From the Pastor - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 19, 2025

After today’s readings, we can’t say we have not been warned about the dangers of mixed-up priorities. God’s Word is so very clear today on the necessity of putting Him first in all areas of our lives.


We see this in the First Reading from Amos. The Lord has harsh words for those who would take advantage of the poor and whose priorities are not aligned with God’s

In the Second Reading from St. Paul’s letter to Timothy, Paul gives us the antidote to the self-centeredness condemned in our First Reading. The antidote is to imitate Christ, “who gave Himself as a ransom for all.” Rather than thinking of Himself and how to “get ahead,” Christ gave Himself away — completely — for our sake. That is how we are to live.


In our Gospel passage from Luke, the Lord shows us how to bridge the gap between worldly thinking and priorities and eternal thinking and priorities. Jesus tells the parable of the corrupt but clever steward who is about to be fired when the master discovers the steward has been squandering his property. Realizing his imminent unemployed status, the clever steward reaches out to the various debtors of his master to wheel and deal with them, making friends who would look out for him when he became jobless.


What if we put that kind of effort into our own tasks as good stewards of all God’s gifts to us? Into our ministries, into the ways we could make more time for prayer as individuals, as couples, as families, and as a parish? What if we got as creative as the “bad steward” in the use of our finances so that we could give more generously to the poor and the advancement of God’s kingdom on the earth? That’s our lesson and our challenge. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025.


Pastoral Pondering

I am writing this in the aftermath of the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. It was a sad day for the country, and we should certainly pray for Charlie’s family, especially his wife, Erika, and their two children. Certainly, the assassination itself was horrifying, but what the act represented was perhaps worse, the attempt to destroy respectful debate in a constitutional republic that values freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas. I watched many of Charlie Kirk’s campus visits, and I always found him to be challenging but respectful. He intentionally wanted to listen to and dialogue with those who disagreed with him. Sadly, an assassin’s bullet silenced his efforts.


From a Catholic viewpoint, debate and dialogue are not merely intellectual exercises but essential expressions of Christian charity, truth-seeking, and evangelization. The Church teaches that engaging others in conversation—especially on matters of faith, morality, or social issues—must always be rooted in love, humility, and respect for the dignity of the human person, as every individual is made in God's image (Genesis 1:27). This approach transforms potential conflict into an opportunity for mutual growth, reconciliation, and the proclamation of the Gospel. As Pope Francis emphasizes in Laudato Si', the Church encourages "honest debate" among experts while "respecting divergent views," recognizing that genuine solutions emerge from dialogue, not domination. The Church identified key reasons for this emphasis drawn from Scripture, Church teaching and tradition.


1. Rooted in Christ’s Command to Love and Speak Truth in Charity

Catholic teaching holds that respectful debate reflects Jesus' model of engaging opponents with compassion, even amid disagreement. In the Gospels, Christ debates Pharisees and Sadducees not to "win" arguments but to reveal truth mercifully (e.g., Matthew 22:15-46). St. Paul echoes this in Ephesians 4:15: "Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ." Harsh or condescending rhetoric, by contrast, risks sinning against charity, which the Catechism describes as the "bond of perfection" (CCC 1827).


This is why Catholic apologists like those at Catholic Answers stress cultivating a "calm and friendly manner" in debates, warning against becoming "debate junkies" who prioritize controversy over spiritual health. A morbid craving for disputes, Paul warns, breeds "envy, dissension, slander" (1 Timothy 6:4-5). Respectful engagement, therefore, safeguards the debater's soul while inviting others to Christ.


2. Promotes Unity and Ecumenism in a Divided World

The Church views dialogue as a path to unity, fulfilling Christ's prayer "that they may all be one" (John 17:21). In an era of polarization—whether over politics, immigration, or theology—respectful debate counters division by fostering understanding. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' president, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, recently urged promoting "the importance of dialogue [and] respect for the other" amid U.S. political tensions, linking it to the defense of human dignity from conception to natural death. Similarly, Pope John Paul II's message for the 2001 World Day of Peace calls for "dialogue between cultures" that overcomes "ethnocentric selfishness" through mutual respect, building a "civilization of love."


Ecumenically, this means avoiding misrepresentations, such as falsely accusing Catholics of "worshiping" Mary or saints—instead of veneration—or dismissing Tradition outright. The Catechism (CCC 821) encourages such respectful exchanges to bridge divides, as seen in interfaith colloquia hosted by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, where Pope Francis stresses seeing the "other" not as a threat but as a "gift" for growth.


3. Essential for Evangelization and Proclaiming the Gospel

Debate, when respectful, is a form of dialogue and proclamation, as outlined in the 1991 Vatican document of the same name. It allows Catholics to share the faith persuasively without coercion, respecting freedom of conscience. The Church has a long history of public disputations, from medieval scholastic debates to modern apologetics, but always under safeguards: priests may not initiate challenges, and discussions require episcopal approval to ensure reverence for sacred mysteries (Catholic Encyclopedia on Religious Discussions).


In practice, this means prioritizing witness over victory. As one Catholic writer notes, debates with atheists often fail because "faith... is the belief in a thing for which there is no evidence," so the best "win" is living virtuously as a testimony to Christ. Recent examples include calls for Christians to lead "respectful debate" on issues like immigration, modeling Gospel civility in public discourse.


4. Guards Against Sin and Builds a Culture of Life

Unrespectful debate erodes human dignity, a core Catholic principle. It can devolve into personal attacks, violating the Fifth Commandment's call to honor others (CCC 2262-2268). Pope Francis warns in addresses on interreligious dialogue that polarized discussions risk becoming "polemical and inconclusive" without trust and shared vision. Instead, respectful exchange upholds the "sanctity of human life," opposing atrocities and promoting harmony across religions, ethnicities, and cultures.

In apologetics, this translates to avoiding condescension or assuming bad faith, as both Catholics and Protestants seek to follow Christ. Debates on topics like sin, evolution, or authority should seek common ground—e.g., natural moral law binding all—while humbly acknowledging limits.



In summary, respectful debate is vital in Catholic thought because it mirrors Christ's merciful truth-telling, advances unity, and evangelizes without compromising dignity. As Vatican teachings repeatedly affirm, it requires "respect for differences" and a commitment to our shared "common home." In a noisy world, Catholics are called to be voices of dialogue, proving the Gospel's power through love, not force. For deeper reading, explore Laudato Si' or the Catechism's sections on charity and dialogue.

 

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Palm Sunday

By John Putnam • March 27, 2026
We begin this Holy Week with the reading of the Lord’s Passion from the Gospel of Matthew. It is fitting that during this week we intensely focus our minds and hearts on the steps of our Savior as He laid down His very life for us. But let us also examine the seemingly small acts of stewardship by some who encountered Jesus during this most eventful week. One occurred when Jesus gave instructions about the room where He would celebrate the Passover. Jesus said, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him…” ‘In your house I shall celebrate the Passover with my disciples.’” While we do not know this man’s name, we do know he agreed to this request — he shared the material gift of his home and the gift of hospitality. Because of his good stewardship, his own home became the site of the institution of the Eucharist! There was also Simon the Cyrenian, who offered the gift of his physical strength, helping the Lord to carry His Cross. Consider, too, the actions of Joseph of Arimathea — he generously shared a material gift of the tomb that was his, and he gave the gift of service to our Lord by giving Him a proper burial. Then there were the "two Marys” who gave Jesus the gift of their time. Keeping watch in tender vigil after His death, they “remained sitting there, facing the tomb.” Each of these were simple acts of good stewardship, yet God used them in mighty ways. God invites each of us, too, to cooperate with Him in small ways through the sharing of our time, talent, and material gifts. Small gifts can become mighty deeds when placed in God’s service. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering  Recently, a new translation of The Order of the Anointing of the Sick and of Their Pastoral Care was released by the USCCB. In keeping with our review over the last two weeks, I think it would be good to have a reminder about when it is proper to ask to receive this wonderful sacrament of healing. The following is adapted from an article by Father Dylan Shrader, an edited version of which appeared in the journal of the Society for Catholic Liturgy Antiphon 16, no. 1 (2012):52-61. Anointing of the Sick Before Surgery: When and Why? Many Catholics wonder: “Can I receive Anointing of the Sick just because I’m having surgery?” It’s a common question in parishes. Some assume that any procedure requiring general anesthesia carries enough risk to qualify for the sacrament. Fr. Dylan Schrader’s clear article (published in Antiphon, 2012) shows why this view, though well-meaning, does not match Church teaching. The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is not a “good-luck charm” against surgical complications. It is a healing sacrament Christ gave specifically for those who are already suffering a dangerous bodily infirmity —a serious illness, injury, or the frailty of old age that puts them in danger of death right now. Scripture (James 5:14) and the Councils of Florence and Trent are unmistakable: this sacrament is for the sick, not for anyone facing an external danger (battle, travel, or upcoming surgery) if they are otherwise healthy. The Church’s official Ritual says anointing can be given before surgery—but only when “a dangerous illness is the cause of the surgery itself.” The Catechism echoes this: it is “fitting” to receive Anointing before a serious operation for those who already qualify because of their illness. The point is pastoral wisdom, not a new rule: if someone is already sick enough to need anointing, it’s better to receive the sacrament before the added stress of surgery than to risk delaying it or missing it entirely. The special grace of Anointing does not “wear off.” Once received with faith, it lasts throughout the entire period of that same infirmity, giving strength, peace, union with Christ’s suffering, forgiveness of sins (if needed), and even possible physical healing. It can be repeated only if the person recovers and then falls seriously ill again, or if the same illness becomes markedly worse. Practical Guidance for Parishioners - If your surgery is because of a serious illness or injury (e.g., cancer surgery, heart procedure, complications from an accident), ask your priest about Anointing beforehand. He will gladly celebrate it. - If your procedure is elective, precautionary, or cosmetic (wisdom teeth removal with no infection, knee replacement for a stable condition, organ donation, etc.), you are not yet a candidate for Anointing. The Church offers beautiful alternatives: the blessing of the sick, prayers from the Book of Blessings, or simply the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist. - Always prepare spiritually with Confession and Holy Communion. These are available to everyone, healthy or ill. Priests are happy to explain the sacrament and resolve any doubt in favor of celebrating it when the criteria are met. The goal is never to withhold grace but to honor the beautiful purpose Christ gave this sacrament: to strengthen us precisely in the suffering we already carry. Christ instituted Anointing of the Sick so that, in our weakness, we might be united to His Passion and receive every grace we need to bear illness as Christians. When we understand its true purpose, we receive it with greater faith—and experience its full power. If you or a loved one faces serious illness, don’t wait. Call your priest today. The Church wants you to have this sacrament at the right time, for the right reason, and with full confidence in Christ’s healing love.

From the Pastor - 5th Sunday in Lent

By John Putnam • March 20, 2026
At this point in our Lenten journey, it is tempting to grow weary of the spiritual disciplines we have taken on. Today’s readings inspire us to remain faithful, in grateful response to a God who loves us so much. In our first reading, the prophet Ezekiel speaks God’s own words to us. “I will put my spirit in you that you may live… I have promised and I will do it, says the Lord.” Our God wants to be so closely united to us that we are one with Him. And He has promised He will do it. But only if we make room for Him by making Him THE priority of our lives. Putting God first is a grateful response that is very pleasing to Him. How can we do this? Our second reading, from Romans, tells us. “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh… you are in the spirit if only the Spirit of God dwells in you.” The disciplines of Lent and a stewardship way of life are wonderful gifts that free us from too great an attachment to “the flesh.” The sacrifices we make as Christian stewards are not meant to restrict our freedom and joy. Quite the contrary. They are tools to help us find the real freedom and joy that only come when we make room in our lives for God. As we journey closer to the Passion of our Lord, let us intensify our Lenten resolutions and our stewardship way of life, inviting the Holy Spirit to take over more and more of our lives. By Easter, we will be freer to rejoice in Him and truly pleasing to God. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2026. Pastoral Pondering On September 29, 1916, the Angel of Peace appeared to the three shepherd children in Fatima. During this encounter, the Angel shared with the children the following prayer: "Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I adore thee profoundly, and I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of the same son Jesus Christ, present in the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for all the sacrileges, outrages, and indifferences by which He Himself is offended. And by the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners." In keeping with the theme that I began last week, about reviewing the basics, I thought it might be useful to address the importance of Eucharistic reverence and devotion. In the prayer given by the Angel, sacrileges, outrages and indifferences are specifically mentioned. Perhaps looking at each of these is a helpful way to address this.