From the Pastor's Desk - November 2, 2025

Dear St. Martin’s Parishioners,

St. Therese of Lisieux said before her death, “I want to spend my heaven doing good on earth.” She had a great desire to see the salvation of all people, as do all the saints. As we celebrate All Saints Day on Saturday and All Souls Day on Sunday, we give thanks for the saints in heaven and the souls in purgatory for offering their prayers to God that we may join them in the Kingdom of God.

Thank you to all that participated in our beautiful candlelight rosary procession on Monday night, followed by Sr. Maria Belén’s going-away party. It was a heartfelt and even joyful sendoff, and now we welcome back Sr. Providencia (her twin sister!) to serve at St. Martin’s.

From Thursday, November 6 through Thursday, November 13, our parish will have a relic of St. Oscar Romero, the El Salvadoran bishop and martyr. St. Oscar Romero gave his life while fighting for the persecuted people of his country during the Salvadoran Civil War. He was martyred while at the altar celebrating Mass. The presence of his relic provides our parish with a great opportunity to pray for, and stand in solidarity with, our immigrant community in this time of great uncertainty and fear.

Next Saturday, November 8 , I invite you to take part in our Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to St. John Neumann Parish in Montgomery Village. St. John’s was designated a jubilee parish by Cardinal Gregory, which means that by walking through the holy doors during this jubilee year, you can gain a plenary indulgence. You can find flyers explaining the meaning of a plenary indulgence, as well as the conditions for receiving one, at the church entrances this weekend. The pilgrimage will begin at Centerway Shopping Center in Montgomery Village at 12:00pm, and we will walk directly to St. John’s by way of Montgomery Village Ave.

The Jubilee Pilgrimage is a perfect way to prepare for our parish’s patronal feast day of St. Martin of Tours on Sunday, November 9! The 5:00pm Mass next Sunday will be a trilingual celebration in honor of our patron saint. Join us immediately after the Mass in the school gym for a production on the life of St. Martin. Light refreshments will be available, as well.

In Christ,

Fr. Dave