From the Parochial Vicar - August 12, 2018

August 13, 2018

From the Parochial Vicar - August 12, 2018

In today’s Gospel, we continue the Lord’s “Bread of Life Discourse” from the Gospel of St. John in which Jesus speaks of his flesh and blood as being true food and drink, pointing to the Holy Eucharist which he will institute at the Last Supper. He speaks of the Eucharist’s lifegiving power in view of the manna in the desert that did not give life. “Manna” literally means, “What is it?” in Hebrew. More than just being flaky bread, it was a miraculous bread from heaven that tasted like anything the eater wanted it to taste like. The Israelites became fed up with this bread. Rather than turning their hearts to the giver of the bread, they continued to see it as something that pleased their tastes and appetites. They began by appreciating the bread, but never turned their appreciating to the giver of the bread. The manna became despicable to them. In the Eucharist, however, the giver and the gift are the same: Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

Last week, I wrote about our youth ministry programs as being a way to build up our youth and young adults as the Church of now, rather than the Church of tomorrow. These programs of dedicated youth and adults create an environment where each participant can be lead more deeply into the mystery of the life of the Church. And at the center of the Church’s life is the Eucharist. In the last year here at Saint Mark, I have three distinct memories of the power of the Eucharist in the life of our youth.

Shortly after I arrived, our high school youth minister asked if the priests and deacons would assist at an “XLT Night.” Rather than gathering for activities and small group discussions, we headed into the church where a deacon and our Psalm 150 group led the high schoolers in Exposition, Adoration, and Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. We had nearly 100 young people adoring the Lord with their hearts, bodies, and voices. As they worshipped the Lord in prayer and song, we priests were available for Confession. And did they come! One after another, I noticed the particular tenderness and loving affection with which they confessed their sins and resolved to overcome their weaknesses. The only explanation is that the light of grace coming from worshipping the Lord in the Eucharist—of making the Eucharist the central focus of their lives that night—enlightened their hearts and minds allowing them to humbly and confidently confess their sins to the Lord.

Likewise, I was privileged to provide music one evening for adoration with our middle school Edge Youth Ministry program. The youth gathered for a simpler, but similar experience as I described above. Do we not sometimes expect our children will become bored by long periods of prayer and adoration? To the contrary, what I saw was true devotion in our youth. The reverently prayed, sang, and adored our Lord with great affection. Afterwards, one of our Confirmation students came up to me and, after expressing his surprise that I play guitar, simply said, “Father, I forgot how much peace I find when I am with Jesus. He reminded me that I need to pray more and try harder to listen to my mom and dad.” Jesus moves our lives when we humbly approach him with open hearts.

Lastly, and most recently, I had the opportunity of going as chaplain to our Fidelis Inspire camp this summer. Fidelis Inspire / Fraternus Ranch is a four-day camp that allows the sisters and brothers (6 th to 12 th grade) to take a break from their normal summer activities to grow in fraternity. The young women gather at one camp and the young men at another. During this time they participate in talks, discussions, team building activities, and outdoor fun (high ropes, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, etc.). The last night of Fidelis Inspire, we had Adoration and Benediction. During this time, I led the young ladies in a Eucharistic healing service, which provided them with the opportunity to acknowledge any wounds and hurts in their life and then turn it all over to Jesus, the Divine Physician. At the end, the girls had the option of remaining with our Lord in silence or going to the end-of-the day-campfire. Many of the young women freely stayed until it become so late that I had to take the Eucharist back to the chapel of repose. At the end of our time together, the girls had an opportunity to share their stories. Many of them spoke about how, out of all the activities and fun things we did, adoration was the most powerful. One even said, “That was the happiest moment of Inspire. The saddest was when Fr. Carter has to take Jesus away.” Would that we all shared the same sentiments when leaving the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist!

From books and classes, we can learn about the doctrines and dogmas of the Holy Eucharist. At our Sunday Masses, we can hear the Scripture proclaimed about what Jesus said concerning the Blessed Sacrament, like we hear today. We can then listen to the priest or deacon preach about the importance of the Eucharist. In youth ministry, however, we have the august task of taking our young people deeper into a living relationship with the source and summit of the life of the Church. And as they look upon Christ in the little Host, Christ looks back at them and smiles saying, “Here is one of my own.”

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • October 17, 2025
The four pillars of parish stewardship are hospitality, prayer, formation, and service. Today’s readings show us the immense value of prayer and the privileged place it must have in our individual lives and in our parish community Our Lord Himself calls us to prayer — and persistence in prayer — in the Gospel passage from Luke. Jesus tells the parable of the nagging widow who finally wears down the judge with her unrelenting persistence in her pursuit of a just ruling from him on her behalf. Jesus goes to great lengths to describe this judge, saying he “neither feared God nor respected any human.” Yet even this corrupt judge responds with a just judgment because of the widow’s persistence. Jesus uses this outlandish example to draw a vivid contrast between a reluctant, dishonest judge and our loving, all-merciful Father. If even a bad judge will give a good result in response to a persistent request, how much more (infinitely more) eagerly and perfectly will our good Father respond to our persistent prayers to Him. If he delays in responding, if he provides a different response from the one we were expecting, we can remain confident and trusting in His goodness, knowing that His response, whenever it comes and in whatever form, will be the very best one for us. Our job then, as Christian stewards, is simply to remain faithful to our relationship with God through prayer. We must lean on each other in our communities — family and parish — as we support each other in prayer. A strong pillar of prayer will make all our other stewardship efforts fruitful. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering I have noticed for a while now that many folks in the parish, and many Catholics in general, seem to have an erroneous or at least a confused understanding of the “Sunday obligation.” The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days is rooted in our fundamental obligation to worship God and keep the Lord’s Day holy. In light of this, I thought it opportune to present a summary of the Church’s teaching in this regard. I hope you find it helpful. Catholics are obligated to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation primarily because it is a precept of the Church, rooted in both divine law and ecclesiastical authority. This obligation stems from the Third Commandment (“Remember to keep holy the Lord’s Day”), which in Christian tradition applies to Sunday as the day commemorating Christ’s Resurrection, marking it as a day of worship, rest, and renewal. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) explains this in detail, particularly in sections on the precepts of the Church and the Third Commandment. Biblical and Theological Foundations The obligation draws from Scripture, where God commands the sanctification of the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15). For Christians, this shifts to Sunday—the “Lord’s Day”—to honor Jesus’ Resurrection on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10). The Eucharist is seen as the “source and summit” of the Christian life (CCC 1324), making participation essential for spiritual nourishment, community unity, and fulfilling one’s relationship with God. As CCC 2180 states, the faithful are bound to participate in Mass on these days to sanctify them through worship. Holy Days of Obligation are additional feasts (such as Christmas, Assumption of Mary, or All Saints’ Day, varying by region) that the Church designates as equally important for similar reasons—honoring key mysteries of faith, the Virgin Mary, or saints—requiring the same level of observance. Church Law and Precepts This is formalized as the first precept of the Church: “You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from servile labor” (CCC 2042). It requires active participation in the Eucharistic celebration and abstaining from work that hinders sanctification or rest. Canon Law reinforces this: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass” (Canon 1247). The Sunday Eucharist is described as the “foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice,” making attendance obligatory unless excused by serious reasons like illness, infant care, or a dispensation from a pastor (CCC 2181). Deliberately missing without such cause is considered a grave (mortal) sin. Practical and Spiritual Reasons Attending Mass orients believers toward God at the start of the week, fosters community, and provides grace through the sacraments. It’s not just a rule but an opportunity for encounter with Christ. The Church emphasizes this as the highest form of worship, essential even during travel or vacations, underscoring its priority in Catholic life. This obligation applies to all Catholics who have reached the age of reason (around 7 years old) and are physically able, with exceptions for valid impediments. Parents have a very important obligation to assist their children to fulfill this obligation. In general, children under the age of 16 cannot get to Mass without the assistance of the adults in their lives. Hence, the culpability for missing Mass usually falls to those adults rather than the children.  In the end fulfilling the “Sunday obligation” is more about loving God than anything else. Do we love Him enough to give Him at least an hour on Sundays and holy days? It would seem this is the least we can do in offering this act of love to the One who loved us first.

From the Pastor - 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • October 10, 2025
Gratitude is the key to a stewardship way of life. Today’s readings demonstrate the power and vital importance of gratitude in the life of the Christian disciple, for gratitude leads us to worship God who offers us salvation. We see the power of gratitude on display in the Gospel passage from Luke after Jesus heals ten lepers. “And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned.” Only one of the ten recognized the tremendous blessing he had received from Jesus and returned to thank him. While it’s easy to feel indignant at the failure of the nine others to return and thank Jesus, how often do we fail to recognize the blessings, answered prayers, and healings (both physical and spiritual) that the Lord showers upon us, day and night? The truth is that our very lives and every breath we take are His gift to us. But we can get so caught up in the stresses and distractions of daily life that we lose touch with this truth. The Samaritan reacts to his gift of healing with the proper response to our loving God. Recognizing what he had just received from the Lord, he “returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked Him.” He was grateful for what God had done for him, and this gratitude led to worship. And because of this response, Jesus offered him a far more precious gift than physical healing; He offered him the gift of salvation. “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.” Too often, we hear the phrase, “Count your blessings,” and write it off as nothing more than a trite saying. Today’s Gospel shows us otherwise. Gratitude is powerful. It deepens our faith in God and leads us to fitting worship of Him. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering Over the past few weeks, St. Mark has had funeral after funeral. As we approach November, I thought it might be helpful to discuss the Catholic approach to death and dying. Rather than seeing the end of the earthly journey as something to be dreaded and avoided, Catholics approach death and dying with a blend of spiritual practices, rituals, and theological beliefs rooted in their faith, emphasizing hope in eternal life, God’s mercy, and the communal support of the Church. Here’s a concise overview: 1. Theological Perspective on Death Eternal Life and Resurrection : Catholics believe death is not the end but a transition to eternal life. Based on Christ’s resurrection, they hold that the soul separates from the body at death, awaiting the final resurrection when body and soul are reunited (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 989–1001). Judgment and Afterlife: After death, each person faces a particular judgment, determining their eternal destiny: heaven (often via purification in purgatory), or hell if unrepentant of serious sin (CCC 1021–1022). This belief shapes their approach to preparing for death. 2. Preparation for Death Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick: This sacrament is administered to those seriously ill or near death, offering spiritual healing, forgiveness of sins, and strength. It’s often paired with Confession and Holy Communion (called Viaticum, meaning “food for the journey”) to prepare the soul for eternity (CCC 1499–1532). Prayer and Repentance: Catholics are encouraged to reflect on their lives, seek forgiveness through Confession, and entrust themselves to God’s mercy. Prayers like the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet are common for the dying and their families. Spiritual Support: Priests, family, or Catholic communities often pray with the dying, offering comfort through scripture, hymns, or the Commendation of the Dying, a ritual to entrust the soul to God. 3. Rituals and Practices After Death Funeral Rites: The Catholic funeral consists of three parts: Vigil (Wake) : A time for family and friends to gather, pray (often the Rosary), and share memories. Funeral Mass/Mass of Christian Burial : A liturgy celebrating Christ’s resurrection and praying for the deceased’s soul, often emphasizing hope over despair. Committal : The burial or cremation (permitted since 1963, though the Church prefers burial) with prayers entrusting the deceased to God. Masses for the Dead: Catholics offer Masses for the deceased, especially for souls in purgatory, believing these prayers aid their purification (CCC 1032). 4. Grieving and Community Support Hope in Resurrection: Grief is acknowledged, but Catholics are encouraged to focus on the hope of eternal life, which tempers sorrow (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14). Community Role: The Church community supports the bereaved through prayers, Masses, and practical help, reinforcing that death is a shared journey within the “communion of saints.” Memento Mori: The tradition of “remembering death” encourages Catholics to live virtuously, keeping eternity in mind, often through practices like praying for the dead on All Souls’ Day (November 2). 5. Cultural Variations While core beliefs and rituals are universal, cultural practices vary. For example: In Hispanic Catholic communities , *Día de los Muertos* blends indigenous traditions with Catholic prayers, honoring the dead with altars and Masses. In some European traditions , month’s mind Masses (a Mass one month after death) are common to continue praying for the deceased. 6. Practical Aspects End-of-Life Decisions: The Church teaches that life must be respected, but extraordinary medical measures aren’t required if they’re burdensome or futile (CCC 2278). Palliative care is supported to alleviate suffering while respecting natural death. Advance Directives: Catholics are encouraged to prepare advance directives aligned with Church teaching, ensuring their care respects their faith. 7. Comfort in Faith Catholics draw comfort from scriptures like John 11:25 (“I am the resurrection and the life”) and prayers like *Eternal Rest* (“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord”). The belief in purgatory offers hope that loved ones can be aided through prayer, even after death, and reminds us that death never has the last word.