From the Pastor – Baptism of the Lord

January 14, 2019

From the Pastor – Baptism of the Lord

As we celebrate this feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we can study His actions at the Jordan River as a powerful example of servant leadership. We see in Jesus a type of leadership that is characterized by humility and leading by example.

Certainly, the sinless Savior did not need a baptism of repentance! But Jesus humbly made Himself one with his people to draw us to Him and create a relationship with us so that we would be open to His teachings and influence.

As a servant leader, we also see that Jesus leads by example. He doesn’t just tell the people they need to be baptized. He shows them how and does it Himself to teach them. To lead like Jesus, we, too, must “walk the walk” and not just “talk the talk.” If we want those we lead to be generous and hard-working, then we must show them how to do this by demonstrating generosity and hard work ourselves.

Immediately after His baptism, we learn of the powerful affirmation of the Father who opens the heavens, sends the Holy Spirit upon Jesus in bodily form and says audibly, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased.” Let us be filled with gratitude for our amazing God and be reminded that when we are grateful followers of Jesus and servant-leaders in imitation of Him, the Father will be well-pleased with us, too.

Pastoral Pondering

As the Christmas season comes to a close, Father Becker, Father Carter and I want to thank everyone for your Christmas greetings and the goodies that were dropped off at the rectory.

As we progress into the New Year, I also wanted to give you an update on various things:

Christmas Masses – In evaluating the Christmas Mass Schedule and considering what changes might be helpful, it is clear we really have outgrown our ability to have simultaneous Masses on campus. We are, therefore, looking into the possibility of arranging the schedule on campus to coincide with Masses at other locations to alleviate some of the congestion, especially parking, that occurred. We are taking this into consideration for Easter as well. I will keep you posted on the final plan.

Sound System – We have had the sound system evaluated by several different experts in such things and have decided to replace old equipment and basically re-make the sound system. The ongoing problems have been a source of frustration for many folks, and we hope that this will truly be a final solution.

Stained Glass Windows – Thanks to the generosity of our parishioners, all but five (5) of our 22 windows have been fully sponsored. Those that remain unsponsored or partially sponsored are: 1) The Old Testament (Moses with 10 Commandments), 2) The Baptism of Christ, 3) The Scourging at the Pillar, 4) The Coronation of Our Lady, and 5) The Catholic Church (St. Peter and the Keys). This last window we wanted to install in honor of the priests and deacons who have served at St. Mark. At present it is only partially funded ($5,475). General donations for the parishioner window is $7,413. We expect that the sponsored windows will be installed over the coming weeks. The artist is working on them in the order that they were sponsored. Anyone interested in sponsoring or partially sponsoring a window may contact Rose Abell at rmabell51@gmail.com.

I have been asked whether the transept windows will be utilized at some point. While there are no immediate plans, the thought has been to have those as additional saints to compliment the statuary already in the transepts. We would not pursue this until the windows in the nave are completed.

Finally, several the pastors in the Diocese have had imposter email addresses set up in order to scam parishioners. Please remember only email addresses from the parish @stmarknc.org are valid email addresses. Delete anything else. If one of our priests needs help or assistance, we will call you. And while I like gift cards, I don’t make it a practice of asking folks to send me one. :)

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • January 30, 2026
The Gospel Reading for today is what is popularly called the Sermon on the Mount. Many think it is the absolute epitome of Jesus’ teachings. To be sure it tells us how we are to live our lives, the attitudes we are to have. We must remember that those who were waiting and hoping for the Messiah expected a military leader, one who would lead them in battle against their oppressors. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus gives a more accurate perspective of Who He is. He begins what we call the Beatitudes (the word means “blessings”) with “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” In a sense we are all “poor in spirit.” Without the guidance and strength provided us by the Lord there is no way we can escape this poverty of spirit, of spirituality, if you will. That is why we often say that living God-centered lives is at the very core of stewardship. Being a disciple of Christ translates into being a steward of our many gifts and blessings. Some scholars believe that Jesus may have given this sermon often during His ministry. Those who followed Jesus and became the earliest Christians, the first members of the Church, were fond of quoting and referring to what the Lord said on this occasion. As stated, Jesus provides us with the secret of living a good life. If we rely on Him and follow Him, we will be blessed. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering In the spirit of Christian stewardship, we are called to recognize that all we possess—our time, talents, and treasures—are gifts from God, entrusted to us for the building up of His Kingdom . Legacy giving , also known as planned giving , offers a profound way to extend this stewardship beyond our lifetime by including our parish in your will, estate plans, or other charitable arrangements. Legacy giving is more than a financial decision; it is a spiritual act of gratitude and faith. Through a bequest or other planned gift, you ensure that the ministries, sacraments, education, and outreach that have nurtured your spiritual life continue to serve future generations. Such gifts provide enduring support for our parish's mission, helping to maintain our facilities, fund essential programs, and sustain pastoral care even in times of need. The Church teaches that generosity is a reflection of God's abundant love. As stewards, we are invited to share the blessings we have received, aligning our material resources with our faith values. A legacy gift allows you to express profound thanksgiving for the parish's role in your life—through baptisms, weddings, funerals, and daily worship—while creating a lasting impact that echoes the Gospel message of hope and service. Many parishioners have discovered that including the parish in their estate plans brings peace of mind, knowing their values and faith will endure. These gifts, whether modest or substantial, combine to strengthen our community and secure its future.  If you have not yet considered a legacy gift, we encourage you to reflect on how you might continue your support in this meaningful way. Resources and guidance are available through our parish office or trusted advisors. Please contact us for more information or to discuss how your legacy can help preserve our shared Catholic heritage.

From the Pastor - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • January 23, 2026
Today’s readings remind us that stewardship is not just a thing we do — rather, stewardship is at the core of who we are as disciples of Christ. Our first reading, from Isaiah, contains this prophecy of Christ and what His saving message would mean to all who embrace it. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.” We are among those blessed people on whom the light of Christ has shone. By virtue of our Baptism, we, who were once in the darkness of original sin, have been reborn into the great light that is God’s grace in us. We are cherished members of God’s family. What a privilege! Yet, with this privilege comes the responsibility to actually live for God and to bring His Good News to all those we meet — at work, at school, in our community and right in our own home — in other words, to live as His good stewards. And there is a certain urgency that comes with the call to a stewardship way of life as we see in our Gospel passage from Matthew. Jesus says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” In other words, turn away from selfishness, turn towards God and live as His disciple now — don’t wait! In this same passage, the very first disciples give us examples of a good steward’s prompt “yes” when the Lord called to them. Our Lord invites them to “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” They did not hesitate but “at once they left their nets and followed him.” They put our Lord and His will first. This is the essence of a stewardship way of life — to be always ready for the ways that our Lord is calling us to bring His light to others. It’s more than something we do — it’s who we are. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025. Pastoral Pondering  This past Thursday was the 53rd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Even though that decision and the one that followed have been overturned by the Court, the work of defending life continues. Even though the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade and returned abortion regulation to the states, the Catholic Church's commitment to the sanctity of human life remains unchanged and multifaceted. From a Catholic perspective, grounded in scripture, tradition, and teachings like those in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (e.g., CCC 2270-2275), advocacy for life isn't solely tied to one court ruling or legal framework—it's a holistic moral imperative that extends beyond abortion to all threats against human dignity. The key reasons why Catholics are called to continue this work: 1. Abortion Remains Legal and Accessible in Many Places Including NC The Dobbs decision didn't ban abortion nationwide; it simply decentralized the issue. As of 2026, abortion is still legal in over half of U.S. states, often with few restrictions up to viability or beyond in some cases (e.g., California, New York). Millions of abortions occur annually, and access has expanded through measures like mail-order abortion pills (e.g., mifepristone). Catholics are urged to advocate for protective laws at the state and federal levels to safeguard the unborn, as the Church views direct abortion as intrinsically evil and never justifiable. Beyond legislation, this includes supporting crisis pregnancy centers, adoption services, and policies that help women facing unplanned pregnancies, aligning with the Church's emphasis on mercy and practical charity. 2. Ongoing Cultural and Political Challenges Pro-abortion initiatives continue to gain traction, such as ballot measures in states like Florida and Arizona that have sought to enshrine abortion rights in constitutions, or federal proposals to codify Roe-like protections. The Church teaches that Catholics have a duty to participate in the public square (e.g., via voting, lobbying, and education) to counter these efforts and promote a "culture of life," as articulated by Pope St. John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae (1995). Globally, abortion rates remain high, and issues like international funding for abortion providers (e.g., through U.S. foreign aid) persist, requiring advocacy on an international scale. 3. The Broader Pro-Life Ethic Catholic pro-life advocacy isn't limited to abortion; concern for life issues encompass all stages of life. This includes opposing euthanasia and assisted suicide (now legal in 10+ U.S. states and parts of Canada/Europe), promoting alternatives to the death penalty, embryonic stem cell research, human trafficking, poverty, war, and environmental degradation that harms the vulnerable. Overturning Roe was a milestone, but it doesn't address root causes like economic inequality, lack of family support, or societal pressures that lead to abortion. Catholics are called to build a society where life is welcomed and protected through social justice initiatives, echoing Pope Francis's calls in Fratelli Tutti (2020) for integral human development. 4. Spiritual and Moral Witness Ultimately, the Church's stance is rooted in the belief that every human life is sacred, created in God's image (Genesis 1:27), and that protecting the innocent is a core Gospel mandate (e.g., Matthew 25:40). Laws may change, but moral truth doesn't—Catholics are to witness to this truth through prayer, education, and personal example, fostering conversion of hearts rather than relying solely on legal victories. Organizations like the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) emphasize that the fight for life is ongoing, urging parishes to engage in initiatives like Walking with Moms in Need to provide tangible support. In summary, while Dobbs was a significant win, it's not the end of the road. The Catholic call to "stand up for life" is perpetual, driven by faith, compassion, and a vision for a just society.