneelers from around the sanctuary. To assist with the reverent and timely distribution of Holy Communion, we will also increase the number of Communion stations. I know this change will be challenging for some. It is not something I approach lightly. My hope is that we can carry this moment together, offering whatever frustration or sorrow we may feel as a personal sacrifice, united to Christ present in the Eucharist. Crosses come in many forms, and how we bear them matters greatly. Let us remain united in prayer and charity, so that anger, bitterness, or division never take root at St. Mark. The weight of the Bishop’s office is a heavy one. I pray for Bishop Martin daily, and I ask that you do the same. Bishop’s office is a heavy one. I pray for him everyday, and I hope that you will as well.  On a happier note, as we come to the end of the Christmas season, I want to thank everyone who dropped off Christmas greetings and goodies. Your kindness is very much appreciated.

From the Pastor - Epiphany

By John Putnam • January 2, 2026
Today we celebrate the Epiphany — the manifestation of Christ to the world. The stewardship way of life is nothing other than a grateful response to God’s countless manifestations in our lives, and a commitment to make His love manifest to others through the sharing of our gifts. St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians that the grace given to him was “for your benefit.” Every gift we have received is meant to benefit others and give glory to God. The Magi show us how to live this out: Worship is their highest priority.They travel far, ask openly, and refuse to let anything stop them from honoring the newborn King. Is Sunday Mass the non-negotiable center of our week? 2. They are watchful. “We saw his star at its rising.” Good stewards stay alert to God’s presence and gifts in daily life. 3. They persevere through difficulty. Herod deceives, dangers threaten, yet God guides and protects them. Our stewardship journey will have twists, but God is faithful. 4. They are overjoyed True stewards radiate the deep, lasting joy that only comes from encountering Christ. 5. They prostrate and open their treasures. Overwhelmed with awe, they give totally of themselves and their gifts — the perfect act of worship. This year, let us rejoice in every manifestation of God in our lives, stay watchful for His star, and open our own treasures — our time, talent, and treasure — in generous gratitude to our King.  Come, let us adore Him — and then go and make Him known.