From the Pastor's Desk - March 28, 2025

Dear St. Martin’s Parishioners,

The fourth Sunday of Lent is known as Laetare Sunday, coming from the Latin word for “rejoice.” The entrance antiphon of the Mass is, “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.” The Church desires us to rejoice every Sunday, but in a special way this Sunday! The spiritual significance of Jerusalem is the Church. So the whole Church and all of us who love her, as the Bride of Christ, are exhorted to rejoice in the work of God. We were in mourning because we were tragically separated from our life and our love by sin. But now we exult because at the Church’s breast, that is, through her sacramental life, we are nourished with eternal life. It is from Christ’s breast, pierced with a lance at the crucifixion, that we receive his divine life through the bath of renewal and the Eucharistic feast.

I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to all those who participated in our Lenten Parish Mission. I especially want to thank all those who volunteered their time in organizing and executing it: our childcare volunteers, youth group volunteers, refreshment providers, liturgical ministers, cantors and presenters. It was a grace and hope-filled time for our parish to advance on the royal road of the cross, which leads to life eternal.

In Christ our Hope,

Fr. Dave