FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK - JANUARY 27, 2023

Dear St. Martin Parishioners,

One of the most powerful experiences of my priesthood was leading someone one-on-one into the Catholic faith. We went through the Catechism of the Catholic Church page by page over the course of a year and wrestled with the deep truths of the faith. At the end of it, as he was preparing to come into the Church, I asked him what struck him the most. His answer surprised me: the communion of saints. He mentioned that in his Evangelical background he was well aware of his relationship with God, but completely unaware of his relationship with his new brothers and sisters (and friends!), the saints. Pope Benedict XVI once said that there are two proofs of the faith, the Church’s treasury of art—in verse, in architecture, in painting, in music, etc.—and the lives of the saints.

Over the course of just this week, we celebrate four renowned saints, the Apostle Paul, Francis de Sales, Thomas Aquinas and John Bosco. The saints see things as they are, because they know and love God as he is. Let these four quotes from the aforementioned saints reinforce that truth.

St. Paul: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

St. Thomas Aquinas: “Grant me, O Lord my God, a mind to know you, a heart to seek you, wisdom to find you, conduct pleasing to you, faithful perseverance in waiting for you, and a hope of finally embracing you.”

St. Francis de Sales: “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.”

St. John Bosco: “We do not go to Holy Communion because we are good; we go to become good.”

Thank you to all of those who participated in our day of Eucharistic adoration for Life, especially for the life of the most vulnerable among us, the unborn. This Sunday we have our St. Martin’s Catholic School open house, from 3:00pm-4:30pm. Come and see what a difference a Catholic education could make for your son or daughter. Please register now for our Couples’ Night of Reflection on Saturday, February 11. We are blessed to have Bishop Dorsonville join us for the evening.

Lastly, thank you for your continued financial support of our St. Vincent de Paul Society and your material support of our parish pantry. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated at this time!

In Christ,

Fr. Dave