From the Pastor - Third Sunday of Advent

December 11, 2020

From the Pastor -Third Sunday of Advent - December 13, 2020


A key facet of stewardship has always been personal witness. Today’s readings deal in large part with the witness of John the Baptist. St. John the Baptist, according to historians, was a few months older than Jesus. It is also generally accepted that he began preaching about six months before Jesus came to him to be baptized and to begin His ministry.


St. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Messiah. John the Baptist, through personal witness, raised a great sense of expectancy and excitement, the kind of expectancy and excitement that we associate with this season of Advent. John tries to awaken in people a consciousness of sin, the importance of conversion and change, and the need to become more holy in God’s eyes.


Those are the same goals we should have during this Advent season. The matter of witness is a serious and important thing. It establishes truth and a solid foundation for faith. When we personally witness, it means we make a commitment. We cannot be neutral when it comes to our faith. We are called to be disciples, witnesses of and for Christ. We best accomplish that by the ways we live our own lives and how we relate to and treat others.


Jesus can meet our every need. Now is the time for us to accept that and to place our total trust in Him. We can do that best by making our own commitment to be His disciple, a witness to Who He is and what He means to us and all people. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2017


Pastoral Pondering

This third Advent Sunday is called Gaudete which is taken from the entrance antiphon of the Mass, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.” In all honesty, my first thought in writing this was, there is not a lot about this year that has really been joyful. And yet that command, Gaudete! is for all time, including the Year of Our Lord, 2020.



In reflecting on this year, which most folks I have spoken with agree that they will be happy when it is over, I realize that if we take the time to really look back, we can see God’s hand and the many blessings that He has bestowed. I have often said that the wood of the manger is never far from the wood of the Cross. There is no resurrection without Good Friday. Our life on this earthly plain, is often marked by struggles and difficulties. This has certainly been the case this year. However, I have also seen amazing resilience and stamina. We have observed generosity beyond expectation, and hope in the midst of strife and difficulty.


Jesus did not take on human flesh to escape the rough stuff of our humanity. He would have never come down if that had been the case. No, Jesus took flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary because He wanted to experience our sufferings. He wanted to show us how to carry the crosses of our lives by showing us the Cross – His very own.


As a pastor I have experienced the frustration and the heartache. I’ve seen the fear and anxiety. Yet, I have also seen how our Good God continues to work in all of our lives. We of course should not seek out crosses to carry. Those will be provided as a matter of course. But when they come, we should embrace them as gifts and know that we are not alone in bearing the burden.


Yes, there is a reason to rejoice, because the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.


From the Pastor

By John Putnam August 29, 2025
Today’s readings remind us of a chief virtue that characterizes the Christian steward: humility. This is a virtue that is widely thought of as a form of self-abasement. That understanding, however, is off the mark. Humility is simply the awareness of who (and Whose) we truly are. On one hand, we are children of the Most High God who loved us into existence and who, by virtue of our Baptism, have the Holy Trinity dwelling within us. On the other hand, we are children who are completely dependent on God for our existence and for every breath we take. Our Lord speaks of true humility in our Gospel passage from Luke, telling the parable of the guests invited to a wedding banquet and instructing us not to seek a place of honor at the banquet table, lest a more distinguished guest arrives and we are asked to move to a lower place. Jesus has much more in mind here than an etiquette lesson. He is reminding us that all glory belongs to God. The visual image He offers in having to slink down to a lower seat at the table points out how silly we are when we forget to give God the credit for our blessings and talents. On the other hand, when we live in humility — recognizing that all we have is a gift from God and using those gifts to serve Him and others — then God “exalts” us by filling us with even more of Himself and His grace. Jesus goes on to encourage us to serve and share our blessings with people facing circumstances that would make it impossible for them to offer us any worldly advantage or prestige — “the poor, the crippled, the lame.” Our attitude and how we serve and share should be centered on true humility — recognizing that we are all “little” ones in the eyes of God. We are all His children; brothers and sisters invited to our Father’s heavenly banquet. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering  In the last couple of weeks, I have heard various news stories regarding a push to legalize marijuana nationally. I thought, in light of that, it might be helpful to review Catholic teaching. In Catholic thought, the morality of marijuana use is evaluated through the lens of natural law, Church teaching, and principles of human dignity, reason, and stewardship of the body. While the Catholic Church does not have an explicit, definitive teaching on recreational marijuana use, its moral framework provides guidance based on related principles, particularly from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and papal statements. Key Principles: Respect for Human Dignity and the Body : The Church teaches that the human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and must be cared for responsibly. Actions that impair the body or mind without sufficient reason are considered morally problematic (CCC 2288-2291). Use of Substances and Reason : The Catechism addresses the use of drugs, stating: “The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense” (CCC 2291). This suggests that recreational use of substances like marijuana, which can impair reason, judgment, and health, is generally viewed as morally wrong unless justified by medical necessity. Moderation and Prudence : Catholic moral theology emphasizes the virtue of temperance, which governs the use of pleasurable things. Any substance use that leads to loss of self-control or addiction is contrary to this virtue. Intention and Context : The morality of an act depends on its object, intention, and circumstances (CCC 1750-1756). Using marijuana for medical purposes, under professional guidance and with legal approval, may be permissible if it alleviates serious suffering and does not lead to abuse. Recreational use, however, is often seen as problematic because it typically seeks intoxication or escape, which can undermine human flourishing. Obedience to Just Laws : Catholics are called to respect legitimate civil authority (CCC 2238-2243). If marijuana use is illegal in a given jurisdiction, using it recreationally would generally be considered sinful, as it violates just laws meant to protect the common good. Where marijuana is legal, the moral question shifts to its effects on health, reason, and responsibility. Application to Marijuana: Medical Use : If marijuana is prescribed by a competent medical authority for a serious condition (e.g., chronic pain, epilepsy), its use could be morally permissible, provided it is used responsibly and does not lead to dependency or impairment that harms one’s duties to God, self, or others. Recreational Use : Recreational marijuana use is generally viewed as morally problematic in Catholic thought, especially if it impairs reason, leads to addiction, or harms physical or mental health. The Church’s emphasis on sobriety and the proper use of human faculties suggests that using marijuana to achieve intoxication or euphoria is contrary to human dignity. Cultural and Social Considerations : Some Catholic theologians note that moderate use in a legal, controlled context (e.g., akin to moderate alcohol consumption) might not always constitute a grave sin, depending on the circumstances. However, the potential for abuse, addiction, and harm to self or others makes recreational use a serious moral concern. Papal and Magisterial Guidance: Pope Francis has spoken against the legalization of recreational drugs, including marijuana, stating in 2014: “Drug addiction is an evil, and with evil there can be no yielding or compromise.” He emphasized the harm of drugs to individuals and society, particularly youth. The Catechism’s broad condemnation of non-therapeutic drug use (CCC 2291) is often interpreted to include recreational marijuana, though it does not explicitly name it. Practical Considerations: Discernment : Catholics are encouraged to discern their intentions and the effects of marijuana use. If it leads to escapism, neglect of responsibilities, or harm to relationships, it would be considered sinful. Addiction Risk : Marijuana’s potential for dependency raises concerns, as addiction undermines freedom and responsibility. Social Justice : The Church also considers the societal impact, such as the exploitation in the drug trade or the normalization of substance use in ways that harm vulnerable populations. Conclusion: In Catholic moral theology, marijuana use is permissible only for legitimate medical purposes under strict conditions. Recreational use is generally considered immoral due to its potential to impair reason, harm health, and violate the virtue of temperance. Catholics are called to exercise prudence, respect civil laws, and prioritize their responsibilities to God and others. For specific guidance, consultation with a priest or moral theologian is recommended, as individual circumstances can influence moral judgments.
By John Putnam August 22, 2025
Today’s readings show us that it is not enough to be Christ’s disciples in name only. To be a real disciple, we must live for Christ every day and in every aspect of life. This kind of life takes strength and discipline. Intentionally and consistently offering the Lord the best of our Time, Talent, and Treasure through a stewardship way of life is a form of spiritual discipline. These spiritual disciplines teach us to become ever more aware of God’s constant provision for us and they keep us on the narrow path towards the Kingdom of Heaven. The more we embrace this way of life, the more we can be “trained” by the Lord in the ways of true discipleship. Though difficult, these disciplines become a source of spiritual strength. Our Lord Himself speaks of the difficult path to the Kingdom of Heaven in today’s Gospel passage from Luke. He is asked, “Lord, will only a few be saved?” Jesus responds, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” Showing up for Mass on Sunday while living as if Christ is an afterthought the rest of the week does not make us disciples. What’s more, this approach to our faith is an unjust and unloving response to our good God who has given us all that we have and are. Jesus does not want us to merely go through the motions of faith. He wants much more from us and for us. He wants to know us deeply and for us to get to know Him so that we become His holy disciples. This is not a burden; it is a privilege. But it does take discipline, the discipline of a stewardship way of life. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering As the school year ramps up again, I wanted to let you know that another young man from the parish has begun his propaedeutic year at St. Joseph College Seminary. John Yellico, the son of Glen and Lissette Yellico, was accepted to the program earlier this summer. He is also the brother of Father Joseph Yellico, recently ordained and Sister Mary Agnes Yellico of the Daughters of the Virgin Mother. Please keep him and all of our seminarians in your prayers. Recently, the Diocese has been working on developing policies to govern the use of artificial intelligence for our employees and ministry sites. AI is almost constantly in the news and most everyone is familiar with Chat GPT, Truthly (the Catholic option) and any number of other efforts to harness this new technology. Earlier this year, the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a document dealing with this topic. I thought it might be useful, therefore, to offer some thoughts that might be helpful to some of you. Here’s a pastoral reflection based on Antiqua et Nova, tailored for inclusion in a pastoral letter: In our time, we are witnessing extraordinary advances in technology, especially in the realm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). These developments bring both promise and challenge, and as your pastor, I feel called to reflect with you on what this means for our faith, our humanity, and our shared journey toward holiness. The Vatican’s recent document, Antiqua et Nova, reminds us that while AI may imitate certain aspects of human intelligence, it cannot replicate the fullness of what it means to be human. Our intelligence is not merely computational—it is relational, moral, and spiritual. It is a gift from God, rooted in our capacity to love, to discern, and to seek truth. AI can assist us in many ways, from medicine to education to communication. But we must never forget that machines do not possess souls. They do not pray, suffer, or hope. They do not know mercy or grace. Only we, created in the image and likeness of God, bear the responsibility to use these tools wisely, ensuring they serve the dignity of every person. Let us not be seduced by the illusion that technology can replace human wisdom or divine guidance. Instead, let us cultivate a “wisdom of heart,” as the document urges—a wisdom that listens to the Spirit, that seeks justice, and that places love above efficiency. In our homes, schools, and parishes, may we teach our children not only how to use technology, but how to remain human in a digital age. May we accompany one another with compassion, and may our choices reflect the Gospel values of truth, humility, and care for the vulnerable. Let us pray for discernment, for courage, and for a renewed commitment to the common good. And may we always remember: the most powerful intelligence is not artificial—it is the wisdom that comes from walking humbly with our God. The full document is worth the read and may be found on the Vatican website at Antiqua et nova. Note on the Relationship Between Artificial Intelligence and Human Intelligence (28 January 2025)