From the Pastor - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

November 11, 2022

As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our readings offer a sober reminder that this life is not our aim and that God’s justice will triumph in the end. Now is the time to get our priorities in order, putting God above all else as his faithful stewards.


Our Lord brings home the urgency of right priorities in our Gospel passage from Luke, reminding the people around him who were looking at the temple nearby, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Our Lord reminds us that all in this world is passing. We must keep our focus on eternity.


Yet before the eternal bliss of heaven, we should expect to be tried and tested. “Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.”



Sounds scary.


But if you are living a stewardship way of life, there is nothing to fear. You have a plan in place. All you need to do is stick with it. Put our Lord first in your time, with your talents, and through your use of treasure. This way of life is not easy. But Jesus promises it will lead to eternal salvation and the joy of union with Him. “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.”


Onward Christian stewards, the struggle is worth the joy that awaits! © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2022.


Pastoral Pondering

I was recently made aware of a story from the Diocese of Kerry in the Republic of Ireland wherein the local bishop reprimanded a priest for preaching about the reality of sin, specifically as it relates to abortion, transgenderism and homosexuality. Now there is certainly a correct way and an incorrect way to address these difficult social and moral issues, but for a bishop, to imply that sin should not be addressed in a homily is both sad and alarming. In listening to the homily, the priest in question pointed out that sin is rampant in society and nobody is talking about it. As an example, he highlighted some of the Irish government’s recent legislation as well as some of the troubling trends in society.


In Matthew 18:6 Jesus says, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” And in Acts 3:19 Peter tells the crowd “Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away.” Throughout the centuries the Church, in harmony with the teaching of Christ passed down through the apostles, has been proclaiming moral truth while at the same time proclaiming the abundant mercy of God. This is certainly right and true.


However, if the proclamation of the Gospel, does not call to conversion and admonish the sinful (which includes all of us); then, the Gospel becomes empty, just pablum for the masses. Such empty proclamation cannot save souls because it is not faithful to the Gospel of repentance that Our Blessed Lord proclaimed. True preaching of Gospel truth should make all of us a bit uncomfortable. It should make us reflect and ponder the realities of our life and the realities of the world in which we live. A world, by the way, which more and more is embracing a paganism to rival that of Ancient Rome. If the mission of the Church is to save souls, and it is; then, we have to proclaim Gospel truths. To be sure, the proclamation needs to be done with love and compassion, but that can never be equated with simply glossing over the “hard stuff”. When we turn a blind eye to sin, we become complicit in it. A parent who does not correct a child or pastor who doesn’t correct his flock are not leading the souls entrusted to them to heaven but rather to eternal destruction.


The images that we hear about at the end of the Church year, focus on the last things and the second coming of Christ to “judge the living and the dead”. I thank God every day for the faithful “preachers” who have proclaimed Gospel truth to me over the years. And while I may be far from heeding those truths day in and day out, I am thankful that I have heard the message and know the path that leads to Christ.


Parish personnel

Our Director of Sacred Music, Jacob Temple, will be taking a position in the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis. While I am personally saddened to see him leave us, I am truly thankful for his hard work and dedication over the past several years. Jacob, Lindsay and little Felix have been a true part of our parish family. As he moves on to take a position where his musical talents and abilities can really shine, please keep him and his growing family in your prayers. We will begin the search for a new Director right away. And, as was previously announced, Ben Torres, who has been leading the Psalm 59 group is also stepping down. He will be leaving at the end of the year, so we are also looking for someone to take his position. Please keep both of these needs in your prayers.


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.