From the Pastor - Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

February 2, 2020

From the Pastor - Feast of the Presentation of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when Mary and Joseph brought their infant Son to the Temple in obedience to the laws of their Jewish faith. This is a beautiful, and in many ways, mysterious feast — and one that is filled with lessons for a stewardship way of life. Our Gospel passage from Luke, recounting the details of the Presentation, teaches us a stewardship lesson through the example of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother, the “Holy Parents.” Even knowing their Son was God,  they still carefully observed the faith practices of their day bringing him to the temple “to present Him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord.” Later in the passage we read that, “When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to their own town of Nazareth.” The Holy Parents were good stewards of their child, teaching Him to live in obedience to the practices of their faith from His infancy and throughout His “growing up” years.

Those of us entrusted with the care of children — whether our own children, godchildren, nieces, and nephews, grandchildren, or students — have a vital role to play in the faith formation of these young ones. We, like the Holy Parents, must steward these children well, forming them in the faith by both instruction and example throughout their lives.

What a privilege and high calling we have as Christian stewards. Let us take these stewardship lessons to heart and present our gifts and our young ones joyfully to the Lord.

© Catholic Stewardship Consultants 2020

Pastoral Pondering

As we come to the end of the first month of the New Year and the new decade, it is not a bad time to evaluate the status of our New Year’s resolutions. We make resolutions for various reason, e.g. better health, better organization, etc. We should also remember the importance of evaluating and making some spiritual resolutions. In a way we do this every time we pray the Act of Contrition (“I firmly resolve…”). On a deeper level though we should be resolute in striving to grow in holiness and strengthening our spiritual lives.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on February 26th, so we have several weeks to get ready. To experience a fruitful Lent, we need to set aside some time with the Lord and ask for guidance with what we should sacrifice and commit ourselves to during our Lenten observance. When we take time for this, we afford ourselves an opportunity to experience an increase of grace and a truly fruitful Lenten season.

If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years it is the reality of change. At times we can prepare for it and at others it simply comes whether we want it to or not. Shortly after Christmas, one of our Diocesan priests and pastors died unexpectedly. This left his parish, St. Margaret Mary in Swannanoa, without its spiritual father. This is traumatic for a parish community and requires someone with a special set of skills to promote healing.

In reviewing the possibilities, the Bishop and those who advise him believe that Father Becker would be very suited to this task. Hence, Father Becker will become the administrator of St. Margaret Mary parish on February 21.  As it is presently ordered, Father will spend Friday through Monday in Swannanoa. The remainder of his time will be spent here so that he can continue assisting with the chaplaincy at Christ the King High School.

While his duties at St. Mark will be reduced, especially on weekend, he will continue to be a part of our parish family. Please pray for him as this new chapter of his ministry begins. I am proud of all that he has accomplished while he has been with us, and I know he will be a blessing to the faithful of St. Margaret Mary in Swannanoa.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 18, 2025
In today’s Gospel reading from St. Luke, we receive a reminder about the proper use of the gift of time, a fundamental aspect of a stewardship way of life. Our passage highlights one of the most famous dinner parties ever thrown, recalling the day that Martha and Mary hosted our Lord in their home. We are told that Martha, as a good steward, welcomes Christ in but then becomes “burdened with much serving” while her sister and fellow hostess chooses to simply sit with Jesus, listening to Him speak. Martha becomes indignant at Mary’s behavior and complains to Jesus, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” But Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, refuses to get pulled into this sisterly spat. Instead, He offers Martha a fresh way to look at the situation. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing.” What is that one thing? It is to put Jesus first in our lives and above all other things; to “sit at his feet” and listen as Mary did, giving Him the priority of our time no matter how busy we think we are. When we truly commit to putting Christ first in our daily lives through a regular time of prayer and frequent participation in the sacraments, we will find that all our other concerns become less pressing, less overwhelming. Why is this so? Because the time we invest in our relationship with God saturates all aspects of our lives with His grace. And because God cannot be outdone in generosity. He will abundantly reward any sacrifice we make to spend time with Him. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering In the Catholic tradition, prayer is a foundational practice, understood as a personal and communal relationship with God. It’s seen as a dialogue, not a monologue, where the individual lifts their heart and mind to God, seeking communion, guidance, and alignment with His will. Below is a concise overview of the Catholic understanding of prayer, grounded in Church teaching and tradition: Definition and Purpose : The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2559) defines prayer as “the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” It’s an act of love, trust, and dependence on God, fostering a covenant relationship. Prayer’s primary aim is communion with God, aligning human will with divine will, as modeled by Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). Types of Prayer (CCC 2626-2643): Adoration : Worshipping God for His infinite goodness and majesty (e.g., Eucharistic adoration). Petition : Asking for personal needs or forgiveness, acknowledging human dependence on God. Intercession : Praying for others, reflecting charity and solidarity (e.g., praying for the living and the dead). Thanksgiving : Expressing gratitude for God’s gifts, as seen in the Eucharist (“thanksgiving” in Greek). Praise : Glorifying God for who He is, beyond what He does. Forms of Prayer : Vocal Prayer : Spoken prayers, like the Rosary, Our Father, or Hail Mary, engaging both body and soul. Meditative Prayer : Reflecting on Scripture or sacred mysteries (e.g., Lectio Divina or meditating on the Rosary’s mysteries). Contemplative Prayer : A silent, loving gaze toward God, seeking deeper union, as taught by saints like Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross. Theological Foundations : Prayer is rooted in the Trinity: Catholics pray to the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit (CCC 2655). Jesus is the model of prayer, seen in His constant communion with the Father (e.g., John 17). The Holy Spirit inspires and sustains prayer (Romans 8:26). Mary and the saints are intercessors, not mediators, whose prayers join ours to God (CCC 2673-2679). Role in Catholic Life : Prayer is essential for salvation, as it nurtures faith, hope, and charity (CCC 2558). It’s a daily obligation, often through practices like morning/evening prayers, Mass, or the Liturgy of the Hours. The Eucharist, as the “source and summit” of Christian life (CCC 1324), is the highest form of prayer, uniting believers with Christ’s sacrifice. Prayer strengthens against temptation and fosters virtues, as seen in the lives of saints like Thérèse of Lisieux, who called prayer “a surge of the heart.” Practical Expressions : Liturgy : The Mass and sacraments are communal prayers, uniting the Church on earth and in heaven. Devotions : Practices like the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, or novenas deepen personal devotion. Spontaneous Prayer : Heartfelt, unscripted prayer is encouraged alongside structured forms. Challenges and Growth : Catholics are taught to persevere in prayer despite distractions or dryness, trusting God’s presence (CCC 2729-2733). Prayer requires humility and openness, as St. Augustine said: “Man is a beggar before God.” Supporting Evidence : The Catechism (Part Four, CCC 2558-2865) provides a comprehensive guide to prayer, emphasizing its centrality. Vatican II’s Sacrosanctum Concilium highlights liturgy as the primary expression of prayer, uniting the Church. Saints’ writings, like St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises, offer practical methods for deepening prayer. For further exploration, consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church or resources from the Vatican (vatican.va). Prayer, in Catholicism, is not just a practice but a way of life, drawing believers into God’s love and mission.

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.