From the Pastor -The Ascension of the Lord

June 2, 2019

From the Pastor -The Ascension of the Lord

On this Feast of the Ascension, we celebrate Christ’s triumphant return to the Father after perfectly accomplishing His mission on earth. But we also can also view this Feast as a celebration of the “launch day” of our commissioning as Christ’s disciples.

Today’s Gospel draws our attention to the clear instructions that Jesus gave His disciples (and to us) just before ascending to the Father: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

Embracing a stewardship way of life, with its emphasis on the use of time, talent and treasure, helps us to live in such a way that our very lives speak as a witness of the Good News of the Gospel. While we take time to reflect and renew our commitments in these three areas annually as a parish family, it is of great benefit to take some time individually throughout the year to take stock of the commitments we have made — looking at both our strengths and our need for continued growth in each area.

On this Feast of our "launch day," take some time to celebrate your victories as Christ’s disciples and renew your commitment to remain faithful to Him and the unique mission He has entrusted to you!

Pastoral Pondering

Stained Glass Windows – Several folks have asked when all of the windows will be installed and in what order. I would expect all of them would be installed by Christmas They are being created based on when they were sponsored. As of this writing, seven windows have been installed. The remaining windows are scheduled to be installed in the following order: Carrying of the Cross, Institution of the Eucharist, the Resurrection, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Visitation, the Annunciation, the Proclamation of the Kingdom, the Transfiguration, the Assumption, the Crowning with Thorns, the Old Testament (Moses and the Law), the Baptism, the Coronation of Mary, the Scourging at the Pillar, and the New Testament (Catholic Church).

Matters of Faith — One would, in general, be told to avoid a field containing land mines. However, if the goal of life is on the other side of the field, what is one supposed to do? One would have to get across that field! I have had a number of parents ask be about the morality of video games, especially Fortnite. In all honesty, my video playing days ended with Donkey Kong, Mario Brothers, and Pac Man. Nevertheless, we do believe in moral principles that can be used to evaluate any human behavior or activity.

Recently, I came across a very good article by John Horvat II. He is the author of Return to Order which was recently published. The article appeared in the May 16, 2019 internet release from Crisis Magazine ( crisismagazine.com ). Mr. Horvat is a very good writer, and he makes some very salient points that deserve consideration, not only about Fortnite but about any number of cultural fads and trends that, from a moral perspective, we often ignore.

The author asks three fundamental moral questions: “Is Fortnite sinful? Does it lead to sinful acts? Can playing it be sinful?” In responding to these questions, Horvat notes that “the best way to judge Fortnite is to analyze its bad effects.” According to Northwestern Medicine (nm.org), the bad effects include: 1. Gaming can be addictive, 2. Gaming can lead to relationship problems, 3. Gaming may reduce time spent on physical activity, and 4. Live chat features can expose kids to negative socialization and allow them to be victimized by strangers over the internet. The same website identified two positive effects: 1) enhancing creativity, and 2) improving social skills.

Anecdotally, the bad effects, according to Horvat, result in various behaviors including: “children (especially boys) not sleeping due to playing the game. Players isolate themselves and often become rude, violent and uncharitable. Some gain weight for lack of exercise, others lose weight due to refusing to eat because of intense game playing. Some steal money to pay for the game’s accessories. The stress on families is severe as gamers lose interest in family affairs, disobey parents and create conflicts.”

One can say clearly, that these bad effects involve sin in one form or another. Hence, the evaluation of the moral appropriateness of playing Fortnite or any other game would be whether or not they result in behaviors that offend God by acting contrary to the order that He put in society. While not sinful in itself, the game itself is designed to psychologically captivate players. It convinces players that they were close to victory, and a win is eminent. They didn’t lose, but they “almost won”. This same logic contributes to gambling addictions. Players lose control of moderation, which can lead to sloth and gluttony.

In discussions with our Middle Schoolers, we have also discovered that bullying through live chat and in person are prevalent among our own children at St. Mark. Most of our Middle Schoolers are playing Fortnite, especially the boys, and when, during Edge, they anonymously wrote down bullying comments they’ve received or have said to another, a large number of them shared bullying others and/or being bullied about their Fortnite abilities.

One could also consider the amount of violence, the portals or associated websites of some games that connect with or provide access to pornography or other sinful material. We are all called to be people of virtue, because the virtues provide the antidote to the seven deadly sins. Lest we forget what they are, the seven deadly sins include: pride, anger, avarice, lust, gluttony, sloth, and envy. The seven virtues that are set forth to counteract the deadly are: humility, patience, charity, chastity, temperance, diligence, and kindness. One can find any number of listings, but the conclusion is clear, we need to be virtuous to avoid sin.

Hence, whether it is Fortnite, Social Media, or any other type of activity, most of which are not sinful in themselves, parents and those who take their place, should always evaluate how the activity in question impacts the person’s ability to love God and love their neighbor. Does this or that help the child to become more loving, more Godly and more other-centered or does it lead to the opposite. Is it a good use of time? Parents can (and probably should) make use of parental controls and monitor who their children are connecting with over gaming and social media platforms. Vigilance in our technological society is always necessary. There is a lot in the world that can be beneficial to be sure, but there are also many things that can be detrimental. For the disciple of Christ, we must always evaluate what we say and do against who we are before God and who we are called to be before our fellow human beings.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Solemnity of Christ the King

By John Putnam • November 21, 2025
On this Feast of Christ the King, our readings show us that we serve the greatest of Kings, who is at the same time the humblest of Kings. Christ is the perfect model of servant leadership. And what an indescribable privilege that He has called us to be servant leaders — stewards in the work of advancing His Kingdom. In our second reading, from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Paul describes the great power and dignity that characterize Christ the King. “All things were created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” It makes you want to stand up and cheer. That’s our King! Yet, what a contrasting description of the same King we find in our Gospel passage, from Luke. Now we see our King nailed to the Cross. Everyone from rulers to soldiers, to the criminals on either side of Christ is mocking, sneering, and reviling him. They tauntingly urge him to prove His kingship by coming down from the Cross to end his suffering with a great show of power. “if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” But He does not. Amazingly, it is in this moment of seeming-weakness and humiliation, when all appears hopeless and lost, that the full breadth of his greatness as king is displayed. Though all things were created through and for Him — Christ chooses to live entirely for others, for us! What does this mean for us as his followers and stewards of His kingdom? It is precisely that our lives are not about us. They are about Christ and others. And we will advance his kingdom to the extent that we embrace this mindset: my life is not about me; it is about serving the King of kings. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025

From the Pastor - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • November 14, 2025
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our readings offer a sober reminder that this life is not our aim and that God’s justice will triumph in the end. Now is the time to get our priorities in order, putting God above all else as his faithful stewards. Our Lord brings home the urgency of right priorities in our Gospel passage from Luke, reminding the people around him who were looking at the temple nearby, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Our Lord reminds us that all in this world is passing. We must keep our focus on eternity. Yet before the eternal bliss of heaven, we should expect to be tried and tested. “Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.” Sounds scary. But if you are living a stewardship way of life, there is nothing to fear. You have a plan in place. All you need to do is stick with it. Put our Lord first in your time, with your talents, and through your use of treasure. This way of life is not easy. But Jesus promises it will lead to eternal salvation and the joy of union with Him. “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” Onward, Christian stewards, the struggle is worth the joy that awaits! Pastoral Pondering On November 4th the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released Mater Populi Fidelis, a 20-page doctrinal note which was approved by the Holy Father. The Document addresses longstanding requests for clarification on Marian titles related to Mary’s cooperation in salvation. It emphasizes Mary’s unique role as Mother of believers while safeguarding Christ’s sole mediatorship, aiming to foster authentic devotion, Catholic fidelity, and ecumenical dialogue. The Note responds to decades of proposals, including petitions for new Marian dogmas, often amplified via social media and private revelations. It draws on Scripture, Tradition (e.g., St. Augustine), and prior papal reflections, including Joseph Ratzinger's 1996 and 2002 critiques of certain titles as unclear or prone to misunderstanding. The document appreciates popular piety but cautions against expressions that could confuse the faithful or obscure Christ's centrality. It promotes "participated mediation"—Mary's supportive role in union with Christ—without equating her to the Redeemer. The document goes on to underscore “approved titles/expressions” and “discouraged titles/expressions.” Those that are encouraged include: Mother of God (Theotokos), Mother of Believers, Spiritual Mother, Mother of the Faithful People of God, and Mediatrix (in a general sense of intercession). It notes that these underscore Mary's maternal bond with Christ and the Church, directing devotion to the Son. They are biblically rooted (e.g., John 19:26-27) and foster hope, tenderness, and unity. Those titles discouraged are Co-redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces. It notes that these risk eclipsing Christ's unique mediation (1 Tim 2:5) and redemption; not explicitly in Scripture or early Tradition; potential for confusion or imbalance in faith, especially ecumenically. I know in my own discussions over the years; it is very easy (especially for my non-Catholic relatives) to get confused over certain Marian titles. They can certainly be explained, but as the DDF points out, those titles that require greater explanation for common understanding should be discouraged. To be sure, you can find both titles used in various Catholic resources, and the document certainly does not forbid their use. Nonetheless, it approaches the topic in a balanced and pastorally sensitive way that recognizes the importance of Marian devotion and piety while, at the same time, reminding us all of the importance supporting and encouraging doctrinal harmony.