From the Parochial Vicar - August 26, 2018

August 27, 2018

From the Parochial Vicar - August 26, 2018

This weekend is Ministry Selection Weekend, and I hope that you are taking the opportunity to stop in at the parish hall after Mass to see a showcase of our ministries, apostolates, and outreach groups. As a large parish that continues to grow, the opportunities to connect, grow, serve, and share at Saint Mark continue to multiply. After taking the last three weeks to highlight the importance of youth and young adult ministry in our parish, I close this series of Pastoral Ponderings by taking a look at the “how” of youth ministry.

As children grow, they are nurtured and taught in ways that allow them to mature as a person, their intellect being a crucial part. As children, we learn principles and rudiments that correspond to reality and assist us in expressing truths about God and his creation. Later on, in late childhood and early teen years, we begin to put principles together and draw connections between the knowledge that we have acquired. We can even see how principles relate to each other. Finally, in our teen years, we begin to think critically and create. With a firm grasp of principles, we begin to form solid opinions and judgments that are grounded upon a relationship with reality. Of course, this is the most natural way to learn, and we could spend days discussing how well our different educational institutions respond to the natural capacity that man has to know.

Directly related to learning and knowing is teaching. The Church takes on this role in a distinguished way by the very fact that our Lord filled her with the Holy Spirit to guide her in all truth. In Latin, munus docendi (teaching office) refers to the ecclesial task of leading the faithful to the light and truth of the Gospel. This word for teaching ( docere ) can also be translated as “leading.” And the Latin word for learning is discere , which is from whence English derives the word “disciple,” or follower. Christ and his Church leads, and we follow.

Under our faith formation offices fall three ways in which we lead our youth. The first way is through Children’s Faith Formation (K-5, as well as classes for older children who have not yet been baptized). For children who are not receiving religious instruction in Catholic school or a homeschool curriculum, Children’s Faith Formation teaches the basics of our faith, fundamental prayers, and the Holy Word and Tradition of the Church. This corresponds to the first principles of knowledge of Christ and his Church. Our catechists follow a pedagogy that introduces children to the essential points of God’s mysteries.

The second way we lead our youth to love of Christ is through Middle School Youth Ministry. As our middle schoolers are beginning to apply the teachings of Christ to their lives and ask more serious questions about the will of God in their life, the Edge Core Team members help lead through discussion how to tap in to the great gifts the Lord bestows upon them and their families. It goes deeper than strict catechesis or book learning in order to accompany them into the ways of holiness and salvation.

The third way pertains particularly to high school students, who are served by our Life Teen program. This program is similar to Edge insofar as our Life Teen Core members continue to accompany our youth on a journey of faith in and love of Jesus. However, since our high school teens are critically thinking about the present moment and their futures and trying to navigate the application of their faith knowledge to living it out in the world, there are opportunities for creatively engaging in their formation. High school students have a wonderful depth to their desire to love, care, and apply themselves. Therefore, the “Life Nights” allow them to gather and receive guidance through the lens of faith on how to navigate friendships, relationships, difficult Church teachings, and the like.

Bridging the gap from middle school to high school, our Fraternus and Fidelis programs are ways for young men (brothers) to be mentored in virtue by Catholic men ( captains ), and young women (sisters) to be mentored by Catholic women ( ladies ). They form young disciples intent on doing good and living as intentional witnesses to God’s glory in their life. The brothers and sisters from Fraternus and Fidelis challenge each other weekly in concrete and palpable ways to live virtuously at home and away.

I offer you an invitation today. Help us change lives. Help us lead lives. Help us transform lives. Actually, that is incorrect. Help Jesus change lives. Help Jesus lead lives. Help Jesus transform lives. This weekend at ministry selection, go find out more about our youth programs. Pray about becoming a catechist or assistant (Children’s Faith Formation), a Core Team member (Edge and Life Teen), or a Captain/Lady (Fraternus/Fidelis). I think you have got more to offer than you might admit. All that Jesus needs is a trusting, “Yes.” That’s all that one young girl had to say to God in order for our salvation to come. I invite you to say, “Yes.”

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • January 16, 2026
Today’s readings provide clear and inspiring reminders of the most fundamental aspect of our identity — that of servants of our most high and holy God, His modern-day disciples, and stewards. John the Baptist recognized the holiness of Jesus and the response due to Him when he encountered Christ in person on the day they met at the Jordan River. His response, which we read in our Gospel passage from St. John was, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world… He is the one of whom I said, ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” What a powerful description of our Lord and the place He should rightfully have in each of our lives. He is truly our Savior, the only one who can free us from our sinfulness. We are utterly and completely dependent on His power, love, and mercy. Therefore, He truly does “rank ahead” of us; he deserves to be first, above all other priorities and plans in our lives. Let us examine our daily lives and encourage our children to do the same. Does the way I spend my time reflect that God comes first? Do prayer and weekly Mass, regular confession, and time with my family “rank ahead” of everything else on my calendar? Do I use my talents, skills, and energy to serve my family, parish and community in thanksgiving and recognition that God’s kingdom ranks ahead of any other goals or ambitions? Do I spend my money and use my material possessions to glorify God? Challenge questions, to be sure. But questions worthy of our high calling as Christian stewards offered a glorious mission in service of our Lord and His kingdom. What will our response be? © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering As I write this, I am just getting back from the Holy Land Pilgrimage with more than 20 of our seminarians. Spending the Octave of Christmas and celebrating the New Year in the Holy Land was very special and being with such a close-knit group was especially heartening. One of the questions that was posed before the pilgrimage began was, “Father, is it safe to go over there?” I can say without a doubt that it is safe to visit the Holy Land. We had no issues. What was sad was to see the Christian community suffering because of the lack of tourists. If you have the opportunity to go to the Holy Land, especially with Christopher Cross, I encourage you to go. The next scheduled trip is in March with Father Martinez. There are still slots available. We began the New Year on the Mount of Beatitudes with Mass and Holy Hour. One of the seminarians noted that it was amazing to the sermon of the Lord in the very place where He gave it while He was there on the altar in the monstrance. Another highlight was having two Masses in the Holy Sepulcher itself. Because of the size of the tomb, many in the group had to participate from the anteroom. One of the seminarians noted that it touched him deeply when the priest came out of the tomb to distribute Communion. “Literally, the Lord was coming out of the Tomb to give Himself to us.” For me personally, the Mass that we celebrated in Bethlehem in the Church of the Nativity complex was very moving. We celebrated Mass in the Chapel of St. Helena on the Feast of St. John the Apostle, just a short walk away from the grotto of the Nativity. The seminarians provided the music for the Mass, and it was “otherworldly”. I could feel the Lord’s presence and was overwhelmed with the reality that we were celebrating Christmas where Christmas was first celebrated. I have no doubt that the experience will impact the life and ministry of each of the seminarians who participated, especially those preparing for priestly or diaconal ordination this coming May. One cannot walk where Jesus walked without leaving with a new appreciation of all that He did for us.  Finally, thank you to all who made this pilgrimage possible. Through your kindness, you have enriched these men and helped them grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.

From the Pastor - Baptism of the Lord

By John Putnam • January 9, 2026
Today marks the close of the Christmas season, but before we return to Ordinary Time, we have one more great feast to celebrate — The Baptism of the Lord. Today’s feast is a perfect opportunity to consider the privileges and responsibilities we all share as Christian stewards by virtue of our own Baptism. At the moment of our Baptism, we became adopted sons and daughters of God, members of his holy, Catholic Church. Though we may not have realized it, the moment of our Baptism is also the moment we become Christian stewards, disciples of Jesus Christ, tasked with the work of following in His footsteps day by day and sharing the Gospel message with all those around us. In our second reading from the Acts of the Apostles, St. Peter gives us a glimpse of the person of Jesus we should imitate. “He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” We must live our lives like Jesus, seeking to do good to everyone we encounter; not just those in our inner circle of family and friends, but everyone in our community since the Father loves us all and Jesus sought out everyone with His saving message. In the Gospel passage from Matthew, we see yet another aspect of Jesus in action, this time as he humbly stands before John to be baptized by him. What humility and what willingness to unite Himself to us our Lord demonstrates by this act. We can do no less as we live out our daily lives as his disciples. And when we do strive with all our might to live out our Baptismal call to Christian stewardship, we will experience the deep honor of knowing that we, too, are God’s “beloved” sons and daughters “with whom He is well-pleased.” © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering As many of you know, on December 17 Bishop Martin issued a pastoral letter concerning the reception of Holy Communion. In that letter, he directed that non-fixed altar rails and kneelers be removed no later than January 16. I want to acknowledge, very simply and honestly, that this has been difficult for many in our parish. I feel that weight as well. I love St. Mark, and I am grateful for the reverence and devotion so many of you show toward the Holy Eucharist. I do not take lightly the concerns, questions, or disappointment this has raised. I am also aware that some of the faithful have made use of the appropriate channels within the Church to petition for clarification or reconsideration, and those processes may continue. At the same time, as your pastor, I am entrusted with leading this parish in fidelity to the Church and her discipline in those matters that do not contradict Catholic law. While there are sincere and thoughtful discussions about posture for receiving Holy Communion, the current liturgical discipline in the United States indicates that Communion is ordinarily received standing, whether on the tongue or in the hand. It is important to state clearly that the right of an individual communicant to kneel remains fully intact, and no one may ever be denied Holy Communion for choosing to do so. Therefore, unless a suspensive decision is issued by the Bishop or by the Dicastery for Divine Worship, we will comply with the directive and remove the kneelers from around the sanctuary. To assist with the reverent and timely distribution of Holy Communion, we will also increase the number of Communion stations. I know this change will be challenging for some. It is not something I approach lightly. My hope is that we can carry this moment together, offering whatever frustration or sorrow we may feel as a personal sacrifice, united to Christ present in the Eucharist. Crosses come in many forms, and how we bear them matters greatly. Let us remain united in prayer and charity, so that anger, bitterness, or division never take root at St. Mark. The weight of the Bishop’s office is a heavy one. I pray for Bishop Martin daily, and I ask that you do the same. Bishop’s office is a heavy one. I pray for him everyday, and I hope that you will as well.  On a happier note, as we come to the end of the Christmas season, I want to thank everyone who dropped off Christmas greetings and goodies. Your kindness is very much appreciated.