FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK - DECEMBER 30, 2022

Dear St. Martin’s Parishioners,

Happy Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. This Sunday’s gospel relates to us the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Even at his birth, though, there are foreshadowing’s of Christ’s Eucharistic sacrifice for our salvation. The gospel recounts that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread.” One day, Jesus would declare himself to be the Bread of Life, and then at the Last Supper he would transform bread and wine into the sacrament of salvation and communion. The gospel also says he was laid in a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals. This points forward to when Jesus would tell his disciples that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood has life in him. Lastly, the shepherds are present at the scene. This foreshadows Jesus as both the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep, and as the spotless Lamb of God, in whose sacrifice we participate for our salvation at Mass.

Continuing this Eucharistic theme, I strongly encourage our families to participate in a Eucharistic retreat for children on Saturday, January 7, from 8am-3pm in the school gym. It is being offered as a bilingual retreat for children from 4 to 10 years old, to help them develop a relationship with Jesus truly present in the Eucharist. The cost is $20 per child.

In the love of the Holy Family,

Fr. Dave