From the Pastor – Pentecost

May 29, 2020

From the Pastor – Pentecost

Today we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, which is significant to us as Catholics in multiple ways. It marks the completion of our Easter season, but it is also known to many as the birthday of the Church. We recall that it began with Jesus calling to His Apostles to “Follow me.” Now some three years later the Lord sends them out filled with the Holy Spirit to preach the “Good News.” Throughout His ministry Jesus prepared His followers for this moment, as it was clear He intended to give them the authority to build the Church and to do His work.

The Lord breathed on them granting them the Holy Spirit, just as God breathed life into the first humans during creation. Thus, this was a moment of re-creation. St. John Chrysostom pointed to Pentecost as the time when those who follow Jesus (which includes each of us), paralleled Moses when he came down from the mountain carrying tablets of stone in his hands, the Ten Commandments. St. John Chrysostom said, “The Apostles came down from the mountain carrying the Holy Spirit in their hearts. They were a living law, living tablets.” That should be true of us as well.

The First Reading today from the Acts of the Apostles reports the happenings on this day. It was on this day that the Holy Spirit was gifted to Jesus’ followers and on this day, we received the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which allow us to live, proclaim, and model a Christian way of life. We hear that “they were all together in one place” when this occurred.

That is what we do when we gather, and that is what we are doing at this moment. At Mass we share gifts, especially the gift of the Eucharist, but we also share a love for God, a trust in the Lord. We, too, are filled with the Spirit. However, before we can be filled, we must recognize and acknowledge our emptiness.

We gather together to worship, to pray, in obedience. By being here we accept the fact that we need the guidance and help and strength of the Lord to carry out our mission. We have to rely on God.

St. Paul, in the Second Reading from his First Letter to the Corinthians, speaks of the spiritual gifts we have received. He points out that each of us has received that gift but acknowledges that the gift we receive may vary in some ways. Nevertheless, all of our gifts combined make up the Body of the Church. Are you using your gifts? Have you prayed and considered what they might be and how you might use them to serve the Church and one another? Pentecost serves as a reminder to us that we must do that for the Church to be whole and for the Church, including our parish to be effective.

Every gift and every one of us is important in the eyes of God and important to the health of the Church. The Holy Spirit is always present in us but sometimes it may be more apparent both to us and to others. We must understand that the gifts we have received are intended to benefit all, not just us.

Pentecost falls 50 days after Easter. Our Gospel Reading from St. John records the first time Jesus appeared to His Apostles after the Resurrection, in other words on Easter Sunday. Just as today we are reminded of our call, so we are through this reading. Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” We have been given a mission to continue the work of Christ here and now. Every time we gather for Mass and receive Christ through the Eucharist, we should have awareness and an understanding of that mission. When we leave here today, whenever we go out in the world, we are to share and spread the Good News.

The best way to do that has to do with how we live, what those around us see and experience through us. There is an idea that best explains what that means; that concept is stewardship. On Pentecost it became clear to the followers of Jesus that they were the stewards of His mission, the stewards of His Church. That sense of stewardship has been handed down for centuries and now rests on us. With the help of the Lord, permeated with the Holy Spirit, we need to go forth from here; indeed, we need to go forth each and every day, to accomplish that mission. That is what the Church is all about, and that is what life should be all about for us.

Pastoral Pondering

As we celebrate Pentecost, we are invited to ponder the wonderful ways in which the Lord calls us to spread the Gospel as we seek to follow Him. The apostles were fearful until the Spirit descended. Afterward, they went forth in boldness and courage to proclaim Jesus Christ without hesitation.

In many ways we have been living in fear and uncertainty during these past months. The COVID pandemic has consumed our attention, turned our lives upside down, and, at least for some, changed our lived irrevocably. Nonetheless, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be courageous even in the face of uncertainty. We are called to persevere when everyone else seems to give up.

These past months have been difficult and challenging. Yet, we can be thankful that we are able to come together now for Holy Mass; albeit, while still practicing safety precautions. In truth we, as a parish, never really closed down as so many others did. Our charitable outreach and our efforts to stay connected were a top priority throughout this time.

As we move forward and gradually discover what the new normal might look like, I would ask that everyone continue to pray for all of those who have been negatively impacted either directly by the virus itself or due to the restrictions and closures that have left many in an economically precarious situation. As a people who have hope because of our faith in Jesus Christ, let’s work together to continue to be His hands and feet in our parish and community.

Before closing I wanted to let you know of some staff changes that you will see in this bulletin as well. First, Aubrey Quintero, who has been our leader for music at the 5:00 p.m. Sunday Mass has taken a full-time position at another parish. Aubrey has been a blessing to us and has done much to enhance our Lifeteen and Edge programs. She will be missed. Second, because of the numbers of students enrolled in our Middle School Edge program and in light of the importance of limiting gathering size, we are seeking a part-time person to assist in our Edge program which will be significantly expanded in the fall to provide smaller groups and greater choice for our families. If you or someone you know might be interested and have the requisite requirements for these positions, please let us know.

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.