From the Pastor - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 29, 2018

From the Pastor – 4 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In today’s Gospel Reading from St. Mark, it is reported that Jesus went to the synagogue and began to teach, but His teaching was somewhat different from that normally heard there “for he taught with authority and not as the scribes.” Often those who taught in Jesus’ time (the scribes) simply quoted others, a variety of Rabbis.

However, Jesus taught with authority because He had authority. Jesus’ divine message was not quoting other humans, but quoting God. Jesus was One with God so He knew what He was talking about. Jesus taught with authority because He believed what He was teaching. He was familiar with the information which allowed Him to teach boldly. People listening could perceive that this was someone Who knew.

Up until this time we have seen the Lord as the Son of Man Who submitted to His Father. He submitted to God in His Baptism, and to the Holy Spirit in the wilderness. To have authority also requires submission. We, too, are called to submit to God, but for us that is sometimes challenging because it requires humility, something that is not easy for many of us.

Later in the Gospel of John there is another account of the Lord teaching at the Temple. He is challenged, and His response is quite simply, “My teaching is not from myself; it comes from the one who sent me.” We are not divine, but we, too, are sent.

Pastoral Pondering

Every now and then it is good to make an assessment of where we are and where we need to be. This is what pastoral planning is all about. As I’ve said here before, the Pastoral Council has been diligently working on developing a new pastoral plan for the parish. This serves two purposes, first it helps us examine what the needs of the community are and how we are addressing those needs. Second, it helps us see what needs to be changed or modified in order to better respond to the the parish and the community.

Faith Formation and Religious Education has been one of those areas where the demands and needs seem to be ever changing and evolving. Our staff has to constantly look for ways to respond the various constituencies that we serve while at the same time utilizing available resources in a responsible manner. With that in mind, we have recently made some slight modifications to the Faith Formation Department. Michael Griffith who holds an MA in theology, with a concentration in catechesis from the Franciscan University of Steubenville, will assume the new position of Director of Catechesis. In this role he can better coordinate the overall catechetical programs that the parish offers, insure that we are implementing Diocesan norms and polices effectively, and helping us make the best use of contemporary methods of catechesis, including using the various social media. He will continue to supervise the departmental budget and data management.

Theresa Benson, who is finishing up her MA in theology, will assume the Director of Faith Formation position with special attention to school and parish relationships, interfacing with parents and encouraging and recruiting catechists and other volunteers. Theresa and Michael will be working closely together to insure that our overall program is effectively responding to our pastoral plan and developing ways to better promote faith formation at every level of the parish.

In order to be intentional disciples, we have to know who we are and what it is we profess. Faith Formation is essential in this regard. We will continue to foster a strong culture of formation and education in the parish, and I am excited that with these changes we can do that even more effectively.

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.