From the Pastor - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 2, 2021

Our readings today remind us that, even in our weakest and toughest moments, God has a plan.

 

In our Second Reading, St. Paul describes a “thorn” that had been given to him. He believed this thorn to be the thing that kept him grounded as he said, “to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.”

 

At first, he asked the Lord to remove this cross, but the Lord replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” Through this explanation, St. Paul resolved to believe, “I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

 

We all bear crosses in this life, whether they seem to be little thorns or sharp daggers. The easiest thing to do, as St. Paul did, is to pray for the cross to be taken. It would be great if all of our struggles just magically faded away! But listen to the Lord’s words, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

 

Stop and reflect on your cross. Instead of wishing it to go away, look at it as an opportunity to grow and to allow God to work in your life. God permitted this cross in your life for a reason. Do not let the opportunity for Christ to work on your heart pass you by.

 

Today, recall that God loves us more than we could ever imagine. There is not a moment that goes by that He does not have us in mind. He has a specific plan for our lives. Therefore, may we encounter life’s challenges with confidence in Christ. 

 

Pastoral Pondering –The clergy personnel changes this year have been a challenge due to a number of factors. With that being said, I can inform you that, as was indicated previously, Father Michael Carlson will be coming to St. Mark and will begin his service on July 13th. Father Carlson will be doing work at the Diocesan Chancery and Tribunal during the week and helping out here on the weekends through the end of August. Father Matthew Bean, presently at St. Thomas Aquinas, will become parochial vicar here at St. Mark on July 13th as well. As noted last week, it is expected that Father Carlson will move to full time graduate study in January at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada. Father Gámez will be remaining with us until August 16 when his begins his new assignment at Our Lady of Mercy and Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Winston-Salem. We are glad that he will be with us a bit longer.

 

The closing on the new rectory took place on July 1st. Our plan will be to be moved there by the end of July if not before. Our plan is to stop using the old rectory at Ranson Road for parish functions and move those to the present rectory.

 

Finally, before moving into the continuing discussion of what makes a practicing Catholic via the precepts of the Church, I want to point out what the US Bishops recently did at their summer meeting regarding Eucharistic Coherence. CNN et other outlets has indicated that the US Bishops voted to deny President Biden Communion. This is simply not true. The Bishops voted on allowing their Doctrine Committee to move forward with drafting a document that would address the issue of public figures presenting themselves as devout or practicing Catholics while at the same time promoting positions that are contrary to the teachings of the Church. While well-known politicians get most of the press coverage, the same concern would apply to any public person, e.g., an actor, a TV personality, a well-known athlete, who presents him or herself as a devout Catholic while espousing clearly non-Catholic positions. Hence, this is not a political matter. It is a matter of faith and morals. In these situations, conversations are always had between the public person and their bishop to try to resolve the matter. This is done quietly and respectfully. However, when these avenues fail, in order to protect the faith, the shepherds have an obligation to be very clear about what is true regarding faith and morals and pointing out the inconsistency present and the scandal caused by the offending individual. The aim is always the reconciliation and a call to repentance.

 

The fourth precept is addressed in paragraph 2043 of the Catechism: The fourth precept (“You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church”) ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts and help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart. In the Church’s law, this precept is explained, from a practical standpoint, in canons 1249-1251 of the Code of Canon Law.

Canon 1249 states: “The divine law binds all the Christian faithful to do penance each in his or her own way. In order for all to be united among themselves by some common observance of penance, however, penitential days are prescribed on which the Christian faithful devote themselves in a special way to prayer, perform works of piety and charity, and deny themselves by fulfilling their own obligations more faithfully and especially by observing fast and abstinence, according to the norm of the following canons.”

 

Canon 1250 states: “The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent (emphasis added). The second half of the text in bold is fairly well understood by everyone. The first half, however, is often over-looked. Every Friday is a day of penance (excepting solemnities that fall on a particular Friday during the year). Outside of Lent, an individual is free to choose a penance in place of abstinence from meat if he or she does not choose to abstain (see canon 1251) and fasting is always to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday; although, it is a laudable practice at other times to grow in the virtues of temperance and fortitude.

 

While the law of abstinence binds those who have completed fourteen years of age (canon 1252), parents and those who assist them in the formation of their children should not fail to instill a genuine sense of penance in their lives and the ways in which the Catholic people are asked to live that sense out. Canon 1253 allows the Conference of. Bishops to specify in greater detail the requirements in its territory as well as substitute works of charity and exercises of piety when that is appropriate.

 

Hence, a penitential spirit is to be a part of all of our lives. As the Lord reminds us, if you would be my disciples, take up your cross and follow me (see Matthew 16:24).

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 11, 2025
In today’s Gospel passage, from Luke, we read the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. Here, Jesus teaches us in rich detail what stewardship in action looks like. In fact, this parable could just as accurately be called the parable of the Good Steward. The first thing we note about the Good Samaritan is that he is aware of the needs of those around him and responds generously. While the priest and Levi brush right past the man on the side of the road, the Samaritan is watching for those who might be in need. He has a hospitable way of looking at the world around him and so he is able to “see” in a way that the others did not, and he was “moved with compassion at the sight” of the man. Next, we see the Good Samaritan spring into action to serve this man, setting aside his own schedule and plans to meet his needs. He does not just give the man a few dollars or offer quick words of encouragement from across the road. He goes right up to the man. He cleans and bandages his wounds. He puts the man on his own animal and brings him to an inn where he can heal. He ensures the innkeeper would continue to look after him, and he commits to re-turning to the man on his way back. That is how we live out God’s commandments. That is true hospitality and service.  That is how a good steward springs into action when he comes upon a neighbor in need. And Jesus says to each of us personally, just as He did in today’s Gospel, “Go and do likewise.” ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering I want to welcome Father Christopher Angermeyer to St. Mark as Parochial Vicar. As many of you know, Father was ordained in June. After completing his undergraduate studies at Belmont Abbey and St. Joseph College Seminary. He completed his theological studies and priestly formation at Mount St. Mary’s in Cincinnati. His home parish was St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte. We are happy to have Father Angermeyer with us. I know you will do your part to make him feel welcomed here at St. Mark. I will be away for the next couple of weeks on pilgrimage with a group of seminarians and faithful. Please know that the parish will be in my prayers, and I take all of your intentions with me to the Shrine of Our Lady.

From the Pastor - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 7, 2025
In today’s Gospel passage, from Luke, we find our Lord appointing disciples to go out and prepare others to receive His invitation into the Kingdom of God. Every verse has something to say about the way a Christian steward should approach others. Let’s consider at least one of the coaching tips Christ gives. “The Lord appointed seventy-two others whom He sent out ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place He intended to visit.” In His wisdom, Christ sent His disciples out not as individuals but in pairs, as teams. This approach to evangelization certainly provided practical advantages. The disciples could lean on each other for mutual support and encouragement, helping each other to stay on task and to put their heads together to pray and problem-solve. This teamwork approach is just as relevant to us modern-day Christian stewards. It takes courage and commitment to go out and invite others into the Christian life. We need to work together to do it well. But there is also symbolic importance to working in teams. It points to the reality that when we invite others to embrace the Good News of the Gospel, we are not merely inviting them into a belief system, but into a relationship with Christ and through that relationship, into Christ’s family — our fellow Christian disciples near and far. Our parish is our immediate spiritual family in this extended worldwide fold. We are not meant to live as isolated individuals within the parish any more than we are meant to live in isolation within our families. We are meant to be a community. That is why it is so important for us to foster a vibrant, supportive, welcoming parish life. This is why we emphasize hospitality as one of the pillars of stewardship. It is not enough just to point others to Christ; we must invite them to join us in community with Him; we must offer a place and mission for them in the Church and within our parish family. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering As you know, during the last weekend of May (5/31-6/1), we had our final push for our Growing Home Campaign. I wanted to give everyone a final update as we conclude our fundraising period. During that weekend’s presentation, I asked everyone to help us close the $325,000 gap to meet our $9.7 M goal. As we close this portion of the campaign, I am happy to report that we have reached $10.5 million in pledges and gifts, exceeding our goal by $800,000! I am continuously amazed by the giving spirit that pervades our parish. Your generosity is a tangible expression of your commitment to our amazing parish. The funds raised over the goal and any funds raised going forward will help us to address the ever-increasing cost of construction and reduce the loan amount that will be required to complete the overall project. As noted earlier this year, the Rectory project has started and is projected to take about 12 months to complete. Our hope and plan is to break ground on the Monsignor Bellow Center and Adoration Chapel next summer or early Fall. Words alone never seem adequate to express the gratitude that I have in my heart for all of you who have participated in and supported this monumental effort. Both the financial support and the support with time and talent have been tremendous and for that, I want to offer a heartfelt “THANK YOU!”. May God bless each of you for your generosity in helping us grow our home here at St. Mark.
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