From the Pastor - Solemnity of the Assumption

August 13, 2021

Today we celebrate the Assumption of Mary — the moment she was taken up, body and soul, into heaven. This day reveals much about our Holy Mother. Next to her Divine Son, Mary truly is the model steward for us as we journey through this life.


Our Gospel recounts the story of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth who was soon to deliver John the Baptist. Mary truly is a dwelling place for Christ. Even baby John the Baptist noticed as he leaped in his mother’s womb upon Mary’s greeting! We too are called to be a dwelling place for the Lord. Yet for Christ to dwell in us, we must prepare our hearts for Him.


Mary was prepared for Christ to reside in her, and her Magnificat expresses how we can imitate her and prepare a place for Christ in ourselves: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord…”


How can we proclaim the ‘greatness of the Lord?’ It is simply by how we choose to live our lives. Each day is an opportunity to grow as a disciple of Christ. We can choose to rise each day in prayer, respond to those around us in kindness, serve in our vocations and occupations from a place of love and selflessness, and use our gifts and talents for the glory of God.


As we reflect on the life of Mary today, let us strive to imitate her in proclaiming the greatness of God by how we live our lives. Let us celebrate her as our Mother, our Queen, and a Model Steward. She is not distant or out of reach, rather, she is as close to us as a mother to her baby — constantly watching, interceding, and guiding us to be with her Divine Son in eternal life. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2021


Pastoral Pondering

This weekend we have the opportunity to celebrate the Assumption of Our Lady. These solemnities occur infrequently on Sunday, so when they do, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate as a parish. This weekend as well, we are celebrating Father Gámez as he prepares to move to his new assignment in Winston-Salem. While his assignment there does not begin until the end of the month, until them he will be assisting primarily at St. Thomas.


Understandably, over the past several months, I have received a number of inquiries regarding various movements or trends that are going on in the wider culture, especially Critical Race Theory and the various gender theories. With that in mind, I thought it would be wise to present how the Church responds to such things. If one tries, it is usually possible to see both positives and negatives in these trends and movements; however, we must always seek to apply the eternal truths that have been passed down to us so as to be authentically Christian in response to the culture in which we live.


For the Church racism is a moral issue and needs to be evaluated in light of Catholic Social Teaching. Hence, there are aspects of Critical Race Theory (CRT) about which both Catholics and non-Catholics can agree. Namely, we can certainly agree on the importance of confronting racism, reaching out to and supporting the poor, under-privileged and poor, addressing social and economic inequalities, and actively fighting human exploitation. Each of these problems are concern because they undermine our Catholic view of the human person as having inherent dignity and being created in the image and likeness of God. Hence, our language when dealing with these wrongs arises from those core beliefs.


As Catholics, we believe that sin is an act of a person (CCC, 1868). Even when institutions or society participate in that which is immoral, it is still the work of individuals; albeit, in an accumulated manner. While it is true to say that in some instances, there needs to be a change in society as a whole, in the end such change only occurs one person, one soul at a time. Moreover, while recognizing the reality of historical sin, the Church does not believe that the offspring of those involved are culpable for the “sins of their fathers”. Christ reminds us of this in His preaching and teaching. This is where Catholic teaching would diverge from the political aspects of CRT because while CRT argues that the descendants of slave owners, for example, are responsible for the sins committed in the past and, therefore, they too are guilty due to the color of their skin, the Church would oppose such a view as not in harmony with the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching.


As Catholics we are called to respond to those in need with the love of Christ and to oppose anything that contradicts that love. Seeking to restore a properly ordered society where each human being is treated with the dignity with which he or she is created is our aim. Sadly, in the current forms of CRT in the public arena, we often see other forms of discrimination being justified based on discrimination from the past. As the saying goes, “two wrongs don’t make a right”; hence, we are called to work against discrimination in all its forms and seek each day to recognize the dignity in each and every person.



An authentically Catholic approach to these matters then, begins and ends with the human person always guided by the light of God’s grace. We are called to be that hands and feet of Christ and look for opportunities to alleviate suffering wherever we find it; to respond with love when we encounter the hatred and anger that seems to be so pervasive throughout our society these days.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 31, 2026
Today’s readings should inspire the Christian steward with deepened gratitude for our God, who loves us with both fierce and tender love. We must make an intentional response each day, returning love for Love. In our Second Reading from Romans, St. Paul reminds us that nothing and no one can separate us from the love of Christ. No anguish, distress, persecution, famine — and we might add illness, financial hardship, family struggles, or uncertainty about the future — nothing can keep our God from loving us. God holds us securely in the palm of His hand. And yet, this reassurance is only the beginning of God’s gifts to us. Our Gospel from Matthew recounts the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish. This miracle foreshadows the gift of the Eucharist, where Christ feeds us not simply with bread, but with His own Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Notice how the Gospel begins. "His heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick." What generous and compassionate love our Lord shows. But even that is not enough for Him. He remains with the people, teaching and ministering to them until evening. When the disciples suggest sending the crowds away to find food, Jesus instead invites them to become part of His plan. He tells them to feed the people, then miraculously multiplies the few loaves and fish they offer. What a privilege it was for the disciples to participate in Christ's work. That same privilege is ours as Christian stewards. Let us respond with grateful hearts to such amazing love. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants,

From the Pastor - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • July 31, 2026
The stewardship way of life could be described as a daily pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven. In today’s Gospel from Matthew, Jesus uses a series of parables to help us understand the incomparable value of that Kingdom. First, He reminds us that living for Him and for His Kingdom will require sacrifice. Yet the joy that comes from following Christ makes any sacrifice worthwhile. Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field, which a person finds and hides again, and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” He then compares the Kingdom to “a merchant searching for fine pearls." When the merchant finds a pearl of great price, he gladly sells everything he has to obtain it. In both parables, the Kingdom is something precious that must be sought and recognized. We must intentionally look for it amid the distractions and noise of the world. Yet Jesus also reminds us that the Kingdom is meant for everyone. He compares it to a net cast into the sea that gathers fish of every kind. At the same time, He reminds us that each of us will one day be judged. The angels “will separate the wicked from the righteous.” It is a powerful reminder that our choices matter. Let us pray for the wisdom to recognize the Kingdom of Heaven in our midst and to pursue it above all else. There is no greater treasure, and no greater source of joy, than a life lived as a faithful disciple of Jesus. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering I enjoy books generally. I like to hold them, look at them and, of course, read them. I also enjoy audiobooks because they are a good way to pass the time with all the driving that I do. I like a wide variety of books, but I generally try to avoid things that are strictly political. Hence, I was a little hesitant when the book Communion by J.D. Vance was recommended to me. However, what I discovered is that it is an excellent read and has nothing to do with politics. Rather, it is the story of the Vice President’s return to the Christian faith that eventually resulted in his becoming Catholic. I suppose “conversion” stories attract me because of my own background. And while I did not grow up in Ohio coal country as he did, there are many similarities to his family, described in Hillbilly Elegy, and my dad’s family from the mountains of North Carolina. This particular book, in some ways, is a sequel to Hillbilly . It discusses his chaotic childhood and exposure to Baptist and Pentecostal churches, his drift into atheism as a young adult, following the death of his grandmother, and his gradual return to faith which culminated in his conversion to Catholicism in 2019. The title refers to the Eucharist, and the author explores what it means to be Christian across life stages – as a child, young man, husband, father and public figure – while reflecting on the role of religion in public life and American society.  This memoir mixes spiritual autobiography with broader commentary on faith, politics, family values, and societal problems. While some have criticized it as more of a cultural manifesto, I appreciated the honest assessment of one man’s journey from his childhood faith to an adult faith which led to full communion with the Catholic Church. Granted, it may not be to everyone’s liking, but it shouldn’t be dismissed simply because the author is the current Vice President. I enjoyed it, and if you want something to pass a lazy summer afternoon, I’d recommend it.