HENDERSONVILLE — Friends of Immaculata Catholic School and Immaculate Conception Church recently sponsored a bear sculpture in Downtown Hendersonville’s annual “Bearfootin’ Public Art Walk” that was entitled “Our Past, Present and Future.”
The sculpture contains the names of all the staff, students, parents and grandparents at Immaculata School.
The longtime public art project features unique bear (or other animal) sculptures painted by local artists and placed along the 16 blocks that comprise Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. Funds raised from the art walk and auction organized by Historic Downtown Hendersonville raises money for local charities.
— Photo provided by Father Martin Schratz
‘I feel truly blessed to have been called to the priesthood’
‘I feel truly blessed to have been called to the priesthood’HUNTERSVILLE — Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville, celebrates 25 years of priestly ministry this year. He was ordained to the priesthood by the late Bishop John Donoghue, the second bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte, at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte on May 30, 1992.
Over the past 25 years, Father Putnam has continued his studies, specializing in canon law and accepting several positions at parishes around the diocese.
“As I reflect over these past 25 years of priestly ministry, I am amazed at all that the Lord has accomplished in the diocese,” Father Putnam says. “In 1992 I would have never imagined that we would have our own college seminary program or that the diocese would have grown so quickly.”
His first assignment was as interim parochial vicar of St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine and St. Bernadette Mission in Linville. Since then he has also served as parochial vicar of Holy Family Church in Clemmons and as the administrator of Holy Infant Church in Reidsville. He served as sacramental minister of St. Joseph Church in Eden as well.
Father Putnam also served as pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, a position he held for 15 years. Since 2003, he has held the position of judicial vicar for the diocese, overseeing the marriage tribunal. He has also served the diocese as tribunal assessor, tribunal judge, vicar forane for the Salisbury Vicariate and interim vocation director.
“As the judicial vicar I have to approach my ministry on both a parochial and diocesan level,” he explains. “This can be a challenge at times because competing goods can often make you feel spread thin. Yet, it also has given me the ability not to become too parochial and help my parishioners understand that there is something bigger than ourselves.”
Various boards and councils he has served on include the Priest Vocations Board, Presbyteral Council, College of Consultors, Priest Personnel Committee and the Eucharistic Congress Steering Committee.
When asked in 2012 about what he enjoys most about his priestly ministry, Father Putnam stated that in addition to the celebration of the sacraments, he cherishes being able to celebrate significant milestones in the lives of parishioners and parish families.
He also shared that one of the biggest lessons he has learned as a priest is, “Don’t forget that God’s in charge and sometimes you just have to get out of the way.”
“Over the years you experience many joys and heartaches; yet, above all, I feel truly blessed to have been called to the priesthood,” he says. “The people I have encountered over the years have helped me become the priest I am today, and
I am forever grateful for their patience and love. It is a wonderful life and, God willing, I will be able to continue living it faithfully and fruitfully.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter