From the Pastor - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 20, 2024

Our readings today bring to light the daily struggle between good and evil and how we can combat this struggle through gratitude.

In our Gospel, we see an example of how surrendering to our passions negatively affects us. Jesus was with His disciples when they began to argue amongst themselves as to who was the greatest in the group.


If we look at our own lives, we might find many instances where we fall into the same tendencies — we constantly compare ourselves to others, out of pride we feel the need to point out another’s faults or choose to fight back in an argument. We know we should act one way but choose another.


When Jesus hears what the apostles are discussing, He has them focus on a child. “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.”


If we reflect on the moment someone receives a child, oftentimes their hearts are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for this gift. There is no jealousy or anger, just thanksgiving, and appreciation.


The apostles are busy bickering about who was the best. Their vision was clouded, and they could not even stop and be grateful for the gift of being so close to our Savior and that they were chosen to be His closest followers.


When we are caught in the raging war of jealousy, fighting, and pride, and begin to become enslaved to our passions we are ultimately ungrateful for what we have been given. We overlook the blessing God has given us and the gifts and talents He has entrusted to us.


Today, let us recall that we have an infinitely loving God who cares deeply for us. Consider all that He has blessed you with, and how you can use those blessings for His glory. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2024


Pastoral Pondering

By now registered households should have received a letter from me regarding our Growing Home campaign. Prior to the pandemic, there was general recognition that we were out of space. The pandemic put those discussions on hold. At this point, however, we really cannot afford to delay. The cathedral moratorium will go into effect next year, so we either move forward or wait until after 2030. Those who advise me on staff as well as those in lay leadership in the parish all feel strongly that we need to move forward. Hence, after discussing and planning with the Diocese and Sursum Consulting over the past six months, we are ready to move forward with the campaign which will include three main components: an additional building, the Monsignor Bellow Family Life Center, that will provide a large space for nicer gatherings which can be divided into smaller venues when needed; a larger adoration chapel to accommodate 75 adorers; and bringing the parish back to campus by building a rectory on the Ranson Road site.



This is an ambitious project, but each part of the project is a response to an expressed need and/or desire from our most recent pastoral plan survey. The projected total cost for the project is $13.7 million. Of that, we are required to have 30% in pledges, 40% in cash-on-hand and 30% can come from a line of credit. Hence, the goal for the campaign is approximately $9.7 million. As a point of reference, building the church was a $10 million project when it was built in 2009. The parish has grown significantly since that time, and I am hopeful that we will be able to reach our goal and move forward with these parish needs.

Next week, I will return to our consideration of Fatima and connected devotions but wanted to highlight this important moment in the life of our parish. St. Mark is my home and yours. We have an opportunity now to grow our home so it may serve our parish family for years to come.



From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Palm Sunday

By John Putnam • March 27, 2026
We begin this Holy Week with the reading of the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of Matthew. It is fitting that during this week we intensely focus our minds and hearts on the steps of our Savior as He laid down His very life for us. But let us also examine the seemingly small acts of stewardship by some who encountered Jesus during this most eventful week. One occurred when Jesus gave instructions about the room where He would celebrate the Passover. Jesus said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him…” ‘In your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.’” While we do not know this man’s name, we do know he agreed to this request — he shared the material gift of his home and the gift of hospitality. Because of his good stewardship, his own home became the site of the institution of the Eucharist! There was also Simon the Cyrenian, who offered the gift of his physical strength, helping the Lord to carry His Cross. Consider, too, the actions of Joseph of Arimathea — he generously shared a material gift of the tomb that was his, and he gave the gift of service to our Lord by giving Him a proper burial. Then there were the "two Marys” who gave Jesus the gift of their time. Keeping watch in tender vigil after His death, they “remained sitting there, facing the tomb.” Each of these were simple acts of good stewardship, yet God used them in mighty ways. God invites each of us, too, to cooperate with Him in small ways through the sharing of our time, talent, and material gifts. Small gifts can become mighty deeds when placed in God’s service. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering  Recently, a new translation of The Order of the Anointing of the Sick and of Their Pastoral Care was released by the USCCB. In keeping with our review over the last two weeks, I think it would be good to have a reminder about when it is proper to ask to receive this wonderful sacrament of healing. The following is adapted from an article by Father Dylan Shrader, an edited version of which appeared in the journal of the Society for Catholic Liturgy Antiphon 16, no. 1 (2012):52-61. Anointing of the Sick Before Surgery: When and Why? Many Catholics wonder: “Can I receive Anointing of the Sick just because I’m having surgery?” It’s a common question in parishes. Some assume that any procedure requiring general anesthesia carries enough risk to qualify for the sacrament. Fr. Dylan Schrader’s clear article (published in Antiphon, 2012) shows why this view, though well-meaning, does not match Church teaching. The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is not a “good-luck charm” against surgical complications. It is a healing sacrament Christ gave specifically for those who are already suffering a dangerous bodily infirmity —a serious illness, injury, or the frailty of old age that puts them in danger of death right now. Scripture (James 5:14) and the Councils of Florence and Trent are unmistakable: this sacrament is for the sick, not for anyone facing an external danger (battle, travel, or upcoming surgery) if they are otherwise healthy. The Church’s official Ritual says anointing can be given before surgery—but only when “a dangerous illness is the cause of the surgery itself.” The Catechism echoes this: it is “fitting” to receive Anointing before a serious operation for those who already qualify because of their illness. The point is pastoral wisdom, not a new rule: if someone is already sick enough to need anointing, it’s better to receive the sacrament before the added stress of surgery than to risk delaying it or missing it entirely. The special grace of Anointing does not “wear off.” Once received with faith, it lasts throughout the entire period of that same infirmity, giving strength, peace, union with Christ’s suffering, forgiveness of sins (if needed), and even possible physical healing. It can be repeated only if the person recovers and then falls seriously ill again, or if the same illness becomes markedly worse. Practical Guidance for Parishioners - If your surgery is because of a serious illness or injury (e.g., cancer surgery, heart procedure, complications from an accident), ask your priest about Anointing beforehand. He will gladly celebrate it. - If your procedure is elective, precautionary, or cosmetic (wisdom teeth removal with no infection, knee replacement for a stable condition, organ donation, etc.), you are not yet a candidate for Anointing. The Church offers beautiful alternatives: the blessing of the sick, prayers from the Book of Blessings, or simply the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. - Always prepare spiritually with Confession and Holy Communion. These are available to everyone, healthy or ill. Priests are happy to explain the sacrament and resolve any doubt in favor of celebrating it when the criteria are met. The goal is never to withhold grace but to honor the beautiful purpose Christ gave this sacrament: to strengthen us precisely in the suffering we already carry. Christ instituted Anointing of the Sick so that, in our weakness, we might be united to His Passion and receive every grace we need to bear illness as Christians. When we understand its true purpose, we receive it with greater faith—and experience its full power. If you or a loved one faces serious illness, don’t wait. Call your priest today. The Church wants you to have this sacrament at the right time, for the right reason, and with full confidence in Christ’s healing love.

From the Pastor - 5th Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • March 20, 2026
At this point in our Lenten journey, it is tempting to grow weary of the spiritual disciplines we have taken on. Today’s readings inspire us to remain faithful, in grateful response to a God who loves us so much. In our first reading, the prophet Ezekiel speaks God’s own words to us. “I will put my spirit in you that you may live… I have promised and I will do it, says the Lord.” Our God wants to be so closely united to us that we are one with Him. And He has promised He will do it. But only if we make room for Him by making Him THE priority of our lives. Putting God first is a grateful response that is very pleasing to Him. How can we do this? Our second reading, from Romans, tells us. “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh… you are in the spirit if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.” The disciplines of Lent and a stewardship way of life are wonderful gifts that free us from too great an attachment to “the flesh.” The sacrifices we make as Christian stewards are not meant to restrict our freedom and joy. Quite the contrary. They are tools to help us find the real freedom and joy that only come when we make room in our lives for God. As we journey closer to the Passion of our Lord, let us intensify our Lenten resolutions and our stewardship way of life, inviting the Holy Spirit to take over more and more of our lives. By Easter, we will be freer to rejoice in Him and truly pleasing to God. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering On September 29, 1916, the Angel of Peace appeared to the three shepherd children in Fatima. During this encounter, the Angel shared with the children the following prayer: "Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I adore thee profoundly, and I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of the same son Jesus Christ, present in the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for all the sacrileges, outrages, and indifferences by which He Himself is offended. And by the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners." In keeping with the theme that I began last week, about reviewing the basics, I thought it might be useful to address the importance of Eucharistic reverence and devotion. In the prayer given by the Angel, sacrileges, outrages and indifferences are specifically mentioned. Perhaps looking at each of these is a helpful way to address this.