From the Pastor -Pentecost

June 3, 2022

Today we reach the finale of the Easter season with the celebration of the great Feast of Pentecost. Reflecting on today’s readings inspires a sense of awe as we consider the mighty power of the Holy Spirit at work giving birth to and sustaining our Church. Just as awesome — the same Spirit is calling to us this day to take up our part in the Church’s saving work.


In the first reading, from Acts, we see the creative genius of the Holy Spirit moving through the newly confirmed Apostles “who began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” The large crowd, gathered from all over the world were “amazed” and “astounded” that each one could understand the Apostles speaking in their own language.


Each one of us, young and old alike, is personally called today by the Holy Spirit into the same mission as that of the first Apostles — to advance the Kingdom of God in our corner of the world. Just as He did on that Pentecost day, the Holy Spirit speaks to us in our “own language” to give us the Good News of the Gospel and urge us to share it. We can think of our own language as the particular gifts, talents, and passions we possess. We experience the presence of the Holy Spirit through them and we are meant put them to the work in grateful service of the Kingdom of God.


When we consider the stewardship way of life we are called to live, we often focus on the challenges it poses. Surrendering ourselves to God is indeed a challenging way to live. But it leads to a life that is exciting, creative, and deeply rewarding. Stewardship allows us to experience life as a great adventure because it is a life guided and directed by the very source of power and creativity — the Holy Spirit!

© Catholic Stewardship Consultants


Pastoral Pondering

I wanted to address a few things that have come my way over the past few days that I believe may be of interest to a wider audience.


Sign of Peace and Communion – While most of the restrictions that were enacted by the Diocese with COVID have been removed, there are still restrictions on the Sign of Peace and offering both species at Holy Communion. My observation at Mass has generally been that even though the deacon does not announce the sign of peace, many families and friends are sharing some sign of their own volition. This is fine. We should also remember that there are a number of ways that the sign of peace can be offered other than shaking hands, e.g., bowing, simply indicating peace vocally, etc.


The Communion cup, of course raises other concerns. Prior to COVID we had moved to sharing Communion in this way to special feast days such as Corpus Christi, which is actually what the liturgical documents indicate is proper. With COVID’s arrival, however, this was eliminated completely except for those with special accommodation due to food allergies. We have received no indication when or if this option might be available again. I think a modified sign of peace will return before the cup for Communion.


Speaker Pelosi and the Archbishop – Some folks have expressed confusion concerning the Archbishop of San Francisco’s statement that Representative Nancy Pelosi is no longer able to receive Communion until she repents of her public promotion of abortion based on the norm expressed in canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law.


The responses that I have seen out in the media world have been varied from accusing the Archbishop of being political to those who declare that his action was far overdue. The canon in question states the following:


can. 915† Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.


I have underlined the portion of the canon that is operative here. From Archbishop Cordileone’s statement, it is clear that he had made a number of attempts over the past number of years to engage the Speaker on this matter. Most recently, however, in light of her support of legislation that would go far beyond Roe vs. Wade, the Speaker did not respond to his requests.


The primary concern of the second clause of the canon is the causing of public scandal. Both excommunication and interdict are remedial penalties meant to bring the subject back to full Communion with the Church. The action involved here, while it certainly aims to correct error and restore right relationship, is more concerned with the scandal caused when a public person, who regularly presents herself as a devout Catholic, promotes positions that are in clear opposition to Catholic moral teaching.


It seems clear to me that this was not something that the Archbishop wanted to do, but he felt it was something he had to do, not only for the good of the Speaker’s eternal soul, but also to alleviate the scandal caused by her contrary witness. Moreover, the Archbishop’s statement deals solely with the life of the Church. It has no impact on the public sphere and, therefore, is certainly not political. The Archbishop, as do all pastors of souls, has a responsibility to confirm the faithful, ensure sound teaching, and promote proper devotion and respect for the sacraments of the Church.


Each bishop is responsible for this in his particular diocese; therefore, you can see various responses from different bishops. While, in my opinion, this is terribly confusing on many levels, it is the state of the matter here in the United States. All of us should pray for the Archbishop as he exercises his apostolic office, and we should also pray for all of those members of the flock who, because of the public nature of their witness, cause scandal and wonderment among the faithful and the community at large.


Gun violence and mass shootings – As I write this, the recent school shooting in Texas is still a very open wound for the country. These events are terrible tragedies, especially when there is significant loss of life. On one hand such events are not new and, thankfully, are few. Nonetheless, when they occur, they often lead to shock, wonderment and even uncertainty about the goodness of God.


First and foremost, we know that God is good and He never intends an intrinsic evil. Because of our fallen human nature and the freedom with which we are endowed, however, He allows, through His permissive will, such things to occur. And, regardless of how terrible something may be, can often bring about some good in the midst of the tragedy, e.g., a family reconciliation, a greater awareness of mental illness, etc.


Whether aided by the isolation that arose during COVID or some other factor, it does seem that anger, confusion and desperation can be found in plenty in society today. One of the reasons that we engaged a counselor on staff was due to the trends that we were seeing over the past couple of years.


Of course, our first response, should be fervent prayer for the victims and their families as well as prayer for those who perpetrate these things. These things also demand that we, as followers of Christ, look for ways to address what ails our society and try, as best we can, to be part of a helpful solution.


Security also becomes a concern, and be assured, that the security of the parish is very important, and steps are being taken to ensure that we have a proper security plan in place. No one should have to be afraid when they come to church or go to school. While we cannot eliminate all possible threats, we can learn to be more vigilant and be as prepared as we can be in the midst of this present world.


From the Pastor

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.

From the Pastor - 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • February 13, 2026
Today’s readings challenge us to reflect on the true state of our hearts as it relates to stewardship. Do we think of stewardship as something we take care of once a year, simply a matter of ticking off boxes on a commitment card — or do we choose to embrace it as a spirituality and a way of life that allows us to grow in conformity to Christ every day? Our first reading, from the Book of Sirach, teaches that our good God has given us the freedom to make this choice — “Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him.” The concept of stewardship helps us live out this fundamental choice to put God first. Stewardship is not meant to be a mere external exercise that we participate in on an occasional basis. It is meant to be embraced as a way of life — a life that involves a continuous conversion of heart. In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus illustrates the difference between an external observance of the law and a true conversion of heart, saying, “You have heard that it was said … you shall not kill … But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” Our Lord is asking us not only for exterior acts, but for a true change of heart. In stewardship terms, that means seeing everything as a gift from Him, to be used for His glory and the good of others. In the week ahead, let us examine the state of our hearts and ask whether we have allowed stewardship to shape the way we live each day. When we do, we open ourselves to its deeper meaning and its power to change our hearts. The choice is ours. Pastoral Pondering I am appreciative of the cooperation we have had with the recent changes in the distribution of Communion. Please be mindful that each person has the right to choose the manner in which he or she receives Holy Communion. As long as that choice is in conformity with what the Church allows, the individual is free to exercise that right. We all have preferences and pious practices that are important to us. It is important, however, that we do not pass judgment on the reasons someone else chooses differently from us. No one knows the heart of another; God alone knows those things. Clearly, if someone is doing something that is improper or sacrilegious, we have a moral obligation to say something. However, when another is making a legitimate choice, he or she is free to do so. We all need to be conscious of the importance of exercising charity, especially with one another. As we prepare to embark on our Lenten journey, please take time to pray and ponder what you need to do (and not do) to make this a truly fruitful Lent. Taking time for prayer and reflection and asking the Lord to guide you in choosing your Lenten sacrifices and works of charity, is a wonderful way to prepare for and to receive the full grace of this special season of the liturgical year. Penance, of course, is a regular part of Catholic life. Every Friday throughout the year is a day of penance. During Lent, every Friday is a day of abstinence from meat; outside of Lent, one may choose an alternative form of penance. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are days of fasting for those between the ages of 14 and 60. Let us pray for one another that our Lenten observances may help us grow in holiness, become more attentive to the promptings of the Spirit, and be instruments of the light of Christ in the world.