From the Pastor - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 12, 2021

Today's readings prepare us for the penitential season of Lent.


In our Gospel, a leper knelt before Jesus and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched this diseased man and healed him. He then encouraged the man to show himself to the priest and offer himself a cleansing, referencing what was commanded in the Law of Moses. By completing these rituals, this man might be reinstituted into the community.


Let us approach this holy season of Lent like the leper. By our faults, we have distanced ourselves from God and His community. The leper reminds us Who to go to so that we might be healed. Let us approach the Lord this season on our knees asking for forgiveness and healing from our offenses, saying, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” There is no doubt that, if we have a contrite heart, Jesus will stretch out His hand in forgiveness and His mercy will touch our lives.


And like the leper, we too should go forth from being healed with a commitment to cleanse ourselves from the lasting effects of sin. Lent is a time to offer acts of reparation through Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving so that we might be purified in all areas of our life and walk with the Gracious Healer, Who sacrificed His life for our sake.


This holy season of Lent is an opportunity to be healed and cleansed on our journey as disciples of Christ. Let us consider what we can do to offer acts of reparation so that we might be purified and one day partake in the resurrection of Christ. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2021


Pastoral Pondering

Ash Wednesday This year with COVID precautions, Ash Wednesday will look a bit different. The Holy See has indicated that the imposition of ashes will take place a bit differently than is usually the case. This year the blessing of the ashes will occur in the normal way. After the blessing, the priest or deacon celebrating will offer the normal declarative “Remember you are dust…or Turn away from sin” only once. Then a small modicum of ashes will be sprinkled on each person who comes forward. This has been the practice used at Papal Masses for some time and will limit person to person contact.


Spiritual Obstacles – I would like to continue discussing some obstacles to spiritual growth that can and often do impact folks these days. The points that I raise arise from my own experience with deliverance ministry along with ongoing formation in this particular area of the Church’s ministry. Last week, I addressed the matter of soul ties and began two weeks ago with a general overview about how these obstacles can prevent us from growing in the spiritual life. Some of these can also have a negative impact on everyday life. Curses associated with freemasonry fall into that category.


The relationship between the Church and freemasonry is a long one. It is first important to have a general understanding of what freemasonry actually is. Masonry consists of fraternal organizations that trace their origins to the stonemason guilds of the 14th century. As it exists today, freemasonry broadly consists of two main groups: Regular Freemasonry and Continental Freemasonry. The former insists that a volume of scripture be open in a working lodge, the members profess belief in a Supreme Being and that discussions of politics and religion be banned. Only men are admitted to these lodges. The latter consists of jurisdictions which have removed some or all of the restrictions of Regular Freemasonry. Each group is organized into lodges that are subject to some type of regional or national supervision.


The Church’s condemnation of freemasonry began in 1738 with a papal bull issued by Pope Clement XII. Subsequent popes, from Pope Benedict XIV to Pope Pius XII reaffirmed and added to this condemnation and recognition that freemasonry was inherently incompatible with Catholic faith. In the Pio-Benedictine Code of Canon Law which was promulgated in 1917, a latae sententiae excommunication was indicated for any Catholic who joined freemasonry.


The intervening years between 1917 and the promulgation of the new Code of Canon Law in 1983, especially after 1966, were a period of some confusion regarding the status of freemasonry and whether or not Catholics could join. In 1980 the German Bishops Conference began a six-year dialogue with the United Grand Lodge of Germany. At the conclusion year dialogue, which included an investigation of Masonic rituals, the German Bishops reaffirmed that Catholics are forbidden to join lodges, even Catholic-friendly ones.


When the 1983 Code of Canon Law was issued, a number of automatic (latae sententiae) excommunications were removed. However, canon 1374 states: A person who joins an association which plots against the Church is to be punished with a just penalty; one who promotes or takes office in such an association, is to be punished with an interdict. This led to further confusion even though then-Cardinal Ratzinger issued an explanatory note which states: “faithful who enroll in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion … the Church’s negative judgment in regard to Masonic associations remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden”. In 1985 the United States Bishop issued a letter concerning Masonry indicating that “the principles and basic rituals of Masonry embody a naturalistic religion active participation in which is incompatible with Christian faith and practice … Those who knowingly embrace Masonic principles are committing serious sin.”


The foregoing provides some background of the history of freemasonry in relation to the Church. Next week, I will delve into some of the specific concerns and indicate how those who accept initiation into Masonic societies often handicap themselves spiritually.

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.