From the Pastor - Pentecost

May 21, 2018

From the Pastor - Pentecost

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the 50th day after Easter (counting both Easter Sunday and today). Pentecost is often called “the birthday of the Church.” As we hear in Holy Scripture, today is the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus’ followers, and with that Jesus’ mission on earth was completed.

Jesus calls His followers and literally all of us to be missionaries. The Latin root word for “missionary” is derived from the original Greek word apostolos,which meant “one sent forth.” Obviously, we get the word “apostle” from that as well. It is further defined as one who attempts to persuade or convert. It involves the “apostle” or “disciple” working outside of the community.

When Jesus spoke these words, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” That includes each and every one of us. We, too, are sent. Many times we have reiterated that being sent means that we live out our Catholic faith in everything we do. That is the best way to evangelize, to let those around us know what it means to be a Christian and a follower of Christ and His disciple.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops made the following statement about what it means to evangelize: “Here, there are two elements of evangelization at work: 1. Witness, which is the simple living out of the faith; 2. Sharing, which is spreading the Good News of Jesus.” Do we follow the admonitions given us by the Lord? Are we examples of what it means to be a Catholic and Christian? Do we truly share the Good News?

Pastoral Pondering

The Faith Formation Department welcomes two staff members. Maryanne Pape has been serving as interim elementary coordinator for the last several months and has accepted a permanent position. Prior to working with Faith Formation, she has been working with our Pre-K. Emily Julian has accepted the position of middle school coordinator. Emily is coming to us from Davidson College where she has been working in their guidance department.

We continue our consideration of Humanae Vitae in honor of the 50th anniversary of its publication. The third reality that Dr. Mary Eberstadt identifies is state of modern women. It is important to recall that the document warned that if contraception became widespread, there would be a lessening of respect for women by men. The claim by those promoting lifting the prohibition argued that women would be happier and freer than ever before. However, as Eberstadt states: “Evidence points to the contrary—from social science suggesting that female happiness across the United States and Europe has been declining over time, to the Dolores notes so often struck in academic and popular feminism, to growing worry among secular women that marriage has become impossible and it is time to go it alone.” Using just two examples among many to support this, she notes the tremendous popularity of Fifty Shades of Gray along with the rise of overt violence against women in video games and pornography. In addition, we societal increase in predation against women as is amply demonstrated by the #MeToo movement.

As Eberstadt points out, “Almost twenty years later, [it] is irrefutable that the abuse scandals show that the [sexual] revolution democratized sexual harassment. No longer does a man have to be a king or a master of the universe to abuse or prey upon women in unrelenting, serial fashion, and for a long time, with no punishment. One needs only a world in which women are assumed to use contraception—the world we’ve had since the 1960s, the world that Humanae Vitae foresaw.”

Next week we will consider another reality that has arisen in the aftermath of the sexual revolution and the widespread acceptance of contraception, the reality of loneliness among the elderly.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 10, 2026
In today’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus shares the familiar Parable of the Sower. It is a powerful image for the stewardship way of life, demonstrating the gradual but transformative effect that a life centered on God can have on us over time. In the parable, some seed falls on a path where birds quickly carry it away. Other seed falls on rocky ground, where it begins to grow but cannot develop deep roots. Still more seed falls among thorns that eventually choke the young plants. Finally, some seed falls on rich, fertile soil and produces an abundant harvest. Jesus explains that the seed is the Word of God, generously scattered for all to receive. The question is whether our hearts are prepared to receive it and allow it to take root. This is where the stewardship way of life comes in. When we offer our time, talent, and treasure to God and place Him first in our lives, we help create the “good soil” needed for the Kingdom to flourish within us. Stewardship removes the “rocks” of mistrust as we grow in confidence that God will provide for our needs. It clears away the “thorns” of worldly concerns that can distract us from what matters most. Through prayer, the sacraments, and generous service, the soil of our lives is continually nourished and renewed. Let us deepen our commitment to this way of life, allowing the Divine Sower to do His work within us. In time, He will produce an abundant harvest through our lives. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering A Pastoral Reflection on the Earthquakes in Venezuela Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In these days, our hearts are heavy as we learn of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026. Two powerful tremors, measuring approximately 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, have caused great loss of life, injured thousands, and left many families homeless and grieving. As your pastor, I invite you to join me in prayer for all those affected— the deceased, the injured, the missing, and those working tirelessly in rescue and relief efforts. May the Lord grant them strength and comfort in this time of trial. The Catholic Church offers us clear guidance on how to understand such natural disasters. They are not punishments from God directed at specific sins or peoples. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, our world is “in a state of journeying” toward its ultimate perfection (CCC 310). In God’s wise plan, creation includes both life-giving and destructive forces of nature—such as the shifting of tectonic plates that cause earthquakes. Physical evils like these remind us of the disorder introduced into the world by Original Sin, yet they are not direct divine judgments. Jesus Himself rejected such thinking when asked about tragedies in His time (see Luke 13:1-5 and John 9:1-3). Instead, these events humble us, turn our eyes from fleeting earthly goods toward heaven, and call forth the best in us: compassion, solidarity, and trust in God’s providence. Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has expressed his deep closeness to the Venezuelan people. He has offered prayers for the victims and their families, entrusted the rescuers to the Lord, and sent an initial emergency donation of €100,000 to support relief efforts through the local Church. He urges the international community to respond with generous solidarity. In moments like this, we remember that creation itself “groans” in labor pains as it awaits full redemption (Romans 8:22). Yet we are not without hope. God does not abandon His children. He is present in the suffering Christ who walks with us, and He brings good even from tragedy—through heroic acts of charity, stronger communities, and hearts turned more fully toward Him. What can we do here at St. Mark’s? - Pray: Offer Masses, Rosaries, or personal prayers for Venezuela. Consider a special intention at weekend Masses. - Help: Support reliable Catholic relief organizations such as Catholic Relief Services (CRS) or efforts coordinated by our Diocese of Charlotte. Even small donations can provide food, shelter, and medical aid. - Reflect: Use this as an opportunity for personal conversion and gratitude for the blessings we enjoy.  Let us entrust our Venezuelan brothers and sisters to the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Mark, our patron. May the Risen Lord bring healing, peace, and hope to all who suffer. And may we, as one parish family, respond with the love of Christ.

From the Pastor - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 10, 2026
The theme of humility is central to our readings today. God Himself is a humble God, so if we wish to follow Him as Christian stewards, we too, must be humble. In fact, humility is key to the stewardship way of life, and to a peaceful and fulfilling life. In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus Himself speaks to the Father about the privileged role that humble souls play in God’s plan of salvation. “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.” What does it mean to be a “little one”? It means that we acknowledge we don’t have it all figured out, but that we are very much in need of a savior. It means we recognize that all we are and all we have been given is a gift from God. It means we embrace the stewardship way of life. It is not easy, but deep peace and consolation come with this way of life. Jesus offers these warm and encouraging words to entice us to embrace them. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Let us resolve to follow in the footsteps of our Savior, embracing the humble path of stewardship. It is the path that leads to peace here and now, and ultimately leads us to heaven. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering One of the struggles that confessors often have to face is the reality of scrupulosity. It is not something new and has in fact been recognized as a spiritual obstacle throughout the centuries. Hence, I thought a discussion of the issue, albeit brief, would be helpful to those who face it or know someone who does.  Scrupulosity is a condition in which a person experiences excessive, persistent anxiety and doubt about sin, often seeing mortal sin where there is none or obsessing over past faults that have already been forgiven. It is sometimes described as a religious form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and can cause great spiritual distress, frequent confessions, and difficulty trusting in God’s mercy. The Church has long recognized scrupulosity as a heavy cross, not a sign of weak faith but a challenge that even great saints like St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. Alphonsus Liguori faced. The Catholic response emphasizes trust in God’s infinite mercy, the reliability of the sacraments, and obedience to a trusted confessor or spiritual director. Key principles include: once a sin is confessed and absolved, do not revisit it; temptation is not the same as consent or sin; and venial sins are forgiven through ordinary acts of love and the Eucharist. If you struggle with scrupulosity, choose one regular confessor, follow his guidance faithfully, and resist the urge to “priest-hop” for repeated reassurance. Professional help from a therapist familiar with OCD and Catholic teaching can also be a valuable complement. Remember the words of Jesus : “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Mt 11:28). God’s mercy is greater than our fears. If you or someone you know suffers in this way, speak with a priest, seek spiritual direction, and know that you are not alone. Resources such as *Scrupulous Anonymous* (a free newsletter) and books like Fr. Thomas Santa’s *Understanding Scrupulosity* can offer further encouragement. May the Lord grant peace to all who carry this burden.