From the Pastor - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 29, 2023

As Christian stewards we are called to a high and holy standard — living as Christ’s disciples every day and with every person the Lord places in our path. But we can move towards this goal in “baby steps.”


Jesus demonstrates this comforting truth through the parable He tells in today’s Gospel from Matthew. It is the story of two sons whose father instructs them to go out and work in his vineyard that day. While the second son agrees to his father’s request, he does not follow through — he fails to obey the father’s will. The first son tells his father, “no.” At least he is honest! And in the end, he reconsiders and obeys his father.


The first son’s honest, less-than-perfect response is consoling to us Christian stewards. Haven’t we all felt this way at times when God’s will for us seems to be just too hard? 


We can be honest with God at these times. He knows our thoughts already, after all. But when we stayed engaged in a real relationship with Him, even if it’s just to say, “I don’t think I can, Lord,” He will supply us with just the grace we need to change our minds and do what He is asking us to do.


We can even take a step backward from time to time because our Father is merciful and kind. What matters is that we keep baby stepping along, assured of the grace we need to imitate the actions and attitudes of Christ more closely. This is the beauty of the stewardship way of life. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2023.


Pastoral Pondering

I want to thank the deacons for providing opportunities for prayer and worship this week as we priests are on our annual retreat with the Bishop. Keep them in your prayers as well as they prepare for their annual retreat later this month.


A couple of weeks back I wrote about the various prophecies concerning the Warning and the Three Days of Darkness. A few folks have asked me to follow up with some further information and clarification. The first thing that needs to be said is that these events arise from private revelation. Public revelation ended with the death of the last apostle, St. John. Private revelations are defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church as follows: Revelations made in the course of history which do not add to or form part of the deposit of faith, but rather may help people live out their faith more fully. Some of these private revelations have been recognized by the authority of the Church, which cannot accept so-called “revelations of faith” that claim to surpass or correct the Revelation of Christ confided to his Church.


Certainly, some of these, especially those connected with Marian apparitions such as Lourdes and Fatima, have been declared “worthy of belief” by Church authority, but they are not binding on the faithful in terms of adherence or belief.


So, what about our current topic? Due to social media, just about anything can be presented as the Gospel truth. So, we must always be skeptical and prudent in evaluating prophecies and extraordinary teaching. We are not called to be “chasers” of supernatural miracles and prophetic utterances. We experience a miracle every time we go to Mass. Nonetheless, some of these private revelations can be beneficial and helpful to our spiritual growth and development. We just have to be discerning in making sure that any of these that we encounter “check out” in terms of their harmony with the Teachings of the Church.


With all that being said, there is no official Church teaching regarding the veracity of these claims. What we can say unequivocally is that we know, according to Scripture, that the Lord will indeed come again to judge the living and the dead and the world by fire. This phrasing is the traditional conclusion of blessings but is rooted in the Creed and various passages from the Bible (see Acts 10:42; 2 Tim. 4:1; and 1 Pet. 4:5). We also know that Jesus reminds us that we are to always be ready because He will come like a thief in the night (Mt. 24:43; see also 1 Thes. 5).


Part of these particular prophecies note that the only light that will be available is from the light of blessed candles, and I’ve been asked whether or not folks should obtain these. Regardless of the veracity of the prophecies of the warning that the days of darkness, having blessed sacramentals in the house is never a bad thing. Burning a blessed candle has an impact on demons, so it’s never a bad idea to have a few on hand. General preparedness from the unexpected is a good idea as well. As COVID showed us, one never knows when there will be a shortage of water, food staples, or even toilet paper!


Catholic Church. (2000). Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd Ed., p. 895). United States Catholic Conference.

 

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • September 5, 2025
Today’s readings make very clear the demands that will be made of those wanting to be called disciples of Christ. We must be prepared to give our all to Him. But in the end, the life of discipleship — the stewardship way of life — is the only life that can truly satisfy. In the Gospel passage from Luke, Christ says, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Our Lord is speaking here not of emotions but rather of priorities. He must come first in all aspects of our lives. Period. He goes on. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” In other words, it’s all or nothing. Compromise is simply not possible. Christ wants us to give all of ourselves, all aspects of our individual lives, our family life, our parish over to Him and to the pursuit of His kingdom. And just when we think our Lord might soften His message to make it a little more palatable, He goes further! “Anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Why is our Lord being so demanding? Only because He knows us so well and loves us so much. He knows that if we do not live by putting Him first before all else, we will easily be swallowed up by the earthly cares that weigh us down — our material things, our status, and our egos. He knows these things cannot satisfy us. He knows this because He is our Maker, and He made us for more. We are made to be His disciples, to seek after Him and His Kingdom. Embracing stewardship as a way of life allows us to count the cost and then run after Him with all our might. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering Over the last several years, I have noticed, and statistics seem to bear this out, that suicides and attempted suicides have been on the rise, especially among young people. The 18-30 demographic seems to be especially susceptible. I’m sure the roots of that type of despair start much younger, but funerals that I have celebrated or know about are always very heavy, spiritually. I have been speaking with my leadership team about ways that we, as a parish, could address this issue and be proactive in providing outreach and support. I thought it would be helpful to provide an outline of the Church’s teaching on the topic and encourage us all to think of ways that we can be a help in slowing the tide. Hope in Christ: A Catholic Reflection on Suicide The Gift of Life The Church proclaims that every human life is sacred and created in love by God. “God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2258). Suicide is a grave matter, because it rejects the gift of life entrusted to us (CCC 2280–2281). Yet the Church also teaches that grave psychological suffering, fear, or illness can lessen a person’s responsibility. For this reason, we do not despair of the salvation of those who have taken their own lives but entrust them with hope to the mercy of God (CCC 2282–2283). Why Young Adults Are at Risk Many young people today face loneliness, anxiety, and the pressure to be “perfect.” Pope Francis, in Christus Vivit, reminds the Church that young adults need to know they are not alone: “The Church must be a place of compassion, where they are listened to and accompanied with respect” (CV 242–247). Suicide often grows out of a crisis of meaning, when life feels empty or burdensome. The Gospel answers with a promise: each life has a God-given purpose that no failure or suffering can erase. Our Christian Response Compassion and Mercy. The Church rejects judgment and instead offers prayer, accompaniment, and hope for those who have died and for their families. A Community of Belonging. Gaudium et Spes teaches that we only find ourselves through sincere gift of self (GS 24). Our parishes must be places where every young person knows they belong. Seeking Help Is Holy. The Catechism calls care for health a moral duty (CCC 2288). Turning to counseling, medical support, or trusted mentors is a way of honoring God’s gift of life. The Cross Brings Meaning. Saint John Paul II wrote that our suffering, united with Christ’s Passion, can become a source of redemption (Salvifici Doloris 18–19). No suffering is meaningless in Christ. A Word of Hope As followers of Jesus, we must say clearly: if you are struggling, you are not alone. Your life is not a mistake. God loves you. The Church loves you. Reach out — to a friend, to your priest, to a counselor. Asking for help is an act of courage and faith. Prayer God of mercy, embrace all who struggle with despair, especially our young people. Fill their hearts with the light of Your love. Receive into Your peace those who have died, console their families, and make our parish a home of hope, healing, and belonging. Amen. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. 📞 In the U.S., dial 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

From the Pastor - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • August 29, 2025
Today’s readings remind us of a chief virtue that characterizes the Christian steward: humility. This is a virtue that is widely thought of as a form of self-abasement. That understanding, however, is off the mark. Humility is simply the awareness of who (and Whose) we truly are. On one hand, we are children of the Most High God who loved us into existence and who, by virtue of our Baptism, have the Holy Trinity dwelling within us. On the other hand, we are children who are completely dependent on God for our existence and for every breath we take. Our Lord speaks of true humility in our Gospel passage from Luke, telling the parable of the guests invited to a wedding banquet and instructing us not to seek a place of honor at the banquet table, lest a more distinguished guest arrives and we are asked to move to a lower place. Jesus has much more in mind here than an etiquette lesson. He is reminding us that all glory belongs to God. The visual image He offers in having to slink down to a lower seat at the table points out how silly we are when we forget to give God the credit for our blessings and talents. On the other hand, when we live in humility — recognizing that all we have is a gift from God and using those gifts to serve Him and others — then God “exalts” us by filling us with even more of Himself and His grace. Jesus goes on to encourage us to serve and share our blessings with people facing circumstances that would make it impossible for them to offer us any worldly advantage or prestige — “the poor, the crippled, the lame.” Our attitude and how we serve and share should be centered on true humility — recognizing that we are all “little” ones in the eyes of God. We are all His children; brothers and sisters invited to our Father’s heavenly banquet. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering  In the last couple of weeks, I have heard various news stories regarding a push to legalize marijuana nationally. I thought, in light of that, it might be helpful to review Catholic teaching. In Catholic thought, the morality of marijuana use is evaluated through the lens of natural law, Church teaching, and principles of human dignity, reason, and stewardship of the body. While the Catholic Church does not have an explicit, definitive teaching on recreational marijuana use, its moral framework provides guidance based on related principles, particularly from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and papal statements. Key Principles: Respect for Human Dignity and the Body : The Church teaches that the human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and must be cared for responsibly. Actions that impair the body or mind without sufficient reason are considered morally problematic (CCC 2288-2291). Use of Substances and Reason : The Catechism addresses the use of drugs, stating: “The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense” (CCC 2291). This suggests that recreational use of substances like marijuana, which can impair reason, judgment, and health, is generally viewed as morally wrong unless justified by medical necessity. Moderation and Prudence : Catholic moral theology emphasizes the virtue of temperance, which governs the use of pleasurable things. Any substance use that leads to loss of self-control or addiction is contrary to this virtue. Intention and Context : The morality of an act depends on its object, intention, and circumstances (CCC 1750-1756). Using marijuana for medical purposes, under professional guidance and with legal approval, may be permissible if it alleviates serious suffering and does not lead to abuse. Recreational use, however, is often seen as problematic because it typically seeks intoxication or escape, which can undermine human flourishing. Obedience to Just Laws : Catholics are called to respect legitimate civil authority (CCC 2238-2243). If marijuana use is illegal in a given jurisdiction, using it recreationally would generally be considered sinful, as it violates just laws meant to protect the common good. Where marijuana is legal, the moral question shifts to its effects on health, reason, and responsibility. Application to Marijuana: Medical Use : If marijuana is prescribed by a competent medical authority for a serious condition (e.g., chronic pain, epilepsy), its use could be morally permissible, provided it is used responsibly and does not lead to dependency or impairment that harms one’s duties to God, self, or others. Recreational Use : Recreational marijuana use is generally viewed as morally problematic in Catholic thought, especially if it impairs reason, leads to addiction, or harms physical or mental health. The Church’s emphasis on sobriety and the proper use of human faculties suggests that using marijuana to achieve intoxication or euphoria is contrary to human dignity. Cultural and Social Considerations : Some Catholic theologians note that moderate use in a legal, controlled context (e.g., akin to moderate alcohol consumption) might not always constitute a grave sin, depending on the circumstances. However, the potential for abuse, addiction, and harm to self or others makes recreational use a serious moral concern. Papal and Magisterial Guidance: Pope Francis has spoken against the legalization of recreational drugs, including marijuana, stating in 2014: “Drug addiction is an evil, and with evil there can be no yielding or compromise.” He emphasized the harm of drugs to individuals and society, particularly youth. The Catechism’s broad condemnation of non-therapeutic drug use (CCC 2291) is often interpreted to include recreational marijuana, though it does not explicitly name it. Practical Considerations: Discernment : Catholics are encouraged to discern their intentions and the effects of marijuana use. If it leads to escapism, neglect of responsibilities, or harm to relationships, it would be considered sinful. Addiction Risk : Marijuana’s potential for dependency raises concerns, as addiction undermines freedom and responsibility. Social Justice : The Church also considers the societal impact, such as the exploitation in the drug trade or the normalization of substance use in ways that harm vulnerable populations. Conclusion: In Catholic moral theology, marijuana use is permissible only for legitimate medical purposes under strict conditions. Recreational use is generally considered immoral due to its potential to impair reason, harm health, and violate the virtue of temperance. Catholics are called to exercise prudence, respect civil laws, and prioritize their responsibilities to God and others. For specific guidance, consultation with a priest or moral theologian is recommended, as individual circumstances can influence moral judgments.