From the Pastor - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 28, 2022

It is easy to view each other with suspicion or at least a certain guardedness in the modern world. Of course, it’s wise to be prudent in our dealings with people. But stewardship calls us to a different outlook towards others. It calls us to approach everyone with an open heart — not through a lens of suspicion, but through the lens of loving hospitality.


This is the attitude of our heavenly Father when He looks upon creation, as we see in our first reading from the Book of Wisdom: "For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made; for you would not fashion what you hate." God’s imperishable spirit is in every person because every person is made in God’s own image and likeness.


Far deeper than good manners or a superficial exchange of pleasantries, the virtue of hospitality is the outward expression of this way of seeing people as God sees them.


Our Gospel reading from Luke tells the story of how Jesus models this transforming hospitality in His encounter with the tax collector, Zacchaeus. He was not content exchanging a friendly hello with Zaccheus, so Jesus sought him out of the crowd and insisted on having dinner in his home. This gesture of intimacy and true fellowship was commonplace in that day and culture. Jesus saw the goodness within the man. Our Lord’s open and welcoming attitude (His hospitality) called forth this goodness, and as a result, Zaccheus transformed.


If we are willing to practice Christian hospitality in our daily lives, our families, workplaces, and parish also can be transformed. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2022.

 

Pastoral Pondering

It is hard to believe that November will begin this coming week! As we move into the month of November, we begin with the celebration of the Solemnity of All Saints. Although, we have individual celebrations of various saints throughout the year, we realize that not every saint has been canonized and recognized publicly by the Church. As the letter to the Hebrews points out: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith (12:1-2).” Those unknown saints stand before the throne of God as well and pray that we might one day join them. The feast day originated in the early Church during the time of the martyrs. So many Christians were being put to death by the Romans, that it was impossible to keep track of them all. As a result, the early Church began to celebrate a “commemoration of all martyrs”. At that time this commemoration was celebrated in the Spring of the year. Over the centuries, the celebration moved and eventually ended up on November 1st of each year. It is a wonderful time to remember those saintly people whom we have encountered over the years along with praying for the many saints whose names we do not know.


November 2nd is the commemoration of all the faithful departed, All Souls. This commemoration if a holy day set aside for honoring the dead. According to Catholic belief, the soul of a person who dies can go to one of three places. The first is heaven, where a person who dies in a state of perfect grace and communion with God goes. The second is hell, where those who die in a state of mortal sin are naturally condemned by their choice. The intermediate possibility is purgatory, which, according to most writings, is the state where most people, free of mortal sin, but still in a state of lesser (or venial) sin, must go.


Purgatory is necessary so that souls can be cleansed and perfected before they enter into the heavenly homeland. There is scriptural basis for this belief. The primary reference is in 2 Maccabees, 12:26 and 12:32. "Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out... Thus, made atonement for the dead that they might be free from sin." Additional references are found in Zechariah, Sirach, and the Gospel of Matthew. Jewish tradition also reinforces this belief as well as the tradition and teaching of the Church, which has been affirmed throughout history. Consistent with these teachings and traditions, Catholics believe that through the prayers of the faithful on Earth, the dead are cleansed of their sins so they may enter into heaven. (see www.catholic.org/saints/allsouls). The Holy Mass is the most perfect form of prayer and offering Masses for the faithful departed is deeply rooted in Catholic practice and belief.


Because the living and the dead within God’s family are all part of the Communion of Saints, traditionally the souls in heaven are identified as the Church Triumphant; the souls in purgatory are identified as the Church suffering; and the rest of us still on earth are identified as the Church militant because we are still “running the race and fighting the good fight.”



November is also a time when we focus intently on charitable giving, especially as the Holiday season approaches. We have many opportunities during these next few weeks to be of assistance to the least among us. Making such sacrifices and exercising our care for the poor in another way in which we can keep ourselves moving towards that ultimate goal of union with Christ in heaven.


From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 1st Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • February 20, 2026
As we begin the season of Lent, the Church invites us into 40 days of renewal and refocusing. Lent is not only about giving something up, but about making room for God. For Christian stewards, this season invites us to reflect on how we are using the time entrusted to us. In the first reading, Adam and Eve turn their attention away from God and allow doubt to take root. Trust is replaced by self-reliance, and the harmony of the Garden is broken. These same temptations remain familiar when our days become crowded with distractions that pull us away from God. In the Gospel, Jesus shows us a different path. In the desert, He gives time to prayer and fasting, remains grounded in Scripture, and places His complete trust in the Father. By intentionally giving time to God, Jesus resists temptation and remains faithful. Lent invites us to do the same. By making space in our schedules for prayer, Scripture, and quiet reflection, we grow in trust and gratitude. When we place God at the center of our time, stewardship becomes a way of life, and our hearts are prepared to celebrate the joy of Easter. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026) Pastoral Pondering  Folks often asks the priests, “Father, how do you pray?” The question is not that different from the request the apostles made of Jesus in Luke 11:1-4 when they asked Him to teach them how to pray. There are lots of possibilities out there. One of those that I find particularly helpful is Lectio Divina or Divine Reading. What follows is a brief outline of the method that some may find helpful. In our busy lives, it's easy to read the Bible quickly or skim through it like any other book. But what if we approached Scripture not just to learn information, but to encounter God personally? That's the heart of Lectio Divina, an ancient Catholic practice of "divine reading" that transforms ordinary reading into a profound prayerful conversation with the Lord. Lectio Divina dates back to the early monastic communities, encouraged by figures like St. Benedict, and has been a cherished method in the Church for centuries. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes, it engages our thoughts, imagination, emotions, and desires to deepen our faith and draw us closer to Christ (CCC 2708). Today, it's experiencing a beautiful renewal as more Catholics rediscover this simple yet powerful way to let God's Word speak directly to our hearts. The traditional steps of Lectio Divina are four (sometimes with a fifth for action): 1. Lectio (Reading) Choose a short passage of Scripture—perhaps from the day's Gospel or a favorite psalm. Read it slowly, perhaps aloud, several times. Listen attentively, as if God is speaking the words to you personally. Pay attention to any word, phrase, or image that stands out or "shimmers" in your heart. This isn't about covering ground; it's about letting the Word sink in. 2. Meditatio (Meditation ) Reflect on what you've read. Ask: What is this passage saying? What does it reveal about God? How does it connect to my life right now? Ruminate on it like a cow chewing cud—slowly, thoughtfully. Let your mind and heart ponder the meaning, imagining yourself in the scene if it's a Gospel story. 3. Oratio (Prayer) Turn your reflection into a personal conversation with God. Respond honestly: Thank Him, praise Him, ask for forgiveness, seek guidance, or simply tell Him how the Word moves you. This is where prayer flows naturally from the Scripture—it's no longer just words on a page, but a dialogue with the living God. 4. Contemplatio (Contemplation) Rest quietly in God's presence. Let go of words and thoughts. Simply be with Him, allowing His love to envelop you in silence. This is the moment of resting in the peace that comes from encountering the Lord. Some traditions add a fifth step: **Actio (Action)**—carrying the grace received into daily life through concrete changes or acts of charity. Lectio Divina is for everyone—not just monks or scholars. You don't need hours; even 15-20 minutes can be transformative. Try it with the Sunday readings or start with a single verse like "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Find a quiet spot, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you ("Come, Holy Spirit"), and open your heart. As Pope Benedict XVI encouraged, Lectio Divina helps us hear God's voice in Scripture and respond with our whole lives. In a world full of noise, this ancient practice invites us to slow down, listen deeply, and grow in intimacy with Christ. Why not give it a try this week? Your soul—and God—will thank you.

From the Pastor - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • February 13, 2026
Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on the true state of our hearts as it relates to stewardship. Do we think of stewardship as something we take care of once a year, simply a matter of ticking off boxes on a commitment card — or do we choose to embrace it as a spirituality and a way of life that allows us to grow in conformity to Christ every day? Our first reading, from the Book of Sirach, teaches that our good God has given us the freedom to make this choice — “Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” The concept of stewardship helps us live out this fundamental choice to put God first. Stewardship is not meant to be a mere external exercise that we participate in on an occasional basis. It is meant to be embraced as a way of life — a life that involves a continuous conversion of heart. In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus illustrates the difference between an external observance of the law and a true conversion of heart, saying, “You have heard that it was said … you shall not kill … But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” Our Lord is asking us not only for exterior acts, but for a true change of heart. In stewardship terms, that means seeing everything as a gift from Him, to be used for His glory and the good of others. In the week ahead, let us examine the state of our hearts and ask whether we have allowed stewardship to shape the way we live each day. When we do, we open ourselves to its deeper meaning and its power to change our hearts. The choice is ours. Pastoral Pondering I am appreciative of the cooperation we have had with the recent changes in the distribution of Communion. Please be mindful that each person has the right to choose the manner in which he or she receives Holy Communion. As long as that choice is in conformity with what the Church allows, the individual is free to exercise that right. We all have preferences and pious practices that are important to us. It is important, however, that we do not pass judgment on the reasons someone else chooses differently from us. No one knows the heart of another; God alone knows those things. Clearly, if someone is doing something that is improper or sacrilegious, we have a moral obligation to say something. However, when another is making a legitimate choice, he or she is free to do so. We all need to be conscious of the importance of exercising charity, especially with one another. As we prepare to embark on our Lenten journey, please take time to pray and ponder what you need to do (and not do) to make this a truly fruitful Lent. Taking time for prayer and reflection and asking the Lord to guide you in choosing your Lenten sacrifices and works of charity, is a wonderful way to prepare for and to receive the full grace of this special season of the liturgical year. Penance, of course, is a regular part of Catholic life. Every Friday throughout the year is a day of penance. During Lent, every Friday is a day of abstinence from meat; outside of Lent, one may choose an alternative form of penance. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting for those between the ages of 14 and 60. Let us pray for one another that our Lenten observances may help us grow in holiness, become more attentive to the promptings of the Spirit, and be instruments of the light of Christ in the world.