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 - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 25, 2025
In our Gospel reading from Luke, some disciples of Jesus ask our Lord to teach them how to pray. Jesus instantly offers them the beautiful prayer which we, of course, call the Our Father. The Our Father is truly a steward’s prayer. In it, we call upon God in an intimate way, as Father. We ask that His will be done (not ours!) and that His kingdom come (not ours!). In other words, we remember that He is our Creator, everything is His, and our focus in life should be on His priorities, not our own. Then we ask Him to supply our needs (to give our daily bread), forgive our sins, and protect us from evil. That is, we proclaim our complete trust in His provision for us and mercy towards us. We, too, commit to extending mercy ourselves (as we forgive those who sin against us.) As we pray the words of the Our Father, we recognize this basic truth about ourselves and God: God is our Father, and we are beloved and infinitely blessed to be His children. This is the basis of a stewardship way of life. At the end of the Gospel passage, Jesus encourages us to pursue a relationship with the Father: Ask Him, seek Him, knock on His door! He can hardly wait to bless us, HIs children. Remember that this week, then go, be a blessing to others! Stewardship is just that simple. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering  Last week I was listening to an episode of the Conor Gallagher Podcast, in which the author, Paul Zucarelli, was being interviewed. I found it extremely interesting and thought provoking, so I thought I would provide a summary of his book this week. Faith Understood: An Ordinary Man’s Journey to the Presence of God by Paul Zucarelli is a memoir recounting the author’s near-death experience and its profound impact on his life and faith. Zucarelli, a successful businessman and CPA, died of sudden cardiac death on Pentecost Sunday in 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona, and was revived after two hours through what he attributes to intercessory prayer and divine intervention. During this experience, he describes encountering a heavenly realm, witnessing a radiant light filled with warmth and love, and hearing a divine voice assuring him of safety, which left him with no fear of death or desire to return to his body. The book goes beyond the near-death account, focusing on Zucarelli’s spiritual transformation and renewed commitment to living for God. It emphasizes themes of faith, hope, and love, illustrating how God uses trials to draw people closer to Him. Zucarelli shares how this event deepened his Christian faith, leading him and his wife, Beth, to dedicate their lives to evangelization, sharing their testimony across the United States. The narrative includes reflections on scripture, personal vulnerability, and five life lessons outlined in Chapter Nine, which readers found universally compelling and timeless. While some reviewers wished for more detailed descriptions of the heavenly experience, the book is praised for its authenticity, inspiring both believers and non-believers to explore God’s presence and the power of prayer. Proceeds from the book support a charitable foundation, reflecting Zucarelli’s mission of altruism. What I found most compelling about the podcast was the author’s sense of peace about how God has been working in his life since his near-death experiences. His story, which is deeply informed by his Catholic faith, shows the transforming power of God’s love in the midst of life’s trials and tribulations.

From the Pastor - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 18, 2025
In today’s Gospel reading from St. Luke, we receive a reminder about the proper use of the gift of time, a fundamental aspect of a stewardship way of life. Our passage highlights one of the most famous dinner parties ever thrown, recalling the day that Martha and Mary hosted our Lord in their home. We are told that Martha, as a good steward, welcomes Christ in but then becomes “burdened with much serving” while her sister and fellow hostess chooses to simply sit with Jesus, listening to Him speak. Martha becomes indignant at Mary’s behavior and complains to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” But Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, refuses to get pulled into this sisterly spat. Instead, He offers Martha a fresh way to look at the situation. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.” What is that one thing? It is to put Jesus first in our lives and above all other things; to “sit at his feet” and listen as Mary did, giving Him the priority of our time no matter how busy we think we are. When we truly commit to putting Christ first in our daily lives through a regular time of prayer and frequent participation in the sacraments, we will find that all our other concerns become less pressing, less overwhelming. Why is this so? Because the time we invest in our relationship with God saturates all aspects of our lives with His grace. And because God cannot be outdone in generosity. He will abundantly reward any sacrifice we make to spend time with Him. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering In the Catholic tradition, prayer is a foundational practice, understood as a personal and communal relationship with God. It’s seen as a dialogue, not a monologue, where the individual lifts their heart and mind to God, seeking communion, guidance, and alignment with His will. Below is a concise overview of the Catholic understanding of prayer, grounded in Church teaching and tradition: Definition and Purpose : The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2559) defines prayer as “the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” It’s an act of love, trust, and dependence on God, fostering a covenant relationship. Prayer’s primary aim is communion with God, aligning human will with divine will, as modeled by Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Types of Prayer (CCC 2626-2643): Adoration : Worshipping God for His infinite goodness and majesty (e.g., Eucharistic adoration). Petition : Asking for personal needs or forgiveness, acknowledging human dependence on God. Intercession : Praying for others, reflecting charity and solidarity (e.g., praying for the living and the dead). Thanksgiving : Expressing gratitude for God’s gifts, as seen in the Eucharist (“thanksgiving” in Greek). Praise : Glorifying God for who He is, beyond what He does. Forms of Prayer : Vocal Prayer : Spoken prayers, like the Rosary, Our Father, or Hail Mary, engaging both body and soul. Meditative Prayer : Reflecting on Scripture or sacred mysteries (e.g., Lectio Divina or meditating on the Rosary’s mysteries). Contemplative Prayer : A silent, loving gaze toward God, seeking deeper union, as taught by saints like Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross. Theological Foundations : Prayer is rooted in the Trinity: Catholics pray to the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit (CCC 2655). Jesus is the model of prayer, seen in His constant communion with the Father (e.g., John 17). The Holy Spirit inspires and sustains prayer (Romans 8:26). Mary and the saints are intercessors, not mediators, whose prayers join ours to God (CCC 2673-2679). Role in Catholic Life : Prayer is essential for salvation, as it nurtures faith, hope, and charity (CCC 2558). It’s a daily obligation, often through practices like morning/evening prayers, Mass, or the Liturgy of the Hours. The Eucharist, as the “source and summit” of Christian life (CCC 1324), is the highest form of prayer, uniting believers with Christ’s sacrifice. Prayer strengthens against temptation and fosters virtues, as seen in the lives of saints like Thérèse of Lisieux, who called prayer “a surge of the heart.” Practical Expressions : Liturgy : The Mass and sacraments are communal prayers, uniting the Church on earth and in heaven. Devotions : Practices like the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or novenas deepen personal devotion. Spontaneous Prayer : Heartfelt, unscripted prayer is encouraged alongside structured forms. Challenges and Growth : Catholics are taught to persevere in prayer despite distractions or dryness, trusting God’s presence (CCC 2729-2733). Prayer requires humility and openness, as St. Augustine said: “Man is a beggar before God.” Supporting Evidence : The Catechism (Part Four, CCC 2558-2865) provides a comprehensive guide to prayer, emphasizing its centrality. Vatican II’s Sacrosanctum Concilium highlights liturgy as the primary expression of prayer, uniting the Church. Saints’ writings, like St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises, offer practical methods for deepening prayer. For further exploration, consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church or resources from the Vatican (vatican.va). Prayer, in Catholicism, is not just a practice but a way of life, drawing believers into God’s love and mission.