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 - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • September 25, 2026
As Christian stewards, we are called to a high and holy standard — living as Christ’s disciples every day and with every person the Lord places in our path. But we can move towards this goal in “baby steps.” Jesus demonstrates this comforting truth through the parable He tells in today’s Gospel from Matthew. It is the story of two sons whose father instructs them to go out and work in his vineyard that day. While the second son agrees to his father’s request, he does not follow through — he fails to obey the father’s will. The first son tells his father, “no.” At least he is honest! And in the end, he reconsiders and obeys his father. The first son’s honest, less-than-perfect response is consoling to us Christian stewards. Haven’t we all felt this way at times when God’s will for us seems to be just too hard? We can be honest with God at these times. He knows our thoughts already, after all. But when we stay engaged in a real relationship with Him, even if it’s just to say, “I don’t think I can, Lord,” He will supply us with just the grace we need to change our minds and do what He is asking us to do. We can even take a step backward from time to time because our Father is merciful and kind. What matters is that we keep baby-stepping along, assured of the grace we need to more closely imitate the actions and attitudes of Christ. This is the beauty of the stewardship way of life. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026 Pastoral Pondering On the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the other priests, seminarians, and I, had the opportunity to attend the Final Solemn Profession of Sister Mary Lucia, DVM. It was a moving experience, and I thought it a good occasion to reflect on the importance of religious life in the life of the parish and the life of the Church. Every Sunday we gather as one family: families in the pews, single adults, children, the elderly, deacons, priests, seminarians, and, often quietly among us, men and women who have given their whole lives to God by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. They are not a side chapel of the Church. They stand at her heart. “The consecrated life is at the very heart of the Church as a decisive element for her mission.” — Pope St. John Paul II, Vita Consecrata What does that mean for us here at Saint Mark’s? It means that the Church is poorer—less herself—whenever we forget those who have left everything to follow Christ with an undivided heart. Baptism already consecrates every Christian. Consecrated life is a further, public, stable response to that same baptismal grace: a way of making the face of Jesus—poor, chaste, and obedient—visible in the middle of an age that is often restless, acquisitive, and self-directed. A living sign of the world to come The Catechism teaches that those who profess the evangelical counsels “signify and proclaim in the Church the glory of the world to come.” In other words, a sister who owns nothing, a brother who lives in community, a contemplative who prays through the night, a consecrated virgin living in the world, a missionary who goes where no one else will go—each of them is a living reminder that this world is not our final home. Their lives preach what our words sometimes only hint at: God is enough. That witness is not a luxury. In a culture that measures worth by productivity, possessions, and personal autonomy, consecrated men and women quietly insist that love can be total, that freedom is found in gift, and that joy does not depend on having more. They are, as one religious recently put it, a kind of medicine for the whole Body of Christ—an antidote to our easy compromises with comfort and control. Many forms, one gift Consecrated life is not one mold. From the earliest centuries there have been hermits and virgins, monks and nuns, itinerant preachers and teachers, nurses and missionaries. Today the Church recognizes religious institutes of contemplative and apostolic life, societies of apostolic life, secular institutes, consecrated virgins and widows, and the eremitic life. Some live behind cloister walls. Some staff our schools, hospitals, and missions. Some remain in ordinary workplaces while belonging entirely to Christ. All of them exist for the holiness of the whole Church. History itself testifies to this. The faith was planted and the poor were served in large part because religious families poured themselves out. That work continues. When we thank God for Catholic education, for care of the sick, for quiet hours of adoration offered for souls we will never meet, we are often thanking consecrated persons we may never see. What this asks of us First, gratitude. If a religious sister taught you the faith, if a priest of a religious order heard your confession on retreat, if a contemplative community has prayed for this parish, thank God for them—and, when you can, thank them. Second, prayer for vocations. The Lord still calls. He calls from our families, our youth groups, our college campuses, and our pews. Parents, do not be afraid if your son or daughter begins to wonder about religious life. That question is not a loss to the family; it may be one of the greatest gifts a family can offer the Church. Young people: if the thought of giving everything to Christ will not leave you alone, do not smother it. Speak with a priest or a consecrated person you trust. The Church needs the diversity and richness of these charisms. Third, our own fidelity. Consecrated life does not replace the vocation of marriage or the single life in the world. It illuminates them. The vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience are a concentrated form of what every disciple must live in some measure: detachment, purity of heart, and obedience to the Father’s will. When religious are faithful, the whole parish is strengthened. When we in the pews are faithful to our own state of life, we honor the same Lord they serve. The Church will never be without this gift, because Christ Himself is poor, chaste, and obedient, and He continues to draw men and women into that pattern of life. Let us esteem it. Let us pray for those who live it. And let us ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers—not only priests, but sisters, brothers, and all who will make His way of life visible among us.  We thank God for the witness of the Daughters of the Virgin Mother who serve here at St. Mark and for all of the religious in the Diocese of Charlotte who give witness to the beauty of consecrated life.

From the Pastor - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • September 18, 2026
Though we can never fully comprehend the perfection of God and His ways, Sacred Scripture reminds us that God's ways are often very different from our own. In our First Reading from Isaiah, the Lord declares, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways." As His disciples, we are called to see life from God's perspective, using our time, talents, and treasure with eternity in mind. In today's Gospel, Jesus illustrates this divine perspective through the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Some labor all day, while others are called only near the end of the day. Yet the landowner gives each worker the same wage. Those who worked the longest grumble because they are thinking according to human standards rather than God's generosity. The same temptation can affect us. We may compare ourselves to others and wonder whether everyone else is contributing as much as we are at home, in our parish, or in our community. Instead, we should remember what a privilege it is to have been invited into the Lord's vineyard. Living the stewardship way of life fills our lives with meaning, purpose, and lasting joy. May we thank God each day for calling us to share in His work. ©Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026 Pastoral Pondering Why the Church — and Society — Should Welcome Children God’s first blessing on man and woman was not a burden: “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). The Catechism calls children “the supreme gift of marriage.” They are not an accessory to married love. They spring from the spouses’ gift of self. Marriage is ordered to the good of husband and wife and to the procreation and education of children. The Church does not assign a number. She teaches a truth: married love, by its nature, is open to life. A gift, not a possession A child is a person, never a product. Couples do not have a “right to a child.” The child has rights: to be received as a gift, to be the fruit of his or her own father and mother, and to be respected from conception. When we welcome children we cooperate with the Creator. Responsible parenthood is generous discernment before God — not selfish delay, and not closing the marital act against life. For serious reasons a couple may space births. Natural Family Planning honors both the unitive and procreative meanings of marriage. Large families, received with joy, remain a sign of blessing. Couples who cannot conceive are not forgotten: their marriages can still be fruitful in charity, hospitality, and spiritual fatherhood and motherhood. Good for the Church. Good for the city. The family is the first school of the Gospel — and the foundation of the common good. Nations endure when men and women marry, stay faithful, welcome children, and raise them in virtue. Children are not a private hobby. They are tomorrow’s neighbors, workers, caregivers, citizens, and saints. A culture that treats fertility as a problem, delays marriage, or is indifferent to the unborn mortgages its own future. Advocates in public life Families also need a voice beyond the parish. The American Principles Project works to place the family at the center of public debate: parental rights, the protection of childhood, the defense of life, and policies that make it more possible for the young to marry and raise children. A bulletin is not a campaign flyer. The Church baptizes no political organization. Catholics may differ on particular tactics. We may not differ on this: marriage, children, and a parent’s duty are not partisan inventions. They belong to the natural law and to the Gospel. Here at Saint Mark’s Encourage the young couples in the pews. Thank the families who fill our Masses with life. Walk with those who wait for a child. Learn NFP as the Church teaches it. Speak and vote as people who believe every child is a gift. And if God is asking your household for another act of generosity, do not be afraid. He who blesses does not abandon. Children are not a threat to our future. They are our future — and a living sign that God has not finished creating.