From the Pastor's Desk - April 26, 2026

Dear St. Martin’s Parishioners,

This Sunday we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day of Prayer for Vocations. We pray especially for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Jesus states straightforwardly in this Sunday’s gospel, “I am the gate for the sheep.” He adds, “Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” How do we enter through the gate who is Christ? Through baptism we enter Christ’s mystical body, the Church. In his mystical body we find the nourishment our souls need: the Word of God, the sacraments—especially the Eucharist—, the grace of the Holy Spirit, and Christ’s moral teachings. The priest is one who brings people to life in Christ and provides them with the nourishment for their souls. That is an incredible vocation!

I think of the story of the patron saint of priests, St. John Vianney. As he was heading to his assignment after ordination in Ars, France, he got lost. He asked a young shepherd boy to take him to the village, and after he did so, St. John Vianney said, “You have shown me the way to Ars; I will show you the way to heaven.” We need priests and religious sisters and brothers because they are guides for us to the abundant life that Christ promises us. Without them our souls wither on the vine or we get lost on our pilgrimage. May the Lord raise up many holy vocations from St. Martin’s, true shepherds of souls and faithful guides to eternal life!

This Sunday we bid farewell to Deacons Ian White and Blake Thompson. Both have served at St. Martin’s admirably over the past two years, and now they return to their home dioceses to be ordained priests of Jesus Christ. They have cut their teeth in ministry here, teaching in our OCIA program, helping on retreats and Bible studies, preaching, baptizing, leading Eucharistic adoration, assisting at weddings and funerals, and serving at the altar. We thank them for their openness to learning the ropes of parish life and for their yes to the Lord’s call.

Lastly, please keep in prayer all of our young people who will receive the sacraments of Baptism, first Holy Communion and Confirmation in nine sacramental Masses over the next three weeks. About three hundred children and teenagers will receive sacraments in less than months’ time. May they always enjoy life in abundance in Christ!

In Christ,

Fr. Dave