February 4, 2023
Dear Friends in Christ,
One of the most central parts of a priest’s ministry is to call others to Christ. In this season during which our Faith Formation teams are preparing people for the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, we will soon welcome six children and, hopefully, two adults into our church at the Easter Vigil. But this appeal to call others to our faith belongs to us all. We can learn much about this call by reflecting on the Gospel Acclamation for this Sunday’s readings:
“I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Just as the sun is the source for all life, Jesus Christ is the sustaining force and Savior for all Christians. All of us are called to invite others to him, but we do this less with our words than with our deeds. In the Second Reading from St. Paul to the Corinthians, the authors write their witness comes “not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of Spirit and power so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on the power of God.” And so, it is with us.
If we want to live out our faith and attract others to it, I encourage you to show, not tell. As we approach our Lenten season, please pray over how you can better serve Christ, be that by donating regularly to our St. Martin Food Pantry Ministry, joining the St. Vincent de Paul Society, or picking up non-perishable food items for our Youth Ministry’s Souperbowl for Caring on February 12. Let us call others to Christ by the light they see that emanates from him.
I wish you all a blessed and wonderful week! Please RSVP below for the Adult Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Dance on Saturday, February 11; the deadline has been extended through Monday, February 6.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Saturday, February 4:
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
Sunday, February 5:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 8 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. William Brailsford. Mass readings.
- Mass at 9:30 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass readings.
- Mass at 11:15 am in the church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass readings.
- Mass in Spanish at 1 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Grzegorz Okulewicz. Mass readings.
- Mass at 5 pm in the church. Celebrated by Fr. Grzegorz Okulewicz. Mass readings.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
Monday, February 6:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Virtual parish Rosary at 4 pm. Led by a member of the Rosary group.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by Lois James.
Tuesday, February 7:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
Parish Resources:
St. Martin Food Pantry Needs
The St. Martin Food Pantry has an urgent need for the following items:
- Dry unsweetened cereal
- Pasta
- Pasta sauce
- Canned fruit
- Canned beans
- Dry rice/beans
- Stew, canned pasta, and chili
- Macaroni and cheese
- Canned soup
- Similac Blue and Similac Orange baby formula and domestic equivalents/substitutes
- Diapers in size 5
- Ensure for adults and adult unisex pullups in sizes small, medium, and large
- Plastic grocery bags and plastic newspaper bags
Please place all donations in the St. Martin Food Pantry box in the Gathering Space or in the bin on the Rectory porch. Thanks for your support!
Lend Your Italian Artifacts, Cookware, and Maps to Decorate Volunteer Appreciation Event
Do you have any maps of Italy, Italian artifacts or cookware, or old photos of Italian family members you could part with for a few days? If so, consider loaning them to the parish for use as decoration at the upcoming Adult Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Dance on Saturday, February 11, in the Parish Center. Please drop off any items before noon Friday, February 10, to the Parish Office during regular business hours of 8 am-4 pm Monday through Friday. For more information, please call Special Events Ministry Coordinator Sylvia Jones at (240) 755-2247 or the Parish Office at (301) 840-1407.
Preste sus artefactos, utensilios de cocina y mapas italianos para decorar el evento de agradecimiento a los voluntarios
¿Tiene algún mapa de Italia, artefactos italianos o utensilios de cocina, o fotos antiguas de miembros de familia italiana de los que podría separarse por unos días? Si es así, considere prestarlos a la parroquia para usarlos como decoración en la próxima Cena y Baile de Agradecimiento a los Voluntarios Adultos el sábado 11 de febrero, en el Centro Parroquial. Por favor, deje cualquier artículo antes del mediodía del viernes 10 de febrero, en la Oficina Parroquial durante el horario comercial regular de 8 a.m. a 4 p.m. de lunes a viernes. Para obtener más información, llame a la Coordinadora del Ministerio de Eventos Especiales Sylvia Jones al (240) 755-2247 oa la Oficina Parroquial al (301) 840-1407.