SALISBURY — Twenty years ago this month, Father John Putnam was ordained to the priesthood by the late Bishop John Donoghue at St. Patrick Cathedral in Charlotte. Over the past 20 years, Father Putnam continued his studies, specializing in canon law, and accepted several positions in parishes around the Diocese of Charlotte.
His first assignment was as interim parochial vicar of St. Lucien Church in Spruce Pine and St. Bernadette Church 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 is currently the pastor at Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury, a position he has held for the past 12 years. Since 2003, he has held the position of judicial vicar for the diocese, overseeing the marriage tribunal. He has also served as Tribunal Assessor, Tribunal Judge, Vicar Forane for the Salisbury Vicariate and Interim Vocation Director.
The 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.
To mark Father Putnam's 20th anniversary, there will be a Mass at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 10, at Sacred Heart Church at 375 Lumen Christi Lane in Salisbury. A celebration dinner will follow.
The Catholic News Herald recently interviewed him about his priestly ministry over the past 20 years:
CNH: What do you enjoy most about your priestly ministry?
Father Putnam: In addition to the celebration of the sacraments, I think being able to celebrate significant milestones in the lives of parishioners and parish families.
CNH: What is the biggest lesson you have learned over the past 20 years, now that you are a "seasoned" pastor?
Father Putnam: Don't forget that God's in charge and sometimes you just have to get out of the way.
CNH: What advice would you give to a man discerning a vocation to the priesthood?
Father Putnam: Be faithful to prayer and the sacraments and seek out guidance from a priest whom you trust and admire.
— SueAnn Howell, Staff writer
Other ordination milestones in May
Other priests of the diocese celebrating major milestones this month include:
- Bishop Emeritus William G. Curlin: 55 years. Look for a special in-depth interview with Bishop Curlin in our June 8 edition.
- Father Andrew Latsko: 20 years, now retired and living in Pennsylvania
- Father Bernard Manley: 25 years, retired and living at Pennybyrn at Maryfield in High Point
- Father Carlo Di Natale Tarasi: 40 years, now living in Charlotte
GASTONIA — The feast of Pentecost marked a special milestone for Father Roger K. Arnsparger, pastor of St. Michael Church and diocesan vicar of education. His bishop, Peter J. Jugis, along with clergy and laity from around the Diocese of Charlotte celebrated Mass on May 27 to honor his 35th anniversary of ordination.
Bishop Jugis, the main celebrant, pointed out that the feast of Pentecost, which commemorates the Holy Spirit igniting and expanding the Church from its beginnings in the Upper Room over the centuries and around the world, is also a celebration of God's grace flowing into our lives and our vocations.
This "river of grace" flows from Jesus, and is seen today in the clergy of the Church. Priests are instruments of grace, Bishop Jugis noted, and in their priestly ministry they extend the grace of the Holy Spirit through the sacraments into people's lives.
"The Holy Spirit turns us away from our selfishness and frees us to be self-giving and in service to others," he said of the priesthood. "The Holy Spirit makes Jesus' self-giving love come alive in us."
Father Arnsparger, who grew up in a Protestant home and is a Catholic convert, was ordained May 14, 1977.
"The priest whom we are honoring today was swept off his feet 35 years ago by the river of grace of the Holy Spirit flowing through Jesus," said Bishop Jugis. "The Holy Spirit transformed him into an 'alter Christus' ('another Christ'), giving him a new identity, by the grace of the sacrament of holy orders imprinting that indelible character on his soul.
"Through him, then, the Holy Spirit has continued to do what the Holy Spirit does best. He has used Father's priestly ministry as an instrument to even further extend the graces of holiness – to extend that grace into the lives of many more Christians."
After Mass, a reception was held in the parish activity center on the church campus.
Several groups of children sang in Father Arnsparger's honor during the luncheon. The students and staff of St. Michael School also presented him with a large, handmade rosary they made for him from colored construction paper, a basket filled with prayer intentions, and a video of the students singing and sharing well-wishes.
"On behalf of all the school – students, parents and PTO – we thank you for all you do for us," said Joseph Puceta, principal of St. Michael School.
Parishioners of St. Michael Church, represented by members of the pastoral council and vocations committee, presented Father Arnsparger with a framed photograph of him meeting Pope Benedict XVI in Rome on May 7 during Bishop Jugis' recent ad limina visit. They have also contacted the Vatican to arrange for a papal blessing to commemorate the anniversary of his ordination.
"Thank you to everyone for your many, many kindnesses to me. It has been a privilege to enjoy the graces that God gives me in the privilege of being a priest," Father Arnsparger said after the presentations.
"Every time we celebrate a sacrament, the priest is filled with joy in his heart that he is permitted to extend the ministry of Jesus' cross and resurrection," he added. "Let us continue to pray for our young men to listen to Our Lord's call to serve the family of the Church and the evangelization of the world as His loyal and loving priests."
— SueAnn Howell, staff writer
Below is a photos slideshow and video from the Mass.