From the Pastor – 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 9, 2020

From the Pastor – 5 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s readings are part pep talk and part marching orders for us Christian stewards. They offer wonderfully clear guidance on what matters most to God in the way we prioritize our lives and the way He intends for us to use the gifts He has given us.

The first reading, from the prophet Isaiah, gives us very straightforward instructions: “Thus says the Lord: Share your bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe the naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own.” The Lord gives no wiggle room here — care for our brothers and sisters in need is a “must do” for the Christian steward.

But note how generous our God is to us when we do these things. “Then your light shall break forth like the dawn and your wound shall quickly be healed.” The more we give ourselves away the more we will find ourselves, and “light shall rise” for us in the form of more of God’s grace in our lives and more joy and peace in our hearts.

Our Gospel passage, from Matthew sends us out on our stewardship way with a bang as Jesus declares to us, His disciples, that we are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” But, He adds, salt no longer gives flavor if allowed to go stale — light cannot bring its blessed brightness if left hidden. Therefore, we must act! We must live our lives so that others will see the things that we do — the ways that we serve others, care for the vulnerable, prioritize our family relationships and above all, our love for God — and then give Him glory.

This is the stewardship way of life. Let’s give it our all! © Catholic Stewardship Consultants 2020

Pastoral Pondering – As I am writing this, I am participating in an intensive training seminar for clergy sponsored by Integrity Restored, an organization that was founded to help those who are living with pornography and other sexual addiction. The first response to that information may be, “wow Father, what a way to spend a week!” I would not necessarily disagree with that assessment.

With that being said, however, what professionals are seeing and certainly priests via the confessional, is that more and more folks are dealing with various types of addiction in their lives. When information about the seminar reached my desk, I realized that it was responding to a serious need in society in general and in the Church in particular. In the confessional, in marriage preparation, in marriage counseling and in youth and high school ministry. It’s become apparent that the problem is real and it is growing, and “three Hail Mary’s and a Glory be” just doesn’t cut it or help in any meaningful way.

We live in a rapidly changing cultural landscape today. What children would be exposed to only accidentally 30 years ago is now often readily available on the electronics that their parents have given to them; and at times as young as third and fourth grade. Also, we live in a society that is hyper-sexualized and more and more isolating. These factors provide the perfect environment for the development of some very unhealthy things.

In the midst of all of this, Jesus continues to love and offer us His healing. Certainly, assistance can begin in the confessional, but those who struggle also need to realize that in addition to sacramental healing, there may also need to be some help outside the confessional. We have some great resources in the greater Charlotte area and some very competent therapists and counselors who can offer assistance. If you believe that this might be a struggle in your life or on the life of someone you love and care about, do something about it. Don’t be afraid to reach out and realize that the priests of the parish will do our part to help.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Solemnity of Christ the King

By John Putnam • November 21, 2025
On this Feast of Christ the King, our readings show us that we serve the greatest of Kings, who is at the same time the humblest of Kings. Christ is the perfect model of servant leadership. And what an indescribable privilege that He has called us to be servant leaders — stewards in the work of advancing His Kingdom. In our second reading, from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Paul describes the great power and dignity that characterize Christ the King. “All things were created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” It makes you want to stand up and cheer. That’s our King! Yet, what a contrasting description of the same King we find in our Gospel passage, from Luke. Now we see our King nailed to the Cross. Everyone from rulers to soldiers, to the criminals on either side of Christ is mocking, sneering, and reviling him. They tauntingly urge him to prove His kingship by coming down from the Cross to end his suffering with a great show of power. “if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” But He does not. Amazingly, it is in this moment of seeming-weakness and humiliation, when all appears hopeless and lost, that the full breadth of his greatness as king is displayed. Though all things were created through and for Him — Christ chooses to live entirely for others, for us! What does this mean for us as his followers and stewards of His kingdom? It is precisely that our lives are not about us. They are about Christ and others. And we will advance his kingdom to the extent that we embrace this mindset: my life is not about me; it is about serving the King of kings. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025

From the Pastor - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • November 14, 2025
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our readings offer a sober reminder that this life is not our aim and that God’s justice will triumph in the end. Now is the time to get our priorities in order, putting God above all else as his faithful stewards. Our Lord brings home the urgency of right priorities in our Gospel passage from Luke, reminding the people around him who were looking at the temple nearby, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Our Lord reminds us that all in this world is passing. We must keep our focus on eternity. Yet before the eternal bliss of heaven, we should expect to be tried and tested. “Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.” Sounds scary. But if you are living a stewardship way of life, there is nothing to fear. You have a plan in place. All you need to do is stick with it. Put our Lord first in your time, with your talents, and through your use of treasure. This way of life is not easy. But Jesus promises it will lead to eternal salvation and the joy of union with Him. “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” Onward, Christian stewards, the struggle is worth the joy that awaits! Pastoral Pondering On November 4th the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released Mater Populi Fidelis, a 20-page doctrinal note which was approved by the Holy Father. The Document addresses longstanding requests for clarification on Marian titles related to Mary’s cooperation in salvation. It emphasizes Mary’s unique role as Mother of believers while safeguarding Christ’s sole mediatorship, aiming to foster authentic devotion, Catholic fidelity, and ecumenical dialogue. The Note responds to decades of proposals, including petitions for new Marian dogmas, often amplified via social media and private revelations. It draws on Scripture, Tradition (e.g., St. Augustine), and prior papal reflections, including Joseph Ratzinger's 1996 and 2002 critiques of certain titles as unclear or prone to misunderstanding. The document appreciates popular piety but cautions against expressions that could confuse the faithful or obscure Christ's centrality. It promotes "participated mediation"—Mary's supportive role in union with Christ—without equating her to the Redeemer. The document goes on to underscore “approved titles/expressions” and “discouraged titles/expressions.” Those that are encouraged include: Mother of God (Theotokos), Mother of Believers, Spiritual Mother, Mother of the Faithful People of God, and Mediatrix (in a general sense of intercession). It notes that these underscore Mary's maternal bond with Christ and the Church, directing devotion to the Son. They are biblically rooted (e.g., John 19:26-27) and foster hope, tenderness, and unity. Those titles discouraged are Co-redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces. It notes that these risk eclipsing Christ's unique mediation (1 Tim 2:5) and redemption; not explicitly in Scripture or early Tradition; potential for confusion or imbalance in faith, especially ecumenically. I know in my own discussions over the years; it is very easy (especially for my non-Catholic relatives) to get confused over certain Marian titles. They can certainly be explained, but as the DDF points out, those titles that require greater explanation for common understanding should be discouraged. To be sure, you can find both titles used in various Catholic resources, and the document certainly does not forbid their use. Nonetheless, it approaches the topic in a balanced and pastorally sensitive way that recognizes the importance of Marian devotion and piety while, at the same time, reminding us all of the importance supporting and encouraging doctrinal harmony.