From the Pastor - 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

January 29, 2024

Our readings today remind us of God’s authority.

 

As we reflect on our Gospel, we recognize that God possesses all authority and that we want to give Him all authority. Jesus was teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. All were fixed on His words and astonished at what He had to say. Suddenly everyone’s attention shifted to a man with an unclean spirit who began to question Jesus and His authority. Jesus responded, “Quiet, come out of him!” and removed the evil spirit from the man. All were amazed at the healing of this man.

 

Life can sometimes look like the synagogue in Capernaum. We are living as disciples of Christ when we suddenly recognize evil around us — through events in our lives, temptations we are enduring, or by falling into sin. It can distract us, consume our attention, or even cause us to despair. In these moments of trial, we must remember the Healer in our Gospel today. Recall His words, “Quiet, come out of Him!” Jesus has the power and authority over evil, for He has conquered sin and death. He also has the power and authority over us. And when we invite Him to have that authority, He will heal us and help us persevere.

 

Today, we are reminded that God is in control and that we want Him to be in control. He is the loving Healer Who will work miracles in our lives if we give Him the authority to do so. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2023

 

Pastoral Pondering – Even though it seems that the Christmas season just came to an end, we are now at the last Sunday of January, and the Lenten season is a little over two weeks away. This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 14th, so I would suggest celebrating with your Valentine on Shrove Tuesday 😊.

 

Lent provides us with an opportunity each year to recollect ourselves and reflect on where we are spiritually and where we need (or would like to be). All too often we wait until Ash Wednesday and then try to figure our Lenten plan out and by then it’s too late. It takes some time and some prayer. Our Communications Office is excellent about posting resources that are available via Formed.org as well as opportunities in the parish such as The Rescue Project and Small Groups. But, as we all know, you can lead the horse to water, but…the horse must do the drinking. The same goes for us. The parish can offer opportunities and resources, and we certainly do, but each person and family needs to be intentional about observing the Lenten journey. So, you have now been forewarned – don’t let Lent sneak up on you. BE PREPARED!! Enjoy the rest of Winter Ordinary Time while it lasts.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 2nd Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • February 27, 2026
Our readings for this second Sunday of Lent offer us, as Christian stewards, the motivation to continue our 40-day journey toward deeper holiness. The first reading from the book of Genesis describes God’s call to Abram (who would later be called Abraham). God instructs Abram to leave his home and set out to a land that God had chosen for him. Abram’s response is an ancient example of good stewardship. Instead of clinging to his comfortable home and way of life, he recognizes that all he has is a gift from God, puts his trust in God, and obeys. And God rewards him, saying, “I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” To “be a blessing” is the true aim of a stewardship way of life. It is also an excellent way to live out the season of Lent. The sacrifices we take on, the spiritual disciplines we practice, and the extra acts of service we perform during this season — all give glory to God and transform our lives into a blessing for others. Lest we grow weary on this path, our Gospel passage today, from Matthew, offers us a powerful image of the great God we serve. It is the story of the Transfiguration of Jesus, when our Lord reveals Himself in His true glory and the Father says, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” The apostles who witnessed this were awestruck. But our loving Savior reassured them saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.” As we continue our Lenten journey, let us take these two verses, “Listen to him,” “Rise, and do not be afraid” to heart. Let us rely on God’s strength to aid us in our spiritual disciplines as we move through Lent. We will arrive at Easter with deeper holiness, as a blessing to God and others — and as better stewards of all God’s gifts to us. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026) Pastoral Pondering Stewardship holds profound importance in Catholic teaching because it is fundamentally an expression of discipleship and a grateful response to God's immense love and generosity. Catholics believe that everything —our lives, time, talents, treasure (material resources), the earth itself, and all creation—belongs to God as the Creator and Owner. We are not owners but stewards , entrusted with these gifts to manage responsibly, not for selfish purposes but to honor God, serve others, and build His Kingdom. This concept is rooted in Scripture and has been articulated clearly by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in their 1992 pastoral letter Stewardship: A Disciple's Response. The bishops describe a Christian steward as one who: - Receives God's gifts gratefully - Cultivates them responsibly - Shares them lovingly in justice with others - Returns them with increase to the Lord  Stewardship is not optional for Catholics; it flows naturally from becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. As the USCCB explains, "once one chooses to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, stewardship is not an option." It is a way of life that shapes how Catholics understand and live out their faith daily.

From the Pastor - 1st Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • February 20, 2026
As we begin the season of Lent, the Church invites us into 40 days of renewal and refocusing. Lent is not only about giving something up, but about making room for God. For Christian stewards, this season invites us to reflect on how we are using the time entrusted to us. In the first reading, Adam and Eve turn their attention away from God and allow doubt to take root. Trust is replaced by self-reliance, and the harmony of the Garden is broken. These same temptations remain familiar when our days become crowded with distractions that pull us away from God. In the Gospel, Jesus shows us a different path. In the desert, He gives time to prayer and fasting, remains grounded in Scripture, and places His complete trust in the Father. By intentionally giving time to God, Jesus resists temptation and remains faithful. Lent invites us to do the same. By making space in our schedules for prayer, Scripture, and quiet reflection, we grow in trust and gratitude. When we place God at the center of our time, stewardship becomes a way of life, and our hearts are prepared to celebrate the joy of Easter. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026) Pastoral Pondering  Folks often asks the priests, “Father, how do you pray?” The question is not that different from the request the apostles made of Jesus in Luke 11:1-4 when they asked Him to teach them how to pray. There are lots of possibilities out there. One of those that I find particularly helpful is Lectio Divina or Divine Reading. What follows is a brief outline of the method that some may find helpful. In our busy lives, it's easy to read the Bible quickly or skim through it like any other book. But what if we approached Scripture not just to learn information, but to encounter God personally? That's the heart of Lectio Divina, an ancient Catholic practice of "divine reading" that transforms ordinary reading into a profound prayerful conversation with the Lord. Lectio Divina dates back to the early monastic communities, encouraged by figures like St. Benedict, and has been a cherished method in the Church for centuries. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church notes, it engages our thoughts, imagination, emotions, and desires to deepen our faith and draw us closer to Christ (CCC 2708). Today, it's experiencing a beautiful renewal as more Catholics rediscover this simple yet powerful way to let God's Word speak directly to our hearts. The traditional steps of Lectio Divina are four (sometimes with a fifth for action): 1. Lectio (Reading) Choose a short passage of Scripture—perhaps from the day's Gospel or a favorite psalm. Read it slowly, perhaps aloud, several times. Listen attentively, as if God is speaking the words to you personally. Pay attention to any word, phrase, or image that stands out or "shimmers" in your heart. This isn't about covering ground; it's about letting the Word sink in. 2. Meditatio (Meditation ) Reflect on what you've read. Ask: What is this passage saying? What does it reveal about God? How does it connect to my life right now? Ruminate on it like a cow chewing cud—slowly, thoughtfully. Let your mind and heart ponder the meaning, imagining yourself in the scene if it's a Gospel story. 3. Oratio (Prayer) Turn your reflection into a personal conversation with God. Respond honestly: Thank Him, praise Him, ask for forgiveness, seek guidance, or simply tell Him how the Word moves you. This is where prayer flows naturally from the Scripture—it's no longer just words on a page, but a dialogue with the living God. 4. Contemplatio (Contemplation) Rest quietly in God's presence. Let go of words and thoughts. Simply be with Him, allowing His love to envelop you in silence. This is the moment of resting in the peace that comes from encountering the Lord. Some traditions add a fifth step: **Actio (Action)**—carrying the grace received into daily life through concrete changes or acts of charity. Lectio Divina is for everyone—not just monks or scholars. You don't need hours; even 15-20 minutes can be transformative. Try it with the Sunday readings or start with a single verse like "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). Find a quiet spot, invite the Holy Spirit to guide you ("Come, Holy Spirit"), and open your heart. As Pope Benedict XVI encouraged, Lectio Divina helps us hear God's voice in Scripture and respond with our whole lives. In a world full of noise, this ancient practice invites us to slow down, listen deeply, and grow in intimacy with Christ. Why not give it a try this week? Your soul—and God—will thank you.