From the Pastor - Feast of the Holy Family

December 27, 2024

The Holy Family experienced many of the same joys and trials that all parents and children experience today. And so, we can look to this Family for help in our own family lives and see in them a model of stewardship in family life.


The Gospel passage from Luke starts by telling us something about Jesus’ parents: “Each year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover, and when he was 12 years old, they went up according to festival custom.” This Family took seriously the stewardship of their time. The “Holy Couple” carefully observed the traditions and practice of their Jewish faith and brought up their Son to do the same. They worshiped as a family, and with their faith community. And they did so faithfully.


We can take their example to heart by making Sunday Mass attendance a priority for our families, by making prayer with our family a priority every day, by making sure that we regularly celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and by observing in our family life the feasts and fasts appropriate to the liturgical calendar. When we, as families, prioritize our Time with God and worship of Him we will be imitating the Holy Family.


On this Feast of the Holy Family, let us reclaim the beauty and importance of family life. Let’s commit to steward our families well in the coming year, making time spent with God and practicing our faith the most important appointments on our family calendars.

© Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2024


Pastoral Pondering

From a Catholic perspective, family life holds a central and sacred place as it is considered the foundation of both society and the Church. The importance of family life can be understood through the following key principles:


1. The Family as a Domestic Church

The Catholic Church views the family as the "domestic church," where faith is nurtured and lived daily. Parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith, passing on values, traditions, and the love of God.
Family prayer, participation in the sacraments, and fostering a spirit of charity and forgiveness help the family grow in holiness.

2. A Reflection of the Holy Trinity

The love shared among family members is seen as a reflection of the Holy Trinity's divine communion. Just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united in perfect love, family members are called to live in self-giving love and unity.

3. Marriage as a Sacrament

Marriage, as a covenant between a baptized man and a baptized woman, is a sacrament in the Catholic Church. It symbolizes Christ's love for His Church and provides the foundation for a stable and nurturing environment for children.

The Church teaches that the marital bond is permanent and open to life, emphasizing the procreation and upbringing of children as fundamental purposes of marriage.

4. The Role of Love and Sacrifice

Family life is a school of love, sacrifice, and service. Through mutual respect, understanding, and selflessness, family members learn to imitate Christ's sacrificial love.

Challenges in family life are seen as opportunities for growth in virtue and reliance on God's grace.

5. A Source of Moral Formation

The family is the first place where individuals learn moral values, discipline, and social responsibilities. Parents are tasked with guiding their children toward virtuous living and preparing them for life in the broader community.

This role is rooted in the belief that the family is a cornerstone for the moral and spiritual health of society.

6. A Witness to the Gospel

A loving, faithful family becomes a visible witness to the Gospel in the world. Families are called to be missionary by spreading the love of Christ through their actions and relationships, both within and outside the home.

7. Support in Challenges

The Church acknowledges the difficulties families face, such as financial strain, health issues, or relationship conflicts. It offers pastoral care, counseling, and support, urging families to rely on prayer, the sacraments, and the wider Church community for strength.


In summary, from a Catholic viewpoint, family life is essential for personal growth, faith development, and societal well-being. It is a sacred vocation that calls for love, commitment, and trust in God's plan, emphasizing the role of the family in building a strong, faithful, and loving Church and society.

 

 

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.