From the Pastor – 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time

March 4, 2019

From the Pastor – 8 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s readings exhort us Christian disciples to form ourselves — mind and heart — in imitation of Christ so we can better reflect His goodness in our daily lives.

The first reading from Sirach offers timeless counsel: “the fruit of a tree shows the care it has had: so too does one’s speech disclose the bent of one’s mind. Praise no one before he speaks.” Jesus uses the very same analogy in today’s Gospel reading from Luke: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.”

Everything we have is a gift from God to be used for His honor and glory. This includes the gift of speech and, even more broadly, all forms of modern-day communication — email, text, Twitter, Facebook and the rest. What comes forth from our mouths, or keyboard, or phone, is a reflection of what is in our minds and hearts. Our ability to communicate with each other is itself a gift which we must steward well.

In the same Gospel passage, Jesus reminds us, “No disciple is superior to the teacher; but when fully trained, every disciple will be like his teacher.” The more time we spend with Jesus, our teacher, through regular prayer and a strong sacramental life, the more we will become like Him. Then all that we do and say (and tweet and post) will bring others closer to Him. This is the life’s work of the Christian steward. It is privileged work indeed.

Pastoral Pondering

The reflection above provides a good modus operandi for the Christian. We should not say something on social media that we are not willing to say to someone face-to-face. Sadly, in our culture the norm has become the opposite.

When someone believes they have been aggrieved in some way, they feel free to say whatever they like, oftentimes thinking they are hiding behind the anonymity of a “secret” Facebook page or some other media platform. The reality is once something is on social media, it has very little chance of being secret.

Unfortunately, we often see those who identify themselves as having some connection with Christ, the Church, or one of her institutions who say things on line that are certainly no reflection of the Gospel. The Covington Catholic debacle is a great example of everyone jumping to false conclusions. While that incident received national attention, we all can think of examples of bad behavior that we’ve seen on social media.

We Catholics are called to be authentic wherever we are and in whatever we are doing. We are called to bear good fruit wherever we find ourselves. As we begin Lent this coming Wednesday, it is a good opportunity for us to examine ourselves by looking at our words and actions and asking what kind of “fruit” am I producing by my interaction with others? Is it good fruit that lifts people up, offers charitable correction, and constructive criticism, or is it bad fruit that destroys people, tears them down and belittles them to stroke our own egos? If its more of the former than the latter, what are you willing to do to change and be a better reflection of Christ?

Diocesan Support Appeal – Thanks to those who have already pledged or donated to this year’s DSA. Our most recent report from the Diocese indicates that 280 families have donated with $59,105.31 already received and $41,847.00 in outstanding pledges. This leaves $211,626.69 still outstanding. If you have not yet made a gift or pledge, please go to charlottediocese.thankyou4caring.org/DSADonations

Queen of Heaven Painting – A number of folks have asked about the new painting in the back of the nave of the Church. Even though there was information about it in a previous bulletin, it never hurts to provide more information. The painting is on loan from the artist but can be sponsored for permanent placement in the church. One of Mr. Guidetti’s goals is to provide artwork to beautify our churches. He is hoping to be able to do a portrait of St. Joseph to compliment this painting of Our Lady.

Stained Glass Windows – I hope that everyone has had a chance to enjoy the Agony in the Garden which was recently installed. Our artist at Dixon Studios is working diligently on each of our windows and will continue to install as new windows get finished. Here is the current information for the remaining windows: St. Peter (Clergy Window) $10,135($11,865); the Coronation (Parishioner Window) $12,145.42($9,854.58); the Assumption (Sponsored by KofC) $16,261.30($5,738.70); and the Scourging at the Pillar (Sponsored by F3) $3,600($18,400). Thanks to all who have been so supportive of this project.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 11, 2025
In today’s Gospel passage, from Luke, we read the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. Here, Jesus teaches us in rich detail what stewardship in action looks like. In fact, this parable could just as accurately be called the parable of the Good Steward. The first thing we note about the Good Samaritan is that he is aware of the needs of those around him and responds generously. While the priest and Levi brush right past the man on the side of the road, the Samaritan is watching for those who might be in need. He has a hospitable way of looking at the world around him and so he is able to “see” in a way that the others did not, and he was “moved with compassion at the sight” of the man. Next, we see the Good Samaritan spring into action to serve this man, setting aside his own schedule and plans to meet his needs. He does not just give the man a few dollars or offer quick words of encouragement from across the road. He goes right up to the man. He cleans and bandages his wounds. He puts the man on his own animal and brings him to an inn where he can heal. He ensures the innkeeper would continue to look after him, and he commits to re-turning to the man on his way back. That is how we live out God’s commandments. That is true hospitality and service.  That is how a good steward springs into action when he comes upon a neighbor in need. And Jesus says to each of us personally, just as He did in today’s Gospel, “Go and do likewise.” ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering I want to welcome Father Christopher Angermeyer to St. Mark as Parochial Vicar. As many of you know, Father was ordained in June. After completing his undergraduate studies at Belmont Abbey and St. Joseph College Seminary. He completed his theological studies and priestly formation at Mount St. Mary’s in Cincinnati. His home parish was St. Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte. We are happy to have Father Angermeyer with us. I know you will do your part to make him feel welcomed here at St. Mark. I will be away for the next couple of weeks on pilgrimage with a group of seminarians and faithful. Please know that the parish will be in my prayers, and I take all of your intentions with me to the Shrine of Our Lady.

From the Pastor - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 7, 2025
In today’s Gospel passage, from Luke, we find our Lord appointing disciples to go out and prepare others to receive His invitation into the Kingdom of God. Every verse has something to say about the way a Christian steward should approach others. Let’s consider at least one of the coaching tips Christ gives. “The Lord appointed seventy-two others whom He sent out ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place He intended to visit.” In His wisdom, Christ sent His disciples out not as individuals but in pairs, as teams. This approach to evangelization certainly provided practical advantages. The disciples could lean on each other for mutual support and encouragement, helping each other to stay on task and to put their heads together to pray and problem-solve. This teamwork approach is just as relevant to us modern-day Christian stewards. It takes courage and commitment to go out and invite others into the Christian life. We need to work together to do it well. But there is also symbolic importance to working in teams. It points to the reality that when we invite others to embrace the Good News of the Gospel, we are not merely inviting them into a belief system, but into a relationship with Christ and through that relationship, into Christ’s family — our fellow Christian disciples near and far. Our parish is our immediate spiritual family in this extended worldwide fold. We are not meant to live as isolated individuals within the parish any more than we are meant to live in isolation within our families. We are meant to be a community. That is why it is so important for us to foster a vibrant, supportive, welcoming parish life. This is why we emphasize hospitality as one of the pillars of stewardship. It is not enough just to point others to Christ; we must invite them to join us in community with Him; we must offer a place and mission for them in the Church and within our parish family. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering As you know, during the last weekend of May (5/31-6/1), we had our final push for our Growing Home Campaign. I wanted to give everyone a final update as we conclude our fundraising period. During that weekend’s presentation, I asked everyone to help us close the $325,000 gap to meet our $9.7 M goal. As we close this portion of the campaign, I am happy to report that we have reached $10.5 million in pledges and gifts, exceeding our goal by $800,000! I am continuously amazed by the giving spirit that pervades our parish. Your generosity is a tangible expression of your commitment to our amazing parish. The funds raised over the goal and any funds raised going forward will help us to address the ever-increasing cost of construction and reduce the loan amount that will be required to complete the overall project. As noted earlier this year, the Rectory project has started and is projected to take about 12 months to complete. Our hope and plan is to break ground on the Monsignor Bellow Center and Adoration Chapel next summer or early Fall. Words alone never seem adequate to express the gratitude that I have in my heart for all of you who have participated in and supported this monumental effort. Both the financial support and the support with time and talent have been tremendous and for that, I want to offer a heartfelt “THANK YOU!”. May God bless each of you for your generosity in helping us grow our home here at St. Mark.
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